In Bollywood, it’s hard to find movies where the protagonist is speech-impaired; only a few movies come to mind of such sort, including Koshish, Khamoshi and Iqbal. R Balki’s Shamitabh revolves around the story of a speech-impaired boy, named Daanish, and his struggles to realise his dreams. His strong desire to become an actor takes him to Mumbai and once there, he starts his journey to become the “future king” of Bollywood. But his progress is slow and the journey is quite perilous; after all, who would sign a film with a mute actor in a lead role? [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/116146788[/embed] After seeing his struggles, the audience is then introduced to Akshara Pandey (played by Akshara Haasan), who is an assistant director, who notices the passion, zeal and volcanic expressions that Daanish has in his acting. She takes Daanish to her uncle (who is a doctor by profession) to see if there is anything that he can do to help him. The uncle reveals that there is, indeed, a certain treatment which might help him speak. But for it to work, they’ll need a voice-box, one that suits Daanish. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="311"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Here begins their search for the “right voice”, until they bump into Amitabh Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan). Amitabh is a drunkard who lives in a graveyard as a tenant. They find his voice appealing and decide to ask for his help. But why would he help Daanish? Will there be a clash of egos? Will Daanish make it to the silver screen? Will the world ever get to know about Daanish’s speech-impairment? This is essentially the storyline of Shamitabh. To get the answers, you need to watch the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Mr Bachchan outdoes himself once again and gives a phenomenal performance. He excels in a role that he never had any difficulty performing; his frustrated, angry and comic scenes while he’s drunk – they truly evidence his excellence. To date, he is the best on-screen drunkard ever seen in Bollywood movies. That’s why he played the lead in the 80’s Sharaabi. In recent years, this movie is Amitabh’s most promising work, hands down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Dhanush, the Kollywood actor who plays the role of Daanish, was appreciated by the masses in his last venture Raanjhana (his Bollywood debut). In Shamitabh, he has managed to enthral our hearts once again. It’s almost impossible for new actor to get noticed in scenes where an actor like Mr Bachchan shares screen-time with them but Dhanush not only surpasses that, he also makes the audience eager to see more of him in every other act. His emotional scenes, unspoken anger and outbursts are the highlight. He is undoubtedly the next big thing in Bollywood – he just has to select the right roles. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Akshara’s performance was average – it could have been a lot better. Her acting reminded me of a younger Aishwariya and Sareeka (her mother), but I saw very little of her own self. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Shamitabh stands at par with R Balki’s last two excellent instalments Paa and Cheeni Kum. He has the talent of beautifully portraying difficult and complicated emotions with gusto. If you are an Amitabh Bachchan fan, or fell in love with Dhanush in Raanjhanaa, then Shamitabh is a must watch. But if you are looking for a dhishoom-dhamaaka, senseless comedy or a total masala flick then skip it. Shamitabh caters to a particular taste; you either love it, or hate it. Nothing in between. I would rate it an easy 3.5 out of five.

Never before have character names from a book become even more accurate in a film adaptation until now. The sky in his world is grey, the ties are grey, his surname is the epitome of Grey and Jamie Dornan’s rendering of the multimillionaire Christian Grey is sadly greyer than dull dish water. Based on the ubiquitous global phenomenon that has caused many a curiosity impaired reader of the first book to say how badly written it is and yet bizarrely proceed to read the other two books in EL James’ erotic romance trilogy, this first film, Fifty Shades of Grey follows very normal Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a soft spoken final year college student who meets 27-year-old multimillionaire Christian Grey and falls for him almost as hard as he seemingly falls for her. [embed width="620"]https://vimeo.com/102008029[/embed] It all appears rather fairy-tale like until his ‘ism’ is revealed, as befalls all relationships, but it’s not just your regular ‘wanting to be in physical contact with the remote at all times’ weirdness, instead, we are told that his ‘tastes are very singular’ and shown a rather alarmingly well-stocked OCD BDSM red room filled with fetishist paraphernalia. Christian can only be with Anastasia if he is the dominant and she is his submissive or so he says though that never seems to be the case with her because and like every woman’s actual fantasy she is of course so special and also plays hard to get so well – she must have read The Rules – that she might just have the ability to change him. And so begins an almost Bollywood style cat and mouse chase between the unlikely couple and yet as he clings to her dupatta and tells of what has triggered his wayward desires, there is something lacking in the depiction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] While the world of Christian is grey in tone, there is not much subtle, in between or complex about it, no grey area in this contract filled film; it is defiantly, and to its detriment at times, a black and white portrayal of a self-confessed control freak who is either over-emotionalised or ‘fifty shades of messed up’ because of his difficult start in life but never a flawed human being through any fault of his own or just awkward hard wiring. Yes, the book is partly to blame for the shoddy backstory and this is certainly a tamer, even more vanilla version of the book, but on top of this, Dornan does not seem to fully embrace the role of Christian, at times making us feel nervous for him – he blinks way too much – so we end up almost pitying his character instead of finding him confusing which certainly caused a few awkward giggles in the screening I went to that should not have happened. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] What is definitely confusing, however, is that Dornan is excellent as a serial killer in BBC TV drama The Fall so perhaps the nerves could be put down to the fact that he replaced Charlie Hunnam, the originally cast Grey, late in the day and didn’t have as much time to prepare for the role as Johnson did. We may never know. Well that is, until his next film which certainly will not be a small one now that this guy’s on Hollywood’s radar. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] But it is instead Johnson who, though in taking on this part has certainly taken the bigger career risk out of the two leads, has ended up triumphantly taking an at best feeble, weak willed character in the book – who has her own strange ‘ism’ in that she says 'oh my' in her head a lot – and has turned her into a witty, Bolshy and yet fragile, likeable character. Perhaps this is because the film had a female director in Sam Taylor-Johnson at its helm who may have naturally focused more on the female perspective, perhaps they had an affinity because they have the same surname or it might just be because she is a very talented actress – I don’t remember seeing her in anything else though she was in The Social Network – but Anastasia in this film is by far the main event. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] As expected, because it's directed by the above mentioned artist, the film looks stunning and there is not much to fault in the aesthetic except that the nature of the more intimate scenes is certainly hyper-stylised to an inch of its life, hinting at an overly cautious and controlling studio overlord (Universal) which has ultimately taken away from the vulnerability of Anastasia and Christian’s connection. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] I had also expected more from the soundtrack, especially after the special adaptation of Beyonce’s Crazy In Love which accompanied the teaser trailer. https://soundcloud.com/onc4/beyonce-crazy-in-love-2014-remix-from-fifty-shades-of-grey-original-soundtrack At the end of the day however, this is not a film that can and should be criticised in the same way that other films must; Fifty Shades of Grey is a phenomenon entire of itself which can only really be compared to itself and so relative to the book, this film adaptation is definitely better. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] What's more, never before have I been to a screening – granted on Valentine’s Day – where so many young women have been giggling, sighing and snorting to such an extent and almost in conversation with each other and not found it the slightest bit annoying. It was almost as if we were all sharing a very loud and humorous secret and although the film dragged in parts and was laughable in others, it still managed to do what all the other rubbish trilogy adaptions have not been able to do before and that is laugh at itself. I give it a 2.5 out of five.

What happens when a ‘conventional chocolate boy’ opts for an unconventionally intense and complicated role, contradicting his previous comical high school performances? What makes a filmmaker choose such an actor for a main lead in his movie? How good can revenge sagas be? Well, Badlapur will answer all these questions for you. Varun Dhawan, for the very first time, is seen in a role different from his usual ‘cutesy’ avatar. His performance has been surprising, to say the least. Along with him, we come across Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who, after Kick, has managed to score another meaty role with more screen presence this time. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="499"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] At the beginning of the story, Raghav (Varun) is shown as a happily married, young, successful and urban workaholic working for a marketing agency. His life flips 180 degrees when he is informed that his wife Misha (Yami Gautam) and child were killed by a bank robber Layak (Nawaz). Layak eventually gets caught but his accomplice, Harman (Vinay Pathak), manages to flee. Layak is sentenced to 20 years in prison and it is only 15 years after the incident that Raghav finds out about Harman’s escape. Overcome by rage, Raghav vows to avenge the death of his family; how he manages to do that is what Badlapur is all about. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bjm47_badlapur-hd-hindi-movie-teaser-trailer-2015-varun-dhawan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-huma-qureshi-yami-gauta_shortfilms[/embed] Performance wise, Nawaz portrays his character with panache and proves yet again that if asked to portray a powerful character, he can take on the challenge effortlessly, and that is precisely why he is one of the finest actors in the industry today. In every scene, Nawaz makes sure he stands out with dominion. Let’s just say, Badlapur would not have been the twisted rollercoaster ride it is without Nawazuddin. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="499"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] Varun’s role, as a madman out for revenge, is one he has never before been seen in. His role was complicated and demanded intensity, anger, a sense of hate for almost everyone in the world, coupled with shades of being erratic behaviour and a lot more. And he managed it all beautifully! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] After Dedh Ishqiya, Huma Qureshi manages to impress the audience once again. In her short-lived screen presence, she displays the most apt emotions and expressions – an emblem of a seasoned performer. The role of Jhimli, a young, sultry prostitute was portrayed brilliantly by Huma. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] Vinay is, as usual, perfect, and the same goes for Divya Dutta as well. The scene in which Raghav goes for a “lunch date” with Harman and Shoba (Divya), an activist working for rehabilitation of prisoners, is a masterstroke of performances by all three performers. A special mention of Radhika Apte – who plays the role of Koko, Harman’s wife – is essential; not only did she delicately, and realistically, portray her role, despite her screen presence amounting to hardly three or four scenes, her performance stuck to the audience like glue. She is as natural as one could be. To me, she could easily be called the Tabu of the coming days, provided she is given the ‘right’ opportunities. Yami, as expected, gave an average performance. But the surprise came from Pratima Kazmi, playing the role of Layak’s mother, and Kumud Mishra, as a police officer, both of whom gave some great performances. To add on to the list of strong points, the music and songs are good in general but Jeena Jeena and Jee Karda have the potential to raise crowds. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2f1k4k[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2c3wzi_jee-karda-badlapur-exclusive-full-video-song-ft-varun-dhawan-huma-qureshi-hd-1080p_music[/embed] I would definitely recommend watching Badlapur and guarantee that the twisted revenge saga will keep you hooked throughout. Based on the performances and the overall experience, I would give it an easy 3.5 out of five.

In the midst of increasing inter-cast marriages and prevailing women suppression, NH10 encourages India to plunge into liberalism and women empowerment. The movie is a superb attempt at addressing issues soaked in violence and injustice amongst the sexes. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gjash[/embed] Anushka Sharma, after her girl-next-door roles, emerges as a revolutionary body in NH10, portraying a powerful woman who takes an initiative of saving her husband by fighting under adverse circumstances. There are astounding progressions in her character throughout the movie – from a modern corporate woman to a fearless fighter. NH10 opens with a vivid image of a lively couple Meera (Anushka) and Arjun (Neil Bhoopalam) living in Delhi. After a dangerous attack on Meera, Arjun takes her on a road trip for her birthday to make her feel better after the incident. Their tragedy begins when they venture into the territory of NH10 and Arjun interferes in a family dispute at a roadside dhabb where they find a young couple beaten up by the girl’s brother, Satbir (Darshan Kumar). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] Furious at seeing the beaten-up couple, Arjun decides to teach the mobsters a lesson, despite Meera’s aversion, and ends up killing one of the men from Satbir’s gang. In order to take revenge for their friend, Satbir and his gang chase Meera and Arjun, during which Arjun gets severely injured. Meera takes the initiative to fight the men alone but conditions do not show her any mercy. During her struggle for survival, Meera gets to know that the Haryanvi people, including their law and its officials, are immersed in ignorance regarding injustice and there is a brutal divergence of inter-caste marriages and injustice of women. She tactfully tries to escape the situation but fate leads her towards a painful end. At that point, nothing can calm Meera down except for vengeance. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="429"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] NH10 has a great story line which is presented terrifically. However, as the movie progresses, the pace slows down, which was a bit of a let-down. There are horrifying, nerve-wrecking and violent sequences in the movie, which I would not advise soft-hearted people to watch. The cinematography is mind blowing with superb direction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] The characters support the plot wonderfully. Bhoopalam plays the character of an impulsive and immature guy, and does justice to his role. Darshan Kumar, on the other hand, does not fail to surprise the audiences by his atrocious and extreme character in NH10 after his sweet hubby image in Mary Kom. Deepti Naval, in a glorifying cameo, startles the public with her mind-altering performance. The evolution in her character from a mild, dejected woman to a harsh one was quite appealing. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] Last but not the least, Anushka was undoubtedly the screen-stealer. In this movie, she has proved that she is one of the leading actresses of today. She never goes off track and her intimacy with the camera is magical. From the beginning till the last shot of the movie, Anushka never escapes the essence of Meera’s character. There was so much ease in her acting that it looked as if the events actually happened to her. The way she smoothly transforms her character is impressive too; how she’s soft and ladylike in the beginning and how the events change her into a tough person with unbeatable courage. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="506"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] The reason why I felt NH10 was so striking is because of its hard hitting subject. Tribulations like ignorance, oppression, injustice and cruel behaviour against women are unfortunately found in Pakistani societies as well. In most conservative families, women are pressurised by men and are not allowed to marry or live in accordance to their choices. These women are leading a suffocated life and need to raise their voice against their sufferings. For this cause, movies like NH10 is an overwhelming portrayal for combating such evils and supporting women. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] Overall, NH10 is an eye-opening experience. It is one of those bold movies, like Mardani, that the Indian film industry produces from time to time, and which are perhaps the need of the hour to educate the public about our dark society. I think this movie is a must watch. I would rate it a 3.5 on 5.

Stephen Hawking, a British theoretical physicist, is one of the most extraordinary and brilliant minds that we have in the world today. His is a brain of astounding powers. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x23du9p_the-theory-of-everything-trailer_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] The ground-breaking ideas that he has unleashed onto the world are significantly responsible for transforming the ways with which we make sense of the universe and have established him as a ubiquitous sensation; a personality so impeccably prominent and pertinent that he has been considered by many as the equitable heir to none other than Einstein himself. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="335"] Photo: The Theory of Everything Facebook page[/caption] The lives of such figures have been a fertile breeding ground for the interest of filmmakers and have resulted in a plethora of conventional biopics. However, James Marsh’s biopic, The Theory of Everything, despite its banal plot, is rendered unconventional due to the tour de force performance by Eddie Redmayne, for which he won an Oscar earlier this year. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Photo: The Theory of Everything Facebook page[/caption] The movie is based on a memoir written by Professor Hawking’s wife, Jane. It tells the story of a young and eccentric 21-year-old Hawking who is pursuing his postdoctoral studies at Cambridge University. There he meets Jane (Felicity Jones) during an ephemeral tryst at a college party. Soon they fall in love and subsequently get married. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Photo: The Theory of Everything Facebook page[/caption] While engrossed in his research at Cambridge, one bright, sunny though utterly unfortunate day, Stephen falls perilously and post-diagnosis finds himself at the mercy of a motor neuron disease which challenges him emotionally and physically, though never mentally. Initially satisfied by the fact that his brain will always work, he is later confronted by the dilemma that due to his diminishing physical vigour, he would not be able to convey and express his ideas to others. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Photo: The Theory of Everything Facebook page[/caption] As the disease germinates and flourishes, it deters his physical vitality, leaving him motionless, speechless and in the end, wheelchair-bound. However, fortunately, contrary to doctors’ predictions, Stephen lives way beyond the two years he was initially expected to live. As their portrait of marriage blossoms with colours, some vivacious and some dull, Jane’s embarks on a test of endurance. While Stephen’s physical afflictions begin to increase alarmingly the strains in their marriage develop slowly and gradually. With Stephen’s deteriorating illness, three children to look after and her own studies, career and aspirations at stake, Jane soon finds herself cocooned in a struggle to be a loving and caring wife. Although Redmayne stole the show with his unflinching and visceral performance, Jone’s performance is no less than exemplary. Her character is saturated with such suavity and finesse that even in the quietest and simplest scenes, you are compelled to succumb to the emotional gravity of her character and you give in, feeling sympathetic, feeling a surge of compassion for her doggedness and loyalty, and almost falling in love with her. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Photo: The Theory of Everything Facebook page[/caption] This film will leave you embroiled in a battle of contradictory emotions. You will feel ecstatic at Stephen’s relentless efforts for excellence and you will feel gloomy at his melancholic separation with Jane. You will roar with guffaws of celebration when Stephen’s book, A brief history of time, gets published to colossal critical and commercial acclaim but you will loom with sadness during that last scene, which in itself is a masterpiece. This particular scene carries enough emotional momentum to make you choke on your tears and to leave you dizzy with a storm of poignant sentiments. Marsh has excelled in making a cultured, tear-jerking and emotionally wrecking classic which gives us a breath-taking insight into the dazzling mind of a scientific genius. The scenes in this movie are as immaculately contrived as are Hawking’s theories. Marsh portrays the life and times of Stephen Hawking with such sheer intelligence and impeccable execution that you feel that you have just witnessed a valorous act of uncanny creativity and exuberant prowess. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: The Theory of Everything Facebook page[/caption] So, whether you are a physics-fanatic or not or even if you do not know who Stephen Hawking is, yet, I suggest that you watch this movie. For this is much more than a biopic about the awe-inspiring life of a leading scientist. It deals with much grander themes and will metamorphose your ideas on life, marriage, fidelity and endurance against a physical impediment. Despite its slow-pace and suburban setting, this movie manages to pack an eclectic mix of flavours that will surely satiate your cravings. This movie is as serenely comforting as it is harrowingly moving. For its beautiful scenes and a barrage of emotional splendour, garnished by towering performances of the past year by Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, I will give this movie 8.5 out of 10.

Who knew that Rob Cohen’s The Fast and the Furious (2001) would lead to the creation of a movie franchise that would have seven installments and would earn over millions at the box office? [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2946mq_furious-7-trailer_shortfilms[/embed] Recently released Fast and Furious 7, or simply Furious 7, is a sequel to Fast and Furious 6 and has all the major characters from the previous film reprising their roles. Set in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Azerbaijan and Abu Dhabi, Furious 7 takes viewers on an exciting ride through high speed chases, car crashes and one-on-one fights that can leave one glued to the screen. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="567"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The ‘last ride’ idea comes from a scene where Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) are in a garage, planning to take down their enemy. In reply to O’Conner’s question of,

“What do you want?”

“One last ride!”

“What’s next for Toretto and his crew?”

A good action movie never fails to impress its audiences. This is why the action movie genre is the safest bet for producers and directors and guarantees box office revenues. Having said that, it is also true that some movies just don’t have what it takes, which is saying a lot, and the reasons are repetitive plots and identical scripts. In order to produce great action, changes in plots and somewhat believable action scenes are required. After all, movie-goers these days are getting smarter. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cmnxe_sean-penn-is-the-gunman-trailer_shortfilms[/embed] The Gunman is one such recently released action film which stars Sean Penn along with a group of decent performers like Peter Franzén, Mark Rylance, Ray Winstonem, Idris Elba and Javier Bardem. I know what you’re thinking – how can a Sean Penn-movie ever go wrong? Yeah, I thought the same... until I watched this “blockbuster”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] The plot revolves around a special forces associate, Jim (Penn), who falls in love with a humanitarian doctor, Annie (Jasmine Trinca). But unfortunately, their romance is fleeting. After successfully completing an assignment in Congo, Jim leaves both Congo and Annie behind when duty calls. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] Eight years later, when Jim visits Congo again, he is attacked by an unknown assailant. To get some answers, Jim turns to his friends, Felix (Bardem)and Cox (Mark Rylance), but he finds them fighting their own battles. Jim then realises that he is alone in this and that going back to the ‘gunman’ life will not be an easy route. Does Jim manage to find out who this silent attacker is? More importantly, can the mighty Jim win? Well, I guess you’ll have to watch it for yourself and find out. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] Performance wise, The Gunman fails to impress, as hard as it is to believe. Penn’s performance resembles Liam Neeson’s in the Taken series. In fact, at various points in the movie, Penn looks and walks just like Neeson, which was a huge disappointment for me. Penn is definitely a good actor but perhaps this was just not the role for him. The other performances in the movie are also literally a waste of their talents. I mean, come on, you have Penn, Bardem and Elba! How can you mess that up? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] The stunts, chase scenes and dialogues are so worn out that they might just put you to sleep. The plot gets predictable as there is no element of surprise whatsoever. Furthermore, the relationship between Elba and Penn is ill-conceived. The script and production team could have pulled off a great blockbuster had they worked on it with a different angle. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] Photo: The Gunman Official Facebook Page[/caption] Looking at it from a directorial point of view, if you’re in a good mood, you just might enjoy the movie. But if you’re not, then it comes across as an average watch with some action sprinkled here and there. Director Pierre Morel terribly fails to deliver something even remotely close to Taken, if that is what he was going for. Unfortunately, the movie lacks substances and will cease to be remembered. It greatly misses the target and terribly so. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] In terms of production quality, direction, script, action and performance, I would give it a mere 2 out of 5.

After appearing as the henchmen and later as sidekicks of super evil felonious Guru in Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 respectively, the little yellow-coloured, one-eyed, and two-eyed adorable creatures are back with their very own movie - Minions. The movie, however, begins during the era of the dinosaurs, and shows the minions travelling in herds over a period of centuries in search for an evil mastermind as their leader. However, the minions are not that fortunate because all classic masters who they wanted to serve meet a tragic end. Watching these villains on the screen will surely make you feel like travelling back in time. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x29bf23_minions-the-movie-official-trailer-hd-illumination-entertainment_shortfilms[/embed] The story will tell you the reasons why the minions stopped their search for an evil master and why they lived in exile in one of the world’s most frozen areas, away from any human or animal life. However, the minions – known for their resilience and determination to get things done despite their miniature size – are not to be defeated that easily. The story then focuses on three minions, Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, who leave their herd behind to explore the civilised world in search for the most ruthless villain. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The minions enter civilisation during the 60s to find the master and they do so in a rather unique place. I will not go into the details of how and where the three minions find Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock) and Herb (Jon Hamm), the two villains, whom the minions consider super evil. However, Overkill and Herb have plans of doing something with the Queen of England and the three minions are happy to assist them. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The movie then revolves around Overkill’s plan and the minions’ comical and ingenious ways to help her. During the movie, we find about the origin of the minions, the reason for their quest for an evil leader, and how they find the trademark clothing they wear – blue-coloured overalls. The adult viewers may find some hiccups in the storyline as some parts do not add up, but perhaps that is the intention as nothing the minions do or say is of adults’ interest. However, Minions will certainly amuse the younger audiences with their gibberish language, facial expressions, vocal intonations, and their spontaneous acts of humour. The animators, therefore, must receive applause for giving attention to detail and for adding life in these creatures, making them children’s beloved characters across the world. Since the movie is about the minions, therefore, there are several one-liner jokes and antics as compared to the Despicable Me franchise. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Director Pierre Coffin (director of the Despicable Me franchise) has ample of experience working with the minions and knows exactly how to make them appear on screen. Moreover, many fans are not aware of the fact that Coffin has been rendering his voice for the minions in every movie they have appeared in. Even when the minions are creating havoc in the movie, there is some sense of maturity as the narrator, actor Geoffrey Roy Rush, narrates the story – his voice adds charisma and gives logical appeal in all the amusing and hilarious disorders that the minions are creating. In my opinion, it is a combination that was risky, because maturity and senselessness can be a dicey decision. Nevertheless, the risk paid off well. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The only aspect missing from the Minions is that their adorability may not be able to bring out a Minions sequel. If there is a sequel, it must include Guru but showing the movie from the minions’ perspective is also a prerequisite. However, Guru does make a cameo appearance in the end and does something that ensures that the minions have found their new master. Minions stands alone as a perfect comical adventure and delivers what it promises. Furthermore, there is not a single boring moment in the movie except for the scenes where all the audience gets to see is Overkill with no minions in it, but that was essential to move the story forward. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Surely, Minions will make you feel alive if you are an adult, and the children will not stop laughing until the credits roll at the end. The movie is the perfect entertainment option if you want your kids to have a great time, while you enjoy it as well.

John Green’s second book, Paper Towns, gets a movie adaptation by the same name with Nat Wolff playing the role of Quentin Jacobsen and Cara Delevingne appearing as Margo Roth Spiegelman. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2zcyr8_paper-towns-hd-official-trailer-cara-nat_shortfilms[/embed] The movie explores the relationship of Quentin and Margo who remain best friends throughout childhood but drift away during high school. Scott Neustadter and Michael H Weber, who jointly wrote the screenplay for The Fault in Our Stars, have written the screenplay for Paper Towns as well. Perhaps this is why viewers who have watched The Fault in Our Stars will find similarities in the philosophical issues discussed in Paper Towns. Although they are not the same, the tone of voice the characters use and their inclination towards finding deeper meaning to life indicate so. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] A twist occurs in the movie when Margo, who hasn’t been in touch with Quentin in a long time, asks him to accompany her on a road trip. However, what Quentin wants to accomplish through the road trip is for viewers to know, as it is through this adventure that the two characters go on a journey of self-discovery and get a glimpse of each other’s inner self. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] On a personal level, I like the way director Jake Schreier uses a natural environment for most of the scenes to increase the production value of the movie, along with the cast’s decent performance which gives viewers positive vibes. Though Schreier hasn’t directed many full-length movies, he does a good job with Paper Towns. Furthermore, there is simple yet energetic high school fun and the atmosphere brings the movie and its characters to life. The story does get a boost with Margo and Quentin’s relationship, as it is Margo who explains to him the meaning of ‘Paper Towns’. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Moreover, viewers will even get a hint of the romantic chemistry between Quentin and Margo. However, before Quentin can openly express his feelings, Margo disappears. This creates another plot in the movie, where Quentin becomes the point of view by replacing Margo, and begins his adventurous hunt with a group of friends to find her. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Even with Margo out of the picture after her disappearance, she remains a part of the plot as much as Quentin. This is because of the clues that Margo leaves behind. Though Paper Towns is a coming-of-age movie, developed on the lines of philosophy and mystery, the latter part of the movie shows Quentin developing into a person having a broader mental level after he fumbles on the deeper truth of life while finding Margo. Moreover, Wolff, who plays Isaac in The Fault in Our Stars, will surprise viewers with his acting skills. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The opening parts of the movie, until the two characters are children, show how they remain best friends but social differences drift them apart as they grow up. However, their differences, highlighted in a subtle manner, show Margo growing up as a beauty queen at high school while Quentin becoming an introvert. For Quentin, Margo is nothing short of a fantasy, because he sees her as tough and courageous, the qualities which Quentin cannot experience because of his shy attitude. However, Quentin and Margo’s relationship becomes stronger half way through the movie when they meet again in high school – the time when they are unaware of what waits for them beyond high school, therefore, every issue holds a deeper meaning for them. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Though Paper Towns has a nice story, mystery builds up after Margo disappears and Quentin begins to hear rumours about her disappearance. The movie remains catchy until Margo’s character stays on screen. However, with Margo’s disappearance, the plot’s appeal slightly loses its grip but Wolff does hold the story together with, what the critics have been saying, his heartthrob looks. Viewers will also find some melodrama in the movie, especially during the time when the two characters are minding their own lives during the high school era before Margo re-enters Quentin’s life, partly because the story does not highlight in detail the reasons for Margo and Quentin not remaining in touch for a long time. However, the characters seem realistic and keep the story moving forward while maintaining viewer’s interest. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The ending parts of the movie show the feelings of a teenage soul, which is confused yet knows which path to take to find life’s answers. Moreover, the characters need someone to hold on to, yet they can journey alone if they are compelled to. At the end, the viewer’s get to see that their identities are hidden behind their personalities and during the time when Quentin is finding Margo, he is also discovering himself. However, viewers will be amazed to see what Quentin really finds in the end.

Fantastic Four starts with the same wonder and enchantment as films from my 80s’ childhood, like The Extra Terrestrial (ET) and The Goonies, but swiftly loses any further similarities to these classics and succumbs to an overly simplistic action-based plot that fails to take stock of what is important here – the characters (ironic seeing as this reboot is meant to be an origins story). [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fr0ro_fantastic-four-official-teaser-trailer-hd_shortfilms[/embed] As with many prequels, we think we are here to understand a little more about what drives these superheroes we have come to love while also exploring a journey that we should already feel a part of but instead we don’t get to fill in the gaps with any substantial explanations and ultimately fail to grow closer to these characters (the best Marvel way to do this being through humour as with Iron Man) leaving us feeling like we’ve wasted our time. The premise, which is full of pseudo science, involves vast suspension of disbelief on many fronts not least the science aspect and centres around Reed Richards (Miles Teller), a wunderkind at school, who with the support of his friend Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell), manages to create a machine to teleport inorganic matter to another dimension and bring it back. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] A few years later at his school science fair, Richards, or commonly known as Mr Fantastic, is recruited by Dr Franklin Storm (Reg E Cathey) who with the help of Victor Von Doom (Toby Kebbell), the doctor’s dangerous protégée, has managed to send matter off to another dimension but is yet to bring it back. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Bringing the two together with his son Johnny Storm (Michael B Jordan) and adopted daughter Susan Storm (Kate Mara), Dr Storm hopes to create a teleporter to take humans to another dimension and safely bring them back again. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Josh Trank, director and co-writer, spends a relatively large amount of time on this setup, leaving little opportunity to fit in what then compels a seemingly intelligent team of men to get so drunk that they head off into a vessel to take them to a realm that they have so far only sent a monkey to. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] This move would perhaps make sense if we had some relevant background story for Richards, or if we had seen that his friend Grimm, who becomes a last minute addition to the mission, had wanted to be a part of Richard’s new world, or even if the dangerous protégée had some dastardly plan, but no, this is just the way the film is propelled forward, lazily and without thought put into the ‘why’ over the ‘how’. Upon their return, the team is transformed into their ‘Fantastic’ selves but it is when we lose Richards – who runs away and abandons his friends – that Fantastic Four really loses its sense of self. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb/ Ben Rothstein[/caption] In the final act, as a sense of false sentimentality sets in, through an artificial familiarity with the superhero setting that is flimsy without a well-developed storyline, we are left with too many questions batted away by action and feeble attempts at some higher brow concepts. If the magic and wonderment are manufactured, all else seems to follow suit and in a linear very predictable way, it’s paint by numbers writing with some attempts at heart and feeling thrown in that fail to engage the audience as much as they should, leaving no room for humour to mix it up a little. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Fantastic Four Facebook page[/caption] Having said all this, the film is well acted and still reasonably entertaining if you go to watch it as an action movie rather than the comic escapade with complex narrative we have come to love from Marvel. There has also been a lot of internet chatter as to whether Fox Movies, Fantastic Four’s distributor, ended up meddling too much and ultimately wrecking the film, but regardless, there is indecision in this production and paired with an overly simplistic script there’s nowhere to hide. What’s perhaps most frustrating is that it’s not a terrible film, it just could have been so much better if only it focused a little more on what matters (the clue’s in the film’s name).

It takes ages to find a plot that has the tendency to showcase different emotions, scenarios, and the journey of life i.e. transformation of one’s identity.  [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2xvvor_manjhi-hd-hindi-movie-trailer-2015_shortfilms [/embed]  Manjhi: The Mountain Man is one such story that shares a tale of a man who believes in love, humanity, arrogance, friendship and doing what’s needed in his capacity as an individual to bring a change. It is based on the true story of Dashrath Manjhi, an unsung hero and legend who proved that nothing is impossible to achieve. The film is directed by Ketan Mehta and features Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the lead role of Manjhi. Manjhi has an able team to give what the audience of today’s world is in dire need of. Let’s dissect the movie and find out how rock steady it actually is. Manjhi was an ordinary man from Gehlaur, India, who left his hometown as a child solely because he never wanted to be a slave for Mukhia (Tigmanshu Dhulia), the landlord of the village. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] At the age of 20, he returns to his hometown and meets his ‘child bride’ who he was married off to in his childhood, Phaguniya (Radhika Apte). Oblivious to the fact that they were married off as kids, he instantly falls in love with her. But when Phaguniya’s father opposed her relationship with Manjhi as he was jobless, they decide to elope. The movie takes a dramatic turn when Phaguniya accidently slips on the mountain and dies. To avenge his wife, he curses the mountain and vows to bring it down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Siddiqui has already proved his mettle with almost every movie he has featured in but Manjhi is exceptional and can definitely be considered as one of Siddiqui’s most accomplished works. There is no match to the variety of emotions Siddiqui puts forward for his audience. His peculiar way of laughter after every unusual and weird metaphor is commendable. It’s safe to say that Manjhi is Siddiqui’s best performance till date. He truly deserves an award for this movie. Apte is another underrated actress who showcases her acting prowess in her role of Phaguniya; Mehta has managed to utilise her skills to the fullest. A sensuous mud sequence between Siddiqui and Apte is beautifully and aesthetically filmed, again thanks to Mehta. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Indian Express[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Dhulia as Mukhiya puts forward a phenomenal performance as the oppressive landlord. He gives an earnest performance, though at times viewers might recall shades of his Gangs of Wasseypur character. Ashraful Haq as Manjhi’s father is strictly okay. Prashant Narayanan who plays the role of Jhumru, the helpless husband and powerful Naxalite, is not only effective but dominant too. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] It’s hard to make people realise that it’s not any less of a wonder to keep audiences interested in a movie throughout which only has two main characters, Manjhi (the protagonist) and the Mountain (villain of Manjhi’s life). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Manjhi starts with a high voltage and power-packed scene where Manjhi vents out his anger towards a mountain and challenges to turn the towering piece of rock into scrap – that’s not usual. Or is it? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Every other scene in Manjhi is praise worthy and leaves a long-lasting imprint in the minds of the audience. Indian cinema has not seen movies like Manjhi which have a solid narrative in a while. Along with it being a cinematic delight, it also puts forth the harsh truth of civil injustice. The movie shows no matter how mountainous injustice is, when there is a will there can be a way made. Manjhi is a masterstroke and movies like these are not produced and showcased on regular basis. Manjhi offers its audience and true cinema aficionados everything they crave for – awesome direction, amazing cinematography, great screen play, fabulous acting and clap worthy dialogues. I would rate Manjhi a solid five out of five without any second thought.

When I heard about the movie ‘Brothers’, the Bollywood remake of ‘Warriors’, I was disappointed at first because I did not want them to taint the legacy of such an epic movie, one of the classics of the Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) genre. Don’t blame me for thinking so, because most of the remakes and many from across the border will agree with me. [embed width= "620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2tegr5_brothers-hd-hindi-movie-trailer-2015_shortfilms[/embed] I started to gather some more information about the remake, as I am a die-hard fan of action and MMA championship movies.When I learnt that Akshay Kumar would be depicting one of the main protagonists of the movie, I felt a little relieved. However, I was a little quirked at Sidharth Malhotra playing Tom Hardy’s equivalent in the movie because perhaps no one can be at par with Hardy’s acting skills. Kumar plays the good son, David, a fighter-turned-teacher returning to the ring to fund an operation for his sick daughter, where as Malhotra plays the recently-out-of-prison, Monty. I was actually amused to see Malhotra do justice to the role, even with lesser screen presence and dialogues, as compared to Kumar. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Brothers Facebook page[/caption] The movie was captivating from the beginning and highlighted the main problems faced by fighters in our part of the world, which are more adverse because of the lack of proper facilities available. It also depicted the painful story of the family breaking apart and the effect it had on the boys’ upbringing. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Brothers Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Brothers Facebook page[/caption] I was a bit doubtful about the fight scenes but I was proven wrong yet again. They have executed it well,especially the reincarnation of Koba; equally dark and much bigger in size than the actual one. All the fight scenes are fantastic and every MMA enthusiast will love them. The audience is on a roller coaster ride of emotions as well, thanks to Jackie Shroff’s acting as a drunken father and Shefali Shah’s role as a doting mother; outstanding performances by both of them. However, the commentary was too wordy, because of the lack of good catchy Hindi phrases. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Brothers Facebook page[/caption] This movie should be able to shatter the perception that Bollywood cannot make a good remake of a Hollywood movie. I hope to see more action movies like this, both in Pakistan and India. Put please put aside your ‘Warrior’ glasses when you watch this movie and you will be entertained with this power packed remake of ‘Warriors’. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Brothers Facebook page[/caption] I would rate this movie four out of five stars.

All Is Well is a family-oriented movie directed by Umesh Shukla. Prominent cast members include Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Asin, Supriya Pathak and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub amongst others. [embed width = "620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wfov7_all-is-well-official-trailer-abhishek-bachchan-asin-rishi-kapoor-supriya-latest-bollywood-movies-201_shortfilms[/embed] First and foremost, if you don’t plan on wasting your precious weekend, you should avoid going to the cinema to watch this movie. By a long shot, All Is Well is anything but well; as a matter of fact, it is an abomination. Predominantly, what made the movie worse is the dull script, which drags far too long, and the poor acting with forced comedic situations come off as crass and obtuse. Simply put, it is not funny at all. In essence, this movie is a family saga, which starts off with a road trip. However, the road trip leads to nowhere. The movie includes forgettable punch lines which hold no impact and lifeless emotional scenes having depth equivalent to an inanimate rock. Therefore, this further makes the movie a regretful choice and a forgetful affair. The story revolves around a struggling musician by the name of Inder Bhalla (Bachan), who dreams of reaching the heights of success by launching his own music album. He comes back to India from Pattaya, Thailand, to settle a property issue and meets his estranged father, Mr Bhalla (Kapoor). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: All Is Well Facebook page[/caption] He then gets to know that his father is in debt and owes money to a loan shark, Chima (Ayyub) who is after their family for the collection of the debt. Moreover, it consists of a usual run of the mill and passé cum clichéd love story between Nimmi (Asin) and Inder. After overcoming many odds, their love story manages to come to a fruitful end at the end of the film. Nobody saw that coming from a mile! As far as the songs of the movie are concerned, neither of them are captivating. They have even taken the super hit song from ‘Qayamat se Qayamat Tak’, Aey Mere Humsafar, and utterly ruined it. Furthermore, Sonakshi Sinha has also performed an item song for this movie, which is, again, forgettable. However, the song Chaar Shanivaar is a tad bit better as compared to the mediocre songs of this feature film. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ywela[/embed] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: All Is Well Facebook page[/caption] In terms of acting potential, no actor stands out, not even Kapoor, which is a shame because he is one of the stalwart of the Bollywood movie industry; him showing no spine in terms of acting is very disappointing to see. Bachchan’s acting is substandard as well. After quite a long time, he has been cast as the main lead in a movie. The last few hits he gave were Dhoom 3 and Happy New Year, in which he was casted in an all ensemble cost. This goes to proves that he can’t perform well and is not capable of successfully carrying the weight of an entire movie on his shoulders. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: All Is Well Facebook page[/caption] As far as Asin is concerned, she plays the role of a smitten girl, head over heels in love with Inder, coupled with an almost fetish fascination with the novel The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: All Is Well Facebook page[/caption] In conclusion, All Is Well is a movie which has created no hype or buzz on its arrival. One wishes that the movie would get better after a few minutes, but those minutes turns into hours and you’re left with nothing but a sense of instant regret over having wasted money, and most importantly your time. It was excruciatingly painful to watch this movie, so kudos to you if you sat and watched it till the end. All Is Well has no sense of direction or pacing. It will soon find its resting place among other major flops in the halls of archival movies, which are long shunned and forgotten. I would advise you to not watch this movie free of cost also. Yes it’s that bad. All Is Well’s crass and third grade humour will insult your own sense of humour; it wouldn’t even amuse a five-year-old. This movie doesn’t deserve to be rated.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, Welcome (2007), starring Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, and Katrina Kaif, became an instant hit because of its ensemble cast and masala-filled story. Welcome Back, the sequel, is set to create the same hilarious chaos that it did in Welcome. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2zxzfs_welcome-back-trailer-2-hindi-movie-2015_shortfilms[/embed] Replacing Akshay Kumar in the sequel is John Abraham as Ajju Bhai/Ajay Barsi, while Shruti Hassan plays the female protagonist opposite Abraham. Patekar and Kapoor depict underworld dons, Uday Shetty and Majnu Pandey respectively. The cast also includes Paresh Rawal (Dr Ghungroo), Dimple Kapadia (Maha Rani), and Naseeruddin Shah aka ‘wanted bhai’. Also directed by Bazmee, and written by the successful trio of Bazmee, Rajiv Kaul, and Raj Shandaliya, Welcome Back has the same wittiness and slapstick humour as its prequel. However, viewers will miss Kumar and Kaif’s on-screen chemistry, or people might just prefer Abraham in the lead, being a fresh face with Kumar’s comic timing and expressions. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Welcome Back Facebook page[/caption]

Hero (2015) is a remake of the original Hero, released in 1983, which starred Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Sheshadri. This latest rendition of new comers, romance and action, along with Salman Khan’s singing stints, is disappointing, to say the least. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2y86i5[/embed] Sunil Shetty may have been the action hero of his time, but his daughter, Athiya Shetty needs a couple of more films under her name before walking on the path of stardom. It was evident that she was having difficulty delivering her dialogues, as they felt unnatural and abrupt. However, this might just be Sooraj Pancholi’s big break in the field of show business as he blended in with his character without any major hiccups. Pancholi’s father, Aditya Pancholi also stars in the movie, depicting the role of an underworld gangster, Pasha. Needless to say, the expectations from this remake were high – all eyes were set on the debutantes, Shetty and Pancholi. However, the movie failed to deliver what it had promised. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="543"] Photo: Hero Facebook page[/caption] Directed by Nikhil Advani and produced by Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai, Hero is the story of Sooraj (Pancholi), a gangster who meets and befriends Radha (Shetty). The boy and the girl belong to opposite families and lifestyles – very Bollywood like and clichéd. Radha’s father, Inspector General Mathur (Tigmanshu Dhulia) is a police chief, and as per law and logic, a gangster and a police officer cannot coexist in a peaceful environment, hence a tussle is evident from one of the first scenes of the movie. This keeps intensifying scene by scene until the climax is reached. The action unfolds when Sooraj compels Radha to run away with him, but little does Radha know that Sooraj actually intends to kidnap her. The real motive behind Sooraj’s actions will be revealed when viewers watch the movie. Radha, upon learning of Sooraj’s true intentions, intends to escape his captivity even though she is unable to overlook her feelings for Sooraj. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="429"] Photo: Hero Facebook page[/caption] Whether she ends up staying with Sooraj or ends up reporting his crimes to her dutiful father is another mystery which only the audience can solve once they watch the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hero Facebook page[/caption] Dhulia is yet another character who simply looks lost in the movie. Moreover, the entire movie is carried forward by the belligerent villain, something which Aditya Pancholi failed to do. The difference between the Pasha of Hero (2015) and Hero (1983) is perhaps greater than the Great Wall of China. But we can’t entirely blame Aditya Pancholi for that because the legendary Amrish Puri played the role of Pasha in the original Hero, and only a few have come to par with his acting calibre. It’s rather unfortunate that Pancholi couldn’t create a place for himself in cinema because this role was the stepping stone to his success throne. The soul rendering soundtracks along with the actors’ performances made the original Hero an instant box office hit. However, in case of the recent remake, neither the average music nor the dormant chemistry between the leading pair created any buzz, something which the original Hero managed to do quite well. Where the original Hero’s songs seem classy even today, I would not even like to give the new production’s songs a second listen. Even Salman Khan’s record ‘Main hoon hero tera’ failed miserably at appealing to the audiences. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x31hxsf[/embed] Let’s just say that the film is quite directionless, the scenes do not blend, the characters lack cohesiveness, and their timing is a tad bit out of proportion, if not completely. Moreover, the scenes are somewhat confusing and the dialogues lack impact. Every action film at the very least should have a strong background story of the lead protagonist and antagonist – the audiences have difficulty understanding why Pasha became a notorious gangster in the first place and why Sooraj insists on living the thug life. Interestingly, Subhash Ghai directed the original version of Hero and the remake, but clearly, he could not add the same vivacity to the remake. If you are willing to invest 145 minutes of your time watching Hero, brace yourselves for a movie which will fade away from your memory as soon as you step out of the cinema. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="491"] Photo: Hero Facebook page[/caption] I would rate it a two out of five.

Akshay Kumar is one of the most loved and sought after celebrity in Bollywood and this is why his movies do exceptionally well at the box office, irrespective of their script, subject, direction and content. Kumar paired with Prabhu Deva is a lethal combination, substantiated by 2012’s block buster Rowdy Rathore. This is why the audiences were desperately waiting for the Kumar starrer Singh is Bliing. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x327onh_singh-is-bliing-hd-hindi-movie-trailer-2015-akshay-kumar_shortfilms[/embed] Kumar’s fans wondered if Singh is Bliing will be a blockbuster at the box office like his previous films? But will this movie be as entertaining as his previous endeavours? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Singh is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] If you are too big of a Kumar fan, caution is advised before reading further, because even Kumar couldn't save Singh Is Bliing from doom. Singh is Bliing is about Raftaar Singh (Kumar) who lives in Bassi Patna, Punjab. Raftaar has a nonchalant attitude towards life but has a heart of gold. Raftaar’s father gives him two options; either marry his friend’s daughter, an overweight Sweety or work under his friend’s supervision in Goa. Raftaar picks the second option and leaves for Goa, where he meets Sara (Amy Jackson), daughter of a ‘mafia king’. Mark (Kay Kay Menon), a deranged thug, is thirsty of vengeance from Sara for she offended him in the past. The rest of the movie is hoopla of these very circumstances. No brownie points for guessing what happens along the way, can’t be called a Bollywood movie without a typical love story, can it? Insanity prevails throughout the movie without an ounce of innovation, except Kumar’s energetic Bhangra moves, of course. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Singh is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="508"] Photo: Singh is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] Amy Jackson doesn’t have dialogues in Hindi, none at all, but she manages to leave a mark. Her action sequences are very well executed. Lara Dutta plays a small role in the film, but looks breath taking in every shot, even in ghastly outfits. Menon is one of the finest talents in Bollywood but he is literally wasted in Singh is Bliing, the same way he was wasted in Drona. After Haider and Rahasya, this performance was a major let down from Menon. Don’t know if we should blame Menon or the script for it. The 54-year-old Rati Agnihotri plays Kumar’s mother’s role in the film and does justice to her role. Kareena Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and Sunny Leone are seen in cameo performances. Singh is Bliing is amongst those movies whose performance, script and logic don’t make any sense and perhaps are also not needed. Why? Because it’s supposed to be brainless comedy. Kumar performs all the absurd activities suavely, which is why the audience watches it despite its idiocy. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Singh Is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] Prabhu Deva’s previous release was Action Jackson, which didn’t do well at the box office either. If Deva wants to keep making such senseless movies, he can perhaps cast only big stars, as only star-power can (perhaps) save such ridiculous movies from drowning. I was hoping may be the music of the film can help it from drowning but its not applause-worthy either, even though it suits the genre of the film. Singh Is Bliing is an attempt at slapstick humour and glorifying Singh-ness, but fails miserably. Those who are thinking it would be something similar or close to Singh is King – please refrain. The movie might just do well with the masses who don’t intend to exercise a single brain muscle. Those who intend to apply logic while watching movies, don’t bother. I would rate Singh Is Bliing 1.5 out of five.

Director cum screenwriter Nancy Meyers, who previously directed female-oriented movies and comfy comedies such as Private Benjamin (1980), Baby Boom (1987), What Women Want (2000), Something’s Gotta Give (2003), and It’s Complicated (2009), is once again back with a combination of sturdy themes – a story with dramatic issues in a buoyant mood. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x32tnce_the-intern-official-trailer-2015_shortfilms[/embed] This year, she brings us a thoughtful subject with an unorthodox chemistry in a unique placid movie – The Intern. The plot is a true portrayal of Meyers’s directorial style with essential parts. For instance, accomplished woman’s struggle in the high-tech world and the stresses it puts on her relationships. This time, it is also about a 70-year-old methodical intern father figure. It all begins when Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a well-mannered widower who retired from a corporate career in Brooklyn applies for a senior internship vacancy at a fast-growing e-commerce fashion company, run by the stressed but triumphant founder and CEO, Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). Jules is married to an ineffectual stay-at-home husband Matt (Anders Holm), who left his job in order to support his wife’s ambitions. They live in a beautifully decorated brownstone with their young daughter. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Rigorously tidy in his suits, equipped with a dry cleaned pocket handkerchief and the wisdom of years, Ben gets hired as Jules’s assistant. Soon all the young male employees at the company can’t help but get attracted towards him due to his warm-hearted nature. The more Ben apprehends the truth about his boss, the more he appreciates and compliments the sacrifices she has made for her business. The workaholic CEO eventually starts to like her obedient and devoted senior intern for his supportive routine and happily admits,

“Well I was going to say intern slash best friend...”

Rohit Shetty is known for his star studded cast, comedy capers which are stuffed with silly jokes, senseless scripts, unbelievable coincidences and over-the-top blasts that fling vehicles in the air. Whenever Shahrukh Khan and Kajol have appeared together on screen, the audience has burst with love. The new box office records are a testament to that.  The duo’s popularity is reminiscent to that of Amitabh Bachan and Rekha. No other on-screen couples  have been adored by fans as strongly as these two. The young and multi-talented heartthrob Varun Dhawan is considered the next big “entertainer” in B-town. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Publicity[/caption] Now that I’ve given you the facts, can you imagine what the end product would be when these elements are put together? Let me break it down for you. “Dilwale” (as the name suggests) is all about love and people with huge hearts. The movie revolves around the life of Raj (Shahrukh Khan), a motor mechanic, and his life revolves around his younger brother Veer (Varun Dhawan). Veer falls in love with Ishita (Kriti Sanon), who is younger sister of Meera (Kajol). Meera and Raj, in the past, had some conflicts, and the movie is about the events that unfold when all these characters meet. Rohit Shetty’s “Dilwale” is an adaption of 1991’s blockbuster “Hum” (Amitabh Bachan, Rajnikanth and Govinda). Kali from “Dilwale” and Tiger from “Hum” have similarities in characterisation. The movie is a visual delight, with bright fluorescent colours in every frame, witty dialogue and silly humour. One particular factor that doesn’t sit well with the audience is the overacting that the actors have indulged in. The comic scenes are loud and the emotional scenes are too intense. Anyone watching the movie would think: This does not happen in real life. Now let’s talk about the performances of Shahruh Khan and Kajol. That’s what everyone is eager to see. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Publicity[/caption]   The real charmers in the film are Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. Dhavan’s comic timings, action scenes and dance moves are laudable. The part where he describes modern day romance is particularly riveting. In addition to him, Sanon has a strong screen presence and has a knack for captivating the audience. The highlight of the film, however, is Johnny Lever. Lever is today’s Mehmood; the only comedian who can comically compete with the main leads of the movie. Furthermore, Mukesh Tiwari’s performance stood out well.  His narration of the flashback of Ram Laal and Pogo is flawless. The extended cameos of Vinod Khanna, Kabir Bedi, Boman Irani and Sanjay Mishra, however, did not leave much of an impact. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook[/caption] On the whole, “Dilwale” is entertaining for families. The jokes are not ratchet or cringe-worthy. This is movie that can be watched with family, for sure. I would rate it three out of five.

The Good Dinosaur is yet another impactful movie produced by Pixar. Do you remember the kind of sentiments Disney evoked within you while watching The Lion King, especially when Mufasa was killed by the herd in front of his son? That is the level of impact I am referring to. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ysx8o_pixar-the-good-dinosaur-official-trailer_shortfilms[/embed] The story begins with a twist. An asteroid which was meant to strike earth resulting in the extinction of dinosaurs, misses earth and life goes on as usual due to which humans (cavemen) exist along side with dinosaurs. While dinosaurs are seen talking, human beings communicate with gestures and sounds. This makes the movie unique, since this time around animals have been projected as vocal and structured characters as compared to humans. The dinosaurs are seen leading an organised life and have taken up farming as their profession. The Good Dinosaur is about a family of Apatosaurus dinosaurs, which includes Henry, the father (Jeffrey Wright), Ida, the mother (Frances McDormand) and their three children Libby, Buck, and Arlo. Among the three children, Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) is extremely shy. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The Good Dinosaur has an intense plot and great comic timing. Pixar has managed to construct and deliver a beautiful message about overcoming one’s fears and learning to trust others. It’s safe to say Pixar has outdone itself in the visual department this time around. With gushing rivers and snow capped mountains, the animation department adds a realistic edge to the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Arlo, the youngest child, is separated from his family due to unfortunate circumstances. Luckily, he happens upon a young boy named Spot. At first these two are seen constantly bickering but eventually they become the best of friends. The duo head out on a mission to reunite Arlo with his family and together they face all sorts of challenges. The most entertaining bit is the humour and affection shared between Arlo and Spot. One can’t help but fall in love with their warm friendship. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Even though The Good Dinosaur has a strong story, there are a few drawbacks. Firstly, Arlo comes off as an artificial shiny plastic dinosaur toy and definitely does not blend in with the beautiful scenery. Secondly, despite the stunning animations, the movie tends to drag and becomes quite boring, possibly because the structure of the story is not up to mark. Lastly, the audience may find themselves drawing up similarities between The Lion King, The Croods, and Ice Age. However, even with all these shortcomings, the movie does manage to entertain viewers with vivid animation and attention to detail. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The Good Dinosaur is definitely a thought provoking movie. You’ll be laughing at one point and crying the next, only because it invokes strong emotions from within. Don’t be surprised if you’re teary eyed towards the end of the movie. It’s a must watch for children. I would rate this movie 4.5 out of 5.

Mommy is the fifth film written and directed by the ever talented Québécois filmmaker Xavier Dolan. The film won the Cannes Jury prize in 2014 and received a wide release last year. And yet again, his skills as a storyteller just leave me at loss for words. Anne Dorval plays the role of Diane Després, a widowed mother who now has to raise her troubled son Steve (Antoine Olivier Pilon) on her own. Along the way, Després is aided by her neighbour Kyla (Suzanne Clément) and together, they all form a special bond. Shot in rare 1:1 aspect ratio, Mommy projects an interesting ‘personal’ portrait of various actors in their close-up shots, a special feeling that might not have been possible in the regular 16:9 ratio. Dolan’s writing has a special talent of bringing his audience emotionally and uncomfortably close to his characters (who are incredibly flawed), and creates a brilliant mixture of aggression and sorrow between them. Some scenes from the film (like the characters dancing to a Celine Dion’s French song in the kitchen) are played out with such sensitivity that gives the viewer an interesting private insight into their lives. Dorval and Pilon are simply brilliant together. With Mommy being his new entry in the mother-son anthology, Dolan has cemented his place as one of the upcoming, relentlessly talented filmmakers out there. [poll id="406"] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Anne Dorval in Mommy (2014)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Anne Dorval and Antoine-Olivier Pilon in Mommy (2014)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Anne Dorval and Antoine-Olivier Pilon in Mommy (2014)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Anne Dorval and Antoine-Olivier Pilon in Mommy (2014)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Suzanne Clément in Mommy (2014)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Antoine-Olivier Pilon in Mommy (2014)[/caption]