CAPTAIN PHILLIPS ("PIRATES OF THE SOMALIAN")

October 18, 2013. 

Cast: Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener.

Director: Paul Greengrass.

When a film comes from a director who has the history of walking out of a prestigious project in the past for the sole reason of his creativity being compromised you can rest assured of the content on offer.

Paul Greengrass has chosen to make Captain Phillips based on a real life incident of 2009 when the Captain of a Maersk Alabama ship was captured by Somalian pirates. Tom Hanks plays the Captain.

It’s a no nonsense script that takes you right into the crux of the story a few minutes on. It gives you the background from which the pirates come and the reason why they are forced to do what they do regardless of what is right or wrong.

The taking of the ship by the pirates has been shown in as realistic a way as possible without compromising the flavour of mainstream cinema (as always is the case with a Greengrass product). The first half deals with what goes on on-board Maersk Alabama with the pirates and the crew playing a cat and mouse game of sorts.

As the situation progresses the crew takes the Captain hostage on a life boat and sets course for Somalia after which they plan to get millions as ransom money in return for the Captain’s life. From the moment they get onto the life boat the level of thrill keeps increasing bit by bit reaching it’s peak at the climax. Once the navy comes into the picture you will be at the edge of your seat.

The film shows us both the vulnerability of the ships sailing through the Somalian coast as well as the extent to which the US armed forces will go to rescue one of it’s civilians.

The regular hand held shots taking you to the centre of the action (like you have seen in the likes of Bourne Ultimatum amongst other Greengrass films) are there to up the ante along with brisk editing.

The virtually unknown actors who play the pirates dazzle with their performance showing the vulnerability, helplessness, terror and desperation with the confidence that equals a really trained actor. But it is Tom Hanks who steals the show as Captain Phillips. He keeps it simple and subtle throughout the film and shows us why he is one of the legends in the final moments of the film where he makes the audience really feel the pain and all the other emotions that Captain Phillips had kept at bay till then.

I am giving a 3.75 for Captain Phillips. Get hooked!!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

ESCAPE PLAN REVIEW

October 18, 2013.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Director: Mikael Hafstrom.

Please visit the following link for the review
http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/their-films/prisonbreak/

GRAVITY ("DON'T LET GO")

October 10, 2013.

Cast: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock.

Director: Alfonso Cuaron.

A veteran astronaut (Matt Kowalski played by Clooney) on his last mission enjoying his final space walk; another one who is literally jumping at the view of the earth from space; and a medical engineer (Ryan Stone) who is trying to fix a problem with the Hubble Telescope. This is the opening scene of gravity; this is the beginning of the opening scene rather, ..... a continuous shot for around 13 minutes giving the audience a full round view of the crew, the 

machines, the space and the earth.

Starting with such an amazing sequence to capture the audience’ attention, Gravity never lets you sit back comfortably on the seat. Though it is kind of a slow start with a little less reliance on drama the film keeps you tense and anxious about how it is going to pan out for the protagonist (Sandra Bullock and NOT George Clooney fyi).

You are presented with nothing less than an exquisite view, a visual pleasure by the director and his brilliant technical team. The cinematography is another important element that needs special mention; apart from the breathtaking shots what really stands out is the sense of control that Lubezki has over all the scenes with an articulate presentation of the surroundings as well as the confusion that is going on inside Ryan’s head.

The gruelling research that has gone into the making of the film is evident in each scene with such importance being given to the scientific side of things; the atmosphere on the earth’s surface, tear drops and little flames of fire floating inside the spacecraft, the movement of particles in space; just to name a few.

This is one of the best roles played by Sandra in her career. She is terrific as the scared engineer who is struggling to stay alive with nobody to help. There is such strength in her performance that in spite of being the only character in the film most of the time she manages to grab the audience attention throughout!

Halfway through you the audience would have already become quite acquainted with space but it is in the final moments of the film in the terrific climax that you totally lose track of the fact that you are in a theatre. 

Combined with a superb background score, amazing cinematography and stunning graphics this could easily be one of the best thrilling sequences you have seen in the recent past.

Finally a word about Alfonso Cuaron. With his amazing vision and execution he has created magic out of a simple plot.

I am giving a 4 for Gravity. Do not miss this one!!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

ITHARKKU THAANE AASAI PATTAI BALAKUMARA ("WELCOME SUMAR MOONJI KUMAR")

October 2, 2013.

Cast: Vijay Sethupathy, Aswin Kakumanu, Nandita, Swathi, Soori, Pasupathy.

Director: Gokul.

Film after film the trust that we have on Vijay Sethupathy keeps increasing and that continues with this film as well.

Sumar moonji Kumar (Vijay) a happy go lucky jobless fellow has only one mission in his life; to marry Kumudha (Nandita), almost everyone in his street is irritated by him. Bala (Aswin) is almost the opposite to Kumar, an frustrated guy who is dissatisfied with his career and love life. Renu (Swathi) is Bala’s love interest.

IABK plays out in three tracks till the interval; Sumar moonji Kumar’s life, Bala’s life and the murder of a local goon; after which the everything gets connected. Of these three the track involving Sumar moonji Kumar is undoubtedly the best one mainly because of the excellent performance by Vijay Sethupathy that is well complemented by the very good writing and direction.

It is a clearly a comeback for Gokul after the Rowthiram fiasco and he has made full use of the star value of Vijay Sethupathy with a script that seldom loses momentum. The track involving Aswin and the murder seems a bit stretched with a few unnecessary scenes as well as characters but something that works in favour of the film is that when the screenplay switches to Sumar moonji Kumar the audience completely forgets the other two because of the laugh riot at offer.

The script clearly shows Gokul’s intention to make this a laugh riot as is clear from the really funny dialogues mouthed by the characters even in serious situations. But perhaps the choice of Aswin is a bit debatable as he seems to struggle a bit at being natural in a lotta scenes which dulls certain parts though Swathi tries her best to lighten up the same.

The songs are passable with one or two being nice and the background score does not harm the film’s proceedings as such. There are a lot of scenes in the night especially in the 2^nd half and the cinematographer shows his class with excellent lighting and angles.

Pasupathy who comes as the mediator to bring a solution to Sumar moonji Kumar’s menace really entertains and the scenes involving him and Vijay Sethupathy are cracking with humor. Equally good is the character that takes Vijay Sethupathy and his friend to a godown offering liquor.

Ultimately IABK belongs to Vijay Sethupathy who simply excels as the irritating yet adorable Sumar moonji Kumar. This is definitely his best role after Pizza or may be even a better one considering the ease with which he plays the character that is someone so different from his real self.

I am giving a generous 3.25 for IABK. Except for a few scenes this one sets the screen on fire. Brand Vijay Sethupathy is growing!!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

BESHARAM ("BAKWAAS!!")

October 2, 2013.

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Pallavi Sharda.

Director: Abinav Singh Kashyap.

It is one thing to try out an average subject with a hero specialised in creating magic out of nothing from his screen presence and antics alone and entirely another thing to try out a below average subject with a hero who has not risen upto that level as yet!

Well, if you are wondering which films I am talking about it the first one is the super duper hit Dabbang and the next is the second film by the same director, Besharam!!

Babli (Ranbir) is an orphan who is a small time car thief. He falls for the middle class girl Tara who sees red everytime she sees Babli. By mistake he steals Tara’s car for a Hawala Don (Javed Jaffrey) and later upon realising it’s Tara’s car he sets out along with Tara to steal it back. He is chased by a police couple played by Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.

While Dabbang had some kind of story be it very predictable Besharam goes a few steps down with no story whatsoever and a much worse screenplay to make things unbearable. The son playing the hero and the parents playing a police couple who are trying to track him down; how interesting a screenplay can one make out of the situation; well the writer here has the answer- a screenplay that is so boring to the core that one can sit through the entire film without a single laugh!!

When the first 30 minutes of a film is packed with a horribly executed chase sequence 3 bad songs and dialogues which are meant to be funny but far from it in reality, you would need no more description about how the movie is gonna fare.

Tara is so furious at seeing Babli that he insults him in front of her colleagues in spite of knowing he is an orphan. Her fury reaches the breaking point later on when she realises it’s Babli who stole her car!! But right after a few “touching” dialogues from Babli Tara’s heart suddenly melts like an ice cream and if it’s just sympathy that you are expecting from her she is gonna surprise you. Yes folks it’s the ultimate silliness that ensues- she falls in love with Babli!! Guess the writer forgot the fact that we are not in the 1970s anymore. And in the ensuing song you see a sulking Babli being consoled and wooed by a smitten Tara!!!

It is better not to get into the area of fights and background music which are one of the worst you have seen in the recent hindi films.

I am giving a generous 1 for Besharam. This is so very disappointing from someone who entertained us to the core with Dabbang!!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

RAJA RANI REVIEW

September 27, 2013.

Cast: Arya, Nayantara, Jai, Nazriya.

Director: Atlee.

Please visit the following link for the review
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Raja-Rani/movie-review/23286719.cms

PRISONERS ("NOT EVERYONE'S CUP OF TEA")

September 27, 2013.

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo.

Director: Denis Villeneuve.

Prisoners is Dennis Villeneuve’ big ticket entry into mainstream cinema after his much appreciated Incendies.

Keller (Jackman) is a middle class family man with a wife and two kids who is leading a peaceful life. On thanksgiving day while he is enjoying time at his friend’s place his daughter goes missing along with his friend’s. Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) is called on to investigate. They catch hold of Alex based on the circumstantial evidence but there seems to be more than what meets the eye and Keller is hell bent in getting his daughter back with or without the help of the police.

What sets Prisoners apart from other movies is the way in which it is treated with nothing but realism be it emotions, fights or desperation. The cinematic touch as we have come to experience is not something that you would find much in Prisoners, which would not be “entertainment” for a section of the audience.

The stark resemblance to Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River”, only in the treatment, is something which cannot be discounted. But while Mystic River contained a hint of thrill and mystery Prisoners is a bit on the lower side when it comes to those.

This may be the best role that Hugh has played and it would not be surprising if he ends up bagging a few awards for this. He has immersed himself into Keller so much so that a person who does not watch too many movies would end up disagreeing that it is the same guy who played the dashing Wolverine. It is a transformation of sorts for Gyllenhaal as well who plays the honest cop who is frustrated about not being able to find the missing girls.

Wonderful use of the camera giving a purposeful grim feel to the movie and soulful music complement the screenplay really well.

While Prisoners may not fit the usual thriller genre it takes a life of it’s own as a film dealing with a man’s search for his missing daughter, a man who is prepared to go to any lengths to find his daughter, something which gets corroborated towards the end of the film.

If you love cinema that is way too real then Prisoners is your weekend pic.

I am giving a 3.5 for Prisoners. Be prepared for a shocking climax!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

RUSH ("IT'S LAUDA v/s HUNT")

September 20, 2013.

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl.

Director: Ron Howard.

One of the main reasons why Ron Howard films always carry something interesting with them is because of the different kinds of films he makes. Rush comes with the distinction of being made from a real life incident.

The rash and aggressive James Hunt (Hemsworth) and disciplined and talented Niki Lauda (Bruhl) arrive at the F1 racing stage after their stint at the F3. Ever since the not so good encounter they have had at the F3 where Hunt ended up sending Lauda off track, the two carry an enmity towards each other which goes on to define their careers. While Hunt believes in living life at the edge Lauda is a serious guy as he himself tells in the film.

Rush begins with the flag off of the infamous 1976 race and then goes back in time six years prior to show how the arch rivals became who they are. The screenplay is written with such control over the whole affair that you get to see almost the whole picture; the professional as well as personal lives of both the guys. That all this has been shown in a mere 2 hours is something Peter Morgan can be really proud about.

Unlike usual I went to the movie this time not bothering to find out who has scored the music. As the movie was progressing I was getting so very engrossed with the Background score which was as much a character as the protagonists and started wondering who could this be. I was really in for a shock towards the end to find out it was the legendary Hans Zimmer!! You will get to see a very different kind of music from the man, something very different from his usual style.

Both Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl are going to get a real boost for their careers owing to their performances in Rush; but it would be the latter who would stand to gain more as most of the inspiring and touching scenes have gone to him.

Rush is much more than a mere sports movie considering the range of emotions at play wonderfully executed on screen by Ron Howard. Rather than a sneak peek, it is more like getting to know both James Hunt and Niki Lauda in person; the grit, determination, rivalry, hatred and ultimately mutual respect they had; thanks to the wonderful screenplay.

Another great thing about Rush is the spectacular camera work with special stress given to the tone, giving the race sequences an authentic feel. The energy of the F1 racing has been captured in the best way possible giving the viewer almost a real time experience at times as if being actually being present in the car along with the driver.

Rush is a must watch!!!

I am giving a 4 for Rush . Everyone’s driven by something!!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

MOODAR KOODAM ("NONSENSE ON SCREEN")

September 13, 2013.

Cast: Oviya, Jayaprakash, Naveen.

Director: Naveen.

After the success of films like Pizza, NKPK, Soodhu kavvum etc the Tamil film industry has all of a sudden become willing to let the filmmakers experiment, even though they are debutantes.

Moodar Koodam is one among such offerings which comes from debutante director Naveen (who also plays one of the leads in the film), an ex-associate director of Pandiraj.

Four strangers Naveen, Sentrayan, Vellachami and Kuberan happen to meet each other in lock up. Owing to the not so good background that each of them has they stick together and decide to rob Vellachami’s uncle played by Jayaprakash.  In Soodhu kavvum if it was kidnapping that had gone wrong here as expected the heist goes wrong.

It is good to experiment but when it is an experiment with an experiment the project will have danger signs written all over it unless supported by a solid script which unfortunately is not the case with Moodar Koodam.

The earnestness wrt the script is evident but the end product falls way too short of what was expected by the writer(who happens to be the director as well). When a comedy film evokes not even a single laugh from you till the interval or even after that then you have to call it something else. To say the least it is nothing short of nonsense on screen in the name of dark comedy.

The film seems more like a documentary with the lead actors giving moral insights every now and then more or less mechanically which neither has the intended effect nor any entertainment value. The average background score does not help either.

The even more irritating factor is the flashback that each of the four lead cast has!! To make it worse even Jayaprakash’s dog “Tiger” has a flashback shown with one of the dumbest irritating horrible songs ever shot which serves no purpose at all in the scheme of things.

It is very very hard to tell anything good about the movie but if forced to think too much there are just 3 good things about it. The first one is the earnest performances by the cast in a few scenes; the second is the cinematography and editing which look slick and the final one being the technical finesse with which the cartoon style flashback of Kuberan has been shot.

I am giving a 0.25 for Moodar Koodam. Do not go even anywhere near the posters of the film!!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

WE'RE THE MILLERS ("THEY'RE THE ENTERTAINERS")

August 30, 2013.

Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Jason Sudeikis.

Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber.

There is a reason you get so many Romcoms and comedies involving families from Hollywood. They all cost less in production and rake in truckloads of money. If you provide a few laughs and feel good moments you can rest assured the film is gonna be a hit.

The latest from Warner Brothers, We’re the millers is one such movie. David (Sudeikis) who is a small time drug dealer is forced to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States after he gets robbed. He happens to see a policeman being very nice to a tourist family and right away decides it will be easier for him to smuggle the drugs into the United States if he has a family accompanying him. So he convinces Rose (Aniston) who is a stripper by profession to be his wife, Kenny(Poulter) who is his neighbour to be his son and the runaway Casey(Emma Roberts) to be his daughter.

There are some really funny scenes and some which are not so funny but what makes all the scenes appear a notch above what they actually should be is the exceptional performance by the Miller family especially Will Poulter and Jason Sudeikis. Aniston and Roberts play their part pretty well to make up the Miller family one of the weirdest yet adorable that you would come across.

It is very clear that Poulter has grown out of his Narnia days and has become an actor to be reckoned with. He plays the naive (read dumb) Kenny amazingly well that you would be in complete awe seeing him perform. The spider scene is one that needs special mention; but even in other scenes he gives such a stunning performance with those little nuances of his. Sudeikis is equally good with his performance and it would not be too much to tell that We’re the millers mainly belongs to these two.

Story wise there is nothing new as far as the film is concerned and there are few areas where the writing lets you down like the Millers being chased by Pablo Chacon for example. You get to see a lotta such familiar set ups throughout.

But then it cannot be held against the film owing to the performances that we get to watch. The ending of the film is quite predictable yet enjoyable considering the liking you would have taken to the Miller family.

I am giving a 3 for We’re the Millers. Go in not expecting too much and you will enjoy the film.

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.