KAI PO CHE ("HEAVY STUFF")

Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkumar Kumar Yadav, Amit Sadh

Director: Abishek Kapoor.

After the beautiful tale of friendship in Rock On Abishek Kapoor is back with yet another tale of friendship with Kai Po Che (based on Chetan Bhagat’s “3 mistakes of my life”). Well if you are wondering what Kai Po Che means it’s just a term used in the game of kite flying.

The film starts off on a light note with the three friends Omi (Amit Sadh), Govi(Rajkumar) and Ishaan(Sushant Singh Rajput) trying to set up a sports club in their town near Ahmedabad. While the hot headed Ishaan is a cricketer, the timid Govi has an orientation towards academics and the confused Omi is happy playing second fiddle to Ishaan.

Ishaan finds his protege in Ali,the loner muslim kid, Govi gets involved with Ishaan’s sister Vidhya(wonderfully played by Amrita Puri) and Omi gets slowly dragged into politics  by his Mama who is the local representative of the Hindu based party. The film gets into a really serious mood when their friendship is tested as their lives get influenced by the events during the 2001 earthquake and the 2002 Godhra incident.

The victory of the film lies in the fact that the three protagonists get etched into your heart so well because of the commanding direction and the magnificent SMOULDERING performances by the 3 leads.The varying moods of the film have been handled so beautifully by Abishek Kapoor.This is backed up wonderfully by very good BGM, songs and cinematography.

Though all the leads have an equal role to play, it would not be surprising if the character of Ishaan impacts you the most.

Iam giving a 3.5 to 3.75 for Kai Po Che. Get ready for some heavy stuff from a master director.

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                   -           Great.

4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary. 

AADHIBHAGAVAN ( '' GOD OF DISASTER '' )

Cast: Jayam Ravi, Neetu Chandra.

Director: Ameer.

Ameer makes us wait for 6 years ,after delivering Paruthiveeran, for his next film Aadhibhagavan and what you get is something you would have never expected.

The first ten minutes of a film is where the director has to grab the attention of his audience but sadly what happens is the exact opposite. Though Jeyam Ravi is sincere his lack of grace and grip to handle such a (supposedly)heavy role is evident right from the start.

The screenplay is so ridiculously silly with a lot of characters appearing for god knows what! As silly as it can sound Sudha Chandran(who is poor,jobless and estranged)takes Jeyam Ravi and his sister to Thailand!!! And before you know it Aadhi(Jeyam Ravi)becomes a gangster. His dialogues and actions are more funny than serious. But as the second character Bhagavan he does a decent job.

The cinematography,with, a tone that is dull and stupid unnecessary slow motions,and editing,that is sloppy and below average, are a bad joke! All the songs in the film are bad and unneeded.

The flow of the scenes is so silly, artificial and blatantly inconsistent that you wonder if Ameer was the only person calling the shots. With a lot of the dialogues actually mouthed in Hindi but dubbed in Tamil, the lip sync is a disaster!!!

The only mentionable things of an otherwise disastrous film are the decent fights and Jeyam Ravi’s earnestness.

I am giving a 1.25/5 for Aadhibhagavan. Do not watch it lest you will lose your interest in films.

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                   -           Great.

4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary. 

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD ("A HARD WAY TO DIE")

Cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney

Director: John Moore

After an electric Die Hard 4.0, John McClane is in the wrong place at the wrong time yet again. This time in Russia.

Ten minutes or so into the film you have an amazing chase sequence that will blow you away, and you think you are in for a treat. But you realise it was just wishful thinking soon afterwards.

McClane comes to Russia in search of his son Jack (Jai Courtney) who is an undercover CIA agent trying to get a political prisoner out of Russia. And as expected trouble follows.

The script and screenplay are silly and boring. To give a few instances,  Yuri(the political prisoner) gets shot in his arm around the interval, yet is comfortable running around, shooting and fighting.After the first few scenes the Russian military and police are nowhere to be seen when all hell breaks loose(supposedly).The supposed twist in the climax makes you yawn. You just sit there expecting expecting and expecting,...expecting some thrill but alas!..

Bruce Willis does a cool job as expected, Courtney is ok. But the only good things about the film are the wonderful cinematography, nice graphics and the stunning action sequences in the beginning and the end.

I am giving a 2.5/5 for A Good day to Die Hard. Watch the first 20 minutes go out for a stroll in the nearby park and come back for the final 20 minutes.

IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606378/?ref_=hm_cht_t1

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                   -           Great.

4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary. 

JAYANTABHAI KI LUV STORY ("VIVEK SHOW IN A LOST CAUSE")

Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Neha Sharma.

Director: Vinnil Markan

It is obvious that Vivek Oberoi is trying for a comeback, but Jayantabhai is definitely the wrong route!

Simran (Neha Sharma) comes to Mumbai to make it a big but from an unexpected turn of events ends up jobless. She starts falling for her neighbour Jayanta (Vivek Oberoi) is a “bhai” who wants to get out of “bhaigiri” start a “beer bar”. Things change when Alex Pandian (Nasser) enters the scene.

The film looks more like a collection of random footage rather than a movie. It lacks continuity and logic high time. In one scene where Neha is going for an interview it would be raining heavily and in the very next scene the sun is shining bright with not a drop of water on the road. Neha comes from an ordinary family yet has a party by the poolside in her village, she has all the best clothes and footwear in the world. There are plenty of such thoughtless scenes and goof ups. 

Unnecessary songs and characters make you tired and sleepy. You would have no idea what someone like Nasser is doing in the film considering the fact that his character is flimsy, shallow and silly. Though Neha is artificial in a few scenes she is sincere in her efforts and cute. You would like her chemistry with Vivek.

The only two things worth talking about the film are the nice Tapori dialogues and Vivek Oberoi. He has done a marvellous job and excels as Jayantabhai. But even his good performance is not enough to offset the flaws of a shabby script.  

I am giving a 2/5 for Jayantabhai ki Luv story. Do not waste your time on this one.

 

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                 -           Great.

4 to 4.25                    -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above             -           Extraordinary. 

ZERO DARK THIRTY ("BIGELOW SIGNATURE")

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

After Hurt Locker Bigelow comes up with yet another grim realistic feature about the decade long hunt for Osama Bin Laden.

The film starts off a bit less engaging which might frustrate the average viewer but that is just what the painfully detailed yet condensed screenplay by Mark Boal intends.

You start sensing the BGM only towards the end of the first half,  which then onwards takes the film to a whole new level.

The first half is characterized by persistence determination grit and frustration. Though the film smacks of female emancipation it is not a Jessica Chastain show, the core of the film is the terrific script supported by some really good performances from all the actors.

Come second half the scene changes with the intensity, intent, anxiety and testosterone levels shooting up. Dialogues are almost master class loaded with insinuations, ridicule, desperation and helplessness. Bigelow and Boal have remained neutral while depicting the political angle and rightly so which gives a clear picture of behind the scenes drama leading upto the manhunt.

Certain scenes like Jessica writing the no of days it is taking for the decision to come from the President for Operation Geronimo really have an impact.

As expected the cinematography is mostly colour-less, shaky hand held cameras, and close ups, but it is par excellence during the wonderfully choreographed climax sequence. The final scene of the movie with Jessica on board the aircraft beautifully sums up the essence of the movie.

I am giving a 4/5 for Zero Dark Thirty. The manhunt for Osama Bin Laden is on!!!

IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790885/?ref_=sr_1

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                   -           Great.

4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary. 

MAMA ("CLICHED")

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Megan Charpentier, Isabelle Nelisse.

Director: Andy Muschietti.

Mama is old wine in new bottle. It starts off promisingly setting up an intrigue right up front but then falls into the category of those “predictable ghost movies”. Scary is the last word you would use to describe Mama.

Victoria(Megan Charpentier) and Lilly(Isabelle Nelisse) are brought into their Uncle Luke’s (Nikolaj) house after being left alone in the forest for 5 years. Annabelle (Jessica Chastain) plays Luke’s love interest. Luke and Annabelle find out that they were not really alone while in the forest.

What follows is mostly a Jessica Chastain show which she plays out beautifully. Megan Charpentier and Isabelle Nelisse as two kids trying to get back into normal life socially and emotionally do a fantastic job for someone their age. Nikolaj Coster who has a limited role does what is necessary.

 Cinematography and lighting which are crucial for any ghost movie are really nice but that effort is compromised by the very average and trite screenplay which is loaded with clichéd sequences. The supposedly scary scenes evoke sighs rather than shrieks and you see what is coming way too early for it to have any effect.

Director (though he is the co-writer) has done a decent job with the limited content available in the screenplay. Good BGM provides a decent feel to the otherwise dull movie.

I am giving a 2.25/5 for Mama. It had so much potential but sadly you get tired expecting Mama to scare you.

IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2023587/?ref_=sr_1

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                   -           Great.
4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.
4.5 and above             -           Extraordinary.

SPECIAL CHABBIS ("IT'S CON TIME")

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill.

Director: Neeraj Pandey.

Neeraj Pandey is known to keep his audiences guessing about what's going to happen next. Special Chabbis which is based on real incidents is no exception.

Akshay kumar, Anupam kher, Rajesh Sharma and Kishore Kadam are conmen who keeps raiding the houses and offices of politicians and businessmen posing as CBI/Income Tax Officers. Manoj Bajpayee plays the (real) CBI officer who is in pursuit of Akki and his gang. What happens next forms the rest of the story.

Akki is cool as usual but his performance is subtle, subdued and perfect for his character which he intentionally downplays. Though he is the master mind of the gang who always has a trick up his sleeve he lets Anupam Kher deliver the cool dialogues and cheesy one liners (like asli power dil main hoti hai) most of the time. Anupam kher as the fearful old man who wants an early retirement from his "job" and Bajpayee as the relentless, truthful but over confident CBI officer excel in their roles. Jimmy Shergill does his part neatly.
The 1987 India has been depicted perfectly by the director by the smart use of the costumes, vehicles (like Maruti 800, public transport vehicles etc) and newspapers in the scenes. 

Kajal Agarwal’s character and the two songs could have been done away with. Average BGM and a few scenes with bad CG may be overlooked. Though the screenplay could have been tighter especially in the early stages of the film the dialogues that are smart and funny are a stand-out throughout the film. As the film progresses it picks up speed keeping you on the edge to deliver a master class climax!!!

I am giving a 3.5/5 for Special Chabbis. It’s Con time don’t miss it!


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 - Great.
4 to 4.25 - Exceptional.
4.5 and above - Extraordinary.

LINCOLN (“OSCARS CALLING”)

Cast: Daniel Day Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon Lewitt.

Director: Steven Spielberg.

Lincoln is a biopic with a difference mainly because of the sense of humor infused into the script (of a serious subject) by Tony Kushner. The film showcases the last four months of Abraham Lincoln’s life. The theme which is the abolishment of slavery (by passing the 13^th amendment) is stated within the first five minutes of the film.

The highlights of the film are undoubtedly the splendid Oscar worthy performances by Daniel Day Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones and the outstanding dialogues. Daniel portrays the subtlety and outburst, authority and vulnerability of Lincoln with such control and grace that you are left in awe of the man. He keeps narrating stories every now and then to the amusement as well as irritation of his colleagues. Jones literally lives as the fiery Stevens (who wants Racial equality) running down his opponents with his wordplay, supporting Lincoln in spite of their ideological differences. You will burst into laughter at the way he ridicules his opponents. Sally Field as Mrs. Lincoln is ok.

The dialogues of the film are the power of words EXEMPLIFIED, be it Lincoln’s, Stevens’ or those in the courtroom.

The direction is spot on depicting the sensibilities really well along with the BGM creating the proper mood. Cinematography is really nice with the occasional close-ups capturing the subtleties.

One thing that dampens the film, If I may say so, is the unnecessary detailing of the screenplay especially in the first half. It tends to confuse one with little knowledge on American history and it takes some time into the first half to get the viewer engaged. But once the pace picks up towards the end of the first half things get really interesting with lies, trades, lobbying, arm twisting and threats.

I am giving a 3.5/5 for Lincoln. Watch it for the magnificent performances and fiery wordplay.

IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/?ref_=sr_2

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                   -           Great.

4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above             -           Extraordinary.