OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL ("OZ THE WATCHABLE")

Cast: James Franco, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams.

Director: Sam Raimi.

Sam Raimi has chosen the fantasy route with The Oz after his Spiderman trilogy.

The selfish, scared, deceitful Oscar(Oz) who is the magician in a Kansas Carnival gets transported to the mysterious land of Oz after getting caught in a cyclone. There he meets three witches (Mila, Rachel and Michelle), all of whom initially mistake him for the great Wizard who has come to save the people of Oz from the Wicked Witch.

Though the plot is pretty simple and predictable the inclusion of a lot of humor into the dialogues and scenes especially those involving the flying monkey and the Chinatown girl is sure to make you laugh and this is definitely one of the things working in the film’s favour. Apart from that the Cinematography, 3D and the visual effects are stunning, though some of the initial scenes might remind you of Avatar.

The absence of a strong antagonist makes the duels lukewarm. Both Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis have very limited scope. It is no different with Michele Williams either but she is adorable as Glinda. James Franco plays his part neatly.

There is very little in the film that will keep an adult engaged but you will enjoy the movie very much if you take your kids along.

I am giving a 2.75/5 for Oz The Great and Powerful. Watch it for the visual effects and some really adorable characters.

IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623205/?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. 

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER ("BRYAN SINGER FILM?")

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci, Ewan Mcgregor, Eleanor Tomlinson.

Director: Bryan Singer.

If you go for Jack the Giant Slayer expecting a Bryan Singer(-Christopher Mcquarrie) film then you will be better off watching one of his earlier films on DVD.

Jack (Nicholas Hoult) who is the son of a farmer grows up believing in the legend of the giants just like Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson). Following some unexpected events Isabelle gets trapped in the land of the giants and Jack sets out on a rescue mission along with the soldiers.

The basic flaw with the film is that it should have been promoted as a kids’ film instead of a Bryan Singer film considering the simplicity(not in a positive sense) of the plot. I wonder if the film was made under the premise that the audience are so docile that the romance, the set up, the fights and the villains and everything else appears to happen/come on screen at the flick of a button.

I have to admit that the lead pair is cute. Cinematography is wonderful and the 3D is a treat to the eyes especially when combined with the awesome CG. But all that does not make the film an interesting watch.

Iam giving a 2.5/5 for Jack the Giant Slayer. It’s passable. Your kid may like it though.

IMDB LINK - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1351685/?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. 

HARIDAS (“SURPRISE SURPRISE”)

Cast: Kishore, Sneha, Prithvi Rajkumar.

Director: G N R Kumaravelan.

After giving us duds like Ninaithale Inikkum and Yuvan Yuvathi who would have thought that GNR Kumaravelan can come up with something like Haridas.

Shivadas(Kishore) is an encounter specialist who is trying to wipe off a gang completely. Once Shivadas’ mother dies his autistic motherless child Haridas(Prithvi Rajkumar) who was under her care is brought to stay with Shivadas. Shivadas decides to bring Haridas back to normal life with the help of Amuthavalli teacher (Sneha).

Haridas with a realistic script, a rarity in Tamil cinema, is carried on their shoulders all the way by the leads. Though there is the occasional humor which lightens the mood, the tempo is maintained really well.Kishore except for one scene, where his crying looks a bit forced, has a done a very good job. Prithvi Rajkumar is fabulous and Sneha gives one of the best performances of her career. The cinematography by Randy is an add on.

One dampener about the film is that it’s a bit long drawn out. The cop angle to the film could have been done away with providing for a tighter script on one hand and a better feel on the other. The first song in the film is unnecessary and the BGM is stupid at times, but it is unlikely that a parent would notice it considering the sincerity with which the film has been made.

Iam giving a 3 for Haridas and a 0.25 for the sincere efforts by the cast and crew making it a 3 to 3.25/5. It is a film you should watch for the realistic script, sincere efforts, and the wonderful performances by the leads.

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. 

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.