Movie Analysis : Blood Money

Directed by Vishal Mahadkar
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2246595/

Hum hum toh rahenge na, ab toh bas hum hi hum rahenge.. 

Kunal (Kunal Khemmu) has big dreams of a luxury lifestyle as he reaches Cape Town with his wife Arzoo (Amrita Puri) for his new job of diamonds export. Arzoo starts feeling ignored with Kunal's busy new job. And after a while Kunal realizes the trap set against him, the people he works for are involved in smuggling as well as contacts with undeworld. His dreams becomes nightmares ...

As a first timer, director Vishal Mahadkar succeeds in engaging me towards the film for major part. But, the writers especially the one who wrote the dialogues simply weakens the film. Strong dialogues would had given much more weightage to various scenes.

Kunal giving reasons to Arzoo in their major fight sequence, Kunal's boss asking him to chose between 'Sach and Khushi' with reference to Italian food (Very well written and executed scene), and to a certain extent the climax sequence were some of best moments of the movie. Also, special mention to the voice-over dialogues of Kunal in the film, the only few ones that are properly written.

Except for Gunaah, every song was very well used. 'Chahat' used romantically in end credits, 'Aarzoo' covers the new lifestyle Kunal and Arzoo get in Cape Town, 'Jo Tere Sang' brings the change and mistakes Kunal does to achieve his dreams, 'Teri Yaadon Se' my fav song of album I feel would had been better with Kunal not drunk until he reaches the bar else I liked the way its filmed. Gunaah fails because one it is halting a particular ongoing activity, and two the parallel cliche of girl in temple and boy running. Not to forget the 'vidhwa' dialogue in between!

Kunal's performance is really good, I feel he has matured a lot ever since 'Kalyug', only in the climax sequence I thought his dialogue delivery was going slightly over the top. His expressions when Arzoo narrates the witch story or when he quitely watches the actions of Zaveri's brother in his new given cabin (my personal fav scene of film).

Amrita Puri dissappointed me, she still appeared to me in her 'Aisha' role, surely she could do much better than this. Also, she looked bit over-weight. Manish Choudhary was good in a scene or two only, though he was saddened with some poor dialogues.

Mia looked hot, I don't think she had anything else to serve for in the film. The guy playing Zaveri's brother was completely over-acting. While the friend of Kunal in film was pretty good.


Overall, Blood Money is a decent film. Its poor dialogues lets it down, otherwise director Vishal is very much able to narrate a story about how a dream job could so easily end up as your worst nightmare of life.


Verdict : NICE

Bicycle Thieves [Views]

Directed by Vittorio De Sica
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040522/

You live and you suffer .. 

What amazed me the most is, how a small thin plot of trying to catch a theif who stole your bicycle was turned into a complete 90 mins movie. And its highly moving and engaging film..

Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) gets a new job for himself, but for that he needs to buy a bicycle. His wife sells bedsheets, and lets him get the bicycle. But as the destiny is, the bicycle gets stolen while Antonio is busy working during his job. Now, Antonio along with his son Bruno (Enzo Staiola) starts the search to find the theif, with the police offering no help whatsoever.

The screenplay is very good, not a single dull moment. Special mention to the two long sequences in the film, one where Antonio along with his friends and son Bruno, goes to a place where market of cycle parts is put up. How one by one each of them tries to see if any part is from the stolen bicycle. And other sequence, where Antonio completely dejected thinks of stealing a bicycle, I completely love the way his expressions are captured there, and how much delayed his action is done with lots of cut shots.

The first 20 mins of the film very easily bring you into the life of Antonio, telling how important that job as well as bicycle is for him. There's lot of humour in the film, especially through the performance of Enzo, who as a small kid for most time of the theif search journey gives a expression of 'why I am forced into finding him along with you dad'. All his mannerisms, and expressions are so epic, like the one where Antonio slaps him and notice how angry he gets by maintaining a distance with his father walking thereby. The swimming sequence after that was a very good thought by the script writer. Also, the conversation between Antonio and Bruno at restaurant. And, the role a predictor lady plays too..

The father-son chemistry is amazing to see, with Maria (Lianella) limited to small supporting role only.

The ending is different, though I wonder if FINE is their way to write (THE END like we did in those times), or it was to do with the film's situation.

Overall, I really liked this Italian film (saw with subtitles). I am still thinking over those cute expressions Bruno makes in the entire film. If ever you get a chance, you should definately see this film.. would like it certainly.

Movie Analysis : Agent Vinod

Directed by Sriram Raghavan
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1395025/

Moscow aur Morrocco ki police bhi pooch taaach kar rahi hai .. Aap qataar mein hai.

I am fan of Sriram Raghavan, because his earlier two films 'Ek Haseena Thi' and 'Johnny Gaddar' were quite special. The expectations were very high, specially after loving its theatrical trailers. But, the film is a big dissappointment.

RAW Agent Vinod (Saif Ali Khan) has a task to discover what is '2 4 2'. A number one of his colleague discloses before dying. The search makes him change identities, and travel from one place to another.

There are just too many different locations used, as a result it almost becomes tough to like the film as a whole. What eventually happens is, you like a certain sequence/location only. For instance, the starting of film with 'Death of  Desert' is pretty likeable, leaving asides the pov shot of Rajan (Ravi Kissan) which disturbs the view of the action scene. And the use of new version of background theme with lyrics was surprising, along with the stylish credits, introducing Saif with the dialogue 'Aapka naam kya hai' - 'Govind bolo chahe gopal bolo'. Also, 'isko plastic glass mein beer dena, bada shaatir hai yeh' was one hillarious scene.

There are some very long sequences in the film (special reference to conversation between Saif and Dhritiman), which doesn't serve any purpose at all. Simply poor editing! Add to it, the way action scenes are edited..most of them fail to excite you, only place where I liked action was the Sri Lanka parrallel cut shots of Vinod fighting same guy simultaneously now, and some time back with the regional (probably sri lankan) song running alongside.

Also, I would had liked Iram (Kareena Kapoor) to be in a negative shade. That would have made her character more powerful, instead it weakens when we know her truth after Interval. Her performance was okay, only scene where I liked her was the medicine she gives to Vinod to know his real identity.

What the film lacks the most is the edge of the seat sequences, a thriller demands that especially a spy thriller. The background themes aren't properly used, save that 1st sequence. Some unusual mistakes done in screenplay too, why does Vinod let Colonel (Adil Hussain) call his people when he could easily pinpoint gun at him to avoid that ? Why Iram has to do a Mujra knowing people would easily recognise her.. must had been some other way of using the item song if the desperation was that high ? What was Vinod doing in that security uniform standing near to a Pakistani guy who he knew knows him ?

Among songs, 'I do the talking tonight' is stylishly used, while 'Raabta' is a very well executed single tracking shot. 'Dil mera muft ka' despite used illogically, is very pleasing to see for the great choreography of Saroj Khan.

Cinematography is good, and lots of references to movies done by Sriram something he did in Johnny Gaddar too. The dialogues could had been more humourous like 'yaadon ki baaraat disturb karne ke liye sorry'.

Saif Ali Khan's performance is nice, at places his dark humour fails because the movie isn't going the way you want. For instance, 'aap qataar mein hai', was lovable when seen in trailer, but not in the film. Prem Chopra gets a good small cameo, the mom sequence was very funny. Gulshan Grover and Ravi Kissen are wasted. Ram Kapoor's look was odd, else I liked his small villianeous act.

Dhritiman Chatterjee was good yet again, but he is getting repeated in same kind of roles (Kahaani his last film). If it doesn't change then we would well in advance know what he is in reality in the film.

The person who profits the most from this film is Adil Hussain, the one who was husband of Vidya in Ishqiya. As colonel, he comes across as a person who is very clever and full of right plans to get his work done.


In the end, Agent Vinod fails due to a screenplay that doesn't interest you at all. It ends up as a long tiring movie. Every director has one bad movie in career, this was Sriram's that movie.


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close [Views]

Directed by Stephen Daldry
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477302/

If things were easy to find, they wouldn't be worth finding. 

Oskar (Thomas Horn) who is still coming out of the death of his father during 9/11. He finds a hidden key in his father's room, and then begins the adventure of his life to find the purpose of the key. He has to go through various obstacles, one beng his mother whom he doesn't trust, other his own autistic health making him incapable to have social interactions with strangers.

I loved Stephen's last film 'The Reader', but this time around I was touch dissappointed by his direction. The performances of Thomas Horn playing the small kid and Tom Hanks, the motivating father of Oskar were totally spot on. The relationship between Oskar and his mother (Sandra Bullock) gets very un-identifable. While there are some scenes where Oskar's behavior was questionable, getting too loud.

The relationship Oskar shares with a stranger (living in a apartment next to his grandmom) is one of the most engaging part of the film. Two scenes where Oskar narrates the happenings of his adventure, once direct to us and once to the stranger with all the montages, and loud background score making it as 'Extremely loud' as possible, were the best thought of by Stephen. Also, I liked all the meetings Oskar has with 'Black'. And the use of the voice mail messages at seperate intervals to generate the emotional impact.

If only the way Stephen films the adventure part of Oskar (minus when he meets Black), was different and impactfuly, then the emotional connect with the film would had increased. Because everytime Oskar would meet a certain Black, and then return back ponding over the meeting.. it won't work as a viewer.

Thomas Horn was good in his performance, though for me Paul Klementowicz was the show stealer. He removes some of the fears young mind of Oskar has, plus the train sequence and the bridge were exciting.

Sandra Bullock suffers from inadequate direction, though her character sketch is pretty confusing too. Tom Hanks is pretty good in small role.


Overall, 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' is a decent film, but I expected much more from it. The director does justice to the title though, wish he didn't took 'Extremely Loud' part so seriously.

Carnage [Views]

Directed by Roman Polanski 

Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1692486/

Morally you are supposed to overcome your impulses, but there are times you don't want to overcome them.

One of those few films that is entirely based on conversations between 4 ppl in a single room. Parents of two kids who had a fight, happen to meet each other to sort the matter out. One side parents are apologetic, while the others demand the apology. But, as the conversation builds, the parents who felt their kid was wrong start to disagree. The chaos increases when the parents from both sides start sharing their married life miseries.

The opening credits sequence was creative, with a activity going on in the background which would become the reason for the rest of the movie.

I like how the parents act fakely in the start of the conversation, and slowly both parents get real.

Christoph Waltz was specially brilliant in the film, those sarcastic replies he gave, the laugh and all those phone calls, eating the dish while busy on phone and the misery of his mobile. John C Reilly was very good too, his phone conversations with Mom and the 'pet' related talk with Kate.

Kate Winslet was decent, nothing worthwhile in her performance to remember. Jodie Foster was good, except for the post 'alcohol' scenes where she didn't appear natural.

The dialogues were very well written, because this movie required to engage you in those conversations. I missed watching the end credits, so don't know if they showed the kids re-unite or not. It could had been a ending.

Its one of those films that I ain't sure if I would like to see again, despite having liked it in the 1st view.

Watching a film avoiding Promos!

Have you ever seen a film without watching any of its song promos/dialogue promos ? If you have done it, then its really good, and if you have done it without watching even the theatrical trailers then its wonderful. Because, I have decided to watch films from now on keeping away from any of the film's song promos or dialogue promos.

I would watch all the theatrical trailers the film would release, normally there are 2 or at max 3 theatrical trailers a film has. The Hollywood films do the good thing, they release only main trailers. I had once tweeted too, that how I wish we followed Hollywood in this regard which I know won't happen since we are more of a publicity karo, paisa kamao nation of film-makers.

Aneways, I hope this plan of mine works because this means I will have to avoid watching any music channels on T.V. But, one thing I am sure of is, that it will enhance the joy of watching films further this way. These song/dialogue promos give away too many scenes away. Recent eg is 'Agent Vinod', so many of the action scenes already revealed, why ?

Here's for a new way to deal with the Hindi films for me .. good luck.


-------
Yash

Ishaqzaade [Trailer]

The starting 10 secs resemble 'Dabangg', probably intentional, with the dialogue the tone changes. Arjun Kapoor looks pretty okay as of now to me. Parineeti again in excellent form, though again in a aggressive role, even more than it was in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl.

The dialogues ain't interesting, nor is the background theme. But Habib Faisal, the director is same guy who last made 'Do Dooni Chaar', so less interesting trailer wont hamper the expectations from the film for me.

Arjun's laugh reminds me of Abhishek Bachchan, hopefully he turns out to be better than Sonam Kapoor as a actor.

'Arts and Crafts hobby hai aapki ? Ji 8 saal pehle thi, ab meri hobby shikaar karna'.


-------
Yash

Jannat 2 [Teaser]

Jannat is one of my fav films of Emraan Hashmi. I saw many people dislike the film then just because it was promoted mainly on 'Cricket' but turned more of a romantic love story. Kunal Deshmukh is another of those directors whom I admire a lot, especially the way he handles romantic sequences, be it Jannat or Tum Mile.

This teaser is well cut, showing glimpse of old film and then cut to what is coming in this new part. This time its based on 'Arms delivery'. I read that the guns on ground shot is inspired from a english film, but I as always don't give a damn to it.

That was a really nice shot though, plus they kept same 'zara si' background theme so could be a similar tune song with different lyrics. It would be good to see Randeep Hooda again in cop role, Interestingly again he is catching Emraan Hashmi! Esha Gupta is good looks wise, the main trailer should reveal more about her acting abilities.

I still prefer Emraan's look in 1st part, this one gives more evil image than that did!

Surely, the film would be based on Emraan-Esha romantic story with backdrop of 'arms dealing' just like it was 'cricket' in the 1st part.

Waiting for its songsssss and the theatrical trailer to release....

--------
Yash

Hate Story [Trailer]

Very Bold trailer! Its a theme that can easily turn into vulgar (Just the way I felt for The Dirty Picture), but in the trailer it never appears so. Hopefully, that would be the case while watching the film too.

Gulshan Devaiah has a very good screen presence plus I like his improvisations, while Paoli's voice for now remains to be the only worry point for me, else she is looking very confident in her portrayal of this role. Nikhil was very good for me in 'Shor in the city', though in trailer he has no stealing scene.

Special mention to the background theme in latter part of the trailer, very nice. I hope there are no cuts from censor now, let it be released as it is in (A) certificate.

'Siddharth Dhanrajgir, I fuck those who fuck with me, tumhi se seekha hai maine .. Fucking Bitch!'

--------
Yash

This Means War [Views]

Directed by McG
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596350/

Mistakes make us who we are. ..

Tuck (Tom Hardy) and Frank (Andrew Garfield), are CIA agents and are ordered to remain out of sight of a guy who is after them, as they just killed his brother. Tuck is a divorced guy with a son, while Frank is a casanova. One random day Tuck makes a account on dating website, and ends up meeting Lauren (Reese Witherspoon). Lauren ends up striking with Frank, who also gets interested to know her more. When Tuck and Frank come to know they are dating same girl, they decide 'May the best man win'.

This film was very much the kind of Hindi Movies (no I am not degrading them) we see, as in some of the scenes treatment. For eg, Tuck being slapped at the karate place, the ways both Tuck and Frank come in each other's way during their private dating with Lauren, or the heroic activity of Tuck to impress Lauren. Also, the ending is over-stylish just like the starting of the film. And that swimming pool view over top of room.. is it possible in reality ? Else, I can assume it as a cinematic liberty.

The painting sequence of Frank is the hillarious scene of the movie, thanks to the interval it got played twice in the theatre. Also, the 1st meeting scene between Frank and Lauren. And, the one where Lauren tells 1 bad thing about both guys to her best friend. The scene where Lauren forcefully kisses Frank.

Andrew Garfield is very good in his performance, Tom Hardy kind of dissappointed me but then I feel it's the director who made him look silly in some scenes. Reese was fine, looked pretty but acting wise she was just okay.

Overall, its a watchable movie for entertainment at best, quality wise there is hardly anything to remember for me.

Movie Analysis : Chaar Din ki Chandni

Directed by Samir Karnik 

Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191641/

Khaana toh kutte bhi khaate hai, insaan bano sharaab piyo... 

Just like it was the case with 'Yamla Pagla Deewana', this film too is good in pieces only, the overall humour is missing, and some very over the top sequences along with it. 

Veer (Tusshar Kapoor) returns with his girlfriend Chandni (Kulraj Randhawa) at his home for his sister's marriage. He is afraid of his father, Chandraveer Singh (Anupam Kher) and ends up saying that Chandni is his good friend. Chandni within few days impresses everyone including the three brothers of Veer who are after her. Chandraveer decides to marry Chandni, and Veer has to now decide how to stop the marriage. 

The plot isn't new, so it becomes important how the screenplay is, and the situations used to bring the humour. The gym sequence for me was the most humorous scene in the film. There were 3-4 good enough scenes like the opening scene, else the film was more of a drama and forced humour. The dialogues were very poor. The use of 'chandni' in background for scenes of Kulraj was simply irritating. The climax was expectedly predictable. 

The songs lacked any connect in terms of quality, only title track was loving but the voice of Sridevi can't be replaced as you could miss the naughtyness she brought in vocals in the original song. Also Kulraj didn't look at ease in the dance steps, though she looked gorgeous in the saree. 

Samir Karnik should shift from comedy films now, and also Kulraj Randhawa has to stop accepting same director's comedy films.. move on girl, do something new now. 

Tusshar Kapoor was fine, at times reminded me of Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai. Though have to admit, in the sardar avatar, he looked more good in his performance. 

It was nice to see Chandrachur Singh after a long time, though he has hardly any significant role in the film. 

Anupam Kher I felt lacked the comic timing, though more blame I would give to the dialogues and direction too. 

Om Puri was in very good form. And Farida Jalal was nice. Sushant Singh and Hemant Pandey were good. 

Mukul Dev was okay. Anita Raaj looked beautiful. Johnny Lever was wasted. 

Overall, Chaar Din ki Chandni lacked good writing and humour. One time watchable film at best. 

Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE

Movie Analysis : Ekk Deewana Tha

Directed by Gautham Menon
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2126282/

Jo hua woh kamaal tha, jo hai woh kamaal hai.. Aur jo hoga woh bhi kamaal hoga. Ab Dard se bhi mujhe pyar ho jayega! 

A story based on love at first sight with a south touch to it. You should watch 'Directors Cut' version to have any chance of connecting or liking the movie. The popular version will more or less leave you dissappointed.

A engineering graduate student, Sachin (Pratiek Babbar) loves watching films and takes it a dream to make films, something his father doesn't like. He along with his family shifts to Juhu getting a apartment for rent. He falls in love the moment he sees Jessie (Amy Jackson), only to discover various reasons that won't make it work for him. But, his madness for the love keeps increasing and he ends up proposing Jessie, who refuses and asks him to be just friends. Sachin has to make Jessie fall in love with him or she would get married to someone else proposed by their family. 

Its one of those films which has quotient of great scenes, as well as average scenes. And the main reason for the average scenes is the lead pair Pratiek and Amy. Amy fails due to the dubbing voice which just looks too fake. She looks very beautiful though especially in suits, saree at times was not suiting her. Also, her make-up was too much at some sequences. While Pratiek is somehow indifferent throughout, which I least expected after becoming a sort of fan of him with Dhobi Ghat. There is a certain dislike that comes instantly with Pratiek's dialogue delivery at places. 

Also, there is a lack of chemistry between Pratiek and Amy, mainly because of the fact that I loved Pratiek-Manu sequences a lot.

The scene where Sachin falls in love with Jessie at first sight, I feel wasn't properly directed. Its not that I am against the 'love at 1st sight' theory, but it looked bit too unreal watching in the film. Thanks to Hossanna song (leaving the starting), that I started to connect to Sachin's love. And change of heart twice by Jessie completely made me question her love, especially the 2nd time around. Hard to digest such love.

The screenplay isn't impressive as it keeps reducing whatever effect some of the dialogue sequences between Sachin and Jessie bring with all the dreamy dance sequences put together as a montage, be it 'Dost hai hum toh' or the train song. Also, the dialogues are pretty average.

Rahman's music is very pleasant even though the magnitude of impact is very small as compared to Rockstar (quite expected). 'Sharminda hoon' brings the loving moments both Sachin and Amy share together with the challenges they know ahead of them, best picturised song in the film. Hossana is beautiful, a guy falling in love at 1st sight. Aromale, my personal favourite song used very well in the narrative. Dost hai picturisation doesn't work for me.

Background score wasn't top notch as I thought it would be.

Sachin watches Jessie for 1st time, the first conversation with Jessie along with her sister, Sachin trying to control his love feelings in train, Sachin watching Jessie get married in church, the boat sequence with Sachin feeling on the top of the world, and the Taj Mahal sequence are some of the best moments from the film.

Among supporting cast, Sachin Khedekar is good, the scene where he says 'main film-maker banunga, jessie mujhse pyar karegi' was one of my favs. Manu Rishi is excellent, specially the 'border' song scene.

Babu Anthony completely looks like father of a kerela girl, and acted fine. Though watching him as well as Jessie brother, gave the feel of south film.


Overall, Ekk Deewana Tha is a average film despite liking many portions of the film.


Verdict : AVERAGE

Movie Analysis : Kahaani

Directed by Sujoy Ghosh
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821480/

Arnab ke baad, zindagi hi majaak ban ke reh gayi hai .. 

I love watching thriller films, and to be able to keep you guessing till the final sequence of the film is a great achievement for a director in such films. Kahaani comes in that category.

Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan) comes to Kolkata in search of her missing husband. Rana (Parambrata Chatterjee), a sub inspector helps her lot in the search but all the clues leads to another person who is a look alike of her husband. Now, whether both the people are same or her husband is affected due to the look alike guy is the answer Vidya or the audience wants to know.

There are very few give-aways in the whole narrative where you could feel that somewhere Vidya is lying, but the reason you end up ignoring them is the fast editing, Namrata Rao is one major reason the film becomes so tight and edge of the seat thriller. The way she fast cuts places of Kolkata, and gives Vidya a major entry in 'Aami Shotti Bolchi' is mindblowing.

The scene where Rana tells Vidya 'aap bahut acchi maa banegi', and Vidya quickly turns other way with a painful sigh. Your 1st guess (if watching film first time) would be how badly she is missing Arnab, later on you find what the pain was for her in that conversation!

The various sub-plots Sujoy uses increases the impact of the film, and the emotional content of the film. For instance, relationship between Vishnu and Vidya because later on you  know how good moments those were for Vidya. The bond between Rana and Vidya, it was secret love from the side of Rana. Those bus scenes where Rana intereacts with his mom through phone calls, we just listen him saying 'on the way' in his mother tongue, while once he ignores the call due to the problems he just had with Vidya.

The Kolkata is beautifully captured throughout the film, and also the use of old songs at various places, one of which was bengali song. Screenplay and Editing are fantastic. Very good choice of interval sequence. The climax is hell shocking, and the final scene also brings a devotional feeling (for those who believe in God) with the Amitabh's voiceover.

Also, I loved the background score of the film, those bells ringing when Vidya gets escaped into same dressed woman in the puja. Or the very emotional theme used when we are revealed the truth of Vidya. The flashbacks are also perfectly thought of, which you can later analyse to know how logical they all were.

Only two songs are used in the narrative, which was a very good thought. Aami Shotti Bolchi presents Kolkata and Vidya to us, while Ekla Cholo re is perfectly used for Vidya who has to herself find the path. Very well rendered by Amitabh Bachchan.

Vidya Balan excels once again in her performance, one of those actors who keeps outdoing themselves in every new film. I believe if you are fooling audience for 110 mins out of the 122 mins successfully, then you have to be a fool to not adore your acting! I would rate this performance among her top 3 best performances till date. She is challenging while talking to Khan, friendly with Rana, child with Vishnu and all the time fighting with the deep pain which she can't reveal to anyone until the climax. Her 'kya fark padta hai' in the climax sequence, was one of the 'Wow' moments for me.

Parambrata Chatterjee gave a very honest performance, not a typical strict policeman you would often see. Sasawata Chatterjee was hillarious, nomaskaar main bob biwas - ek minute! Dhiskiyaaun. Amazing harkats he did, like the instance when his 1st scene comes, sleeping, playing with fingers or the smile he has while walking or before killing a person.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui brought lots of attitude into his portrayal of Khan, IB Officer. Plus, his looks slightly reminds of Manoj Vajpayee. He certainly is a actor to look forward to as he has the confidence and power in his acting. Rest supporting cast did a fair job.


Overall, Kahaani is gonna be remembered among one of best suspense thriller hindi films.


Verdict : EXCELLENT 

Movie Analysis : Paan Singh Tomar

Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1620933/

Bihar mein baaghi hote hai, dacaoit parliament mein milte hai... 

I was waiting for this movie since years, finally it got released. Though it took me 2 viewings to like this film a lot.

Based on a true story about a army athelete who won a gold medal and later turned into a dacaoit due to personal life problems with no one coming to his rescue.

Irrfan Khan is one of most under-rated talents, and I am one huge admirer of his acting. I would rate this performance very close to Maqbool. How he enacts different shades in the film, like in army he isn't given too much importance for the dacaoit background he has. When sent to army athelete place, he surprises the coach who has his son in law set to win the race but Paan Singh poses a threat, and hence he makes him change the race, eventually letting Paan win a gold medal in steeple chase. And then his portayal of a dacoit, seeking revenge at first from Bhanwar Singh (Jahangir Khan)

Watch his expressions, when his request to go for a fight is cancelled. Or when he is given ice-cream as a gift while leaving Army. Also, the humurous scenes involving his foodie side, or the romance with his wife played by Mahie Gill, sending kids away every time. That was one hillarious sequence. And, the border cross police uniform sequence too.

Also, the dialect Irrfan has in the movie, making it as real as it can get. Though, at times it was difficult to understand few dialogues due to that.

I like the screenplay, the way they narrate the life of Paan Singh Tomar leading to his fall. The climax is perfect, heroic death. I wonder if that hand signal Irrfan makes while running was taken from real athlete life (on whom film is based) or it was director's idea, or Irrfan improvised on it. I loved that, and its used in the dacaoit scenes too when he runs after people, or runs for his life. Only thing that I missed in the film was use of the song 'Kero Mama', should had used it atleast somewhere even if as a background.

Mahie Gill is again in a role that offers very less to her, still better than Dabangg. Vipin Sharma shines once again, finally he isn't in a gangster role. Thankfully, the casting team didn't make him also one of the dacaoits from Paan Singh Team.

Jahangir Khan is decent. Imran Hasnee is fine. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is good. Brijandra Kala is efficient as always. It was nice to see Rajendra Gupta in a good role. Zakir Hussain was his usual.


Overall, Paan Singh Tomar is a film you would like as long as you don't belong to section of audience who believes in only 'Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment'. Though having said that, there is decent enough dose of entertainment in this film too. So, a film for all I guess then...

Verdict : VERY GOOD

The Iron Lady [Views]

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007029/

It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone. 

A film on the 1st British Prime Minister, more of a biopic which goes wrong. Mainly because the screenplay plays around too much with past life sequences and current state of Margaret (Meryl Streep) who plays the Prime Minister role. And, the political sequences aren't able to bring a impact the film should had. Instead, its the relationship Margaret shares with her husband that holds the limelight of the viewers.

Meryl Streep surely deserved her Oscar award for this performance, even in a weakly made film her performance made me never feel bored at any moment in the film. I haven't read or seen anything about the real Prime Minister whom she portrayed, but the transformation from just a person who works at a place to someone who becomes a Prime Minister was really too good. That scene where the people who inspire her to lead the country, making her learn the voice diction so that she speaks like a Prime Minister should. Also, a mention to the change in looks too.

The story between Margaret and her husband, Denis (Jim Broadbent) resembled 'A Beautiful Mind' to certain extent. Though, it was well directed plot, still the fact that it was affecting the main story decreased its value.

Jim Broadbent was fine in his performance, I liked Alexandra Roach who played young Margaret.. that was another part of narration that I did like.

Some of the dialogues, especially from Margaret are really good.


Overall, The Iron Lady fails to create any kind of emotional impact due to bad screenplay and average direction. It is a film that I and many other people would remember only for Meryl Streep's performance, nothing else.

Movie Analysis : Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya

Directed by Mandeep Kumar
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2130242/

Dance karke dikhayo ... 

Viren (Ritiesh Deshmukh), a rikshaw driver tries to ruin marriage of Mini (Genelia Deshmukh) because her Dad sold his rickshaw that had all the money he had been saving since months. Mini takes advantage of situation and gets herself kidnapped by Viren. Now, Viren has to do whatever Mini asks her to do. But there's a twist, another kidnapping happens, a real one as both Viren and Mini are kidnapped together now.

The performances of Genelia and Om Puri makes this a very good watch. Genelia is a complete live-wire, a non stop talker, which goes to her image very well. She single handedly steals the show from Riteish. While Om Puri impresses as a whole this time after quite a while, a harayanvi lingo role that fitted him a lot. 

The screenplay is good as it keeps away from too much of dramatic situation such films end up with, the narration keeps it light hearted throughout with romantic moments here and there.

Some of the dialogues are good specially the punchline 'dance karke dikhayo', and all the harayanvi dialogues 'ke hua chori, je dekho phudakti rehti hai'. Mandeep Kumar as a debut director has done quite well, though one must say he chose a easy genre.

Mini's 'touch me touch me' number, her getting herself kidnapped, the drunk sequence(how cute Genelia looks during that sequence), Mini teaching Chowdhary 'organizer' option in mobile, the climax car scene and all the 'dance karke dikhayo' are the best moments in the film.

The music by Sachin-Jigar may not be extraordinary, yet its very pleasant to listen to every song during the movie. Pee pa pee paa is the best song visual wise, while Piya o re piya is romantically filmed. Jeene de is rightly used as opening credit song. While Genelia steals away in the item song 'Main toh fan ban gayi' which was otherwise for Veena Malik.

Ritiesh Deshmukh was a touch under expressive, but his chemistry was very good with Genelia which is quite expected.

Tinu Anand and Smita Jaykar were decent. Chitrashi keeps getting casted in nothing siginficant roles ever since Chak de, poor her.


Overall, Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya is a nice light hearted movie with a great performance by Genelia Deshmukh.

Verdict : Nice