The Bourne Legacy [Views]

Directed by : Tony Gilroy
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194173/

It was always gonna be tough for Tony-Jeremy to match the great work Greengrass-Damon had done in the previous 2 parts of the Bourne series (I quite liked 1st part also, directed  by Doug Liman).  And it proved to be that way only after I ended watching this final part of Bourne Series, unless they plan to extend it further.

One good thing they did is they invented new character for Jeremy (Aaron), instead of giving him the Bourne character. That therefore meant some new information that is linked to the Blackbriar and Treadstone, and so 'Outcome' is the program they establish.

The problem with this movie is, its just too slow to kick off. The action sequences aren't that special or exciting as Bourne series always had, though the climax bike sequence was certainly the best in the entire film. Also, the romantic plot between Aaron and Dr. Marta (Rachel Weisz) wasn't written well. And all the scenes where Aaron is on the look out about the unknown events, or the things he ain't aware of .. just doesn't thrill you like it did with Matt Damon who was constantly fighting with his search of own identity.

I felt Jeremy Renner would be total mismatch in this role, but to his credit he did a wonderful job only if he had a good script to support his performance. Special reference to sudden humour he brings in conversations especially with Dr. Marta.

Rachel Weisz leaving asides her over the top scene before Jeremy comes to her rescue, she did pretty well.

Another big disappointment in the movie was the supporting cast. With David Strathairn and Joan Allen used only as special apperances, it was important for the chosen set of actors to make a mark, but their part in the movie is so dull that I kept waiting for Jeremy sequences to enter.


Overall, The Bourne Legacy is better to be not counted in the Bourne series. Jeremy Renner gives some respite with his performance, but a dull script and not so spectacular action like one expected lets the film completely down.

Eega [Views]

Directed by : S.S Rajamouli
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2258337/

Nani (Nani) loves Bindhu (Samantha Ruth Prabhu), and just when Bindhu accepts his love after keeping him at a distance for 2 years, Sudeep (Sudeep) kills Nani as he cannot see himself lose. But the horror of Sudeep begins when Nani takes a re-birth in form of a fly 'eega'.

Its very unusual concept that instantly took my attention when I first saw it. And Rajamouli has directed as well as constructed amazing screenplay. He gets done with the love part (which are filmed in a fun and romantic way) very quickly, and leads to the difficulties Nani faces from being a human to a very small fly. How he slowly understands the ways he can use to get the revenge. Also special mention to the memory loss, which lasts for hardly 5 mins.

The reason this movie works a lot, is the fact that it gives large screen time to the 'Eega'(Makkhi) character. When you go to watch the film, it is the character you wanna see the most, and that's what has been done.

The VFX and graphic effects are excellent, special reference to the sequence where Eega make a entry, trying to fly through. Also, those tiny micro artist effects done on the eega like glasses, and foot equipments.

The Sudeep part before Nani dies, and the Nani-Bindhu love sequences hold high importance because if you don't connect to these two parts, then the revenge of Eega doesn't make any difference to you.

Sudeep's tone from the first scene is kept as a guy who knows how to get any girl he likes, with a eye on Bindhu.. his wife is the only exception whom he gives a terrible death. The frustration on his face when he comes to know Bindhu likes someone else. Then later, the way Sudeep enacts the part where he is again and again attacked by Eega. It mustn't had been easy as when the shooting would had happened, there would had been nothing in front of him, he just had to imagine and act it out. So, that makes it even more applaudable performance. The helmet presentation sequence, spa one, and car crash scene were among some of the best ones.

Also, the idea of writing 'I will kill you', 'I am back' and 'Re-birth' in different ways that a Eega would be able to write is commendable.

Bindhu likes doing micro artist activities, and that is later very well used to help Eega. Love the scene where a small house is built for Eega having all basic facilities. And the scene where she takes Eega to cafe coffee day is very funny.

The conversations between Nani and his friend during first 20 mins, or the way Sudeep hides how Eega is making his life hell in front of Bindhu, and the drunk thief sequence provide very good humour quotient to the movie. Also, the reactions of Eega when he wins a battle against Sudeep like the hit spray.

The songs are very well used, both the romantic ones, one is used mainly as background. Though, my fav is the title one, where Eega develops his powers with the help of Bindhu.


Overall, Eega works for me big time. We have seen enough films where re-birth of a person happens, but a re-birth of person into a fly is something new and unique. As long as you dont feel its a nonsense concept, this film is bound to make you laugh and enjoy every moment specially once Eega's entry comes. (for me the film works right from the first scene.. )

Movie Analysis : Chittagong

Directed by : Bedabrata Pain
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1785333/

Another of those history based movies that I enjoyed watching. Though, this movie reminded me of 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' specially the portion where they attack the British places.

The movie is narrated through the point of view of 'Jhunku', one of the leaders in the movement against the Britishers. How he in his early childhood felt the ways to fight against Britishers weren't right, plus he acted as a traitor helping Britishers as he was learning English from the family of one of the British officers.Its matter of time when he realizes Britishers have to be fought against, and he joins army of Masterda played by Manoj Bajpai.

The screenplay is tight, and also good editing. Cinematography is excellent.

How good Manoj Bajpai's performance is, can easily be stated by the fact that in a starcast of many actors that impresses, he still manages to leave a big mark. Soft-spoken, polite and always ready to give advices like a teacher would.. Manoj appears deeply into his character making Masterda very appealing.

Also, Delzad Hiwale who plays younger Jhunku delivers a superb performance. I somehow didn't like the older Jhanku, probably one of the reason why I didn't like the climax that much. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Raj Kumar Yadav, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Jaideep Ahlawat were efficient in their supporting roles. The conversation of Nirmal Sen (Nawazuddin) with Pritilata (Vega Tamotia) where he conveys his love for her in a hesistant way.. pretty much reminds of the famous scene in GOW, though the execution here is much different. Also, Vega Tamotia looks very cute in her just 2nd film. She does very well in that police sequence she has in the 2nd half.

I have always slept during History lectures in school, so any film that's well made on a history topic appeals to me very much.


Overall, Chittagong is a very good history based film backed with great performances.


Verdict : VERY GOOD

Movie Analysis : Aiyyaa

Directed by Sachin Kundalkar
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2255934/

A marathi girl Meenakshi (Rani Mukherji) falls in love with a Tamil guy Surya (Prithivraj) who is a painter by profession. Meenakshi's engagement is fixed to another guy Madhav (Subhodh Bhave) by her family which in itself has all the qualities of madness. But Meenakshi doesn't know how to convey her feelings to Surya, but she can't resist him as he smells just too good.

There's a character Maina (Anita Date) who speaks in a total childish way with wierd fashionable dresses and dance moves. At start I liked her, but as more of her scenes started to come.. the uneasy feeling crept in. Plus, 'What to Do' song filmed on her dissappointed me, as that was the song I loved the most in the album. Couldn't they find a way to picturise it on Rani..

Meenakshi following Surya everytime, through the smell also is over-done big time. Same applies to the family, who keeps doing things that appear too mad. Only the dream sequences was something that I didn't mind being consistently done throughout movie. Maybe, the director wanted to tell the story about characters that are mad in their own ways, but as a viewer it just doesn't help me in clicking. Even the ending looks ordinary.

For sure, the comedy is present in most of the sequences.. but in totality, the film fails to make a mark. Meenakshi buying drugs, meeting the crazy Maina for 1st time, meeting Surya's mother, and conversation with Madhav during 1st meeting were some of the best scenes in the movie.

Background score is good. Editing is poor, too many long sequences and many un-wanted scenes.

Rani Mukherjee looks so confident, those dance moves she has done in numerous item songs in this film, plus the way she imitates 'Madhuri' in opening credits or 'Rekha' in sava dollar song. Its only her performance that kept me interested in a total dull 2nd half.

Prithviraj has minimal dialogues, but he looks quite effective. Not sure yet though, if he could be successful in Hindi films.

Nirmiti Sawant, mother of Meenakshi was excellent among the rest supporting cast. Also, Ameya Wagh was quite good.


Overall, Aiyyaa has some very good moments and Rani's great performance but the film ends up as a big dissappointment.


Verdict : AVERAGE

Movie Analysis : Bhoot Returns

Directed by : Ram Gopal Verma
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2406636/

Tarun (J.D. Chakravarthy) and Namrata (Manisha Koirala) shift to a new house along with their children. Namrata's sister, Pooja (Madhu Shalini) pays a surprise visit to stay with them for few days. But, they aren't aware about the spirit that exists in the house which would haunt and cause lots of problems to them.

The film is full of same old cliches related to horror genre as well as Rgv cinema. The noise created by the opening of door, dream horror sequence, loud background score, the irritating voice of spirit 'bhooooooo' and ofcourse the wierd camera angles of Rgv. The sound mixing was bad too, making every noise loud isn't the way to bring horror, it just turns you off and irritates you, for eg the telephone ring noise is intentionally kept so loud. Clearly, the idea of Rgv was to keep the action of spirit for the final 20 minutes, but holding together for rest 70 mins was the key part. You just can't show one day dialogue scene followed by 1 night invisible spirit scene, and then continue this loop for 3-4 times in a row. It got too monotonous for my liking, plus very predictable.

And, when that time comes where all three Tarun, Namrata and Pooja are scared at night, why does Pooja even sleep in a seperate room. As is the case, the unintentional comedy happens at many places, like when they all are searching for spirit in different directions of house, and when they see each other its followed by a loud laugh, which then gets shortened by the 'bhooooo' noise.

Why Manisha Koirala kept shouting so much, specially at such a little daughter of hers ? Too loud acting, a performance I didn't expect from her. J.D Chakravarthy makes a comeback of sorts, and is pretty good.

Madhu Shalini is decent. Alayana Sharma who plays the daughter Nimmi of Namrata, was very effective.

Some of the best scenes were, Nimmi telling everyone about the imaginary friend (ghost), Shabbo with whom she could interact, and the first major attack by Shabbo along with the pre-climax scene.


Overall, Bhoot Returns is a very loud, non-scary and typical rgv film. Even though its 90 mins in length, the film appears to be too long. And after watching this film, one may just wonder why Bhoot3 is gonna be made.


Verdict : INTOLERABLE

Movie Analysis : Jism2

Directed by : Pooja Bhatt
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2226666/

Duniya pyar ki sirf baatein karti hai .. chalti jung pe hai.

The first thing I did after watching the movie was, unfollow Pooja Bhatt from Twitter, though somehow I stopped myself from doing the same to Mahesh Bhatt.

To start off, the plot is ridiculous. I agree Jism was completely inspired (or copy as people like to say) from a Hollywood film, but its plot and the feel was very good. But, in Jism2 the main plot is silly, asking a porn star Izna (Sunny Leone) to help the Intelligence Bureau in catching a criminal, Kabir (Randeep Hooda) who was once a police officer and lover of Izna.

Inspite of such plot, had they written interesting dialogues and choosen right female lead.. maybe film would had been atleast 25% watchable if not more. There is too much of unintentional comedy throughout the movie. The screenplay is also too simple, with a predictable end if you ignore the silliest twist done for the sake of it.

Editing is very average, fast cuts would had made the film little bit bearable as the narration gets slow at many places. The cinematography is excellent, love the way they have captured Sri Lanka, specially that location where Izna asks Kabir to come. Even, the camera-work was good and different at various shots.

Though, I loved most of the songs.. the kinda of feel Jism songs had never comes in this film, also the background score was a total let down. Only, 'yeh jism hai toh kya' was a song that I could totally connect to, and it was among the worst picturised song in the movie.

Sunny Leone just couldn't act, though she appeared to have worked very well on her hindi diction. It was completely visible how much effort she was trying to put in most of her scenes, which shouldn't be the case for a actor. Also, what was the case with her breathing so fast in almost every scene.. was it the nervous Izna or nervous Sunny ?

Randeep Hooda in the role of police officer was good, but as a assassin he went very much over the top. Felt dissappointed after having loved his last performance in 'Jannat2' to such a great extent. Arunoday Singh was decent in the start, but once he starts to fall in love with Izna, his hamming started big time too.

That final confrontation scene between Izna and Kabir is so poorly directed and written (the only thing consistent throughout the film), I still remember and adore the final scene of John and Bipasha in Jism.. but here I kept looking for something good in the scene, and it never comes.

This is the second film I have seen of Pooja Bhatt, the other being 'Dhokha' which I liked quite a lot. She would need to be really good in her next outing to remove my anger now.


Overall, Jism2 is a complete nonsense movie, with no good acting, story, screenplay or direction. You need a proper story otherwise exotic scenes (though they are very few too) won't have any impact. Its only the beautiful locales and nice music that you take away after watching the movie. The director of Jism though would be happy, pooja bhatt has made his film looked hundred times better.


Verdict : INTOLERABLE

Killing Them Softly [Views]

Directed by : Andrew Dominik
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1764234/

Another gangster based movie, but this time it fails to make a mark on me. I felt the director tried to experiment a bit too much, for instance the scene where Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) has taken drugs and his point of view shots are shown where the frame blurs, goes black, and takes time for him to realize his friend Frankie (Scoot McNairy) said something to him. Even the conversation between Mickey (James Gandolfini) and Jackie (Brad Pitt) appeared very dull.

The robbery sequence executed by Russell and Frankie, was one of well directed scene in the movie. Also, the one where Jackie kills 2 people, from a distance as he likes to call it. The final dialogue scene of Jackie against Obama was good too. Though the ending was very abrupt, as if the director was forced to edit out proper ending.

Also, the title never goes with the movie.. there's hardly a killing that could be termed 'soft'. Brad Pitt gives a good performance, but not as impressive as he was in 'Moneyball', though less screen time is also a factor in that.

Ray Liotta, looked totally out of touch, maybe to give him a weak looking character was the idea of director, as I remember him for his great performance in 'the goodfellas'.

Even the conversations between Frankie and Russell were kept quite comical, maybe pulp fiction influence if it can be said.


Overall, 'Killing them softly' was a touch boring for me. Except for some good scenes, I just couldn't feel connected to the characters or the story.