Movie Analysis : Cocktail

Directed by : Homi Adajania
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2168910/

This is Homi Adajania's second film after 'Being Cyrus'. I haven't seen that one yet, but heard lots of applause for it which in turn meant rise of expectations from Cocktail specially with a good trailer and some very nice music. But, Cocktail doesn't live upto to it.

Veronica (Deepika Padukone) lives a carefree life in London and is a party girl. Meera (Diana Penty) has been betrayed by her husband Kunal (Randeep Hooda), and has no where to go when Veronica meets her and they eventually become roomies come friends. Gautam (Saif Ali Khan), a flirt after almost every girl becomes a guy Veronica falls for initially as a timepass but she later realizes she loves him. But, Gautam falls in love with Meera when they are on a picnic with Veronica and Gautam's mother. Meera is a simple girl who won't like betraying her best friend. It gets complicated for all the three..

The 1st half was very entertaining full of funny moments, but the 2nd half gets very melo-dramatic. Infact the final 20-30 mins were more of a torture to watch with a climax that didn't make any impact on me because I had already lost the connect with the story. The writing by Imtiaz Ali tries to avoid the cliches we see in love-triangle, as there's a scene where Gautam tells Veronica and Meera that we won't play hide and seek, and tells the truth. Still, post that scene the film falls down terribly, blame it Imtiaz who could had given something more into that part, or Saif who never looked in control playing the character, or Diana who's character tries to be too much of 'balidaan' and all.

Veronica's heartbroken sequence in the pub was one of the best scene in the movie. Also humour wise the film had lots of good scenes, like the one where Gautam dances on Sheila n other item songs with the lingerie on and her mother makes a entry. The dialogues were refreshing.

Pritam's music was very good. 'Daaru Desi' showing the love between the three friends, very well picturised. 'Tumhi Ho Bandhu' bringing the happy Meera out. And, 'main sharabi' showing the decline of Veronica. Also, 'Luttna' and 'Jugni' showing the bad phase of all the three friends.

Saif Ali Khan has done this kinda of roles in plenty, still here he looked out of touch. Maybe, the fact that Saif-Deepika did a similar based movie 'Love Aaj Kal' gave the feel of 'not fresh' to me. Some other actor could had brought more life into the Gautam character, especially the one that's split between Veronica and Meera.

Diana Penty gave a very good debut. Though, her character Meera is one that I won't like to see in real.. totally hate such girls who have a habit of crying all the time, total turn-off they are. Thats the reason, 'Tumhi ho bandhu' song clicked a lot to me, as Meera finally had some good happy faces to show. Her dubbing was well done too.

Deepika Padukone easily was the best among all in her performance. She makes Veronica look totally carefree, and a total party freak. How she slowly falls over Gautam, her hatred emerges for Meera, and then the drunk sequence along with the pub one. Or the pre-climax where she notices Gautam closely. Deepika would had got even more applause by everyone if the 2nd Half was much much better than it was in the end.

Randeep Hooda was more of a waste, in a nothing role.

Dimple Kapadia's short cameo was very entertaining, she's always a delight to watch, lovely screen presence as always. Boman Irani was decent in a supporting role.


Overall, Cocktail turns out to be a average film, despite a very good 1st half, Deepika's performance, good music, and some great moments at various places of the film. The second half just couldn't make me like the movie as a whole.


Verdict : AVERAGE

Premium Rush [Views]

Directed by : David Koepp
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/

I like to ride. Fixed gear. No brakes. Can't stop. Don't want to, either.

Wilee (Joseph Gordon Levitt) has a job of delivering envelopes given to him by his boss to particular people in the city by riding fast bicycles with fixed gear and no brakes. But, one envelope causes him lot of trouble, as a cop gets after him to get it from him. The envelops contains something thats important for the cop to earn money as he has been losing a lot at gambling, while its also important for a girl Nima (Jamie Chung) who has to set her kid free by letting the envelope reach the person its meant to go to.

The film's narration is based on bicyle for major part of the movie, and yet there is lack of intense and exciting moments that one would expect in such a film. The screenplay was pretty good, the way the time is used to move back and after to tell the events of every character involved towards the envelope. That is the only reason, the film does entertain to a certain way.

Wilee vision of which path to follow when he is near to having a collision while riding bicycle, the escape from the garage and the flashmob were some great scenes in the movie.

Joseph Gordon Levitt was not impressive for me, though I doubt any other actor would had made much more out of this role either.

Micheal Shannon as the cop was very good, be it his own story of making himself lose so much money or the chase he has after Wilee.

Wole Parks irritated me a lot.


Overall, Premium Rush can be called a nice light hearted entertainer. Nothing special though.

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