Hotel Transylvania [Views]

Directed by : Genndy Tartakovsky

Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837562/

Another animation 3d movie in english that I just saw today. It was fun movie, very enjoyable with some very funny moments. And for a change, a movie where monsters are afraid of humans. 

Dracula builds a resort where all the monsters and their families could come for a stay, and at a place where no human can reach. So, on the occasion of 118th birthday of his daughter Mavis, he invites all the monsters to come at his resort and enjoy the weekend. But, to the misery of Dracula, a human Jonathan by mistake lands up at his hotel and his daughter gets a liking for him too. Dracula has his own reasons for hating humans.. 

Adam Sandler gave voiceover to Dracula, and he was easily the scene stealer in the movie. The scream sequences he has with Jonathan, or the worry father sequences with Mavis, the fun sequence on table, or the song he sings, to name few of his best scenes.

Mavis looked cute, while Jonathan was kind of bearable. The scenes on the roof between them were good.

Also, the Dracula being helped to fly in day and the aeroplane scene with a dig made on 'Twilight' was very funny.

Hotel  Transylvania was a fun film, worth watching once atleast.

Movie Analysis : Khiladi 786

Directed by : Ashish R. Mohan
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2166214/

When I saw its theatrical trailer, and saw 'Story by Himesh Reshammiya', the expression on my face was What the Fuck. And when I saw the movie, the same reaction by the audience (who was watching credits carefully, most don't do that) when the story credit came.

'Khiladi' brand is something Akshay has carried out very well in the past, and he could well be proud of that. But, not so with this film. The story is not new, its almost like a lighter version of Namaste London, difference being the actress takes less time to understand here. The screenplay is weak, depending on the gags that are hardly any, with most of the dialogues trying to force you to laugh (something that has become common in most of Akshay comedy movies).

The entire history of Akshay's family with Chinese,  British, African ladies was so not funny. And, the actor playing boyfriend of Asin getting himself in trouble everytime he is about to get released from jail.. was again over-done. So, was the logic behind Akshay's quick action. Infact, I would say the action by Akshay in Tashan was much more fun to watch than in this one, even Rowdy was great. Also, Akshay should take care that 'I am back' dialogue isnt attached to almost every new film of his. Its twice now that he says this in the movie.

The music is good by Himesh, though nowhere close to those musical albums he used to bring out some years ago. Balma, Lonely and title track being the best songs..  I couldn't understand the point behind playing background 'khiladi bhaiyya, khiladi bhaiyya' again and again. Some directors have no sense of how to use background score.

Akshay Kumar is fine in his performance, but seen too much of him in these roles. After a rocking Rowdy Rathore performance, this kind of film wasn't what I wanted from him.

Asin has yet to do a single great role ever since Ghajini, and this film doesn't help that track record. Another baseless role she accepts. Quality matters, not the big stars with whom you do films. Specially for actresses who get sidelined in films mostly with roles that are male oriented.

Himesh Reshammiya over-acts, but still not as un-bearable as I thought he could be. Possibly, the reason that he is just a supporting actor in movie helped.

Mithun Chakraborty is fine. Johnny Lever doesn't get any scene to make a mark. While Sanjay Mishra here and there gets his comic timing perfect. Raj Babbar and Mukesh Rishi are passable.


Overall, Khiladi 786 is below average movie, with few laughs at the most.


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE

Movie Analysis : Talaash

Directed by : Reema Kagti
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1787988/

Note : This post is full of spoilers. Read at your own risk. 

In suspense films, what matters the most is 'at what stage you can guess the climax right', and then 'the climax was worth the distance screenplay travels?' In Talaash, the problem lies with the climax.. upto that its a greatly written, very well enacted movie but once the suspense is out.. the immediate reaction is 'How the hell is this the main plot, and how can we be watching movie about this'.

The subject is on a revenge from a ghost, and if you promote it as a ghost film you are already giving away the suspense part. So, have to say if they were going to keep the main part based on a ghost, they hardly could had formed screenplay in any other way. What could had been done, was re-write the part and make it more of case solving rather than ghost revenge..

Now, try the other way which I used while watching movie 2nd time around. I know the suspense, so the anxiety level isn't there, now its about how well director covered up the scenes that hinted towards the climax. And she did very well there, apart from 2 scenes that offer the hint but then they had to be there. Talaash if seen from the point of view of Rosy (Kareena Kapoor character) would make a very good watch, the drama created between the various characters, be it Surjan (Aamir Khan) and Roshni (Rani Mukherjee) relationship that has suffered since their child's death, or Surjan and his haunting memories of child's death, or  Surjan-Rosy meetings that always lead to a new clue to the accidents, or Temur (Nawazuddin Siddique) trying to get rich through the opportunity in front of him.

The more I see the film, the more I get involved into the drama narrated by Reema with excellent background score/music by Ram Sampath. The mystery part actually becomes a sub-plot (when watching 2nd time around).

Just as one reviewer wrote 'Psychological drama', I would say the same.. thats what this film is. There are few flaws if you think about logic like why did Rosy wait for 3 years to take revenge.

I loved the background theme that runs when Surjan is playing with the torch thing recalling his child's death incident. Also, the one where flashback of full incident is shown, and very well merged with present. Infact Editing is top class, specially the idea of using fadein and fadeout for characters.

The accident scenes somehow created double impact to me, either it was just for me or the sound mixing was done in a way to create that effect, specially the climax one.

The songs are perfectly used, 'Muskaanein' my personal fav sets up the mood with creative visuals highlighting the red light areas and prostitutes at late nights in Mumbai. Also, the lyrics of the song tells the theme of the film, plus Suman Sridhar's voice gives it that special feel. 'Hona Hai Kya' was also perfectly filmed with the run away of Temur. 'Jee Le Zara' special part remains the one where Surjan and Roshni dream of hugging each other as they would be when Karan was alive.

Aamir Khan excels as a cop once again, though this performance aint as effective as Sarfarosh mainly for the different characters, and the fact that Surjan is most of the time fighting with the guilt he has built inside him for the death of his child. The scene where he recalls the entire incident and tries to change it differently was very emotional, my favourite from the film.

Rani Mukherjee is very good, though she is more of playing a supporting role in the movie. Loved the scene where she tells psychiatrist about Surjan or her fight with Surjan.

Kareena Kapoor gives a fantastic performance, an outside helper to Surjan in the movie, offering links to the case and later revealing why she kept doing all that. The place which she calls 'yeh meri jagah hai, yahan koi nahi aata'.. loved both the scenes that happen there, specially the 1st one which is the longest dialogue sequence in the movie. Its one of those roles where Kareena doesn't overact which I find her doing in numerous films. For me, she outshines both Aamir and Rani in the movie.

Nawaazuddin Siddiqui continues the great successful year he has had. I thought in a big starcast movie, he may not be able to have his own scenes to impress.. but that't not the case. Note his expressions during 'Hona hai kya' song or when he tries to tell Urmila his plan.

Raj Kumar Yadav was saddened with a unintentional comical role unfortunately. Shernaz Patel's get up was kind of wierd, but she does well as always. Among rest supporting actors, Aditi Vasudev gave very good performance.


In the end, Talaash works for me as a drama, for the emotions it carries through the characters of the film. As a suspense film which it actually is labelled as.. its pretty average. Also, the 'Aamir Khan' tag would make many people not love (even if they like) the film purely for the ghost angle thrown into the story.


Verdict : VERY GOOD

Life of a Pi [Views]

Directed by : Ang Lee
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/

A writer comes to meet Pi Patel (Irrfan Khan) to get some story from his life that is adventurous and would make him believe in God. And so Pi Patel begins narrating his story from childhood when he lived with his family in Pondicherry.

The first sequence is well done montage of zoo, comprising of almost every animal. The first of many visual delights in the movie.

Earlier part of screenplay deals with how Pi Patel got his nickname Pi, the fun fellow classmates would make at his full name 'Piscine' and how he would try to get through them. The urge to follow every religion, which compels Pi's father telling him that 'If you believe in everything, you will end up not believing in anything at all'.

Adil Hussain as Pi's father and Tabu as his mother are excellent in their performances though Tabu gets very less dialogue scenes, Adil has some of best lines in the movie specially the one where he tells Pi that Richard Parker (the tiger) doesn't care for anything, except his food.

The most engaging part of the film begins when we move to the ship scene, the thunderstorm leading to Pi left alone on a lifeboat which has 'Richard Parker' in it too. Henceforth starts the journey of survival for Pi, not just to find food or escape any further storms but also to make sure Richard Parker gets enough food and doesn't end up eating Pi.

The struggle Pi goes through, firstly to find food, then to manage distance from Richard parker initially until they become friendly to each other, is presented with some great sea visuals. Add to it the scene where both reach a green island full of small gooses (i hope thats what they are called). For me, that whole scene was brilliant, and perhaps best of the movie. Also, the scene where Pi has to eat the food Richard Parker would eat because of no other choice, one wonderful dialogue he speaks there. And that scene where Pi takes Richard Parker on his laps, like a son in mother's laps.

All this should had made me love the film, but that doesn't happen because I felt the main character Pi (Suraj Sharma) was too loud. I was not able to like his performance at all despite having loved all the scenes that involved him. Some other actor would had done better justice to the character.

The Screenplay was pretty good, the climax does get little lengthy specially when Irrfan narrates those 2 stories but that scene had to be longer. Some of the dialogues had great humour in them, specially the Pondicherry part, or the names of both Pi and Parker. And, how real the tiger looks.. some great work by the effects team.

Another great scene in the movie was, when Richard Parker reaches near Jungle, stops and then goes through leaving Pi heartbroken. Also, the one where Irrfan (Elder Pi) tells the writer about the 2 different stories he told the cops, one was point of view of Pi and other was point of view of Richard Parker.

Irrfan Khan was much better than 'The Amazing Spiderman' in terms of accent, still wonder what the need is for him to have such accent.


In the end, Life of a Pi turned to be a Decent movie for me at the most mainly for the Pi-Parker boat sequences, direction and writing (though its adapted from a book). Visually there are many scenes to admire. Wish the leading actor for younger Pi was impressive too.

Drive [Views]

Directed by : Nicolas Winding Refn
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780504/

A guy who is brilliant at his driving skills, that he uses it in different ways to get a earning. Be it helping robbers to run away, or a movie stunt, or a race.

The screenplay is kept very slow, and it works. Ryan Gosling's long 'no blink' scenes, and the kind of low life he lives, not interested in anyone else except his driving. And when he meets Irene (Carey Mulligan), a married girl.. he instantly gets a liking for her. Also, few of the scenes where he shows more emotions, his anger against the girl who was involved in a plan against him, or when his own friend makes a big blunder.

There is a unique similarity between 'Taxi Driver' and this film. Probably, the lovers of Taxi Driver won't like this comment made by me. But, I feel the character of Ryan Gosling, also was shown in a very similar fashion.. only  and big difference was that Ryan wasn't too insane and involved in everyone's life in his area.

That scene where he puts a mask, knowing he has got only one option left to survive alive. I would say the pre-climax scene slightly dissappointed me, maybe because I excepted a thrilling sequence instead of a simple one.

The starting of the movie is spectacular, the car chase in a different way. Also, the scene where the plans go wrong for Ryan.

Cinematography was brilliant. Also, the film is rich in emotional content. Note the scene where Ryan keeps looking into the eyes of Irene, asks her if she wanna come with him on weekend, she doesn't reply and he keeps looking, passes a small smile, again keeps looking and the scene ends. Less dialogues, and long scenes added a lot to the characters and the narration.

The songs are perfectly used in the movie, specially the opening credits one, and the one where Ryan starts getting more involved with Irene and her kid.

Albert Brooks and Bryan Cranston were efficient in their supporting roles too.

Overall, Drive is a must-watch film for its narration, and quite a good Ryan Gosling performance. Maybe you won't love it, but you certainly not gonna dislike it. And yea, this film isn't for the popcorn or entertainment seeking audience, please stay away from the film.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo [Views]

Directed by : Niels Arden Oplev (Sweden version)

Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1132620/

Directed by : David Fincher (American version)

Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568346/

The film is based on some famous novel, thriller based. Its of three parts, and all of them have been made into swedish movies. While American one has only first one done till now, and rest two are expected by 2014. 

I liked both the versions, both have positives and own flaws. But, if I have to choose one, then I would prefer Sweden one, mainly because the girl playing main lead made more impact in the sweden version, and also the writing was more in favour of her in the sweden version, while the american foccussed more on her trauma, and very less on the relation she shares with the journalist. 

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist gets a investigating case from powerful Wanger Family of a girl Harriet who is missing since 40 years, but whose killer is still alive. Mikael who is already seen himself in wrong light by the media for his reporting against one of famous personalities who actually sets Mikael up. To get a good change, Mikael accepts the case and slowly gets totally intrigued into the case but he requires help of Lisabeth, a brilliant computer hacker to solve the case. Both get together, and start solving the case that lays doubts on each and every member of the Wanger Family. 

Sweden Version : Though Michael Nyqvist acted the part of Mikael very well, he looked old to play the character, specially the scenes between him and Lisabeth looked less appealing. I like the way Lisabeth character is written, the personal problems she face and the way she looks at guys not having any trust in them. The whole guardian-Lisabeth sequences were very captivating. And the way Lisabeth comes into the investigation of Harriet, and her help, and the question she asks herself if Michael is a guy she can trust or not. 

Another highlight of this version, is the back-story of Lisabeth done in a min or two scene telling why she has become like this now. What incident made her like this. 

I think in a way the writing made Mikael less effective in the investigation case, though he started it very well, but its Lisabeth who took him to the conclusion. Also, I liked the ending very much, specially the final shot. 

Noomi Rapace was brilliant in her portrayal of Lisabeth character. Though, it took a while to accept her looks, being treated not well mentally that kinda look given to her. She easily brought the vulnerability and uneasyness while talking to guys, plus the way she would help Mikael. 

The Bible numbers and names mystery was very well put, and the way it gets solved. I like the detailing done to this part. 

Also, the conversation the killer has in the final portions of the movie, the dialogues of that part made the killer look more deadly. 

American Version : Lisabeth-guardian sequences are almost similar, with extra footage of expired guardian to give a feel what Lisabeth is about to face. In this version, Mikael is much stronger in his abilities to solve case, though Lisabeth does come into his investigation to help him out but Mikael himself succeeds much more in this version. The Mikael-Lisabeth sex scenes though aren't directed well, as they are (though very few) in the sweden version. 

While the climax is changed here, be it Harriet mystery or the Mikael earlier case which Lisabeth tries to help him out of. The change in Harriet is useless, could had gone with same one. But, Lisabeth is good because it kinda of establishes how she gonna on her own manage out in next parts. 

Daniel Craig, was very good in his performance, while Rooney Mara was let down by the writing, except for few scenes, she couldn't make me love her. The lesbian scene which is edited in sweden version, was very nicely done by director in this version. 

Overall, the reason the film works in both versions is the screenplay, the mystery keeps getting revealed slowly and the Lisabeth character makes is exciting. Which version you would like would most probably depend on which Lisabeth and Mikael you liked. 

Movie Analysis : Rush

Directed  by : Shamin Desai
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2256514/

A struggling guy Sam (Emraan Hashmi) who has a girlfriend Ahana (Sagarika Ghatge) he wants to marry, but needs to get a high salary job. He gets a offer from Lisa (Neha Dhupia) to work for Crime 24 channel as main Editor. Sam takes Ahana with her to foreign place for this new job. He gets a big flat and car, just the kind of lifestyle he would had wanted to have. But, little does he know.. that he has been set up in a trap that he will not find easy to escape.

The story sounds so similar to Blood Money, just replace the job from 'Diamond company' to 'News reporting'. Only difference is, Blood Money didn't waste any time and started right away from the main plot.. while in Rush, the narration goes slowly towards the main aspect of the film, almost takes up full first half.

Dialogues are average.The songs are completely forced into the narrative, especially 'Mumkin nahin'. Whosoever idea it was, seriously has no music sense. Fukra is the only song to some extent that goes in flow with the narrative.

Emraan Hashmi is very good in the scenes where he is shown anchoring his own show for news channel, apart from that there's nothing new or appealing to talk about his performance.

Sagarika Ghatge was impressive in 'Chak De India', but in this film her acting fails terribly. Most of the part it she appeared having no interest in the scenes of the movie.

Aditya Pancholi, who plays the main villian i.e Boss of Crime 24.. couldn't bring that extra to the movie mainly due to the screenplay that never allows him enough screen space to make any impact.

Rahul Singh hams like hell 'You are dead, you are dead'.

Neha Dhupia was the best among all the actors, looked confident, and completely fitted into the character. Plus, she looked so glamarous too.


Overall, Rush had a good concept but extremly poor execution..


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE