Movie Analysis : Prisoners

Directed by : Denis Villeneuve
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392214/

Hugh Jackman's dominated movie about the issue of father's deeds against doubted kidnapper.

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers. 

Keller Dover's (Hugh Jackman) daughter as well as her friend goes missing. Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) gets the case in his hands, having a record of not losing any in past, but this time he's gonna find it real tough. When one suspect Alex Jones (Paul Dano) gets arrested, Keller believes he is the one to kidnap the children, but Alex comes across as a mentally challenged teenager. Keller believes he is faking it, and therefore when Alex gets released from custody, Keller takes it to himself to find the girls. Is Alex really the kidnapper, or Keller is falling in some deep trap ?

The narration begins with a happy fun atmosphere before the two girls go out of house and are found missing. At places, the pace is slow but I didn't mind it as I was kept interested in knowing whether Alex is really having no information about the girls or he is lying.

The best scene has to be when the tables are turned, and Keller is doing what probably the kidnapper might had been doing to the girls. He gets Alex kidnapped at his own old house, and tortures him in various ways, which as a viewer was hard for me to see even, or Keller's friends in the movie who initially do help Keller before realising that Keller has gone a very wrong path.

But if you think about the story from Keller's point of view, then his reasons to doubt Alex are very strong, firstly the whisper Alex does when he gets released from jail, and then the thing he does with dog at night. Infact, I still couldn't understand why he didn't tell Keller much earlier about the small secret he knew which he reveals much later at  end. Unless, a mentally challenged person can hide secrets for long, still felt it was kinda of strange point in the screenplay.

Another point that I didn't get was who was the person who entered Keller's house and ran out of window. Also, I would say to see the real kidnapper and the motive behind.. made me slightly dissappointed, maybe I was thinking something completely out of box will come. That character was shown just 2-3 times in whole movie until then, so it was tackled well in that regards atleast. Mellisa Rao did act pretty well, to not make any doubt come over her in those few scenes.

Hugh Jackman made Keller character look tremendous especially when the worried father transforms into a deadly 'tell me or you suffer' mode. All scenes where he tortures Alex, and when he avoids Detective Loki before yelling out his anger at him in car were fantastic.

Jake Gyllenhaal gave good performance as Detective, the humorous scenes at office where he asks for extra days to interrogate Alex which he doesn't get, and later he shows his anger at him. His silent way of noticing everything, and reaching the clues. The snake scene was highly scary for me, for well known reasons.

The supporting cast did fairly well too.  Keller's wife could had been given more scenes, felt she was sidelined using her health as issue after girls got kidnapped.

The ending was great too, you wonder for a moment if Loki would go and save Keller, but I guess he would definately do that, its whether in those few seconds Keller survives and doesn't die. The reason for such ending must had been to ask audience to fill it in the way they thought about the deeds done by Keller to Alex, the ones who felt Keller's actions were bad inspite of the motive behind it would say Loki would let Keller die, and the other ones who felt Keller was at heart a caring father wanting his girl back would want Loki to save Keller.


Overall, Prisoners may not be a pacy thriller, yet its a powerful film that works for the main lead performances, and specially the narration of the story where an important character suddenly transforms and just shocks you at times with his actions. In the end, its you who decide which way the film should end, and the question is asked 'Without proper evidence, is it right to treat someone as guilty?'

Movie Analysis : About Time

Directed by : Richard Curtis
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/

A sweet rom-com on time travel. 

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers. 


This is first movie I have seen from Richard Cutris, who has done two other movies in past. Only thing I knew while going for movie was that the plot is about time travel, where the main lead actor tries to correct his past life events. Its something that fascinates me a lot. Even in hindi movies, Action Replayy or Talaash (that one imaginable scene of Aamir if you remember), its been tried.

Intially, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) tries to use the power to change small events, and when his dad (Bill Nighy) asks him to use it for something special, his reply comes, I want a girlfriend. To be fair, how much you like the film would depend on how you well you feel Tim uses the power of time travel. Also, if you don't find the way time is travelled as ridiculous.

The first conversation between Tim and his dad is hillarious, then the new year eve girl whom he kisses 2nd time around using time travel. My most fav scene though is when Tim meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), a blackout scene where they talk without getting sight of each other, in real time the conversation goes beyond 2 hrs. Logically I did wonder, what exactly they could had talked in such darkness for so long. Aneways, in reel time, the scene works very well.

Rachel McAdams was simply wonderful, it was like I was having same feelings Tim had when he first heard her voice, and then  saw her. The romantic moment when Tim has sex with her, another hillarious scene included in it, which is already viewable in the trailer.

Lydia Wilson playing role of Kit Kat, sister of Tim is adorable for the wierdo things she does, be it the wild jump on Mary when she comes to meet Tim's family, or the initial introduction scene of hers. She gets two great scenes, one time travel with Tim when he tries to fix her sister's life, and then the hospital scene.

Tom Hollandar is good in supporting role, his first scene with Tim is funny, and so is the one where he refers to his play as Titanic, and then the teddy present later in the movie.

There's one scene where Mary is confused what she should wear for a event, she asks Tim's suggestions, and she keeps declining them one by one only to irritate him hell lot. That was a super funny scene, and it reminded me of Love Aaj Kal, funny how a english film scene could remind of hindi movie.


The defining moment in film was when Tim re-meets the girl on whom he first tried time travel in vain. This time that girl shows interest in him to a extent that he is outside the door of her house inviting him to come in, but Tim feels that Mary's love has gotten over him so much that he won't do anything wrong even if he could use time travel to his benefit.

Tim-Mary relation is surely one of the reasons why the movie works, while the other is Tim and his dad's relationship. The most emotional one when Tim meets his dad one final time through time travel, as he knows that he won't be able to meet him anymore in future. Almost no background music during that scene. Special mention to the scene where Tim follows his dad's secret to happiness in 2 ways.

The songs used as background at numerous places was very apt, especially the one which covers the day to day routines of Tim and Mary in a montage very well.

One may say that the time travel concept could had been used further more, but that would had required a seperate extra plot. The love story is complicated well enough with Tim's first love (or attraction) and then Kit-kat and his dad's health.

And I liked that they didn't show Tim telling Mary about the secret of time travel.

The 1st half was very humurous, the 2nd half was more dramatic and gets slow too at times.

I would say 'About Time' is a pretty sweet rom-com, it may not be out of the way special or to be remembered kind of movie, but whenever you see it you will feel the time was well spent. Atleast my time wasn't wasted while watching it. Plus, the Tim and Mary part was very romantic for me.  And yea, I got a new crush in Rachel McAdams. Need to watch 'The Notebook' sooner now.

Movie Analysis : War Chhod Na Yaar

Directed by : Faraz Haider
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3129282/

Not a good 'First War Comedy' film. 

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers.


Labelled as 'First War Comedy' movie of India, the first time director Faraz Haider has good intentions over a war between India and Pakistan shown in a light humurous manner. But, the script and screenplay dissappoint.

Right from the first scene, where the shot is edited mysteriously making you feel the film might start on a serious way sequence, and then cut to the real action that actually happens. On border, Sharman Joshi (Indian side) and Javed Jaaferi (Pakistan side) have a friendship like nature towards each other, but they do behave like enemies when a war is declared. There's a scene where Sharman intentionally makes sure no one in their camp gets killed, and similarly there's no one in Pakistan camp who has thoughts of killing anyone in real sense. There are some funny food references as well as antakshari scenes.

But where the film lacks, is the scenes that doesn't involve Sharman-Javed pair. One plot is of Sharman-Soha love, which is badly cliched and boring to the core, to worsen it, this plot has 2-3 songs attached to it.. that sums it up. Other plot is of Dalip Tahil who plays a triple role, but the way its presented, its more of a irritating character. The intention here was to show how wars are made by these political people of both countries, and other countries who make use of the opportunity, but the execution fails.

Another sub-plot is of  3 Afghani guys who keep getting fooled, which very much worked for me as Mukul Dev shines in that small role.

The final 20 minutes of the movie expectedly tries to go patriotic, and to certain extent preachy. Also, during the movie, there's scenes of young teenagers discussing political developments between India and Pakistan, and war issues among themselves, and facebook friends.. which was another weakly directed part, also acted badly.

What you take away from the film is the performances of Sharman Joshi and Javed Jaaferi. Specially Javed who hasn't got the right lengthy roles in the past.

 Sanjay Mishra gets 1-2 good scenes to shine, the spoof on Sunny Deols dialogue from Border was super funny. Manoj Pahwa is wasted.


Overall, War Chhod Na Yaar despite its noble intentions, couldn't end up as India's first well made War Comedy movie.


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE

Movie Analysis : Diana

Directed by : Oliver Hirschbiegel
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1758595/


Dissappointing portrayal of Diana's last two years. 

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers.


I thought I was in for a very good film, despite the terrible rating it had got on Imdb or the reviews it had got. But, those ratings were correct, the film is indeed bad one. The blame goes to both the script and the direction.

The film focusses on the last two years of Princess Diana, when she was involved in a relationship with Pakistani heart surgeon. Just like Lincoln, this film ain't a biography of her entire life. But here the director fails to develop a screenplay that engages you or makes you feel for Diana.

Right from the first flashback sequence, the way camera moves already had me against the film. Then, the continuous urge to show something good about Diana (Naomi Watts) in between the developing romantic plot between her and Dr. Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews). All this made me think that maybe director would had been better off showing entire life of Diana, it would had worked for him then.

The Rumi's lines used at the end of film, reminds of hindi movie Rockstar, and how well they were justified there, but in Diana's case, it appears more like trying to give something extra to a person who is no more. Yes, that shot where numerous people gather and put flowers all around was lovely and to certain extent heart-breaking. But, the movie never takes you into the emotional turnmoil Diana was going through.

The entire portion where Diana is willingly trying to get herself into bad news, was most boring part in the film.

The script should had shown some interesting portions about Diana's life in the starting of those 2 years, before she meets Hasnat. Just presenting someone living a lonely life, suddenly gets attracted meeting a doctor who treats his work above any well known person, was not enough to go into the main plot of the movie.

That is one of the reasons, at places it appears like Naomi Watts is acting as Diana, and not living the character.


Overall, Diana turns out to be a forgettable movie for me, very dissappointed to say that. I hope some director will make a better movie that portrays the life of Diana in future.

Movie Analysis : Gravity

Directed by : Alfonso Cuaron
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/


Very good movie, but I couldn't connect to it. 

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers.


Can it happen that you appreciate almost every aspect of movie, still you don't love the film ? It happens here for me. Probably I know the reason, I just couldn't connect to the movie  I have liked some of the sci-fi movies in past, so it can't be about the genre. But yea, a space based movie is another reason.

Now coming to the great points about the movie. Its about how Ryan (Sandra Bullock) tries to survive after getting invovled in a incident during her first shuttle mission. She along with Matt (George Clooney) are the only people who survive death, but not for long as they will soon be attacked again.

Sandra Bullock gives a splendid performance, to see the way she tries to fight the situation on her own, her own past story of her child keeps haunting her at times, and then those occasions when she thinks of giving up. Though, that Matt sequence shown in latter part of the movie somehow looked wierd to me.. or should I say bit un-realistic. Geroge Clooney more or less provides some humour to the movie.

The visuals without a doubt were the 1st thing to applaud about the movie, right from the 1st frame itself when the camera slowly moves back with no sound before astronaut's voices start coming. I could listen a girl in theatre whispering 'Woww' at that visual.

 Also, how earth looks from space visual.. and the sunrise/sunset ones were something to see in 3d Imax. And special mention to the scenes that have no sound or background score.

The film revolves around Ryan and Matt characters only, rest cast have hardly 1-2 minutes role. Whether they make it in the end or not, is what keeps you glued to the screen. The numerous troubles they face, when satellites keep coming towards them, or the shuttle gets destroyed were great to watch.

The same kind of reaction last time I had was with Avatar which also featured story filmed on a space away from earth.


Overall, Gravity is a very good film, but I just couldn't connect to it like I normally do with such films.  So, I can't use the lines 'Wow what a film I just saw' like many did, and no regrets. Its not compulsory to love every film that is regarded as special.

Movie Analysis : Elysium

Directed by : Neill Blomkamp
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535108/

Excellent idea wasted in a poor script. 

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers.


The film is based in year 2154, when wealthy people live on a man-made space called Elysium where there is no health issues, while poor live on a ruined earth. Max (Matt Damon) dreamed of living in Elysium since childhood, by saving enough money through work. He gets involed in a tragic accident, thereby giving him only 5 days left to live. He can survive only if he reaches Elysium, but without money he won't go there. So, he takes help of Spider (Wagner Moura) who is ready to help him in return of some important information he has to extract for him.

I was excited for the film thinking of the main plot of life at earth vs life at elysium. But the main story turns out something else, which dissappointed me. The technology involved, or the action scenes or the scenes preceding Max at Elysium didn't impress me. Also, the reference made to his childhood time and again (restrained version of 'Man of Steel') didnt help.

I would have liked the film if they had sent Max to Elysium to save life of someone close to him or maybe much more. Here, all he wants is to find a way for his life to not end.

Matt Damon gives decent performance, but not one I would like to remember. Among rest cast, Wagner Moura is good while Jodie Foster who plays the leader at Elysium not allowing any poor people reach her place was very good. Also, Alice Braga who plays friend come love interest of Max was nice.


Overall, Elysium doesn't work for me, they just couldn't develop the main idea into a exciting script. At the most, a one time-watch.

Movie Analysis : Besharam

Directed by : Abhinav Kashyap
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2576450/

After Anjaana Anjaani, 2nd Ranbir movie that enters 'never see again' list. 

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers. 


Mere seene mein dil nahi, jigar hai.. aur woh kabhi toot-ta nahi hai. 


When I saw Dabangg2, I had said that the film missed Abhinav as Arbaaz was terrible as director. With Besharam, I don't know what I should say. Maybe I should give Abhinav another chance, or maybe it was Salman-Abhinav duo that worked as team, independently both gave very average (or bad) films.

The story is of a orphan guy Babli (Ranbir Kapoor) who is a car thief, he is told to get a good car for Chandel (Javed Jaaferi). He happens to meet Tara (Pallavi Sharda), before he met Chandel. So as expected, Tara has just bought a new mercedes, and thats the car Babli unknowingly steals. Then, starts the journey of getting the car back, with a few realisations occuring in lives of Babli and Tara taking them closer to each other.

The main plotline of the movie is 'There is no right way of doing the wrong thing'. To be frank, that's a good one to write a entire movie on. But that is what doesn't happen in case of Besharam.

There are moments when the jokes clicks, Ranbir being a great actor does provide some lovable scenes. But the screenplay is too predictable, cliched (that monologue scene of Ranbir when he tells  Tara why he steals)  and full of songs. In the narration,  there is a song, followed by 1-2 minutes dialogue scene, followed by another song. This happens twice in the film, if you carefully notice.

Also, Ranbir-Pallavi as a pair didn't work. I won't blame Pallavi for it, it was the character sketch written for her, she got a role that was never going to work.

The story reminds of 80's era, a spoilt girl (to certain extent here) makes fun of guy in front of all officemates, and later falls in love with the guy. It may have worked if there were some super punchlines like Dabangg, but they are very far and few. One that I may recollect right now is 'Mere seene mein dil nahi, jigar hai.. aur woh kabhi toot-ta nahi hai'. Also, what was the need to make Pallavi say 'besharam' time and again.

There are 2 kind of films, one where comedy drama are inserted into a story, and other is where story is inserted into comedy drama situations. Besharam was the 2nd kind.

The kapoor's real life relation is forcefully put into the story, when Ranbir says 'aapka aashirwad hai na mere saath', or when they adopt Ranbir at the end.

Though the songs weren't the kind that I may remember after years, but they weren't plain bad either. I specially love the background music in 'Ban jaa besharam' song, also the floor moves of Ranbir. To watch all Kapoors dance in 'Hand utha ke nacche' was wonderful, even if Rishi Kapoor looks odd while dancing now. My favs ofcourse were 'Love ki Ghanti' and 'Dil ka jo haal hai', the former reminds me of Kishore kumar songs, while the latter the sweet 90's romantic songs. Rest two songs were pretty okay.

Ranbir Kapoor tries hard to make a bad film work with his performance, but that doesn't happen. He is let down by the script. Wonder how he didn't see while signing the movie, that it wont work, or did the script change a lot when the shooting began ?  He came across as a sensible actor who choses right scripts until now. Though it was a lovely change to see him in a larger than life character, unless he makes a habit of doing such films which I hope he wont.

Pallavi Sharda for first time in a lead role, acts well, but she gets the worst role to make any kind of mark. She looked beautiful in those indian dresses, and loved her dance moves.

Javed Jaaferi is very good in a villaineous role, which is sadly restrained.

Rishi Kapoor is made fun of both by Ranbir and Neetu through their dialogues, he is decent... same for Neetu. They both couldn't save the film either. It was good to see all 3 kapoors together in same frame, but would had prefferred a better film for that, not this one.

Amitosh Nagpal in supporting role is pretty good.


Overall, Besharam is a badly directed movie with poor script leaving nothing for the actors to do. Its some good moments, and songs that take you till the end. I thought this maybe finally a masala movie this year that I would love completely, but that wasn't the case. A masala movie needn't have logic or story, but atleast give good entertainment with lovable dialogues and actors with scope to perform.

 After Anjaana Anjaani, 2nd Ranbir movie that enters 'never see again' list.


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE