John Abraham only saving grace in a below average movie : Shootout at Wadala

Directed by : Sanjay  Gupta
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2301155/

Mujh mein hi khujli thi, itihaas badalne ki ... 

Overdose of item songs, and a loose screenplay makes it a average movie despite some good performances. I didn't get the point of watching a dying Manya Surve (John Abraham) telling the story in flashback, along with the inspector ACP Afaaque (Anil Kapoor) telling his own story, quite comical it was.

Also, there is very less of Manya Surve when he changes from Manohar.. I expected there would be scenes where he would showcase how dangerous he is, but except for the bank robberies there aint much shown in that respect. Even the way they show the death of Zubair (Manoj Bajpayee), not sure about how it was in real.. but Manya wasn't brave enough to kill him openly ?

There were 2 ways that this movie would had been better.. one was keeping extra 15 minutes of Manohar story, maybe the transformation to Manya could had been shown in detail. Other way was, showing the Manya Surve's dominance over Bombay like he was someone every gangster as well as police had to be afraid of. For instance, the scene where Manya openly takes revenge from that police inspector, such scenes were far and few unfortunately.

The heavy dialoguebaazi doesn't help either, one should know how to use a particular aspect, and not overusing it. At times I felt like the characters are more keen on delivering out of the way dialogues rather than think about the current situation, specially the ones Anil Kapoor has in the movie. Also, what was about the all the characters putting goggles on, removing it, putting back again and again and again..

Except for Laila, rest 2 item songs were forced into the narrative. Sunny Leone did pretty well in that item song department, thankfully we were saved from her acting, with just a 2 min dialogue scene she has.

The final encounter scene was very well directed... though it was a dejavu of Gangster for the fact that Kangana does pretty much the same thing in that movie too. I didn't knew until this movie that Manya was the 1st gangster to be shot dead through a encounter.

Performance wise, John Abraham makes the most out of a role that had the potential to be his best till now, but not to be in the end. Sonu Sood also does pretty well in supporting role. Manoj Bajpayee is limited to 1-2 dialogues, 'baadshah ki gali mein aakar uska pata nahi poocha karte' being the best of lot. Rest actors are passable.


Overall, Shootout at Wadala is a total let down, some good action scenes and dialoguebaazi.. but it gets all too boring after a while.


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE

Good romantic feel, but average execution and writing in 2nd half lets movie down : Aashiqui2

Directed by : Mohit Suri
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2203308/

Suno... Kya ? ... Kuch nahi... Yunhi. 

Another movie added to the long list which may had been great one but writing and direction couldn't let it reach there.

The start of the movie has a surprise element, as to whether we are gonna see a flashback story or its a linear narration. Rahul (Aditya Roy Kapur) is addicted to alcohol and has fallen from a successful singer to a singer who sings for small functions or albums. But the arrival of Arohi (Shraddha Kapoor) in his life, gives him a purpose of living. He feels Arohi is a much better singer than him, and wants to make her a big star, which he does succeed to do.  But, he has to deal with his failure along with the success of Arohi at the same time. The dilemna of choosing Arohi with her success or with his own failure, makes him vulnerable and out of control.

1st half establishes Rahul-Arohi chemistry very well. The sequence where Arohi has a misunderstanding about Rahul, was not required and could had been done away with.

2nd half is where the film slips, becase the repetitiveness creeps in with Rahul showing his frustration and trying to remove his habit of drinking. Even the end I feel was slightly over-done, there was easily another way for Rahul to move out and keep Arohi happy. It looked like a forced sad ending.

The side actors, like the one who comes at Rahul's concerts to spoil it  by throwing beer bottles, or the journalist who waits and waits before trying to interview Rahul and ask him questions that would make him go angry. All this spoils the rhythm of the movie. Even the interval sequence where two guys conversation is overheard by Rahul, is directed in a over the top manner. Also the irrtating parts like when Rahul keeps shouting 'sab khatam ho gaya, sab khatam ho gaya', his friend producer dialogue earlier in film comes to mind when he says to rahul 'tum ek baar very good bolte toh bhi samajh jaata, itni baar very very very bolne ki zaroorat nahi'.

Music is the major plus point of the movie, except for the Tulsi Kumar song and the kay kay one, every song is worth listening in the movie. Tum hi ho and Sun raha being my favs. Though I was surprised not to see Milne hai mujhse aayi track, so easily would had been my choice of track at climax with a different end. But not to be by Suri.

My most fav scenes :
• When Rahul meets Arohi for 1st time...
• Sun Raha both versions..
• Tum hi ho (solo) last para, and duet's beginning.
• Rahul asking Arohi to come out of door for him, and its opposite later in 2nd half.
• Rahul telling Arohi that he loves her, and greatly directed by Suri as there's a distance between them through the door just to make it appear that he is near her yet so far.
• Rahul telling Arohi to not avoid media interviews due to personal reasons, and the autograph scene.
• Rahul leaving the award cermony with the interval coming and background words 'tum hi ho... '
• Arohi watches Rahul steal money from her purse, and tries to hide away.. not to let Rahul feel bad.
• Arohi telling producer friend that she would leave everything and if required get drunk with Rahul in hope he would end drinking one day.. the mad love. Also, the parallel cuts showing Rahul's reactions was good too.
• The most fav one, when Rahul leaves Arohi telling he is changing his routine.. and the final time 'suno.. kya.. kuch nahi.. yunhi'. Wish the scene and song leading next to this scene was different though.


Shraddha Kapoor looks very innocent throughout the movie, and somewhat fails to give that something extra layer to her character for instance the scene where she gets angry at Rahul 'pyar majaak nahi hota'.

Aditya Roy Kapur without a doubt, had his best role till now after playing so many supporting roles. He does justice to the character, the drunk one or the romantic one or the one who is not sure what he wants, and the one who has accepted that he can't change. I love the way he performs 'Sun raha hai' track, camera-work is great too in that song.

Arohi's parents role was very well placed, but Rahul's father dialogues looked very fake or over the top 'baap hoon tera, sab pata chal jaata hai, when son is in love' Really ?

Shaad Randhawa was poor, it looks like he plays same roles in every movie, I kept thinking whether he has come out straight from Awarapan sets.

As a whole, the film does fail for me. But the romantic angle, and the chemistry between Rahul-Arohi, plus the desperation Rahul's character goes through were some of the  best parts of the film.


Verdict : AVERAGE

Trailer : Ramaiya Vastavaiya

Not interesting trailer at all. Shruti Hassan looks so beautiful, but very much like Sonam Kapoor a non-actor. The new actor Girish Taurani appears decent from trailer. Sonu Sood could provide much needed great acting to the movie. The story reminds me very much of 'Pyar Kiya toh Darna kya', though its a remake of a south movie.

For now, the atif aslam songs only thing that I am waiting for specially the one that the trailer ends on.

Trailer : Raanjhanaa

Maybe its becoming a routine to dislike anything that has Sonam Kapoor as major part. Though luckily here she gets only 2 dialogues in the whole trailer. Other thing that didn't work was male lead Dhanush, who didn't look convincing enough. Its his friend (don't know who's the actor who plays it) in the movie, who made me laugh with his dialogues. How to patofy girl, style of shahrukh and vinod mehra, probably the only best scene in the trailer.

Even A R Rahman looked out of touch, but expecting the album to be better. Abhay Deol appeared to be in Chakravyuh mode.

After all this, I still feel there might be a likeability towards the movie for me, whether it turns true or not .. will know on 21st June.

Hitchcock and Anthony Perkins magic, super movie : Psycho

Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/

I think I must have one of those faces you can't help believing.

Until now I had seen that bathroom death scene of Marion (Janet Leigh), in both my cinema courses. Usually that means for us that this is a classic film, therefore you are being taught something about it as a study. And finally I saw the movie yesterday.

Its just my 3rd Hitchcock movie, way too less but will catch up with it some day. The start of the movie is slow, and the 1st conversation between Sam (John Gavin) and Marion puts me off, maybe its because its a very general talk happening, or maybe I haven't got myself attached to the black and white atmosphere of the movie. The real fun begins when Marion is asked to submit 40,000 dollars at the bank, and she thinks it would be a good chance to run away with that money even if she has been a honest worker at the bank for so many years.

The conversation between police and Marion builds the suspense part, and the awkwardness Marion has set herself into with her step to run away. When she enters a motel which is far off at the highway, the first look shown to us gives a view that its kind of abandoned motel and when Norman (Anthony Perkins) arrives, the doubt proves right. Norman's long conversation with Marion is probably the first big sequence in the movie, as we move closer to the psycho part, the camera shows various birds around the place and even the conversation of Norman begins on the birds stuff part. And when Marion asks him why doesn't he put his mother who is ill in a mental place, the first sign of psycho being Norman is revealed. The death scene of Marion is classically shot, along with that famous background theme. The follow up scene to the death keeps the suspense on, as its not sure if Norman himself did it, or his mother or something else happened but one Norman has a part is confirmed.

Detective Arbogast (Martin Balsam) sequence with Norman is another great one, how he gets the information out of Norman as Norman ends up getting himself tangled into the questions asked by detective, defying his own told words.

There are two good shots Hithcock keeps, one before killing Marion, where Norman goes to his house, and instead of taking stairs upwards, he moves towards left, sits on table and acts wierdly which you understand later. Then, the other shot where Norman is having conversation with his mother, and then he forces her out of room to hide her from detective, and the quick fade out when the mother is revealed.

Also, the sequence of Sam and Lila (Vera Miles), sister of Marion.. where they try to find the truth, Sam making Normal feel uncomfortable with his questions, and Lila searching mother for answers.

Why Norman did all this, what role his mother had, is very well explained in the pre-climax scene. And then, the final scene of Norman, when he behaves much more real.

Anthony Perkins is brilliant, he acts out the disturbed mind part so well.

Hitchcock probably believed in his actors a lot, hence a lot of close up shots, like the one where Marion is driving and the background has the narration of what she has done.

Also, the suspense stays till long, you know who are involved but not the exact reason until explained out.

Its a must watch movie for people who love thrillers or Hitchcock movies, and the ones who wants to make movies.

I will surely watch 2nd and 3rd parts, though they aren't directed by Hitchcock and expectedly have quite low ratings at Imdb, but the character of Norman makes me curious to see what was done to it from the end of this movie.

Missed Out Reviews

Writing 3-4 lines views on films that I have seen in last 2 months and not reviewed, would prefer to write in details later whenever I could.  
                                                                   English Movies

The Illusionist : It had a decent story, but the cast put me off.. didn't like them much and as a result except for some magic tricks or that last one in particular I found the film quite ordinary.

The Sixth Sense : Totally loved it. Amazing screenplay, the way its edited hence keeping you not think of other alternative the story could be showing you, and when the climax comes you are shocked. To a certain extent the logic behind the movie works very well when I rewind back. The first sequence would be among one of best ones I have ever seen, artistic and forming the way to a great story. Great performances by Bruce Willis and Halley Joel.

The Shashank Redemption : Excellent Movie, now I know why it is rated no.1 on Imdb, because it says so much about 'Hope', if you are pessimistic by nature, then this is a must watch movie for you. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins in perhaps their best or one of best performances ever (those who have seen more of their films, could say it with much more confidence). Also, here too the first sequence is among the best ones ever, how the background voice increases as we are told Tim is about to enter jail. The shots of jail, the life Tim leads initially and how he adapts to it making it useful for himself. But, there comes a point when you breakdown, he does too, yet he finds a way out of it because he always believe in one thing 'Hope'. Also, when someone asks me your favourite friends based movies, this one will always be there now.

Lincoln : The best thing I found about this movie was that they didnt show a young age to old age biopic on Abraham Lincoln, instead they took one particular event of his life and layed entire emphasis on how he won that event. And the oscar winning performance by Daniel Day Lewis.

Silver Linings Playbook : How bradley cooper fights his mental condition through help of Jennifer Lawrence who has her own problems too, along with the finale dance performance that is quite hillarious in its own ways. Jennifer Lawrence looks smoking sexy, and a great performance too. I liked the screenplay but it is one of those films that I liked but didn't love. Robert De Niro's superstitions sequences were funny too.

Obvilion : Another of those confusing hollywood movies (I get confuse a lot easily). But, the screenplay is too slow, all the twists that comes much later therefore doesn't help much. Even Tom Cruise couldn't lift the movie with his performance. Morgan Freeman I felt had too short a role.

Oz The Great and Powerful : Decent adventure film, though the final act was a let down for me. James Franco as Oz was pretty good.

The Place beyond the Pines : The camera follows Ryan in 1st shot, until he reaches the stunt place as his face is revealed. The pace and character of Ryan Gosling matches 'Drive' quite a lot. But still it kept me interested, but a certain change of events, and film goes resting over Bradley Cooper, one of reasons why I felt movie started loosing steam, plus the two school age kids never interested me, except for the scene where son of Ryan seeks revenge from Bradley Cooper and his son. But to be fair to the movie, the role of Ryan is rightly not kept too much, as per requirement of the story. Yet, the movie turns out just Nice for me.

Django Unchained : Tarantino's magic in the movie once more, the way he plays with camera making shots look stylish with those quick zoom in's, and the dialogue conversations. Christoph Waltz was spectacular in his funny reactions. Leonardo di caprio in a evil villian role and Jamie Foxx had his own scenes to shine too. Also, Sameul L Jackson gets good cameo.

Zero Dark Thirty : Fantastic screenplay depicting how Osama Bin Laden was finally caught, but all the struggle, hardwork, pain and loss that they had to go through before finding his location. Also, loved how they shot the mission osama sequence, the lighting and editing spot on there.

                                                                               

 Hindi Movies  

Commando : Some great action scenes by Vidyut Jamwal, but the treatment and the feel to the movie is very old fashioned which turns the movie into a average fare. Jaideep Ahlawat was the pick of the actors, specially those santa-banta jokes..

Nautanki Saala : Not a great follow up to Vicky Donor by Ayushmman Khurana. The writing is the main culprit though. There are some laughable moments throughout the movie, but in totality the film falls flat plus the role of dumb girl Nandini plays (not as dumb as Race/Race2 had), doesn't help the screenplay. The songs appear more like forced into the narrative too, though they are good to ears as music of film is very good. Average movie in the end.

Chashme Baddoor : Quite enjoyable movie, the shayaris of Divyendu, the bholapan of Ali Zafar, and the filmipan of Siddharth, wonderful triology it was. Tapsee Pannu has her cute moments too. Only Anupam Kher track was out of place, and un-neccessary. I liked that David Dhawan kept the humour more likeable, and not vulgar or cheap like Rascals was. I love the choreography of Andha ghoda race mein dauda. The flashbacks scenes were funny, so were the two ideas of Siddharth that Divyendu spoils in the 2nd half. There are places where the jokes don't bring a laugh, still as a whole I very much liked the movie.

Himmatwala : Wonderful spoof on Psycho, a spoof on 80s dialogue writing.. but Sajid Khan failed to create the emotional drama, even the dialogues in such scenes looked silly, so did his direction. Only Tamannah was good thing in the movie for me apart from those 1st two points I mentioned. Even Ajay Devgan hammed a lot. Below Average movie.

Aatma : Screenplay never generates interest, it may not be kind of horror movies Vikram Bhatt or Ram Gopal Verma makes, yet it doesn't lives upto the need of the genre. Nawazuddin is decent, Bipasha has done enough of such films now, so nothing spectacular from her side either. The small kid was good though. Average Movie.

Rangrezz : I quite liked this movie, because the friendship angle was very well shown plus Jackky Bhagnani gave a very honest performance. Though, the close up shots of the injuries he and his friends get was hard to watch on screen. Only problem I had was, why did they show the kidnapped boy and girl's parents as politicians who are very dangerous, when in the end they did almost nothing, apart from death of Jackky's grandmother. The final scene was good, not the typical hindi film ending, more realistic.. I felt the film had good hardhitting moments.

Mere Dad ki Maruti : Saqib Saleem is funny in another comedy movie. The movie has lots of funny moments specially when his dad's car gets lost by him, but at many places the comedy doesn't work out. Also, Rhea Chakroborty wasn't convincing enough in her performance. Average Movie.

3G : Too slow screenplay, and when the suspense gets revealed.. you feel what the hell it was. By trailer, I felt Neil may have great role to do here, but it didn't turn out so. Writing as well as director to blame for the failure of this film. Below Average.

Jolly L.L.B : If you remove the Amrita-Arshad love angle which I don't know why our directors love having in a film that doesn't require it, then this was a superb film that had comedy, drama and a message too. Boman Irani and Saurabh Shukla had great supporting performances too.

Good entertaining animation movie : The Croods

Directed by : Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481499/

Very good animation movie, entertains throughout. I loved Grug (Nicolas Cage), Eep (Emma Stone) and Guy (Ryan Reynolds), and yea those funny tunes that Belt (Chris Sanders) sings at awkward situations.

Love the scene where Grug tries to think of a idea in a desperate situation, or when guy offers different kinds of boots to everyone to walk with Eep's dialogue 'Where are my feeeeeeeeeeeeet'. Also, when Grug tries to sacrifice his life.

Special mention  to that member of family who is always angry, and quite wild. (Dont remember name) And the 'still alive' dialogue of Grug's mom. Only the food scenes were tough to watch, thankfully it was just a animation movie therefore they didn't look that yucky as it would had else looked.

Also, great cinematography. I liked the story, the dad is over-caring and realizes much late that he can't keep his family hiding inside a cave all the time, they want fun specially daughter Eep who likes adventures.

If you love animation movies, then most likely you would like this one too.