Category Archives: Action

Action, Genre, Hindi Movies, Rating, Reviews, Thriller, Wait for DVD/TV

Bullett Raja

Bullett Raja – is an action thriller movie in Hindi released in 2013. Somewhere in Uttar Pradesh (UP) a gangster is shot in an encounter, he recounts his past. He was an unemployed youth and becomes a close friend of a courier delivery man at a wedding party.  Thugs attack the house that night, the two friends fight against them and save the family. This fight leads them to a gangster life as they are being targeted by other gangsters and the only way out is for them to stand against them which eventually make them into a Gangster.  They become terrifying duo in the locality with some political backup. What circumstances lead to the encounter is the rest of the plot.

Tigmanshu Dhulia has come up with a very intriguing gangster plot where the gangs are formed for friendship, love and honor and not for money. The casting of the movie has been done well and is very convincing. The sequences leading the duo to a gangster life, some harsh take on rogue politicians and the action sequences are made very well. The movie falters in its length. It could have been a very enjoyable one if it had been short in length without the romance portions as it slows down the pace to a great extent in the mid parts. It seems the makers were not convinced themselves in many occasions as certain scenes look disconnected. The movie however does leave a promising plot to create a sequel and there is a chance for the director to revive this brand eliminating the short comings of the current version.

What you would like: The gangster plot, action sequences, cast and dialogues

What you would dislike: Unfitting romance for the story line, disconnected sequences, length of the movie

Overall the movie is definitely enjoyable in parts, if you are a fan of action flicks and gangster stories then go for it. If not you can wait for the movie to be played on TV.

Wait for DVD /TV – unless you are a fan of gangster movies

Action, English Movies, Fantasy, Rating, Reviews, Superhero, Worth a Watch

Thor: The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World – is a Marvel Superhero movie released in 2013. Eons back Bor, grandfather of Thor defeats the dark elves and safeguards their deadly weapon Aether which has the potential to destroy the universe in a stone column. In the present time the dark elves lead by Malekith awaken with the accidental release of the weapon Aether. They now launch their assault on Asgard and are out to destroy the universe as the event of convergence of the Nine worlds nears. Thor has to save Asgard, the earth and the entire universe. Was Thor able to do it… ? is the plot of this sequel to the Thor movie.

When the dark evil forces arise and threatens to destroy the world, a superhero comes to save the world. This is a template of any superhero movie and the creators do not have much levy to change this. What they could creatively play around with is the sequence of events that would lead through the story. If they are not able to engage the audience with interesting sequences then the movie becomes a boring one. This movie is on the borderline. Parts of the movie, particularly the portions involving Loki are very engaging. Tom Hiddleston has done a very good job of playing the role of Loki and lifts the tempo of the movie. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman have done what the script has asked for. Like any of the modern day super hero flicks there is mass destruction, makes one feel gone are those days when super heroes saved innocent people from great perils while the modern day super heroes are more concerned about their loved ones. Overall the movie deserves a one time watch if you are a Thor fan. And don’t miss, there are 2 post credit sequences at the end.

What you may like: Loki’s characterization, visual effects, post credit teasers

What you may not like: Usual superhero plot, slow paced first half, Not as racy as its prequel

Watchable – for the characterization of Loki

Action, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Thriller, Wait for DVD/TV

Arrambam

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Arrambam – is a Tamil Action Thriller released in 2013. The movie is an adaptation of the English movie Swordfish.  Ashok (Ajith) employs a skillful hacker Arjun (Arya) against his will to hack into highly secured networks. Arjun learns Ashok is behind the bomb blast in the city and also witnesses him killing multiple people. He tips off the police to get Ashok arrested… Was Arjun able to escape from Ashok? Why is Ashok killing people, planting bombs and hacking systems? – is the rest of the plot.

The entire script sails on the mass value of Ajith. The movie starts promisingly and definitely engages audience to a larger extent. However the flash back has been made into an emotional drama to justify the actions of the protagonist.  In an effort to make the movie a commercial pot boiler Director Vishnuvardhan misses to tie the loop holes in the screenplay. He seemed to have been desperate in connecting strongly with the audience and has employed the ploy which had been used successfully in many movies. The elaborate climax fight scene defies the logic of an average movie goer.

What you would like: Ajith’s screen presence, star cast, action sequences and the social message.

What you would hate: Drag in the screenplay, unwanted melodrama to justify the actions and overuse logic defying sequences.

Overall the movie has been made for the Diwali audience who are generally more forgiving than usual. This is a movie where you should not think too much and might make a decent watch when aired on TV.

Wait for TV/DVD – for the star cast

Action, Comedy, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Pattathu Yaanai

Pattathu Yaanai – is a tamil action comedy movie released in 2013. Five cooks create enmity with a  local rowdy in Karaikudi and move to Trichy to setup their business and lead a peaceful life. But with the turn of events they get entangled into a gang war in the city. How they get out of it and setup a peaceful life is the rest of the story.

The movie has the usual elements that you would have seen in many of the commercial entertainers that cash in on the star value of the lead actor. Boopathy Pandian who is known for his commercial script writing and direction of movies like Devadhaiyai Kanden, Thiruvilayadal Arambam has once again created a script that  is entertaining in most of the parts. At the end of the movie what stands out is its comedy than its action. Once the movie switches into action mode you find that there is nothing new in it. The plot was different and had all ingredients in it to become a good slap stick comedy but fizzles out with its dose of action. Even the characters seem to be confused if they are part of a comedy film or an action film. Vishal has done a decent job, Aiswarya Arjun needs to work on her acting skills, Santhanam has yet again made a movie more enjoyable. Overall the movie is not bad and would make a good watch and make you laugh at various points in time, thanks to Santhanam. It would be a good watch on TV/DVD.

Wait for TV/DVD – for its comedy elements

Action, Can Skip it, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies

Thalaivaa

Thalaivaa – is a Tamil action drama starring Vijay. The story is about a youngster Vishwa who takes up the role of a local leader and don saving people living in the slum after learning about his father’s past and his assassination.

Director AL Vijay had a powerful story line inspired from movies like God Father, Nayagan and Sarkar (Hindi) which is tailor made for Vijay’s mass value. However the movie’s screenplay is a big let down and goes all over the place. The crux of the story is about Vishwa’s father his values and how his deeds and eventuality leads Vishwa to become an inspirational leader. However more than 90 minutes of the movie does not deal with this which is a huge distraction. Due to this the impact of the characters and the problem they are fighting for doesn’t stay with the audience throughout. You would feel that it is a combination of many of the Vijay’s earlier movies into one. Ardent Vijay fans would enjoy watching this as it has all the necessary ingredients that is present in all Vijay movies and there are few sequences that are done very well, for all others this would be a forgettable movie.

Can skip it – unless you are a Vijay Fan!

Action, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Singam II

Singam II – A top cop resigns to everyone’s surprise only to take up an undercover operation to arrest the criminals involved in smuggling drugs in the coastal area of Tamil Nadu. He has to manage the displeasure from his father for having resigned the job and overcome many obstacles caused by the criminals to bring justice.

A sequel to the successful movie Singam. It is nice to see the character Duraisingam on the silver screen again, Suriya has a very good screen presence and has done the role to perfection. Guess the director Hari had lot of doubts on the script’s ability to become as popular as the first part, he has tried to make it really big. There are four villains, 3 ladies who are acting as heroines (including Anjali who appears for an item song), 2 comedians and 1 hero. The end result he has struggled hard to have all of them have their fair share in the script and many a times the script deviates from the main plot. Also you would wonder why Suriya is so angry and shouting from the start of the movie.  In the end the movie ends up being bit “too” (II) much. Hari’s signature style of fast cuts, moving camera shots and rapid pace has been successful in hiding many of the short comings as you don’t have time to think. This could become a nice watch on TV after a Sunday afternoon sumptuous meal as you don’t have to think too much.

Wait for TV/DVD

Action, English Movies, Fantasy, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Superhero, Worth a Watch

Man of Steel

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Man of Steel – The most expected superhero movie of the year brings the rebooted Superman to the silver screen. As it is a reboot the movie is all about the origin of Superman and establishing his identity as Superman. As a boy Clark Kent is worried about the superhuman abilities he has and is confused if he would be accepted by the society and live a normal life as a human. He goes on a long journey covering his path and identity. But the circumstances and his super human abilities would not let him be in the dark for too long. Soon he is faced with the challenge to save the earth and the only way he could do is by revealing his identity. Did he reveal his identity? Did the human race accept him? forms the rest of the plot.

The movie had a load of expectations on itself with names like Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner in the credits. DC delivering a phenomenal reboot for the Batman just raised the expectation of this movie much higher. In comparison with the expectations the movie works in parts. There is a newer side of Superman’s childhood and the emotional turmoil he goes through which is taken very well. However once he takes the superhuman form it just becomes an average film. There is overdose of visual effects, which makes you bit exhausted in the end of it. Henry Cavill looks good as a superman however he has just limited expressions which becomes a bit monotonous through the movie. The movie does promise a good beginning for some promising sequels to come. If we were to take off the overloaded expectations of the movie it is a good watch.

Its a Bird, Its a Plane, Its Superman go for the red cape hero you had been inspired for decades.

Watchable – for Superman fans

Action, Genre, Thriller

Udhayam NH4

Udhayam NH4 – Out and out action thriller movies are bit scarce in Tamil Cinema. Udhayam NH4 is one such action thriller. The new comer Manimaran should be appreciated for taking up an action thriller subject for his first movie. The movie starts with Prabhu played by Siddarth abducting politician’s daughter Rithika played by Ashrita Shetty. There is a deadline for saving Rithika in the next 12 hours. A successful encounter specialist Inspector Manoj menon played by Kay Kay Menon is out to get Rithika back to her father. The rest of the movie is all about if he succeeds in his mission, why has Prabhu abducted Rithika? The answers are known as the movie unfolds.

The chase sequences and events have been well thought. As the movie revolves around 3 states the director has used the local languages with caption in Tamil and also lot of work has gone in getting the proper slang in the accent of the actors when they talk different languages. However the director hasn’t spent much time one other aspects in building up a strong motive, the characterization of the characters other than Prabhu which leaves the movie a forgettable one. If you are in mood for a different subject in Tamil Cinema you might not feel bad for watching this. Udhayam NH4 promises to give a enjoyable ride… it is indeed one if you ignore the occasional pot holes.

Watchable

Action, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, SciFi, Thriller

Looper

Looper – A sci fi movie which deals with time travel. In 2074 criminal organization send the people who they wanted to be killed, back to 30 years in the past. They get hunted down by a group called looper. A looper retires when he kills his self from the past and is rewarded with gold to enjoy his retirement life for the next 30 years. Things get complicated when Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets his self from the future and lets him escape without being able to kill.  The movie is slow till the point where Joe lets his future self escape. From then on it turns into a racy thriller leaving the audience guessing what the end outcome would be. But for the initial slow paced script the rest of the movie is definitely engaging. As we had seen many movies with time travel and concepts like Inception this may not strike very unique but still a must watch film.

Must Watch

Action, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Argo

Argo – A very engaging political thriller. Ben Affleck proves he is a very talented film maker and he succeeds in bringing the real life drama of saving the six fugitives from revolutionary Iran. What makes it more compelling is that it is based on a real life incident. As the movie progresses it keeps one on the edge of the seat till the end credit rolls… The movie excels in all the departments of editing, screen play, acting and background score. It is a very enjoyable watch. I missed it when it was in the theaters and had to see it on DVD.

Must Watch

Action, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, SciFi

Star Trek Into the Darkness 3D

Star Trek Into the Darkness 3D – Well made sequel to the Star Trek series. The movie is never boring and keeps you glued from the start till the end… It’s a treat for the Trekkies. 3D was unnecessary…. 2D would have been much better…If you are a Star Trek fan, it’s must watch…

Must Watch – for Trekkies

Action, English Movies, Fantasy, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Superhero

Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 (3D) – A great sequel in the Iron Man series. It has all the thrills and frills you would expect from an Iron Man franchise. A wholesome entertainer… with brilliant performance from Robert Downey Jr where as Iron Man he takes on one of the deadliest evil force and also having to find answer to some of the questions he has for himself… For Iron Man fans “Its Christmas time” (you will get this once you see the movie)… As in case of all Marvel productions, wait till the credits roll you would enjoy the epilogue …

Must watch for all superhero movie fans