Category Archives: Reviews

Movie Reviews

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

Raja Harishchandra

Raja Harishchandra – Got to watch the first ever movie of Indian Cinema (May 13, 1913). Was inspired by it. Although 20 min footage in between was missing but I could see what a visionary and an artist Dadasaheb Phalke was. The movie was shot mainly in outdoor. Every scene was sculptured in a way to represent a living Raja Ravi Verma painting. One of the greatest challenges was Phalke did this when acting in movie was considered to be evil. He had to make male artists play the female roles and also to the outside world he had asked actors to tell that they worked for Harishchandra’s factory. The movie was released and a was a commercial success. This was the new beginning of Indian Cinema which today has reached many a new heights and has a world-wide marketability. Hats off to Dadasaheb Phalke for being persistent in his vision and goal.

Must Watch – A tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema

Soodhu Kavvum

Soodhu Kavvum – Its encouraging to see new directors handling good slap stick comedy script. After Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, Soodhu Kavvum is successful in tickling your funny bones… Vijay Sethupathi has done a very good job and Kudos to the new director for doing such a script. If you are in a mood for slap stick comedy this one is recommended.

Watchable

Bombay Talkies

Bombay Talkies – A perfect bouquet of four stories from four great film makers of the present… It’s a tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema. It is anecdotes of lives of people, their challenge and how they deal with it… All the directors have dealt with subject which they wouldnt have dealt with in their mainstream cinema… So what is so Bollywood about it… Well it needs some reflection 🙂 Bollywood is integral part of all their lives… Leaves you with the feeling how the on screen artists impact everyday life… A laudable attempt… Due to its lack of commercial elements it might appeal only to serious movie goers and multiplex audience… If you like great stories and not bothered with star values and gimmicks… This one is for you…

Watchable

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

Special 26

Special 26 – One of the best heist movies in Indian Cinema. While there has been movies like Players which has been a deliberate attempt to remake Italian Job, Special 26 does it in Indian style… It is based on a true incident and it is a very entertaining drama that will keep you engrossed…. Unfortunately it is out of theaters now… but you can watch on DVD or your DTH home video… Its a must watch!

Must Watch

Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne

Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne (Bengali) – Satyajit Ray special… Its the Legend’s Birthday today! One of the childhood memories I have is reading about his making of Pather Panchali where kids Apu and Durga run through a paddy field to catch a glimpse of a train… Iconic! Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne is a movie made for children by Satyajit Ray it is funny, witty and filled with sattire… He got the story told by his grandfather to the silver screen… It has very brilliant sequences considering it was taken in 1969…. Its a laugh riot throughout…. Pickup a DVD and watch it…If you like it you can watch the sequels as well Hirak Raja Desh and Goopy Bagha Phire Elo…

Must Watch

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

Ameerin Aadhi Baghavan

Ameerin Aadhi Baghavan – very average outing for Ameer… He seems to have been distracted too much in the filming of the movie… It starts with the promise of a action packed gangster flick and in the build up phase goes all over the place…. The movie’s production quality is very good… Very promising for Tamil Cinema… A more focused screenplay and plot could have made it a nice watch…. You can give it a skip….

Can Skip it

Hitchcock

Hitchcock – an engaging drama on the life of Hitchcock and his relationship with his wife during the making of one of his greatest epic Psycho. Well written screenplay and you feel yourself being part of the sets, the public and Hitchcock’s household during the making of the movie… Antony Hopkins has done a wonderful job of bringing Hitchcock to life. If you are a Hitchcock fan, movie buff or interested in biopic this one is highly recommended…

Must Watch – For Movie Buffs

Kadal

Kadal – Very philosophical, the movie’s promotion has spoilt its box office run. Audience had come to the theaters expecting a breezy romantic drama like Alaipayuthe but ended watching a soul searching story and a fight between the Evil and the Good in one’s self and how love helps in overcoming the evil in thyself. Maniratnam and Rajiv Menon have made you live in a fisherman colony…The movie is not everyone… if you go with a open mind Kadal might be inspiring…

Watchable