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FASHION - REVIEW

FASHION (Hindi,2008)

Director : Madhur Bhandarkar

Cast : Priyanka Chopra , Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse , Arbaaz Khan , Raj Babbar , Kitu Gidwani

Now , being a Madhur Bhandarkar movie , I had a lot of expectations from this one. It turned out to be a good film overall , but could have been much better.

The story revolves around the Fashion Industry in India . Meghna Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) , is a girl from Chanidgarh who comes to Mumbai , much against her parents' wishes , to be a part of the fashion scene , and aspires to be a big model. The movie then focuses on the fashion culture in India , and portrays a rather disturbing picture of what happens behind the scenes.

Meghna , is in awe of supermodel Shonali Gujral ( Kangana Ranaut) and wants to make it big like her. She is helped by some friendly and nice people in the form of Rohit Khanna, a person who works for Khosla ( Harsh Chaaya) ,a big fashion designer , and another aspiring model Janet (Mugdha Godse). The movie then shows the eventual rise of Meghna , up the ladder , and also the hurdles which she has to pass through .

The movie has been shot rather well , with the fashion show sequences being the highlights. We have to put up with countless parties thrown in , which remind you of Bhandarkar's "Page 3". The Director is obviously suffering from a "Page 3" hangover , but cannot be entirely blamed because the fashion folks are an integral part of the Page 3 culture , and vice-versa.

The background music , was really good and blended well with the movie. Technically this movie is pretty good , and the almost exaggerated use of colours was in tune with the basic theme of the movie.

Now , onto the acting. I was honestly surprised with the performances , as I did not harbour much expectations , from the cast . Priyanka Chopra , was kinda ok in the first half of the movie. Her portrayal of the young , naive , small-town girl , who has stars in her eyes ,was nothing much to talk about , but is not entirely bad either. But as the movie progressed , and when she becomes more of a Professional Model , she was brilliant. The air of arrogance around the character was beautifully portrayed , and I was finally convinced that this lady could act.

Mugdha Godse , as Janet has nothing much to do , but does a neat job. Samir Soni as a gay fashion designer , Kitu Gidwani as a model co-ordinator , Arjun Bajwa as Meghna's boyfriend and Arbaaz Khan as the deceptive big-shot , have all come up with notable performances.

However the "Showstopper" has to be Kangana Ranaut. She was simply superb in her portrayal of the supermodel ,Shonali Gujral. She is more of a second lead as far as the plot is concerned , but overshadows all others with a terrific performance.

We get to see a lot of attempts at spoofing the Fashion Industry , but in a sensible manner , nothing over the top. But why is Bhandarkar under the impression that the entire Fashion Industry is homo-sexual ?

Now the one thing about "Fashion" , which left me completely disappointed , was the screenplay. The first half in particular could have been more crisp , and my patience was tested on quite a few occasions. The second half was definitely much better , but it kinda wandered away towards the end , and I caught myself yawning quite a few times.

There are some truly irritating scenes. What was the need for that ridiculous scene , in which Samir Soni , the gay fashion designer , proposes to Mugdha Godse(??) in the most unromantic manner possible. And the worst thing is she accepts his proposal , after he mumbles some really dumb dialogues like " A husband might not be a good friend , but a good friend can definitely be a good husband" and similar rubbish. Am really not sure about the motive behind this scene.

To top it all , Madhur Bhandarkar , tries his hand at self-advertising. There is this absolutely unwarranted and preposterous scene in which a model points at Madhur Bhandarkar sitting in a bar or restaurant or whatever , and she and her friends talk something about him doing research , for his next movie which is based on the Fashion Industry. Come on , Mr.Bhandarkar,the audience is not so dumb....

The movie turned out to be surprisingly long . I frankly did not expect such a lengthy flick , as there are no songs added , just for the heck of it , which is a welcome deviation from the mindless Bollywood trend which we have become accustomed to. Honestly , it was a bit of an endurance test quite a few times. There are some scenes which are absolutely unwanted , and some characters , who add no value whatsoever to the proceedings ,could have been done away with , as they only end up irritating you. I honestly felt really bored on few occasions and would have drifted off into deep slumber , but it did not happen , thanks to my wisecrack friend sitting beside me in the theater , who made it a point to pass some comment or the other .

Now to the fun part. There is the wardrobe malfunction which everyone was really expecting , and it was portrayed with maturity , thankfully , as I thought it would be more of a sorry spoof. The girls and models are any schoolboy's delight, and it is no surprise that this movie has been awarded an "A" certificate. The prominent display of booze , cigarettes and , surprisingly , cocaine , might not really go down well with the female audience.

However the movie succeeds in its motive which is to portray the dark side of all the glitz and glamour. The deceptions , the politics inside the green-rooms , the ego-clashes , have all been showcased sensibly , and in a mature manner , without resorting to melodrama.

The movie boasts of some spectacular performances by Chopra and Ranaut. I was apprehensive about their acting potential , but I was proved completely wrong. Especially in the serious scenes ,these two ladies have performed their roles with such grace and maturity. If there is anything about the movie that has to be truly appreciated , it has to be the acting.

Madhur Bhandarkar has to be appreciated , for such a brave effort , dealing with a rather risky subject , as he manages to present a very realistic,dignified and mature portrayal of the Fashion Industry.

I maintain the fact that the screenplay is the movie's Achilles Heel . It truly irritated me sometimes. Some scenes were dragged beyond tolerable limits. For instance , we get to see a predictable break-up between Meghna and Manav. But the Director felt the need to portray every minor detail of the split , right from a truly well shot argument , to the girl packing her bags , the guy feeling bad and staring out of the window , the girl getting into a taxi , lighting up a cigarette and staring blankly into space , until she finally says "Chalo" to the driver. There are similar scenes scattered across the movie , which are truly bugging.

My verdict for the movie will be a 3 out of 5 , which could have easily been a 4 out of 5 , only if the movie was shorter and more crisp. The script has immense potential and the acting is truly superb. Definitely worth a watch .

VERDICT : Good . ( 3 / 5)

DIRTY HARRY - REVIEW

Dirty Harry (English,1971)

Director : Don Siegel

Cast : Clint Eastwood , Andrew Robinson

This movie is considered to be one of the best action movies ever made. I thought this would be one of those mindless movies , which have a dozen fights thrown in , and endless chase sequences . But,boy, I was in for a big surprise...

Harry Callahan ( Clint Eastwood) is a no-nonsense Police Officer in San Francisco , and his antics earn him the title "Dirty Harry" among his colleagues . There is a maniac called Scorpio (Andrew Robinson) , who snipes and kills innocent victims, and leaves a ransom note at the scene of the crime. Our man , Dirty harry is assigned the task of catching hold of Scorpio.

If there is one thing about the movie which hits you smack on the face , it has to be the air of machismo about it. The ruthless character of Harry is established right in the first few scenes itself, where he meets the Mayor. The sheer ruthlessness of Harry will keep you interested all through the movie.

The story as such has nothing much to boast about and is rather simple. But the movie's greatest strength lies in the Director's ability to take such a simple story , which might be considered not-so-suitable for an action movie , and transform it into a brilliant flick.

As the movie progressed I was overwhelmed by the brute character of Harry . Clint Eastwood is brilliant as "Dirty Harry".There is this scene in which he stands and watches a school-bus , from atop a bridge. It just made me clap my hands in sheer delight.

Nihilistic in every sense of the word, Eastwood's character in "Dirty Harry" , is such a feast to fans of the Action genre , till date.

The screenplay is very fast and the movie as a whole is very slick. There are hardly any scenes which give you any leeway to get bored. The basic plot is not dragged , and keeps you hooked to the movie , without letting you go into a "Er.. What's happening ?" mode.

The character of Scorpio has been played to perfection by Andrew Robinson. The maniac sniper has to be one of the best on-screen villains I have come across in a long time. There is this superb scene in which he kidnaps children in a school-bus , and tries to entertain them by singing
"Row,Row,Row your boat.." . But his happiness is short lived , as he encounters our man Dirty Harry along the way.

The "Do I feel lucky ?" dialogues have become part of cinematic history , and many attempts have been made to spoof them. But , Clint Eastwood IS Clint Eastwood , PUNK !!! This dialogue which comes twice in the movie , will make you fall in love with the movie , mark my words.

Every frame with Clint has machismo written large on it. This is what I call a " Guy movie" . There is something about the movie which makes the on-screen display of ruthlessness , as infectious as the flu. I don't know why , but after watching it , I felt like bashing up the next living creature I come across.

The action sequences are thankfully very sensible , something which I don't come across in many action movies. Violence is portrayed only on few occasions, but when it does show-up , man , it will sweep you away.

This is easily one of the best movies I have come across , across all genres. My verdict for this movie will be 4.5 out of 5. If you are a guy , you got to watch this for the spirit of machismo , which it showcases so brilliantly. Watch this one with a group of male friends , with some beer and snacks thrown in , and am sure you will love it ... PUNK!!

VERDICT : Simply Uber (Ultimate) 4.5 / 5

DONNIE BRASCO - REVIEW

DONNIE BRASCO ( English,1997)

Director : Mike Newell

Cast : Al Pacino , Johnny Depp,Michael Madsen

I have always wanted to watch this one for a long time , but never really had the opportunity to sit down and watch it , for some reason or the other. But last night I finally put an end to this procrastination , and decided to watch it.

Joseph Pistone ( Johnny Depp) , is an undercover FBI agent , who has to infiltrate the New York Mafia , posing as Donnie Brasco , a jewelery man. He then meets Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero , an experienced gangster , who works for one of New York's gangs. Lefty then decides to take Brasco under his wings , and help him out in his initial days in the Mob. How Brasco manages to lead a double life , and what happens when he gets too involved in the Mob , forms the rest of the story.

Set in New York in 1978 , the film gives an insight into the organized crime scene of that era. But this one is a bit different from the other gangster movies I have seen. It does not really have too many scenes portraying violence and shoot-outs , but instead focuses on the politics and ego-clashes within the mob. There are factions within the Mob , and Brasco is unsure if he has to stick with Lefty , or follow the orders of the bigger boss Sonny Black ( Madsen) .

The movie is very interesting and keeps you hooked for the most part , thanks to some brilliant performances by Pacino and Depp. Lefty tries to be a father-figure to Donnie , and keeps giving him advice all the time. Donnie , on the other hand has to lead a double life , and has to deal with a wife and 3 daughters when he gets home.

Depp has come up with a really fine performance , and plays a subdued character , as Brasco , and a family man with a bad temper , as Pistone. He does not get to spend time with his family and is away from home most of the time , leading to various problems with his wife.

Pacino is as reliable as ever , as "Lefty" Ruggiero , and his portrayal was a treat to watch. Not as overwhelming as his other gangster characters in movies like "Scarface" , " Carlito's way" , and the biggest one of' em all " The Godfather " , Lefty is a different character . He is a very experienced mobster , but has to put up with lesser deserving colleagues being "upped" , the term used when a member is promoted within the Mob.

Being a mafia based movie , it has its fair share of backstabbing , and ego-clashes , but without succumbing to cliches. The best scene in the movie has to be the one in which Depp questions Pacino , about a suspected mole , and tries to prick his conscience , by making him utter the name of a gang member , whom Lefty had just shot dead.

If there is one thing about the movie which could have been altered , it has to be the Screenplay. The movie , like I said is not a typical gangster movie and focuses more on human feelings and emotions like ego-clashes and so on. So we don't really get to see a lot of "Action" as such , which is perfectly fine with me. But the Screenplay could have been a wee bit faster , I felt. No issues however. Its because of some fine acting by biggies like Pacino and Depp , that the slow pace does not really bother you much except in a few instances.

My verdict for this movie will be 3.5 out of 5 . Please do watch it for some superb acting , and its different portrayal of the 70's crime scene. However , if you are the type of person who expects a lot of foolish fights and mindless action from gangster movies , stay away cos there is nothing in it for you. This is for more patient and sensible viewers.

VERDICT : VERY GOOD . ( 3.5 / 5)

[REC] - REVIEW

[REC] ( Spanish , 2007 )

Director : Jaume Balaguero , Paco Plaza


A TV crew follows a Firefighting Team , to record their activities , when a call is made to rescue an old lady who is stuck in an apartment. This is the basic plot. Big deal , eh ? Believe me folks , you are in for a surprise , and a nasty one at that.

Another Spanish movie review , [REC] reaffirms my devotion to foreign cinema.

The movie covers incidents which unfold on a night , when a Fire Service Team is called to rescue an old lady , and help her out of her apartment. The visuals are through the camera of a TV crew , consisting of Angela Vidal the reporter and Pablo the cameraman. The crew is recording the event for a show called " While you were sleeping". What appears to be a normal call for rescue , eventually transforms into one of the most horrifying movies I have ever seen.

As the team reaches the apartment , they realize that this is no normal lady. What happens later , will not be revealed in this review , as I don't want to spoil the suspense for you people.

There are enough chills and thrills to keep you glued to your seats. The horror is definitely bloody good , literally. Blood and gore are widely used , but in a sensible manner. The movie could have been yet another ordinary Horror film , but thankfully it does make much more sense than the usual blood spilling stuff , which we have to put up with in the name of Horror/Thriller movies.

The movie is shot in the most realistic manner possible. The portrayal of human emotions has to be appreciated. The residents of the building are locked up , owing to certain reasons. So expect a lot of arguments and fussing. And when horrible incidents are taking place , people are more interested in being on TV.

There is no main character as such , as it is shot in a documentary style , but in a very different manner. Pablo's camera can be termed as the protagonist , as the entire story unfolds through his lens.

This is definitely an intense thriller. You are always on the edge of your seats , thanks to some really nervous situations , which the camera records. I knew that something would happen in certain scenes and in such cases I normally don't get scared when that thing actually happens.. But for some reason , even though you know when and where exactly the Director is going to attempt spooking you , you fall for it eventually.

Events unfold in such a fast manner that you never even think about keeping track of time. Easily the most effective screenplay , among the many Horror/Thriller movies I have come across.

The movie will be a feast for fans of the Horror/Thriller genre. However , this is not for the weak hearted. There are some really gory scenes , and if you are the squirmy type , you would think twice before watching it. And despite my warning , if you decide to watch it , please do so on an empty stomach. I hope you get the hint.

Yes , blood and gore are quite prominent . But very different from other Horror movies , where the makers try to scare you with excessive gore. Here it is more the tense situations and fear of the known , rather than the unknown which scare you.

The bulk of the story is set within the confines of a building , and believe me , you will not forget the building for a long time.


I am always in search of a Horror film , which will keep me so involved in the events which unfold , and manage to scare me. This one did not really scare me , except in a few sequences , but the thrill of watching it , in the middle of the night , was a rewarding experience.

The only hint I am dropping is this one ---> If you loved "28 Days Later" , the British Thriller which came out in 2002 , you will definitely like this one , as the concept is very similar. I strongly recommend this movie , especially if you are a fan of the Horror genre. And even though many people don't really like watching non-English films , I sincerely advise you to make an exception , as far as [REC] is concerned. Fear is Universal , don't you reckon ?

I normally detest blood and gore in Horror movies , but this one makes a lot of sense ,thankfully. I will go with 4 out of 5 , and a HUGE thumbs up , for [REC] , which is one of the very few exceptionally good Horror movies I have come across. Grab a "bite" of this one !!!

VERDICT : Brilliant Thriller ( 4 / 5)

THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE - REVIEW

EL ESPINAZO DEL DIABLO ( Spanish,2001)

Director : Guillermo Del Toro

Cast : Fernando Tielve , Eduardo Noriega , Federico Luppi

This is essentially a horror movie , sans the blood and gore. This movie is a blend of horror and drama , and boy o boy , what a blend it turned out to be. Another movie from Europe , this time from Spain's acclaimed director , Del Toro.

The movie is about a young boy Carlos (Tielve) , who is made to live in an orphanage / school , meant for children whose parents are with the rebel groups during the Spanish Civil war. There he is assigned a bed , which belonged to a kid called Santi ,who disappeared many days ago. The movie focuses on Carlos trying to adjust to the new surroundings , and also his encounters with "the one who sighs" . What follows is a horror story with the War as a backdrop.

What could have easily been another run of the mill horror movie , has been cleverly made , using the political scenario as a driver for the story. The movie is not the conventional horror type and we don't get to see any blood being spilled , head being severed etc. Instead the horror element is brought out by the ubiquitous presence of the ghost character , who makes himself visible to Carlos at regular intervals.

You might have noticed from my reviews that I have an affinity for children based movies, and this one is no exception. "The Devil's Backbone" actually unfolds in a spooky manner with a voice over "What is a ghost ?" , but brilliantly transforms itself into a drama , with the spooks being an integral part. The movie will not scare you in the true sense of the word , buts keeps you guessing throughout the movie.

A few dark secrets are revealed in the later stages of the movie and you realize why some scenes which had appeared inconsequential in the earlier parts , actually form the most important part of the storyline. There are many other characters in the movie which are cleverly brought out in the story.

We have Carmen, the ageing Headmistress of the school , who has an affair with the young worker Jacinto (Noriega). The school's Doctor Casares( Luppi) is an ageing man , who has his eye on Carmen. The children are another refreshing aspect of the movie. A kid called Jaime comes across as the chief bully around , but we get to see different shades as the movie progresses.

The star of the movie however is the young Carlos. Not only does he have to adjust to the new place , but also has to put up with the usual problems like bullying etc , and on top of all this he has frequent encounters with the ghost. So, we get to see a rather diverse character , whose emotions are portrayed brilliantly by the young actor , Fernandi Tielve.

We don't really get to see the actual war happening , but the prospect of an attack looms large over the school , considering the volatile political situation in which the movie is based upon. It is more of a psychological thriller . The movie has been shot in a very minimal way , and the bulk of the story unfolds inside the school campus .

Characterization is another strong point of the movie. Jacinto definitely has a large role to play as you will realize towards the end . I was very impressed with the portrayal of Doctor Casares , especially his role as the father figure in the later sequences.

The screenplay is very good , and the story is well driven . Chills and thrills are not to be expected , but still falls under the mainstream Thriller/Horror genre. The story reveals itself a tad bit early , but the Director manages to keep you interested , despite you knowing what might happen along the way.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this one , which is brilliant , but not as good as the Director's "Pan's Labyrinth" , which I consider to be one of the best movies ever made. However , Guillermo Del Toro has not let me down this time , and I strongly recommend this movie .

VERDICT : Brilliant ( 3.5 / 5)

DASAVATHAARAM - REVIEW

DASAVATHAARAM (Tamil,2008)

Director: K.S.Ravikumar

Cast : Kamal Haasan,Nagesh ,Napolean,Asin,Mallika Sherawat,Jayaprada

Alright , alright !!! I know this movie has been reviewed a million times and you might be tired of reading a lot about this movie , and will probably not read it again. But it just struck me , 5 months after I had seen it , that I had not reviewed this movie , which is one of India's biggest films ever made. So read on..

Kamal Haasan decided to embark on one of cinema's most daring adventures ever .. 10 roles in one movie. Not just small changes in the costume and get-up , but complete full-fledged characters.

The movie starts off in the 12th century AD , where we witness a conflict of religious ideals. An idol of Lord Vishnu is immersed in the ocean , and the movie portrays a series of events , which are a direct result of the immersion , based on the "Chaos Theory" , which claims that everything in the world is related. Most of you might have seen the movie already , so I wont talk about the plot any longer.

The movie starts off brilliantly and keeps you interested for sometime. But somewhere down the line , you begin to get a bit bored. The plot is seemingly complex , but in essence it's rather simple, and just relates the series of events which unfold. The problem I had with the movie is that , it is excellent in some places , but down-right poor in other parts.

The movie is huge , and we all know that it is tough to piece together ten completely different characters into one single cohesive unit and make it look interesting. The Direction is very inconsistent and is messy in many sequences.

Technically the movie is very good and the Director has used technology effectively. The music is pretty good , and thankfully the songs are not thrown in at unwanted places , and gel nicely with the storyline.

Now onto the acting ... Kamal Haasan is undoubtedly India's best actor and the versatile legend has put in immense effort in the movie. The acting is brilliant , and all ten characters which he portrays are very convincing. The character of Govind Ramasamy the scientist is the main protagonist and forms the crux of the movie. I admit not all 10 characters appealed to me. The Japanese Master character is of no relevance to the storyline, and does not do much , except mumble some dialogues . Same issues with 1 or 2 more characters , who have been added just to complete the number of 10.

Balram Naidu , as the Investigating officer is simply superb and provides much needed humor to the movie. He is easily one of the best things about the movie.

Krishnaveni Paati as the old lady is very convincing , and I wonder how the brilliant actor managed to modulate his voice to suit the character.

Kalifullah is one of the characters which I did not appreciate much in terms of relevance to plot , but definitely played to perfection.

Avtaar Singh , again does not do much , but the acting is very convincing.

Christian Fletcher however is a very important character and Kamal Haasan does a fine job, reminiscent us of Hollywood action.

The US President is the character which is easily the best in terms of pure acting . This is because all the other characters are new to the audience and we have to lap it up , no matter what. However we all know the character of George Bush , and it is almost impossible to make him appear convincing . but the ever dependable actor gives us an almost accurate portrayal of George Bush.

Rangaraja Nambi is the best thing about the movie. Although his character appears very briefly in the first few scenes, the acting is top notch.

Now the one aspect of the movie which haunts me even now. The character of Vincent Poovaraagan will stay in your minds for a long time. Such an intense portrayal of a Dalit, this is easily the most powerful character in the movie , not in terms of the plot , but sheer brilliance in characterization. The dialogues are extremely good and I just loved the sequence in which Vincent and P.Vasu argue. This is where Kamal takes the term " RAW ACTING" to a new level...

Asin has nothing much to do and appears convincing in the 12th Century sequence. But later on she becomes irritable , always screaming " Aiyo Perumal Perumal !!" and frankly speaking she is the worst thing about the movie.

Mallika Sherawat has been roped in for obvious reasons. Napolean and Nagesh have done well in their brief roles.

The screenplay is poor and inconsistent. Although it is very tough to pull off such a grand project successfully , the movie could have been much better.

I will go with 2.5 out of 5 for "Dasavathaaram" , a movie which definitely had lots of expectations around it , but sadly fails to meet them . However it has to be seen for the huge effort that has gone into making this gigantic movie . As a huge fan of the "Ulaga Nayagan" I admit that this is not his best performance till date. But still , please do appreciate the brilliant acting and the hard work which he has put in. Mr.Kamal Haasan , take a bow !!

VERDICT : Watch it for the effort. ( 2.5 / 5)

I'M NOT SCARED - REVIEW

Io non ho paura ( I'm not scared)
(Italian,2003)

Director : Gabriele Salvatores

Cast : Giuseppe Cristiano , Mattia di Pierro

On reading my reviews, you might be wondering why I watch a lot of World Cinema . It is simply because Hollywood is not the only place on earth which gives us good movies. And this one is a stellar example.

This movie is yet another children oriented movie , and I admit I do have a soft spot for such movies. The story, set in 1978, revolves around a young boy , Michele ( Cristiano ) , in a village in Southern Italy . He is a normal kid , always playing with his friends and his little sister Maria. One day , he happens to come across a pit in which he sees a young child Filipo (Pierro) , who looks like he has been there for a long time. Michele then realizes that Filipo has been kidnapped and is kept hidden in the pit. The movie then follows their relationship over a few days.

The movie is easily one of the finest I have seen. The compassion which Michele shows towards Filipo , is such a delicate concept to be made into a movie , and the Director succeeds at it. The innocence of young children is portrayed brilliantly in this film. The movie does not have any exaggerated drama going with it , nor does it have any violence . It is a simple film , but manages to make a huge impact.

The acting by the children is such a joy to watch. Though the character of Filipo is very integral to the plot , we don't get to see him too much on screen . But when he does make an appearance , the acting is superb , especially for a child artiste. The movie really takes you on a wonderful trip to the carefree childhood days which we all must have enjoyed. Though set in Italy , the concept is Universal , as it deals with the affection shown by a young boy to another child.

Breathtakingly shot in Southern Italy , the movie takes you for a beautiful ride , and shows how a young boy realizes the hard truth about the game of life , and its players, especially the adults in his village. The relationship between Michele and Filipo definitely strikes a chord. Watch out for the scene in which they both play in the fields. Though not of particular significance to the plot , this scene is easily the best in the movie.

There is no exaggeration in the children's characters. The breach of trust between Michele and one of his friends , will definitely remind you of your childhood days. It is such a natural movie and has very few cliches .

The screenplay is very good , but people who are not accustomed to European Cinema , especially the movies based in the 70's and 80's might find it a bit slow. However , the movie will not bore you. There are a few predictable sequences and you will have some idea of what is going to happen in the next scenes , but you will not notice it all , as all this is concealed under a beautiful and touching story , supported by some great acting .

I will go with 4 out 5 for this superb movie , whose simplicity and natural flavour makes it such a delight to watch.

VERDICT : Brilliant ( 4 / 5)

THE DESCENT - REVIEW

THE DESCENT ( English,2005)

Director : Neil Marshall

Cast : Shauna Macdonald , Natalie Jackson Mendoza , Nora-Jane Noone

I was initially apprehensive about watching the movie , as the promo had a lot of blood and looked gory , and I generally avoid those kind of movies. But this one was a surprise exception to the rule.

The movie is about a group of 6 adventurous friends , Sarah,Beth,Holly,Juno,Sam and Betty who re-unite after a gap of one year. Sarah had lost her child Jessica and husband Paul , in a gruesome accident the previous time they had all met. So , Juno decides to have a small re-union with all the young girls , at her place somewhere in the forests , mainly to bring Sarah back to normal.

Juno then tells them that they would trek to a place called Boreham Caves and explore it , as a reminder of their adventurous days. Little do they know that there are some dangerous creatures inside their eventual exploration spot. What happens to them during the exploration is what the movie is all about.

The movie is definitely among the most thrilling ones I have come across. There were a few scenes in the beginning , especially the ones showing the ladies gossiping , which made me wonder if I had got stuck in a chick- flick. But it picked up very well , and makes quite a good watch.

The caves are dark and deep. And the creatures inside are blood thirsty. We don't really get to see the creatures for a long time , but when they do appear , the movie keeps you hooked. The gang of girls try to escape from the cave , but they have no clue how to go about doing it.

This sounds like another run-of-the-mill horror movie , but believe me , it isn't. The thrills will keep turning up at regular intervals and will make you sit up and take notice. The movie has been shot really well and the caves appear so natural.

The characters are distinct. Sarah is often filled with the thoughts of her dead child Jessica. Juno tries to play the part of team leader and keeps the group under control. Holly is the rebel of the group and keeps making risky decisions at will. The ego-clash between all the characters has been portrayed really well.

The creatures look like a bigger and much deadlier version of Gollum from "Lord Of The Rings" , and keep turning up to provide the thrills , and this movie has loads of it. The movie is not gory at all , except for one particular scene in which Holly gets injured. Am sure that a sizable amount of money has been spent on the artificial blood. There is SO much of it , especially towards the later parts of the movie.

This could easily have been another ordinary horror film , but the director makes it very thrilling , and you will keep guessing what's gonna happen . It is definitely unpredictable , and hardly has any cliches. The movie will keep you glued to your seats once the real action starts.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this movie , which managed to keep someone like me who detests blood and gore in movies , sit up and take notice.

VERDICT : A very good thriller ( 3.5 /5 )

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL - REVIEW

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL ( English,2008)

Director : Nicholas Stoller

Cast : Jason Segel , Kristen Bell , Mila Kunis , Russell Brand , Jonah Hill

Am not really a fan of the romantic comedy genre ,but decided to give this a try , as there was a fair amount of talk going on about the movie.

The story is nothing special. Peter Bretter (Segel) a not-so-famous musician is in a relationship with a famous TV actress Sarah Marshall ( Bell) . One day ,Sarah decides to end the bond and walks out on him,saying that she is involved with another man. This devastates Peter , who then decides to take a trip to Hawaii to relax and calm down. Ironically he ends up at the same resort where Sarah and her new boy-friend , a rock star Aldous Snow( Russell Brand) are put up.

Peter badly wants to get over his break-up with Sarah and feels lonely in the resort , and has to put up with the sight of Sarah and Snow having fun together. He then falls for a beautiful receptionist , Rachel ( Kunis ) and they end up having an affair.

The movie is essentially a comedy , centered around Peter who wants to forget his relationship with Sarah. Fortunately, we don't get to see exaggerated drama , as is expected in "breaking-up" movies. However there are some scenes which make you feel bad for the couple who have just split up.

The comedy is mainly dialogue based , but we do get to see a lot of raunchy humor in the movie. It does not portray anything vulgar , but treads the thin line between raunchy and obscene humor. The humor has to be taken light heartedly , as sometimes it looks a wee bit out of place in the movie. However , it is certainly quite funny at large.

The acting is fairly decent by the lead pair. The other actors too chip in with decent performances. It was nice to see Jonah Hill of "Superbad" in the movie. He is involved in some really funny scenes. However the surprise package in the movie has to be the character of Aldous Snow. He is such an eccentric character , with a rather bizarre sense of humor.

The imagery is very beautiful , as the movie is entirely set in Hawaii. The scene in which Rachel and Peter decide to go hiking is shot beautifully. The movie is not meant for people who want to watch crude humor on-screen. The humor is really good and even the seemingly raunchy jokes are well intended. The best scene in the movie has to be the one in which the two couples Rachel-Peter and Sarah-Aldous have dinner together . It had me rolling with laughter.

Screenplay is fairly decent and you don't get bored much as the humor keeps you occupied for the bulk of the movie. There are other small but interesting characters like a Surfer , a bar-tender , and a newly wed couple on their honeymoon , who definitely add value to the movie as a whole.

Overall , this is a pretty good movie , if you are able to stand the humor. You will surely appreciate the well intended humor , if you are a little open-minded. However , it does not really come across a romantic movie , except in a few parts. It is a blend of raunchy humor and breaking-up emotions , and also tries to give us a look at how tough it is to get over a relationship gone sour.

Not one of the best movies I have come across , especially in the Romantic Comedy genre. The story initially reminded me of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", in which Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet try to get over their break up . The similarity of this movie with that masterpiece ends there.

I will go with 3 out of 5 for this comedy , which manages to keep you interested in it , thanks to some funny sequences and almost over-the-top humor.

VERDICT : Pretty Good . ( 3 / 5)

SAROJA - REVIEW

SAROJA ( Tamil,2008)

Director : Venkat Prabhu

Cast : Prakash Raj , Jayaram , Shiva , SPB Charan, Premgi Amaran , Vaibhav Reddy

Alright , let me make a few things clear about my review of "Saroja" . We all know that this is a rip off from "Judgment Night". However , my review is going to be completely independent of "Judgment Night" , as I have not seen that movie.

Saroja is the daughter of a rich businessman , Vishwanath (Prakash Raj) , in Hyderabad. She gets kidnapped and her dad launches a hunt , with the help of his police friend ACP Ravichandran (Jayaram) . Meanwhile , we have a group of 4 friends , completely different characters , Ganesh ( Premgi) , Ajay ( Shiva) , Jagapathi Babu ( Charan) , and Ram Babu (Vaibhav) who are on their way to Hyderabad from Chennai , to watch a cricket match. They happen to stumble upon a factory where Saroja has been held captive. What happens when they decide to rescue Saroja from the gang leader Sampath and his men , forms the rest of the story.

The movie is very unique as far as Tamil Cinema is concerned. It does not follow the traditional formula techniques. Instead it dares to be different as it tries to come across as a mix of the thriller and comedy genres. The humor is excellent and blends perfectly well with the storyline. Thankfully, there are no separate comedy tracks , very unlike the Tamil movies being made these days.

The movie is basically about the kidnap and eventual rescue of Saroja , but I don't think it would have been right to make it a pure thriller.alone It would not have gone down so well with the audience , if the humor was done away with.

The acting is pretty good. Although brilliant and versatile actors like Prakash Raj and Jayaram have done an excellent job in "Saroja", the quartet of friends steal the show completely. The bonding between them is very natural and there is no exaggeration in the characterization. Like I mentioned earlier , these are 4 distinct characters , and we have a good time watching them react to rather sticky situations , especially in the rescue sequences.

The humor is very refreshing and does not rely on vulgar jokes to make us laugh. The dialogues are nothing great , but it is the comic timing which keeps us smiling throughout the movie.

Being a Tamil movie , we have a few songs thrown at us when least expected. But the music by Yuvan Shankar Raja is fairly decent. the background score too blends well with the story.

If there is one thing about the movie which I liked the most , it has to be Premgi Amaran . This man comes across as someone who has the least self-respect , but in a funny way. His mannerisms will keep us laughing through out the movie.

There are a few predictable scenes , and a few cliches too. For instance the climax looked too good to be true , so the Director decides to throw in a predictable twist towards the end.

This is not a great movie , nor does it aspire to be one. In essence it is only a cat-mouse chase in the form of a thriller , but manages to keep us interested thanks to the humor and fairly decent screenplay. Not quite pacy , but not slow either. Watch it with a group of friends and you will enjoy it a lot.

The references to other Tamil movies will go down well with anyone with a decent knowledge of Tamil cinema. The Volkswagen mini in the beginning , with the "Karakatakaran" music in the background , the " Evalavo panrom" dialogue from Vijay's "Azhagiya Tamizh Magan" , Premgi's attempts at spoofing "Sivaji" are all to be enjoyed.

My verdict for this movie will be 3 out of 5 . As I said , this is only a cat-mouse chase in the form of a film , but has to be seen , for the screenplay and humor. And I give my verdict , without considering the "Judgment Night" rip-off factor .

Verdict : Worth a watch . ( 3 / 5)

NINE QUEENS - REVIEW

NUEVE REINAS ( NINE QUEENS)

(Spanish,2000)

Director : Fabian Bielinsky

Cast : Gaston Pauls, Ricardo Darin

Another con movie , after "The Sting", which was reviewed earlier. Though this one is nowhere close to "The Sting" , it is definitely an interesting movie.

Made in Argentina , this is set in Buenos Aires. The story revolves around the lives of two con-men , Juan ( Gaston Pauls) and Marcos ( Ricardo Darin) . They happen to bump into each other in a departmental store , when Juan attempts to pull a trick on the shop clerk.

Marcos then tells Juan that he just wants him to be his accomplice for a day. Juan is initially skeptic about this , but gives in. Marcos and Juan set off to con their unsuspecting victims. We then realize that Juan needs a lot of money to save his father form jail.

The movie depicts what happens , when these two brilliant con-artists come together , and attempt to pull of a grand con , in trying to sell a precious and rare set of stamps called "Nueve Reinas /Nine Queens" , to a rich collector, Vidal Gandolfo.

The film is very well shot , and is convincing at the same time. The con scenes depicted in the movie are very believable , thanks to some fine acting by the cast , and the situations themselves.


The characterization is another refreshing aspect of this film. Juan comes across as a nervous person , who is constantly thinking about the situations in which he lands up. Marcos on the other hand , is a very confident and daring character. In some scenes , Marcos is portrayed as the father figure to Juan , constantly teaching him the finer aspects of the trade. Acting by the cast members is nothing great , but can be definitely termed as good.

Juan and Marcos have to pass through many hurdles , in selling the precious Nine Queens stamps to Gandolfo , and we get to meet quite a few interesting characters . Marcos's sister Valeria , appears to be an irritable character in the movie , but has a very important albeit small sequence which is integral to the plot.

You will definitely enjoy the con sequences , thanks to the natural film making style , without exaggerating things. The coffee shop con scene is so simple , but brilliantly shot , like all other similar sequences in the movie.

The film scores very high on the unpredictability factor. You have no idea what the characters have in store for you. The numerous twists and turns will keep you glued to it , as they show up in the most unexpected situations.

Although backed by an interesting script and fine performances , this film does not really come across as an excellent one , thanks to the screenplay. The movie started off rather slowly , but turned out to be pacy for quite sometime. Sadly, it just lost a little steam somewhere down the line. I found it boring sometimes , something which is not really expected in con movies. However it gathers momentum towards the end , and culminates in a simple , but stunning climax.

I will go with a well deserved 3 out of 5 , for this movie which could have been so much better , if more attention had been paid to the screenplay.

Verdict : Pretty good. 3 / 5

VIVA CUBA - REVIEW

VIVA CUBA(Spanish,2005)

Director : Juan Carlos Cremata

Cast : Jorge Milo , Malu Tarrau

This is a coming- of- age film , set in Cuba. The film mainly focuses on the relationship between children.

The story goes like this. Jorgito and Malu are two school going children , who live in the same locality. Their mothers are constantly at a cold war with each other , and keep pestering their child not to play with the other.

Little do the parents realize that Jorgito and Malu have become very close. Now,Malu's Grandmother dies , and Malu's mother decides to leave Cuba with her daughter , and live with her boyfriend. However, the Exit papers have to be signed by Malu's father , who lives in a far away corner of Cuba.

Malu does not want to leave Cuba and she conveys her feelings to Jorgito. They then decide to embark on a cross-country trip to meet Malu's father and ask him not to sign the document.

What follows , is a series of events , mainly centering around their journey from Havana , to Maisi , where Malu's father works at the lighthouse. And the search for the missing children.

This is one of the finest children oriented movies I have come across. The delicate relationship between the two children , is portrayed with perfection. The movie is shot very naturally , and there is no exaggeration whatsoever , as far as the characters are concerned.

We are faced with the inevitable question - When a couple gets separated , should not the parent holding the custody of the child , have the child's best interests at heart , when making a major decision ?

Malu's mother is disillusioned with Cuba , and wants to get out badly. She does not consult the child , and makes a hasty decision , basically urged on by her long distance boyfriend.

The Director does a fine job , as he has to deal with the simplest of story lines. But the result is amazing. The story in itself has nothing much to offer , but it is rather the execution , which keeps you interested. The beauty of the movie lies in the characterization of the children.

In the very first scene , we see the children fighting among themselves. The relationship between the two is shot so naturally. There is this simple , yet brilliant scene in which Malu helps Jorgito with an imposition at school. The affection which the two characters share mutually is brought out in the most refined manner possible.

The movie has been shot in some breath taking locations. The beaches , the fields of Cuba are made to appear even more beautiful , as their natural beauty is attenuated , by the wonderful friendship shared by the children. The film has a strong message that friendship has to be valued. Watch out for the scene in which the young researcher reconciles the two bickering kids.

The differences between their families are brought out right in the opening scenes. Jorgito's family members are staunch Communists , and Malu's mother is a strict Catholic. There is a small scene, in which the sign board on Malu's house reads " Lord,this is your house" , and the one in Jorgito's reads "Fidel,this is your house". A deft masterstroke !!

The movie is a tad too slow , and definitely not as good as "Kikujiro" , another similar movie. The runtime is only 80 minutes , but there were a few scenes which could have been either shelved , or shot in a different manner. Still , no complaints at all !! This manages to keep you interested in it.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this simple,yet touching movie , which manages to strike a chord.

VERDICT : Very good. ( 3.5 / 5)

THE STING- REVIEW

THE STING (English,1973)

Director : George Roy Hill

Cast : Paul Newman , Robert Redford

This classic , had been on my list of "Yet to watch" movies for a long time . I finally got to watch it , and what an experience it turned out to be.

The story is set in 1936 Illinois , and is about a con artist , Hooker(Redford) , who is among the best grifters in town. Hooker and his mentor , Luther , con a guy , and make a lot of money. Sadly , Luther gets murdered , as the guy they had conned , happens to work for a dangerous mobster , Doyle Lonnegan, who seeks revenge.

Luther had just decided to quit the game , and had asked Hooker to meet a certain Henry Gondorff (Newman), in Chicago, before his untimely death. Hooker and Gondorff then decide to pull off one of the biggest cons of all times . And the target ? You guessed it.. Lonnegan.

This is undoubtedly one of the best con movies I have come across . And when it has legends like Newman and Redford , expectations are bound to be high.

The movie is essentially about the crime rackets in the 1930's , and is supposed to fit into the Crime genre. But thanks to some really well shot scenes , it manages to keep you laughing and at least smiling , most of the time.

The screenplay is aptly divided into various parts - The Players,The Set-up, The Tale,The Wire,The Shut-out and The Sting. Each part is equally engrossing and you are never given the opportunity to get bored. The dialogues are very witty and keep you laughing. The con sequences are top-notch. Newman and Redford simply shine as the con artists.

Of particular mention , are the con scenes in the Western Union Office , and the poker game on the train , in which Gondorff makes a walking joke out of Lonnegan.

Apart from the con scenes , there are many others which stand out. For instance the relationship between Hooker and Loretta , a coffee shop attendant , will shock you, for reasons best left unrevealed. The other cast members have all done well. However , Newman and Redford steal the show.

If you are expecting chemistry between the two , like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", you will be let down. Both the characters get their own share of the cake , and there are hardly any scenes , which remind you of the wonderful bond these actors shared , in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Nevertheless , it is still a treat to watch these legends together again.

I don't find any flaw in the movie . In fact , I feel that today's industry which has given similar movies , like the Ocean's series , which are very good movies in their own right , have simply failed to meet the standards set by this movie , which I feel has to be considered as the perfect example of the word "CON".

Please do watch this movie , for Robert Redford and Paul Newman . I write this review , as a mark of respect for Paul Newman , who succumbed to cancer , a few days ago , at the age of 83. Watch this movie and the image of Henry Gondorff , will remain with you for a long time. Paul Newman fits perfectly into the character. May his soul Rest In Peace.

I will give this movie 4 out of 5 . Please do watch it to experience the Paul Newman effect. They don't make actors like him anymore. Butch Cassidy lives on in the hearts of film-lovers like me forever.

VERDICT : Timeless Classic . 4 / 5