Monday, July 2, 2007

Die Hard 4.0

Lately (in 2007) there have been greatly disappointing Hollywood action flicks. All these supposedly action movies were less action and more crappy romance. Most of the time action gave way for romantic unneeded tearjerkers and what not. But the dearth of all the action of 2007 seems to have been taken care by one Mr. John McClane in Die Hard 4.0. Once again, the ‘Yippe kay Yied’ super cop, John McClane does it in good ol’ way in Live Free or Die Hard...or Die Hard 4.0. Saying that this show is action packed would be an understatement. It is ‘action every single minute of the movie’ would be a more appropriate statement….Let’s begin….
What happens when a highly skilled team of hackers led by one of the most technically proficient programmer/hacker decides to prove a point. Well, “Die Hard 4.0” happens…Kidding…nah not really. That is the plot of the movie. Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) – the Black Hat hacker- the bad guy, if you may…and his team of hackers decide to bring US of A to the knees by doing a Fire Sale attack. In hacking terms, a Fire Sale attack means to disrupt the transportation systems, steal financial records and siphon of huge amounts of money and disable public utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water). And as Thomas Gabriel does exactly that in a very well planned manner, chaos reigns throughout USA. Traffic signals stop functioning creating traffic jams all over NYC. Cars pile up in tunnel as Thomas Gabriel plays with the transportation system. Stocks plummet at Wall Street creating panic amongst the traders. Telecommunications networks are jammed and are in total control of the hackers. It gets worst at night. Cities plunge into darkness as USA is taken off the grid, zip code at a time. Everything stops functioning. Big Apple, DC and other cities literally come to standstill and are at the mercy of the hacker….(Too much automation has its disadvantages too)…
Now for the good guys - John McClane (Bruce Willis) aided by a young computer hacker, Matt Farrell (Justin Long) decide to take on Thomas Gabriel and Co. It is a mighty task and both of them compliment each other well. John McClane shows why he is a super-cop and Matt Farrell brings his forte of hacking skills to chip in his bit.
Not one instant in the movie does one get respite from the action. Crashing cars and choppers, bullets and bombs, acrobatic fights, death defying stunts, high speed chases, zooming F35’s and many more make Die Hard 4.0 a true action thriller…
Lucy McClane (Mary Elizabeth Winstead of Final Destination 3 fame) plays John’s daughter. And nope, she doesn’t indulge in any romance! Thanks Len!…She is a cop’s girl and she behaves like one…Anyways…I can keep going on and on…Can’t help it…A truly good hacking movie (since Swordfish) and an excellent action movie after a long time. It is a must watch in theatres. I repeat…A ‘must’ watch. Rating 9/10.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Ocean's Thirteen

Ocean's 11 was good...Ocean's 12 wasn't as good as Ocean's 11...But this one - Ocean's 13, has been the pick of all three, if not THE best of the movies this year.
The tagline of the movie goes - "What are the odds of getting even? 13 to one...Ocean's 13 is all about about revenge.When Reuben Tiskoff (Elliot Gould), one of the Danny Ocean's 11 member, is betrayed/double crossed by Mr Banks (Al Pacino), the other ten members decide, it's pay back time for Mr Banks. They plan a heist, rather a plot to ruin Mr Bank's new multi-million dollar casino hotel in Vegas.

Ocean's perfect team does that in style. Brad Pitt's calm, Clooney's calmer and the others...well, they are just as perfect in the execution of their duties as they were in 11 and 12. In between, Danny Ocean partners with Mr TerryBenedict (Andy Garcia) ...yep, the same casino mogul whose three grandiose casinos were robbed my none other than Danny Ocean's 11. And Terry offers to help out of his personal dislike of Mr Banks. In the end...Ocean's genius team pulling off the heist is always enjoyable and this one is no different. Steven Sorderbergh has done his part well in directing the movie and guys you do your part in watching this heist of Ocean's in theatres.It 'should'be an entertaining experience...Rating 8/10.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Life in a ...Metro

When I walked into the movie theatre, I was clueless about the movie. Nor did I know the cast. So every name that came up in the starting credits was like news to me….

Let me begin with the music. I am not a great fan of Bollywood songs or music and hence I avoid discussing it. But the soundtrack is so impressive that I would like start of with it. One word for the soundtrack - Superb. Rock enthusiasts- take note. It’s an all Rock soundtrack!! Metal and Rock being my kinda music, I loved almost all the tracks in the movie…. What a fresh change from those typical Bollywood songs. Pritam Chakraborty (Music Director), you deserve an award.

As the name suggests…the rechristened name i.e. ‘Life in a…Metro’ is about the lives of people in a metropolitan city... It’s about lies and deceit. It’s about illicit love affairs. It’s about shattered dreams and of broken hearts. Kudos to Anurag Basu here for brilliantly interweaving the daily lives of the 7 lead characters. All of the 7 stars deserve a mention here but my favorite amongst them will always be Irrfan Khan. Not that others were boring. But if you’ve watched the movie, y’all know. Irrfan Khan plays Debu…who is in his late thirties and is on the hunt for his life partner. When he comes on screen, expect nothing but some comic scenes. He will make you laugh, that’s for sure…I won’t delve into each of the stories. They all are worth watching is what I can say. I was thinking all the time whether it was a copy of some Hollywood film but I couldn’t think of any. Upon coming home, I googled for it and it turns out that “Life in a… Metro” is a clear copy of 1960’s Hollywood Classic movie, “The Apartment”.

Well this doesn’t belittle “Life in a…Metro”. “Life in a… Metro” is to “The Apartment” like how “Kaante” was to “Reservoir Dogs”.

My rating 8/10. It is a must watch and the soundtrack – A must have.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Spiderman 3

Photo Courtesy: Yahoo! Movies

Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman is back and this time he has a new sinister black outfit plus two brand new enemies, “Sandman” and “Venom”. Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is living a comfortable life whilst saving NYC from the evils. He is a superhero or an icon as he calls himself in the movie. His girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) is going through worst time in her life. She loses her Broadway job and it gets worse when she sees Spidey kiss the Police chief’s daughter Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard) at a function thrown in the honour of Spiderman….just for the record…Bryce Dallas Howard looks amazinggg in her bleach blonde hair!

The first half an hour or so is very engaging. A convict at large, Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church) turns into a Sandman when he accidentally lands in particle physics lab experiment. At the same time, a parasitic life form comes to the earth from a meteorite. Spidey’s enemy and his once best friend – Harry Osborn/Goblin is mad at Spiderman and attacks him. The chase and the fight between the buildings between Osborn and Spiderman would surely get your adrenaline rushing. With all these characters (Sandman and Venom) taking shape at the start of the movie got me very excited. I was thinking how would Spidey handle these two new enemies, rather three…. But much to my disappointment, the movie drifted into a love story, which goes awfully wrong for Spidey. Blame poor Peter Parker for it who somehow always manages to do the wrong thing at the right time.

Anyways, I wasn’t disappointed for long, for in the end I saw my comic book hero in action. Spidey himself gets addicted to the parasite, which unleashes his dark side, and a powerful Spiderman in an all black outfit emerges albeit for a short while. His other new enemy is his rival photographer Eddie Brock/Venom played by Topher Grace. Eddie Brock turns into Venom when Spidey discards the parasite for his good old red-blue suit.

J Jonah Jameson also known as J J J (played by J K Simmons), the editor of fictional New York newspaper Daily Bugle, is amusing to say the least. His presence means that audience will have something to laugh or smile about. We just love to see him bashing Peter Parker or at action in his office with his employees.

In the end, my verdict is…Not a sensational movie but not bad too. It is entertaining, except for the philosophical love story in between stretched a little too much for a Spiderman flick. But Sandman, Venom, Spidey and Osborn do the balancing act to enthrall the audiences. I would give it a 3/5.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Namastey London

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor
Not bad at all! Came as a surprise to me, this one. I was expecting it to be a yet another dumb movie with some bollywoodish songs shot in exotic locales. But I got it completely wrong for two reasons-story and songs. This movie has some story. Not a heck of a story but sensible story nonetheless unlike most Bollywood movies these days. I got the song thing ‘way’ wrong- Not only are there some lame songs but these are also backed by nasal (read horrendous) voice of Mr.Horrible Reshammiya. Sorry, I just can't stand his voice.

Aight, the movie now…Jasmeet a. k. a Jaz (Katrina Kaif) is a British born British bred, Indian girl. She wants to marry her British boyfriend. Her dad, Manmohan Singh (Yeah Manmohan Singh!) played by Rishi Kapoor is dead worried over her wasted ways. So he decides to trick her into marrying an Indian boy. He does succeed in taking her to India and getting her married to Arjun (Akshay Kumar). Now Arjun is a typical …hmm what’s that word…yeah kind of a larrikin from Punjab. Obviously, Jaz will fight back. She delivers her blow when they return to London after marriage. Jaz simply refuses to accept Arjun as her husband. Well…the rest of the movie is about getting Katrina, back. The director has managed to throw in some pretty good comic scenes in between. And there are some nicely done scenes, which will surely invoke the patriot in every Indian!

There is one goof up in the movie though. Katrina is in some club in London with her friends. And one of her female friends is wearing a ‘Metallica’ top!!! in a club playing house/pop music!!Duh! I mean…do you call that a bad fashion sense or a bad music sense or both?!…. Anyways …can’t say that the movie is a must watch, but if you do watch it, I guess u wont regret it except for the forgettable songs .I like coming back to songs. Innit?

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Blood Diamond

Thumbs Up for this one from Edward Zwick!! They say “Diamonds are Girl’s Best Friend” and “Diamonds are Forever”….Watch Blood Diamond to see what goes on in world of conflict diamonds.And the next time you are buying that hardened piece of carbon, you will make sure you'd ask for “Certificate of Origin”.

Diamonds mined in illegal mines are smuggled out to the western world. And this money is used to fund the conflicts. Hence the name –Conflict diamonds.

Set in Sierra Leone amidst civil wars, this is a story of a quest for a pink diamond.... Danny Archer (Leonardo Dicaprio), a smuggler, persuades Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) into partnering with him to get back the diamond that Solomon had found in one of the illegal mines. In exchange, Solomon would be united with his family. Jennifer “Lovely” Connelly is a journalist who is in Africa to write on conflict diamonds… I must say, I loved Leonardo's new South African accent every bit as much as I enjoyed the movie!! Hmm, I guess that’s enough for starters…So rush to the theatres people!

Vivah

Vivah - Shahid Kapur, Amrita Rao,Anupam Kher

Oh my God! Where to begin.... Well, this movie should be classified as THE boring movie of year 2006...well No, “Umrao Jaan” gives it a tough competition...Anyways lets see what was interesting in the movie...Ah, Did I say interesting!..Yeah *The Ending Credits* were the most awaited and interesting part...I was so relieved to see the EXIT sign turn on in the theatre...before I start, I would like to thank me mates, for helping me make it to the end of the movie.

Anywayz lets talk about the movie…I am not spoiling it...coz for spoiling we need to atleast have a story…Alrite, there’s this stinking rich dude whoz father decides that he’s gonna marry a typical gaon ki chori from a poor family and they end up marrying!!Thats it!! Throughout the movie, there is this typical stuff about arranged marriages...some of it is unbelievable and unbearable! The bride uses the word 'JAL' instead of ‘PANI’! …come on, we know she is simple, but'JAL'!!!!...Bollywood movies aren’t complete without songs!...So the songs in the movie are-I can’t find a word…Is there any synonym for miserable/pathetic?!...The songs make u feel that Monday mornings are much better. I will end my review by saying that it's nothing but a sheer wasteof 120 bucks. So my advice...Your family will like it. But boyz, you dare not go for it! I am still recovering from the afta effects of the movie.

OMKARA

OMKARA - Ajay Devgan,Naseeruddin Shah, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor,Konkana Sen.


Omkara-Based on Shakespeare's OTHELLO--- it couldn't be bad at all! Othello is one of the tragedy acts of Shakespeare. It revolves around that human emotion commonly known as “ Jealousy”. As we know, IAGO is the bad man in Othello and Cassio was the lieutenant whom IAGO was jealous of...Omkara is played by Ajay Devgan and Omkara has his own IAGO in Langda Tyagi played by Saif Ali Khan. Obviously the whole movie is concentrated on Langda Tyagi and his diabolic intentions. I must say Saif Ali Khan has done justice to the role of IAGO! He plays it so excellently that we just love to hate him.Vivek Oberoi and Kareena Kapoor are not bad in their roles. Naseeruddin Shah is the head/chief/kingpin- call him whatever you like. His presence always is, entertaining to say the least. The dialogues are quite bold considering it to be a Bollywood movie. All in all, it's a well-made show... If you like tragedies, go for this one. If you don't, still go for this one coz you might miss out on Saif Ali Khan (Langda Tyagi)! He is just superb in his role and I give him a 10/10 for his portrayal of IAGO!

Pirates of the Caribbean- Dead Man's Chest

Pirates of the Caribbean- Dead Man's Chest - Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley,Orlando Bloom,Jack Davenport
The eagerly awaited sequel is out and it was "entertaining". Jack Sparrow got the Black Pearl in the first one and now this one is a Quest for the Dead Man's chest(And so the name of the movie). What's in the chest-Watch the movie guys! I must say the entry sequence of Johnny Depp a.k.a JackSparrow is enthralling. A bunch of coffins float down to a quiet shore and a crow(or some bird, dunno) descends down on one of the coffins. Just then a gunshot is fired from the coffin exactly at the point where the crow (some bird) is sitting and an opening is formed. A hand holding a gun pops out of this hole and no guesses here- It's JACK SPARROW! Sorry, guys for spoiling this one for you.But it's worth a see. Jack Sparrow doesn't disappoint us with his typical delivery of dialogues and to support him are two stupid pirates, Ragetti and Pintel, who always provide some comic relief. Then there is the beautiful Ms Elizabeth Swann(Keira Knightley) and WillTurner(Orlando Bloom) and their undying love. Ahem! For a while it seems she loves Jack Sparrow but only for a while! You'll know why:) Much of the movie is concentrated upon filthy slimy awful looking sea phantoms-DavyJones and his army. Just when we think the movie is stretching a bit too far there comes Jack Sparrow and we don't mind him. Do we?! He truly is the hero of the movie!Aye, Aye Captain. Guys, there is third one coming out for sure! My rating for this one - 3/5.

Mission Impossible III

Mission Impossible III - Tom Cruise,Michelle Monaghan, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Maggie Q, Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers...

Thinking of any of the Mission Impossible movies conjures up images of Tom Cruise's incredible stunts and some heartpounding action. Well that remains the same in MI III but this being MI-"III", there has to be some heck of a more action than the previous MIs!And so it is in MI III… Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is enjoying a peaceful life with his lady love, a gorgeous brunette, Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Thent he phone rings! His mission this time is capture of Davian, an extremely dangerous weapons dealer and information provider (played by Philip SeymourHoffman). This time the message is delivered in a use-and-throw camera and the message ends with a typical Mission Impossible style--- "This message will self destruct in 5 seconds". Ethan Hunt's team this time is Luther Strickell (Ving Rhames), transportation expert Declan(Jonathan Rhys Meyers of Bend it Like Beckham fame) and an American Asian, Zhen(MaggieQ). Together they pull off larger than life stunts in Berlin, Rome and Shanghai. Ethan Hunt's mission also includes retrieving a mysterious thingoc alled "Rabbit's Foot".What that is, I still don't know and neither does Ethan Hunt! The action sequences in wind farms of Berlin, the scaling ofthe Vatican city walls, blowing up a long bridge somewhere in US of A with bombs and low flying fighter planes and then the jumping off a tall building in Shanghai City are part plausible and part preposterous. But then MI III is always better than MI II, if not better than MI. My rating-3 out of 5.

OMEN666

THE OMEN666 - Liev Schreiber,Julia Stiles,Seamus Davey Fitzpatrick,Pete Postlethwaite


OMEN666 is clearly the remake of the old OMEN. The show starts in Rome withthe sighting of a certain star in a certain position in the sky. This and recent real world events like WTC Collapse and Tsunami make the Roman priests panic and worry about the state of the world as according to them,these are the pre-apocalypse signs. Soon, Damien-Son of the devil is adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Thorn (played by Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles) who have lost their own son at birth. As Damien turns 5, (can’t remember whether it was 5 or 6) he starts revealing his demonic side. Just like old OMEN, this one too has the mysterious scene of the Nanny jumping from the roof and the priest getting killed in a bizarre accident and then the spine-chilling decapitation of the photographer. Kudos to John Moore here for the direction of these scenes, which are to the point and make viewers shiver.Then, there are a few moments which may or may not scare some. The new Nanny is played by the Mia Farrow.Must say, she's done her part well by cleverly hiding her evil intent underneath her sweet smile. Damien(played by Seamus Davey Fitzpatrick) is disappointing. This kid doesn't have that son of a Satan look in his eyes when he is conspiring evil things. The movie is slow in between but all in all it is a good remake. My recommedation-Watch it in theatres.

Darna Jaroori Hai

Darna Jaroori Hai - Amitabh Bachchan, Suniel Shetty, Bipasha Basu, ArjunRampal, Anil Kapoor
Hmm, I went to see...actually, I was dragged along by me mates to see this so called horror movie"Darna Jaroori Hai". I had a doubt about this one coz the posters were quite enticing with its huge starcast...Movie history hasn't been so kind to huge starcast flicks or part twos and this show was no exception...The movie was utter crap to say the least! ...The starting sequence-a mockery of horror movies, is the only good part worth seeing in the movie.....and then there are six little stupid stories as with Darna Mana Hai! .....I felt I was reading a Balbharti or Kumarbharti book throughout! I mean....come on... How long are ppl goingto be fooled by such stuff...Oh yeah, the scariest part was...well...nothing...Those who got frightened, or should I say startled,were only because of the horrendous music which was pretty irritating at times.All the stories were predictable. The last story was a Hindi versionof "GOTHIKA". And it was the most funniest....I,along with my friends were laughing throughout the movie and so were most ppl in the theatre!!Actually the movie title should be "Hasna Jaroori Hai"!!! ....Guys, sheer waste of money.....Don't even bother renting it.

A History of Violence

Last weekend,I went with a mate of mine to watch " The History ofViolence".The theatre was small and nearly full...err....full of boyz mostly...Well, I thought, judging from the name of the movie, the females decided to skip this one...Anyways....The movie was about 90 mins.And I must tell you folks that for those 90 mins we felt as if we were taken into the movie,into the small town and into the life of TOM STALL!!! To describe it in one word is impossible. Fantastic direction and a superb story. The movie quietly progresses engrossing you every moment and suddenly things happen.And just when you think everything is in its place-You realise it's not!.....Viggo Mortensen is just brilliant!! HOV is not gory gory at all as the title suggests.So go see it, Guys.....and Gals:)