Top 8 Movies Of 2014 (Bollywood)

2014 has been a bad year for Bollywood. Bollywood has seen a loss of over 1000 crores this year. Directors rope in big actors to work in their movies but it has been a dud year. Movies like "Kick" & "Happy New Year" which were successful at the box-office but as a movie these 2 movies were the worst movies of 2014 because these 2 movies didn't have any story or anything. But in 2014 we saw some of rare gem of movies. Movies like "Haider", "Queen" & "Highway", which didn't make big bucks but they will remembered for a very long time. These are the 8 movies of Bollywood i loved in 2014 : 

 8. Filmistaan

        The movie chooses to speak about the sensitive issue of Pakistan & does so with amazing clarity. Movie's crisp humor & often using famous dialogues from Hindi movies, the movies stresses upon the shared culture of India & Pakistan & how easy it is to get along with our neighbors if we look at them like human beings.  The movie stands on the foundation of solid story & been made beautifully with all the characters of the movie. The story of the movie is very simple but manages to keep you hitched to the movie. The movie is near flawless. It works because of the solid story & stellar performances. 

My Rating - 3.50/5 

Cast - Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Kumud Mishra, Gopal Dutt

Director - Nitin Kakkar

 7. Dedh Ishqiya 

     The movie was the first movie of 2014 that became a hit. The movie worked because of the solid performances of Naseeruddin Shah & Arshad Warsi, Warsi's comic timing was just spot on. But the best thing that could have happened to this film was Vijay Raaz, who is at his best in this movie. He looks funny & dangerous at the same time. Abhishek Chaubey, the director, has done a marvelous work in putting up a very difficult movie altogether. The dialogues written by "Vishal Bhardwaj" are just beautiful. The Urdu you will hear in this movies is just out of this world. The chemistry between Naseeruddin & Arshad is a treat to watch. 

My Rating - 3.70/5

Cast - Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Vijay Raaz.

Director - Abhishek Chaubey

 6. Holiday 

       Akshay Kumar is probably one of the best action stars Bollywood has ever seen & by this movie he again reminds why he is on the top. The movie conveys a strong message without losing out on the entertainment front, The pace of the movie is really good & the narration is engaging. Action sequences are just spot-on & Akshay Kumar just makes them look so easy. The story is intelligent & keeps you hooked to your seats. The movie solely works because of Akshay Kumar & he takes this movie to a whole new level.  A must-watch! 

My Rating - 3.75/5

Cast - Akshay Kumar, Sumeet Ragahavn, Sonakshi Sinha, Freddy Daruwala.

Director - AR Murugadoss

5. Highway 

     This isn't a mere movie. It's like a poetry. The story of this movie is not force-fitted & characters trying to be someone that they are not actually & they grow as the movie progresses. Imtiaz Ali again delivers a journey to remember. This has to be the most "hat ke" love story. It is a tale of two people who want to get free & experience their freedom. Their journey is the theme of the movie. Alia Bhat & Randeep Hooda delivered power packed performances. AR Rehman's music is pure magic & it takes you with it to a magical world. The movie forces us to think about the society that we live in & how people struggle to live a normal life. This movie should be watched. 

My Rating - 4/5

Cast - Alia Bhat, Randeep Hooda, Durgesh Kumar

Director - Imtiaz Ali 

4. Ankhon Dekhi 

    It is one of those movies which is neither a big budget movie nor a movie which grossed much at the box-office but it needs to be seen. With a stellar performance by Sanjay Mishra, who with his beautiful performance entertains us to the core. It is surely a career-defining performance for an artist who is best known for his comic talent. The support cast is one of the best support cast you will ever see, not because that they are big names but because of their sheer talent. Rajat Kapoor, the director, has given us his best work till date. Their are many moments in which you will laugh your heart out & there are moments which will force you to think. All in all, this movie will steal your heart away. And only by seeing this movie, you will do justice to it. 

My Rating - 4.25/5

Cast - Sanjay Mishra, Rajat Kapoor, Seema Bhargava, Taranjit Kaur.

Director - Rajat Kapoor

3. Queen

  

     It is an honest, beautiful, warm & utterly delightful. Kangana Ranaut is the back bone of this movie. She does a fabulous work in playing Rani. She gives yet another proof that she is here to act & do meaningful roles & she is to be taken seriously. She looks so natural in her portrayal of a typical Delhi girl who wears no make-up & wear jeans from Lajpat Nagar. You will just fall in love with her. The director, Vikas Bahl, has not left a scope for a scene to be made more fantastic. Everything is scripted perfectly & shot beautifully. At the end, she learns to value her own worth & stand up for herself. This movie needs to be seen. 

My Rating - 4.50/5

Cast - Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Hayden, Rajkumar Rao, Mish Boyko.

Director - Vikas Bahl 

2. Haider

    With Haider, an adaptation of Hamlet, Vishal Bhardwaj completed his Shakespeare Trilogy & did not leave us disappointed. This movie is a dark, twisted tale of revenge which unfolds in a snow capped Kashmir, which mind you looks a real Heaven of Earth. Shahid Kapoor is a treat to watch as a tormented & bewildered Haider. Tabu is magnificent as Haider's Mother, she plays a tragic figure who sees her world come crashing down in front of her. The movie raked up many controversies, but the movie shows the real side of Kashmir & how the people are living there in these difficult times. The movie made critics fall short of words. Haider makes an artistic statement in the Bollywood. You just cannot miss this one. 

My Rating - 4.85/5

Cast - Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan, Shraddha Kapoor.

Director - Vishal Bhardwaj

And The Top Spot Goes To...

1. PK

    After making 3 Idiots in 2009, it actually took 5 years for Rajkumar Hirani to get the right script for a comeback. Aamir Khan as "PK" is simply brilliant. In all the aspects he is just brilliant. Pk takes a toll on so called "Godmen" who are making fools of the people in the name of religion. The plot is similar to 2012's "Oh My God" but PK takes this subject to a whole new level.  All the credit goes to Rajkumar Hirani for this movie & he has again set the bar very high., The movies tells us about the real condition of "Religion" in INDIA. It doesn't mock any religion, just like we are seeing in the news these days to ban this movie by some "Hindu Groups". The movie just tells the real picture how these godmen & such groups are making a mockery of our faith but also shows how bind the people really are in the name of Religion. You just have to see this movie. It doesn't mock any religion. It shows the real picture & if you cannot take the truth then "YOU ARE A WRONG NUMBER". 

My Rating - 4.95/5

Cast -  Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Saurabh Shukla, Boman Irani.

Director - Rajkumar Hirani

SPECIAL MENTIONS TO "MARDAANI", "KYA DILLI KYA LAHORE" & "HAWAA HAWAAI".

BOLLYWOOD ENDED IT'S YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE WITH "PK". THESE ARE MY BEST MOVIES OF 2014. DO COMMENT WITH YOUR FAVORITES. I WISH ALL THE READERS "A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR".

     

     

2014 in Movies: Roundup (Hollywood)

In 2014, we saw number of big budget movies battling to get the top-spot. The summer season saw massive number number of big releases like X Men: Days Of Future Past, Edge Of Tomorrow, Dawn Of The Planet Apes & many more. As for the 2nd half, Hollywood came in the "Oscar" mood with movies like Birdman, The Imitation Game, Whiplash, Boyhood & Nightcrawler. But, in India we are yet to see the release of flims like "Birdman", "The Imitation Game" & "Whiplash". But still we have seen number of movies that just blew our mind. Here is the list of Hollywood movies that i loved in 2014 :


10. X Men: Days Of Future Past 

        The movie starts in not-so-distant future, where "Mutants" are fighting for their lives but this time not against one of them or humans, but a completely new enemy "Sentinels". Genetically engineered machines which are made to kill "Mutants" due to a mistake in which "Mystique" played by "Jennifer Lawrence" kills the chairman of "Trask Industries" who has built these things, but all this incident happened in 1973. After seeing that the Mutant race is coming to an extinction, "Professor X" played by "Sir Patrick Stewart","Magneto" played by "Sir Ian McKellen", "Wolverine" played by "Hugh Jackman","Storm" played by "Halle Berry", "Kitty Pryde" played by "Ellen Page", they all come to a decision that someone has to go back in the past to change the incident & stop "Mystique" before she kills "Trask" & extinction comes upon them. But, they think no one is that strong to bear the pain. Now, that's where our "Macho Man", "Wolverine" comes who can bear any pain. So, they use the teleportation abilities of Kitty to send "Logan"(Wolverine) into past & change their future. In order to change it, Logan must find the younger selves of "Professor X"(Charles Xavier) played by "James McAvoy" & "Magneto" played by "Michael Fassbender". "Logan" is sent to past, in "1973" & his blades are not made up of "Ademantium" now. He finds, "Professor X" at his school, School has been shut down due to Vietnam War, he finds out that "Hank" (Beast) played by "Nicholas Hoult" is the only person/mutant now Professor X has, others have just left him, which has made Professor to forget all his magical abilities by taking a cure after every now & then. Wolverine tells X & Hank that it is "You & Magneto" who have sent me here to stop the assassination of Trask.  This movie belongs to "Jackman" & "Lawrence". "Logan/Wolverine", you possibly would not find him more compelling. In his 7th turn in portraying the role, Jackman brings his macho-man power to the screen again. He is in his best shape ever, his comic timing, his action scenes & depths of sorrow inspite of everything to make him the real hero of the super-hero's. Switching from her honorable figure played in Hunger Games to a badass mode with ease, "Jennifer Lawrence" is sensational, whether she is in his role of "Mystique" where she walks like shape shifter, displaying her fighting skills or when she adopts seductive human form. She is just superb to see on the screen. "Bryan Singer" has pulled together an ambitious, suspenseful screen chapter that secures a future for this awesome franchise. The action & visual effects are excellent. The scale of some scenes is breath-taking. For a director who is famous of being making films with ensemble casts, Singer has done a very superb job.
My Rating - 3.75/5 



9.  Edge Of Tomorrow 

       The story starts that their are news of alien attacks in different parts of the world, they are called "Mimics". So, "Major William Cage" played by "Tom Cruise", the head of the "US Military Media Relations" tells the world about the Armed "Exoskeletons" called "Jackets" which will be used to kill the mimics & win the war. He is an officer who has never seen a day of combat ever, yet unknowingly he is thrown into the battle field. As he is going towards the battle field with the Jackets on, the ship explodes with an attack from the mimics and they are forced to drop down all the guys in one go, but some of them die in this process. As, Cage enter the battle field he sees chaos, the people are dying, no one is getting forward, they go to an extent & they die. He & the J Squad, are in a bunker & planning how to kill these things, but "Mimics" come from within the land & kills everybody but Cage manages to kill a "Mimic", but because of all the mimic's blood on his body, he dies. But, as he dies, he again comes to life from the very first point he was brought into the military camp & he goes on to see everything again, everytime he is into battle, he dies & again lives the whole day, again. One day, when he gets to know that "Rita Vrataski" played by "Emily Blunt" would die, he just swoops in manages to save her & tells him that he already saw yesterday how you would die. Rita, finds that she is not the only one who has been having such weird "time travel". She tells Cage that it is because of the mimic he killed, he was an alpha & because you killed an "Alpha", "The Omega" which is controlling all these mimics resets the whole day, after you kill an "Alpha" & to stop all these things & Mimics, they have to kill the Omega. he movie was rested upon the shoulders of "Tom Cruise" & "Emily Brunt", two of the very successful actors Hollywood has. "Emily Brunt" is kick-ass, in the metal suit, she looks ravishing, a killing machine with her helicopter blade & she looks just stunningly hot in this movie. Tom Cruise, has done it again, the star may be ageing but he knows what his fans need from him, he is just special in the movie, with great expressions & his superb comic timing, plus, the awesome action scenes he's got in the movie. He is just brilliant. Director "Doug Liman" has made a film which would be recognized for it's story & it's screenplay. The director, Lima & screenwriters Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth have put down a mind-blowing film, which will surely take your breath away. Special Effects are just mesmerizing. Action Sequences are breath-taking. 

My Rating - 4/5



8. Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

           It's nearly 10 years after the events that took place in the prequel, Caesar played by "Andy Serkis" is living in the same woods near San Francisco where he had left the human scientist who was a friend to him. Now, the apes have built themselves shelters, an organised structure & they even have a school led by orangutan Maurice. Caesar is married now, has 2 sons & wife with him. Caesar is undoubtedly the leader with his mildly rebellious son Blue Eyes played by  "Nick Thurston" & Koba played by "Toby Kebbell" always by his side. The Humans, meanwhile have almost been decimated by the "Simian Flu" that broke out in the prequel arising from the experiments done by humans on the apes. Cities are left in ruins, officially there is no sign of humans in the world. Apes, haven't seen a human in "10 Winters" now. But, one day, apes hunting in the woods they come in contact of a humans & it doesn't work out well. The scared human member shots an ape. Caesar ends the situation by screaming "GO!", by which humans are shocked & as audience, we get goosebumps. The humans carry this news back to the no-quarantine zone, where we find out that many people are still holding out in San Francisco, which is set up by, Dreyfus played by "Gary Oldman" & Malcolm played by "Jason Clarke". Contradictions are there too, as Dreyfus believes that they should be ready for war but Malcolm thinks exactly the opposite. There only mission as of now is to start the hydro plant, but the only problem they have is that place is owned by "Apes" now. Malcolm, with his wife Ellie played by "Keri Russell" who is a "doctor" & his son "Alexander" played by "Kodi Smit-McPhee", start their journey to start the hydro plant so that their power supply doesn't run out. Caesar allows them to work their. But, Koba isn't happy with this decision & decides to do something on his own. The intent of the movie revolves around the confrontations & resolutions between the characters, until we see the final clash. Within such tension building up, Matt Reeves, the director, has beautifully crafted the warm scenes of both Caesar & Malcolm, as loving fathers, lovers & leaders respectively. Andy Serkis, who plays "Caesar" has done the work which only he can do. He just brings out the ape that is hiding somewhere in him. He has just sealed his place in the story. He has tough competition from his fellow actors "Thurston" & "Kebbell" but Serkis, is the definitely the leader here. As a whole, the movie is breath taking & is surely one of the best movies in recent years. ASTOUNDING SPECIAL EFFECTS, GRIPPING STORY, BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS, STRONG ACTING & YES, APES! MAKE THIS MOVIE A HELL OF A RIDE. 


My Rating - 4.10/5
 


7. Locke

      So, the story of the movie is about "Ivan Locke" played by "Tom Hardy", who is a builder in England. He has taken up the most prestigious project of his life, a building of 55 floors with everything in it. So, as the film starts we see a scene of a construction site. Locke has got a phone & as soon as the call is over, he runs out to his car & starts driving. At first, he is going home. But, as he has to take a Left turn to get to his home, he changes his mind & turns right. In the car, he calls up his partner "Donal", voiced by "Andrew Scott" (plays Moriarty in Tv Series, Sherlock) & says that "I will not be able to check the 18 trucks of Concrete that is being delivered to us". It's all because Locke learns that "Bethan" voiced by "Olivia Colman", a co-worker has gone into a pre-mature labor as the result of the one night stand they had, seven months previously. As, he gets know that he just abandons his family with whom he had planned to watch a football game in order to drive to London to be with Bethan while she gives birth to their child. For a movie like this, a concept like this i would like to bow down to the director of the movie "Steven Knight", what an unusual concept, directed beautifully, when you have to shoot in a vehicle & you know that the whole would be shot in a vehicle only with a man driving & calling to people, you need to have some concrete script to produce a "Masterpiece" & he did that, pure heartedly. You will see everything in this movie, drama, a light comedy, emotions with brain & yes, most importantly "Great Acting". Tom Hardy is the heartbeat of this movie, every line he says, every expressions he give even every abuses he give is worth looking for & worth applauding for. Th scenes where he is talking to his father on the back seat, even if there is no one on the back seat, is just "Mind-Boggling". You'll just be spell-bounded by those scenes. The other character that is worth mentioning is "Andrew Scott" even with his voice he has done his magic. He is brilliant in his part. Okay, for this movie you need to have patience & Brain. If after seeing the movie you say "Movie Sucks" because a guy keeps driving & talking on the phone, then the thing is you either don't have the brain to watch this movie or you don't have emotions in you. 

My Review - 4.10/5
 


6. Guardians Of The Galaxy 

       This just had to be in my list of Best Movies of 2014.  This movie is smart, funny, had some amazing use 3D & possibly one of the best soundtracks ever. The reason that distinguished this movie from a generic & forgettable summer blockbuster was that it had all the makings of a classic. All the characters were just brilliant & they won everyone’s hearts and stayed on with us long after the film was over. The humour was spot on and so were the performances. Full marks to Chris Pratt as Peter Quill and Bradley Cooper’s memorable turn as Rocket, the fast-talking genetically engineered raccoon who stole the show.  All in All a perfect treat for movie-goers. 

My Rating - 4.20/5
 


5. The Grand Budapest Hotel 

         The Grand Budapest Hotel takes us on an enthralling journey with two unlikely friends – M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), the concierge of the Grand Budapest, and Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), the trainee lobby boy. The concierge has been framed for murder and enlists the help of young Moustafa to clear his name. The film’s black comedic charm, period setting, Anderson’s colourful composition and attention to detail as well as the gorgeous locations make the film a modern classic. The impeccable acting by the cast comprising of Ralph Fiennes, Jeff Goldblum, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, and the debutant Tony Revolori makes loving the movie easier. Its humour and warmth coupled with the sheer scale and beauty of Anderson’s vision makes it a rare gem of a movie.

My Rating - 4.35/5 



4. Nightcrawler 

        Jake Gyllenhall is downright creepy in Nightcrawler. Why? Because even though you know he is a diabolical sociopath, you cannot come to terms with accepting that he is a monster. In this swift, pulsating thriller, Dan Gilroy reveals the murky underbelly of television journalism, where the only thing that matters is creating a sensation. The pace of the film is insanely fast and engaging, making the viewer feel like they’ll miss out on some important detail if they even blink, keeping one glued to the screen. Aided by and able supporting cast of Riz Ahmed and Rene Russo, Nightcrawler is a must-watch.  


My Rating - 4.5/5
 


3. Boyhood

        Boyhood, Richard Linklater’s latest release, has proven to be a favourite among the critics for the year 2014. The technical masterpiece, shot over a time frame of 12 years, is also an emotionally revealing journey into what growing up really means for us. Boyhood tells us that we don’t need something completely theatrical to make our lives into tales which are worth being told, in fact the experiences that all of us have can make a great story. Starring Ellar Coltrane, Lorelai Linklater, Patricia Arquette (watch out for her amazing last scene in the film) and my personal favourite Ethan Hawke, the film is an awe-inspiring work of art. I don’t think that any other film can make you revisit growing up in such a way again all in a span of 165 minutes.


My Rating - 4.75/5



2. Gone Girl

         The movie stands out in all of it's perspectives. Like the Acting, the two main leads of the movie "Ben Affleck" & "Rosamund Pike" have given stand-out performances in the movie. "Affleck" does the role of "Nick" effortlessly. He is meant to be a Momma's boy who never grew out of trying to impress others. He has portrayed Nick, what he is meant to be, He is confused, shocked. All in All, Affleck killed it. However, none deserves more applause than "Rosamund Pike" who is just fabulous in not only how she shifts in character but also makes us see what drives Amy. She deserves all the praise.Carrie Coon, who portrays the character of "Margo Dunne" (Nick's Sister) has done a really good job. The only person in the movie that you sympathize for is "Desi" played by "Neil Patrick Harris". After seeing the movie you'll get to know why i am saying this. The direction part, "David Fincher", if you haven't seen his earlier movies you would feel that "How can someone's mind be this twisted?" To which i say, please watch his movies you'll get to know. Fincher shows his magic again, with his mind-blowing direction & the gruesome visuals which i don't think anyone would like to see. He is a sheer genius. 


My Rating - 4.80/5 



And The Top Spot Goes To...


1. Interstellar 


      The movie stands out in all perspectives & i think beyond all perspectives. From the very first scene you can tell that "Interstellar" feels like an extraordinary well-crafted  movie. Matthew McConaughey is a Brilliant actor. Just when he got the OSCAR for "Dallas Buyers Club", i thought "DiCaprio" should have won it. But, after watching "Dallas Buyers Club" & now, "Interstellar" i can definitely say that "He Deserved It". He is just great in his character. He looks strong, when he is meant to be strong. He looks weak, when he is meant to be weak & this guy can make you cry with his emotional side. McConaughey, is one of the best actors we have in this world. "Brand" played by "Anne Hathaway", bright of eye & sharp of cheekbones, looks amazing in her role & is perfect as a no-nonsense pilot, "TARS" is a robot & is voiced by "Bill Irwin" is just spectacular & is always funny & honest as we, humans, can't handle the truth. "Mr. Brand" played by "Michael Caine" well, he acts just like umm, Michael Caine. Awesome. The movie looks visually stunning, an awe-inspiring movie. Just like he mad full Paris fold in on itself so beautifully in "Inception", he does the same in this too but this time in space. He did what he does the best. Made us sit on the edge of our seats & say "Wow" in every other scene. The other magician in this movie is "Hans Zimmer", the legendary musician, whose magic works again. On the earth with his magical tunes he sets the tempo, but once they are in space his music goes on to a whole new level, Even the sound of the lock clicks are done with perfection. Christopher Nolan, we all know that he is a visionary & he can make anything uncool, look cool.  "Interstellar" is an incredible ride, a movie that will scare & drop-jaws & makes us smile & weep at the same time. This movie make our hearts thump & makes us believe in the glory of the movies. For 169 minutes, you would say that it ia long movie. But, you cannot say about that "Interstellar". You will feel like, you have lived the movie. Just like me "I LIVED THE MOVIE".

My Rating - 4.95/5

 

Special Mentions To "The Fault In Our Stars" & "The Hobbit: Battle Of Five Armies".

So These are my "TOP 10 HOLLYWOOD MOVIES OF 2014". Do Comment Your Favorites. A Very Happy New Year to all the readers. God bless You. :)

Movie Review - "PK" - Best Of Bollywood

The movies that i have seen in past 8-9 months have been all from "Hollywood". The reason being that Bollywood makes a lot of movies, 90% of them are nonsensical movies like "Kick" & "Happy New Year". But every now & then between these nonsensical movies, bollywood produces a gem which keeps our faith in Bollywood. Movies like "Queen", "Haider", Highway" & "Special 26". But, the movie that we all have been waiting for was "PK". Yes, the name is as unusual as its concept is. The first thing that made us curious about this movie was of course "Aamir Khan". Second, "Rajkumar Hirani" directing it. And third, that they didn't made their story public. It was all under wrap, which i think is a good thing as it keeps intact the suspense quotient of the movie. So, Does PK exceeds its expectations? Does it beat the hype that was all around it? Let's Find Out.

(Aamir Khan as "PK" in a scene from "PK")

The movie open with a view of the moon & the dialogue that made me feel curious "Universe Mein 2 billion Galaxies hain, Jaise hum dusre planets pe jaake life khojte hain. Shayad vaise hi kisi dusre planet ke log humein dhoondte honge". It means, that "If we go planet to planet to see that if there are actually a different species than us living in the universe. Just like that, those people would also be going from planet to planet to seek a species like them". Now back to review, A spaceship lands in India & they send one of their people to study the people of Earth. As, he is put on earth, he is only wearing a thing like a locket, which he would use to call his spaceship back, when the work on the earth is over. But, when a local resident see him & his locket, he just takes off the device from his neck & runs with it, With his device gone, he sets out to find the thing which is rightfully his. In the journey to find his device, he meets many people. He thinks that, while people are having sex in a car & the car is moving, so he calls them "Dancing Cars" & believes that "You get free clothes" from these dancing cars. Then, he meets a guy, who plays in a local wedding band & calls him "Bhaaya" played by "Sanjay Dutt". After getting the hint that his device might end up in Delhi. He goes to Delhi. And everywhere he is called by the name "PK". And, everywhere he hears that "Only God Can Help You Now". So, he sets out on the search of "God" who will help him find his device. Here he meets a girl named "Jaggu", originally named "Jagat Janani", a reporter who at first doesn't believe by his story but soon starts to believe it & makes him believe that she would help him to get his device back. In his quest, he finds a corrupt godman "Tapasvi Maharaj" played by "Saurabh Shukla" who has got his device, but now say that it is something that has been given to him by god. "PK" is startled & now becomes more active in getting his thing back. The journey to all this & beyond this is magical. (NO SPOILERS)

After making 3 Idiots in 2009, it actually took 5 years for Rajkumar Hirani, to get the right scrpit to make a comeback. Well, he had to do this, after 3 Idiots which was a flying success, he needed to have something so strong that lives up to the sky high expectations people have from him. In 3 Idiots, where he took on the "Education System"of India. In PK, he takes on the "Godmen" who are making fools of the people in the name of "Religion". The plot is similar to 2012's "Oh My God" in which Paresh Rawal asked the same questions. But, Hirani's "PK" takes this subject to a new level all together.

"PK" as a character, i am not talking about Aamir Khan as PK. But, i am only talking about "PK" the character. He is one of a kind. He is weird in every sense. His dressing sense, his language & even the name given to him "PK" is also weird. He is a person who distributes "Missing" pamphlets on Metro stations in Delhi, with "God" as the one on those pamphlets who is Missing. He has his own theories which makes us believe that how much of superstitious we Indians really are. How much blind we are in the name of Religion?

Aamir Khan as "PK" is simply brilliant. In all the aspects, he is just perfect. From his physique to the launguage of "Bhojpuri" he learned for his movie. He has left no stone unturned to put his best for this role. Just like his most of the movies, in PK too his expressions do most of the work, This guy can make us fall in love with everything he does whether it is on TV or in a Movie. He should be doing movies like this only. He shouldn't go back to "Dhoom" type of movies. He is a magician & he has performed his best trick again. Anushka Sharma, has a great role. And, she looks damn gorgeous in the movie & she sticks to the role which has been given to her. She does a fabulous work & entertains us. As for supporting roles, Sanjay Dutt has done a fabulous work, even if we see him in parts.

Music is really good. Composers like Shantanu Moitra, Ajay-Atul & Ram Sampath are a pleasure to hear. "Tharki Chokro" is just brilliant. The song looks so beautiful & peppy on the screen & the beat is really good with Sanjay Dutt & Aamir Khan doing awesome in the song. As for the more important things, the Screenplay written by "Abhijat Joshi" & "Rajkumar Hirani" is stupendous. You will find no loopholes in the script. Well, it is similar to "Oh My God" but "PK" is a masterpiece & takes this subject to a whole new level. The movie entertains you every minute & has something new in every scene. 

All the credit goes to Rajkumar Hirani, he has set the bar high once again. The movies tells us about the real condition of "Religion" in India. It doesn't mock any religion. It shows us the real picture that how these godmen are making a mockery of our faith but also shows the people that how blind & how far the people are going in the name of Religion. Actually the dialogue in the movie "Jab Log Darte Hain Toh Mandir Jaate Hain" actually showcases our mentality over Religion.

I SAY THIS TO EVERYONE. PLEASE GO AND WATCH THIS MOVIE. DON'T DEBATE WHETHER IT MOCKS A RELIGION OR NOT. IT SHOWS THE REAL PICTURE. AND IF YOU CANNOT TAKE IT, THEN "YOU ARE A WRONG NUMBER".

My Rating - *****

Cast - Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Saurabh Shukla, Sushant Singh Rajput & Boman Irani. 

Director - Rajkumar Hirani

Genre - Comedy/Drama

 

Movie Review - "The Hobbit : Battle Of Five Armies" - EPIC Finale!

In "An Unexpected Journey" we saw a Hobbit, "Bilbo" going to a journey from which he didn't know that he would come back or not. "Desolation Of The Smaug", made us believe that there is actually a living dragon under the mountain that was set loose by "The Dwarves" & Smaug goes out to pay a visit to "Lake Town". As "Desolation Of The Smaug" finished, we see Smaug flying in the air with, what i think, is one of the best dialogues i have ever heard "I am Fire, I am Death". As it finished, all the "Hobbit" fans or the fans of "The Middle Earth Saga" were waiting for the last part "There And Back Again" but due to some last minute changes the title was changed to "Battle Of Five Armies".

("Smaug" The Dragon, breathing fire on "Lake Town")

The story of "Battle Of Five Armies" starts where "Desolation Of Smaug" ended. "Smaug", the dragon voiced by "Benedict Cumberbatch", pays a visit to Lake Town & burns it to its core. The people of that town are horrified & crying for help. The remaining dwarves, Tauriel & Bard's children are also trying to leave the town. Bard played by "Luke Evans" tries to kill Smaug by his arrows but none of the arrows is strong enough to pierce Smaug's body. Bard's son realises that he had hidden the last "Black Arrow" on a boat. He takes the "Black Arrow" to his father & gives him the last chance to kill the beast. As the legends say, only a "Black Arrow" can kill the beast. As, Smaug is ready to kill Bard & his son, Bard just fires the Black Arrow & it hits the Dragon & Smaug is killed. People are happy but they all have lost their homes. Whereas the Dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield played by "Richard Armitage" is ready to take what belongs to him & his people. But his heart shortly gets corrupted & he gets blind in order to get all the gold & "The Arkenstone", the king's jewel. The people of Lake Town, look towards the "Lonely Mountain" for refuge. The Hobbit,  Bilbo Baggins played by "Martin Freeman" tries to keep a balance between "Thorin" & "Thranduil" played by "Lee Pace" & Bard. All Bard wants is what was promised to them, but Thorin after seeing the gold, is in no mood of doing it.

The movie works in all aspects, the starting, the ending & every damn thing. The first 20 minutes of the movie are one of best starting 20 minutes i have ever seen. With Smaug, voiced brilliantly by Benedict Cumberbatch is on a rampage. The visuals in the scene are just mesmerising, the sound of the dragon flying through the air, his swift movements & the fire he is breathing is just "Awe-Strucking". The other scene that will you love to see any time, when "Eldrond" played by "Hugo Weaving", "Saruman" played by "Christopher Lee" & Galadriel played by "Cate Blanchett" fight with 7 shadows for saving "Gandalf" played by "Sir Ian McKellen". It is one the best fighting scenes i have ever come across.

As for the acting, Lee Pace as Thranduil is just majestic. He really looks like a king of some kingdom. His voice, his expressions & his everything is just top-class. Orlando Bloom as "Legolas", this guy is like the "Superman" of that age, he can fight with anyone & he can do anything. He looks younger than ever, no change in him from the time of "Lord Of The Rings". Martin Freeman as "Bilbo Baggins" is great. The way he tries to maintain a balance between them & try to remind Thorin of his promise looks great on the screen. All the other actors, have played their parts really well. It is like a movie, where everything & everyone has played there parts & done justice to them. 

Peter Jackson, the director, has stuck to his large scale extravaganza. He and his team has done the work brilliantly & made this movie & trilogy big. The make up, costumes & special effects are top class. Everything is just A grade. The battle scenes & aerial scenes are a pleasure to watch.

With "Battle Of Five Armies", Peter Jackson gave a fitting farewell to "The Hobbit" trilogy. But, more over he gave an epic finale to "Middle Earth Saga" with his 6 movies related to it. He pays a homage to "JR Tolkien". And he did in a grand way. Now, we will not see more of Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf, Thorin & the Dwarves, Thranduil, Legolas, Aragorn & many more characters who became a part of our lives.  We will miss the "Middle Earth".

Please Watch This! If you truly love the "Middle Earth". An Epic Finale, for an Epic Journey! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Rating - ****

Cast - Sir Ian Mckellen, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Richard                              Armitage, Luke Evans, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee. 

Director - Peter Jackson
Genre - Adventure

Movie Review - "Interstellar" (2014) - It's an EPIC MASTERPIECE!

I don't think i need to tell anything about this movie. When we got to know that "Christopher Nolan" would be directing a movie about Space. We knew from that day it is gonna be epic. And, when it's trailer came out, people went crazy over this movie. This movie had a very big hype around it, because it was "Christopher Nolan" directing it with stars like Matthew McConaughey & Anne Hathaway. So, does this movie fulfil the expectations we as an audience had? Let's get on the review then.


(Look this scene in a Theatre & you will be awe-struck)

The movie starts when the world is about to come to an end. 90% of the EARTH has been labelled "unfit" to live in. Cooper played by "Matthew McConaughey" is an Astronaut but after one day when a dust storm came & made the earth into a living hell, he had to leave his job as NASA is closed & becomes a farmer. But one day, as Cooper is to his children's school he gets to see a "Indian Air Force Drone", yes, you heard it right "Indian Air Force Drone" flying too low from the skies which is a part of "Delhi Mission Control", yess heart it right again, "Delhi Mission Control" which was flying to get something. One fine night he gets the co-ordinates of something, so Cooper & his daughter "Murph" played by "Mackenzie Foy" pack their bags & leave. As they reach there, it's fenced & just like every place this say "Stay Away", this one says too. As, Cooper tries to get in, he gets caught. He gets to know that NASA is still working but secretly. The mission's director is "Mr Brand" played by "Michael Caine" & his daughter played by "Anne Hathaway". Their mission is to find a planet which has all perfect capabilities to live. Astronauts & Scientists before Cooper have gone & found 3 planets which are a bit-suitable. Without wasting any time, they start the mission, but Cooper's daughter doesn't want to let him go because the chances of getting back are slim at best. And, time won't be same for both, an hour in the space is like 2-3 years in the real world or even in the rocket you are sitting. Now, the real magic starts & you have to see it. No spoilers here.

"Interstellar" is a pure Nolan film. This means, from the very first scene you get the excitement rolling on in your brain. The movie stands out in all perspectives & i think beyond all perspectives. From the very first scene you can tell that "Interstellar" feels like an extraordinary well-crafted  movie. McConaughey is a Brilliant actor. Just when he got the OSCAR for "Dallas Buyers Club", i thought "DiCaprio" should have won it. But, after watching "Dallas Buyers Club" & now, "Interstellar" i can definitely say that "He Deserved It". He is just great in his character. He looks strong, when he is meant to be strong. He looks weak, when he is meant to be weak & this guy can make you cry with his emotional side. McConaughey, is one of the best actors we have in this world. "Brand" played by "Anne Hathaway", bright of eye & sharp of cheekbones, looks amazing in her role & is perfect as a no-nonsense pilot, "TARS" is a robot & is voiced by "Bill Irwin" is just spectacular & is always funny & honest as we, humans, can't handle the truth. "Mr. Brand" played by "Michael Caine" well, he acts just like umm, Michael Caine. Awesome.

Christopher Nolan, we all know that he is a visionary & he can make anything uncool, look cool. I just cannot understand one thing that "How a guy can have so much of mind & so much of beautiful visions in his mind". The movie looks visually stunning, an awe-inspiring movie. Just like he mad full Paris fold in on itself so beautifully in "Inception", he does the same in this too but this time in space. He did what he does the best. Made us sit on the edge of our seats & say "Wow" in every other scene. The other magician in this movie is "Hans Zimmer", the legendary musician, whose magic works again. On the earth with his magical tunes he sets the tempo, but once they are in space his music goes on to a whole new level, Even the sound of the lock clicks are done with perfection.

This movie pays tribute to visionary movie directors. But when it comes to "Interstellar" or "Space", their is only & only one man.

"Interstellar" is an incredible ride, a movie that will scare & drop-jaws & makes us smile & weep at the same time. This movie make our hearts thump & makes us believe in the glory of the movies. For 169 minutes, you would say that it ia long movie. But, you cannot say about that "Interstellar". You will feel like, you have lived the movie. Just like me "I LIVED THE MOVIE".

ALL IN ALL. IT IS ONE EPIC MASTERPIECE, AGAIN BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN! YOU JUST CANNOT MISS THIS ONE.

My Rating - ***** 
Cast - Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Caine, Matt Damon
Director - Christopher Nolan
Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure/Drama

Movie Review - "Gone Girl"(2014) - "Marriage = Gruesome"

I have reviewed many movies out here in recent times, but this would be the most twisted, gruesome & evilish movie i am going to review. I got to know about this movie when i was looking for some movies to see on the web & i saw a link stating "Early Predictions To OSCARS 2015". When i opened the link, the first movie i saw was "Gone Girl" & then i opened many other links that showed me the same OSCARS predictions, the movie that i saw on #1 position in most of the lists was "Gone Girl". This was the first thing that made me excited for this movie. Secondly, it had "Ben Affleck" & many people would differ from me i know, but i love this guy. He is a great actor. And Lastly, the twisted mind of "David Fincher". The movie is based on a novel of the same name "Gone Girl" by "Gillian Flynn" So, Does this movie lives upto it's expectation? And, the answer is "Hell Yeah". So, here is my review.



The story revolves around a married couple "Nick Dunne" played by "Ben Affleck" & "Amy Dunne" played by "Rosamund Pike". One fine morning, Nick leaves the house to think about his failing marriage. But, as he returns home he finds Amy is not home & the furniture of the house is all messed up. He gets worried & calls the Police. And, after some investigation it is found that "Amy" has been gone missing & the possibilty is that maybe "Nick" has killed her because of their failing marriage. So we go to a flashback, before the marriage. We see Amy is a celebrated author, she writes a graphic novel "Amazing Amy" & has made a name for her. Whereas Nick has lost his job as a journalist due to shut down of his media company. As he pops up the question of marriage, Amy is all up for it. As they get married, Nick still hasn't find a job & is having fun on his wife's earning. The problem starts when Amy is ready to have a baby, Nick also wants it but he needs some time. And, here starts the real story of the movie, which i won't be telling & spoiling the movie for you.

The movie stands out in all of it's perspectives. Like the Acting, the two main leads of the movie "Ben Affleck" & "Rosamund Pike" have given stand-out performances in the movie. "Affleck" does the role of "Nick" effortlessly. He is meant to be a Momma's boy who never grew out of trying to impress others. He has portrayed Nick, what he is meant to be, He is confused, shocked. All in All, Affleck killed it. However, none deserves more applause than "Rosamund Pike" who is just fabulous in not only how she shifts in character but also makes us see what drives Amy. She deserves all the praise.Carrie Coon, who portrays the character of "Margo Dunne" (Nick's Sister) has done a really good job. The only person in the movie that you sympathize for is "Desi" played by "Neil Patrick Harris". After seeing the movie you'll get to know why i am saying this.

Now comes to the direction part, "David Fincher", if you haven't seen his earlier movies you would feel that "How can someone's mind be this twisted?" To which i say, please watch his movies you'll get to know. Fincher shows his magic again, with his mind-blowing direction & the gruesome visuals which i don't think anyone would like to see. He is a sheer genius.

All in All. "Gone Girl" tells us about the the gruesome side of modern day marriage. How a man or a woman can do anything to save or ruin their married life. YOU JUST CANNOT MISS THIS MOVIE. HIGHLY RCEOMMENDED! 

My Rating - ****&1/2
Cast - Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon
Director - David Fincher
Genre - Drama/Thriller

Movie Review - "Annabelle" - A Worthy Prequel

It's been long that i have posted a review here. To be honest, didn't get the time to see new movies. But, here I am writing the review of a movie that we all wanted to see after "The Conjuring", we all wanted to know about the "Doll" kept in a box made of glass. Those dead staring eyes. So, all horror movie fanatics were going crazy about this movie named "Annabelle", which is a prequel to the 2013's runaway hit movie "The Conjuring". So, I start with my review.



"Annabelle" starts with a young couple "Mia" played by "Annabelle Wiggins" & "John Gordon" played by "Ward Horton", who are about to have a baby & are moving into a new house. As Mia is very fond of dolls, her husband gifts her a doll named "Annabelle" which apparently she's been looking for sometime. As they are sleeping, something starts happening at the neighbour's house. They go & see & his husband finds that the neighbours have been killed by some intruders who broke into the house. Annabelle calls 911 to call the police. But, as she is calling she looks down the hallway, she sees a girl standing in her doll room with plain white cloth covering her. Mia slowly walks away from her but from behind a friend of that girl covered in blood & stabs Mia. But, in time his husband comes & save her. But, the other girl, she locks herself in the room & kills herself brutally with Annabelle doll in her arms. I will not spoil your mind right now, by telling the whole story now. For more, you have to see the movie & experience it yourself.

Now, as for the comparison done by the people & the critics with "The Conjuring" is somewhat baseless but at same time natural. "The Conjuring" has set the bar so high now, that a movie related to anything of "The Conjuring" should be made so well that it's better than it. "Annabelle" proves to be a winner in this category, it's not better than it but you cannot say it's not worthy. As for the acting "Annabelle Wiggins" is a good actor & we saw a glimpse of her in the movie & she can really make a name for herself. The supporting cast has done there work spot-on. But, it's the doll "Annabelle" who steals the show with her dead staring eyes, her smile, her hair. If you keep her on the movie screen alone for 2 hours, many people would not be able to sleep for some days.

The direction of the movie is done by "John R. Leonetti" & he has done a great work. The real backbone of this movie is it's "Background" score, it is just mind-blowing & it keeps building tension within you. A very nice thing has taken over the "Horror" genre, first of all "IT's NOT DYING" & secondly, you just cannot put cheap scares just to make people terrified, you have to have some story behind, which automatically makes a horror movie more terrifying & Annabelle is a part of it.

PS : BUT I CANNOT GET ONE THING OUT OF MY HEAD, WHY, I MEAN WHY SOMEONE WOULD GIFT A DOLL LIKE ANNABELLE TO HIS WIFE OR WHY WOULD SOMEONE BE SOP HAPPY TO SEE A TERRIBLE DOLL INFRONT OF HIM/HER.

GO WATCH THIS! RECOMMENDED 

My Rating - ***&1/2
Cast - Annabelle Wiggins, Ward Horton, Tony Amendola, Alfre Woodard 
Director - John R. Leonetti
Genre - Horror

Movie Review - "Locke"(2014) - An Emotional-Brainy Ride

So, today i am going to review the movie which has released a while ago everywhere. But, did not release in "India". The name of the movie is "Locke" hardly a handful of people would be knowing about this movie, in India. Six months back, when i saw this movie's poster i was excited, very excited because of "Tom Hardy", who played "Bane" in "The Dark Knight Rises". But couldn't get to watch it's trailer. After a few months, when i came to know that this movie won't be released in India. I was a bit upset. But, some days ago i read on the internet that the movie is now available to Download in HD, a real copy, not the pirated one. So, i just downloaded the movie. And after seeing the movie i am even ore upset that why the hell this movie did not release in India.


(Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke, in a scene from the movie)

So, the story of the movie is about "Ivan Locke" played by "Tom Hardy", who is a builder in England. He has taken up the most prestigious project of his life, a building of 55 floors with everything in it. So, as the film starts we see a scene of a construction site. Locke has got a phone & as soon as the call is over, he runs out to his car & starts driving. At first, he is going home. But, as he has to take a Left turn to get to his home, he changes his mind & turns right. In the car, he calls up his partner "Donal", voiced by "Andrew Scott" (plays Moriarty in Tv Series, Sherlock) & says that "I will not be able to check the 18 trucks of Concrete that is being delivered to us". It's all because Locke learns that "Bethan" voiced by "Olivia Colman", a co-worker has gone into a pre-mature labor as the result of the one night stand they had, seven months previously. As, he gets know that he just abandons his family with whom he had planned to watch a football game in order to drive to London to be with Bethan while she gives birth to their child.

The film consists entirely of scenes of "Ivan Locke" in his car, calling his boss & colleagues to ensure that the "concrete" pouring for the building is handled successfully. He tells his wife, Katrina, voiced by "Ruth Wilson", about the the things just had happened at that night & also what has happened now. Over the course of this 2 hour car ride, he is fired from his job, still he decides that he will handle the pour successfully by the help of his friend Donal, he is kicked out from his house by his wife, but his sons insist that he has to return home soon. While all this, he keeps on talking to "Bethan" in the hospital that it is going to be okay & he is coming to her.

For a movie like this, a concept like this i would like to bow down to the director of the movie "Steven Knight", what an unusual concept, directed beautifully, when you have to shoot in a vehicle & you know that the whole would be shot in a vehicle only with a man driving & calling to people, you need to have some concrete script to produce a "Masterpiece" & he did that, pure heartedly. You will see everything in this movie, drama, a light comedy, emotions with brain & yes, most importantly "Great Acting". Tom Hardy is the heartbeat of this movie, every line he says, every expressions he give even every abuses he give is worth looking for & worth applauding for. Th scenes where he is talking to his father on the back seat, even if there is no one on the back seat, is just "Mind-Boggling". You'll just be spell-bounded by those scenes. The other character that is worth mentioning is "Andrew Scott" even with his voice he has done his magic. He is brilliant in his part.

Okay, for this movie you need to have patience & Brain. If after seeing the movie you say "Movie Sucks" because a guy keeps driving & talking on the phone, then the thing is you either don't have the brain to watch this movie or you don't have emotions in you.

For the first time i am saying this, But "I BEG YOU" to see this movie.

My Rating - *****
Cast - Tom Hardy, Andrew Scott(voice), Olivia Colman(voice), Ruth Wilson(voice)
Director - Steven Knight

Movie Review - "Singham Returns" - Strictly For Devgn Fans

A hero in a Bollywood movie has to do it all. Well, like we have superhero movies in Hollywood, we get superheroes every movie in Bollywood. He does it all, he sings, he dances & he fights. He has to act like a lover who is dating a girl who is actually 33 but acting to play a 13 year old. One movie that defined all of the above, not the last part actually was "Singham" that came in 2011. To be honest, i watched "Singham" in a bus, coming from Chandigarh To Delhi. And i liked it. So, 2 years later, Rohit Shetty & Ajay Devgn, again come with action packed sequel "Singham Returns". Does it provide the action & comedy like it's prequel did? Let's Find out.


Ajay Devgn returns as the supercop "Bajirao Singham" & this time Singham will clear the mess in the city. The chase to pin down the corrupt starts when a police constable is found dead in an ambulance with loads of cash. All this investigation leads Singham to a dishonest "Godman" like Asa-Raam, you can say played by "Amol Gupte" & like always he has a powerful friend who is none other than a "Politician". As we know from the prequesl, that Singham will do anything & whatever it takes to find the culprit. He will break any rule if he needs to. He will beat up, shoot up or fly like Superman to make them pay & there is no stopping Bajirao Singham. Singham Returns was always meant to be Devgn's return, to just wash away the nightmares of "Himmatwala". To one extent, the film works. If you really think that this movie has a story, that might be because you haven't seen any "Rohit Shetty" movie. The possibility of a story in a Bollywood movie is just going far far away with every release of a movie. Now back to the film.

Rohit Shetty's style is maintained throughout the movie. You get all the things you have seen in his earlier movies, from aerial shots with massive crowds, cars flying everywhere but all are really well shot. For this i will give full marks to the director. In various interviews, Ajay Devgn & Rohit Shetty said that this one is a "realistic" film. Oh i see, so a guy beating 20 men in one go is "Realistic". As for the acting, Ajay Devgn has never felt so good, i think. He is fit, strong & has pumped to suit the role once again. Kareena Kapoor has very few scenes in the movie but she does a good job in all the comedy scenes that are given to her. But the real power-packed performance in the comes from Amol Gupte as Godman, he is just brilliant & awesome.

As for the realistic movie, i would suggest that watch "Zakhm" of Devgn. Now that's called a powerful, realistic cinema. But, nevermind. The music of the movie just slows down the pace of this action packed movie. If you are waiting for the song "Atta Majhi Satakli", then you have to see the whole movie & actually the song is not that good but in the movie & on the screen it is the only song you will like.

The movie shows the frustration & all the other things that Police are going through but that doesn't mean that Policemen would start flying to kick someone's ass. It cannot inspire the Policemen, even if we take this movie as a realistic one.

This movie is only for hardcore fans of Ajay Devgn & Rohit Shetty. And by the numbers that came yesterday, i see that there loads of them.

ONE TIME WATCH! But, you can wait for the DVD. 

My Rating - **&1/2
Cast - Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Amole Gupte, Anupam Kher, Dayanand Shetty, Zakir Hussain
Director - Rohit Shetty

Movie Review - "Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes" - When "Apes" Show The Power.

So, i have been waiting for many films this year just like Edge Of Tomorrow, Godzilla, X-Men: Days Of The Future Past, Transformers Age Of Extinction & i must say all of them were quite nice but the one movie that i have been wanting to see on the big screen was a "Planet Of The Apes" movie. When in 2011, "Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes" released, i was not able to see the movie on the big screen & as i come to know that it's sequel will be made, i made a decision to see that on the big screen. After 3 years, the new in the "Planet Of The Apes" franchise has come named "Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes". By, it's first trailer i knew that i had to see the movie. So, does the movie carries on with the success of it's prequel. The answer is "YES" & they do it with a big bang.


(Malcolm (Clarke) & Caesar (Serkis) in a scene from the movie)

So, it's nearly 10 years after the events that took place in the prequel, Caesar played by "Andy Serkis" is living in the same woods near San Francisco where he had left the human scientist who was a friend to him. Now, the apes have built themselves shelters, an organised structure & they even have a school led by orangutan Maurice. Caesar is married now, has 2 sons & wife with him. Caesar is undoubtedly the leader with his mildly rebellious son Blue Eyes played by  "Nick Thurston" & Koba played by "Toby Kebbell" always by his side. The Humans, meanwhile have almost been decimated by the "Simian Flu" that broke out in the prequel arising from the experiments done by humans on the apes. Cities are left in ruins, officially there is no sign of humans in the world. Apes, haven't seen a human in "10 Winters" now. But, one day, apes hunting in the woods they come in contact of a humans & it doesn't work out well. The scared human member shots an ape. Caesar ends the situation by screaming "GO!", by which humans are shocked & as audience, we get goosebumps. The humans carry this news back to the no-quarantine zone, where we find out that many people are still holding out in San Francisco, which is set up by, Dreyfus played by "Gary Oldman" & Malcolm played by "Jason Clarke". Contradictions are there too, as Dreyfus believes that they should be ready for war but Malcolm thinks exactly the opposite. There only mission as of now is to start the hydro plant, but the only problem they have is that place is owned by "Apes" now. Malcolm, with his wife Ellie played by "Keri Russell" who is a "doctor" & his son "Alexander" played by "Kodi Smit-McPhee", start their journey to start the hydro plant so that their power supply doesn't run out. Caesar allows them to work their. But, Koba isn't happy with this decision & decides to do something on his own.

The intent of the movie revolves around the confrontations & resolutions between the characters, until we see the final clash. Within such tension building up, Matt Reeves, the director, has beautifully crafted the warm scenes of both Caesar & Malcolm, as loving fathers, lovers & leaders respectively. Andy Serkis, who plays "Caesar" has done the work which only he can do. He just brings out the ape that is hiding somewhere in him. He has just sealed his place in the story. He has tough competition from his fellow actors "Thurston" & "Kebbell" but Serkis, is the definitely the leader here.

By, this movie we feel that it's nobody case that Apes are very easy to like in the movie. But, the most important thing that the movie tells us is, how difficult it is for Apes to like us, the humans as well. The movie works not just because of it's superb, outstanding, astounding special effects has, but it works because of the strong script, some bone-chilling moments & yess, "APES". Apes & Humans wreak havoc on each other but yes, you get some twists in the 2nd half & you would be shocked after seeing them.

As a whole, the movie is breath taking & is surely one of the best movies in recent years. ASTOUNDING SPECIAL EFFECTS, GRIPPING STORY, BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS, STRONG ACTING & YESS, APES! MAKE THIS MOVIE A HELL OF A RIDE. GO WATCH IT!

My Rating - ****&1/2
Cast - Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Tony Kebbell, Nick Thurston, Keri Russell, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Director - Matt Reeves
Genre - Action/Drama/Sci-Fi

Movie Review - "Edge Of Tomorrow" - The Real Summer Blockbuster

So, as you would have knew that "Edge Of Tomorrow" is not getting the public support in USA. But, i really don't know the reason for it. After the first trailer, they put out I eventually thought that this is gonna be something new, fresh & interesting. I know we have seen a  lot of alien sci-fi movies, but you must have not seen a movie like this. I am saying this because, how many times that you have a seen a movie in which the hero dies in every single scene & yet comes to life in the other. Confused? Yeah, that was my first reaction too, when i heard about that. But, i had to see the movie, for 3 reasons. First, the awesome trailers. Second, this dying thing in every scene & Third, well that would be obvious Tom Cruise & Emily Blunt & when we mix all these reasons, we get "Edge Of Tomorrow". Scintillating.


(Emily Blunt as "Rita Vrataski" & Tom Cruise as "William Cage" in a scene from "Edge Of Tomorrow)

So, the story starts that their are news of alien attacks in different parts of the world, they are called "Mimics". So, "Major William Cage" played by "Tom Cruise", the head of the "US Military Media Relations" tells the world about the Armed "Exoskeletons" called "Jackets" which will be used to kill the mimics & win the war. He is an officer who has never seen a day of combat ever, yet unknowingly he is thrown into the battle field. As he is going towards the battle field with the Jackets on, the ship explodes with an attack from the mimics and they are forced to drop down all the guys in one go, but some of them die in this process. As, Cage enter the battle field he sees chaos, the people are dying, no one is getting forward, they go to an extent & they die. He & the J Squad, are in a bunker & planning how to kill these things, but "Mimics" come from within the land & kills everybody but Cage manages to kill a "Mimic", but because of all the mimic's blood on his body, he dies. But, as he dies, he again comes to life from the very first point he was brought into the military camp & he goes on to see everything again, everytime he is into battle, he dies & again lives the whole day, again. One day, when he gets to know that "Rita Vrataski" played by "Emily Blunt" would die, he just swoops in manages to save her & tells him that he already saw yesterday how you would die. Rita, finds that she is not the only one who has been having such weird "time travel". She tells Cage that it is because of the mimic he killed, he was an alpha & because you killed an "Alpha", "The Omega" which is controlling all these mimics resets the whole day, after you kill an "Alpha" & to stop all these things & Mimics, they have to kill the Omega. For, more you have to see the movie. No spoilers.

The movie works because of it's "Fresh Plot", to date i have not seen a movie in which hero dies about, i don't know, i even lost the count of how many times Tom dies in it, but you see that is the main reason why you would like the movie, it's not that you would love to see "Tom Cruise" dying, but you would love to see what happens after he dies every single time. It is a time loop movie, so you see every time Tom dies, you start fresh from the very first point, you see it many times but it doesn't get annoying or tedious because of the treatment the director has given to those scenes.

The movie was rested upon the shoulders of "Tom Cruise" & "Emily Brunt", two of the very successful actors Hollywood has. "Emily Brunt" is kick-ass, in the metal suit, she looks ravishing, a killing machine with her helicopter blade & she looks just stunningly hot in this movie. Tom Cruise, has done it again, the star may be ageing but he knows what his fans need from him, he is just special in the movie, with great expressions & his superb comic timing, plus, the awesome action scenes he's got in the movie. He is just brilliant.

Director "Doug Liman" has made a film which would be recognized for it's story & it's screenplay. The director, Lima & screenwriters Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth have put down a mind-blowing film, which will surely take your breath away. Special Effects are just mesmerizing. Action Sequences are breath-taking. All in All, "The Summer Blockbuster We Have Been Waiting For"

GO WATCH THIS ONE! IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS FROM THE MOVIE YOU WOULD COME OUT WITH AN EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFE.

Cast - Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brandon Gleeson
Director - Doung Liman
My Rating - ****&1/2