Rockstar - Regret watching it so late!

4 months after it released, i finally found some time to watch Ranbeer Kapoor starrer, 'Rockstar'. And i regret not watching it all this while! But, what an awesomely made movie! Its got all the elements that i look for in a movie - an intense love story, a powerful performance (RANBEEEERRRRR ROCKSSSSSS!!!), excellent cinematography and an equally complex yet engaging screenplay!

The first half seemed dry and raw, thanks to the unskilled lead actress, Nargis Fakhri. But, its Ranbeer as Janardhan aka Jordan who shines through the film. His transition from a dumb college student to the restless and short-tempered 'Rockstar' speaks volumes of his histrionics!! The girl, Nargis, needs to work REALLY hard to make it big. In fact, in some scenes which demanded her to emote, she failed to even evoke the slightest of the emotions in the viewers. But, as everybody has been saying its Ranbeer's show, completely!

After watching this film, i completely agree with what all the critics have been saying - Ranbeer truly deserves all the awards and accolades for such a stunning performance! Imtiaz Ali - Kya Baat, Kya Baat, Kya Baat!! And last important mention would be of the superb music by Mozart of Madras, A R Rahman, who has given the background score and the music which is the soul of the film!

Finally, its an awesomely told love story with such an amazing emotional connect with the viewers, that one is bound to feel the love and pain of the leads of the film! FANTASTIC!

Kahaani - Movie Review!

After a very long time, finally a movie that stays with you, even after you come out of the theatre. 'Kahaani', directed by Sujoy Ghosh, is a gripping film with a well written story that makes the film an edge-of-the-seat experience. In short, 'kahaani' ki kahaani ka jawaab nahi!

Based in kolkata, the movie is all about how a heavily pregnant, Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan), from London arrives in the city, to search for her missing husband, Arnab Bagchi. As she starts investigating, from the Police station to the 'national Data Centre', all her efforts go in vain as none of the people she meets, knows anything about her husband. And the handful of people who had the slightest of the knowledge about the him, are murdered by a funny looking contract Killer! :P

Now, revealing whether she manage to find her husband or not, is definitely a spoiler and you need to watch the movie to end the suspense! :P

Coming to the screenplay- its brilliant!! Advaita kala and Sujoy Ghosh have written a crisp script with awesome twists and turns. But, it has its share of loopholes, very few though. The cinematograhy is beautiful and showing such a clumsy place like Kolkata so beautifully real, is nothing short of a miracle!! And direction? Sujoy Ghosh, the same guy who gave us 'Aladdin', is here, with a masterpiece! Hard to believe!

Performances wise, Vidya Balan gives yet another fantastic 'delivery' with her role of a pregnant woman! She s definitely the hot favourite for all the awards and honours next year. Her eyes emote so well, especially in the climax. Parambrata Chatterjee supports Vidya Balan very well as the recently commissioned police officer, Rana. They share a chemistry that is raw and is believable. Also, all the actors give a believable performance, with nothing over-the-top.

The movie banks heavily on Madame Vidya, who has yet again proved that she can definitely give the Khans and the Kapoors a run for their money! The climax leaves you stunned and its Vidya who shines there. The director draws an amazing comparison between Vidya with Durga Maa, who ends all evils. And BigB's voice over further explains this.

On the whole, its definitely a very well written and an equally well made film, which deserves to be seen at least once, even though it does have a few flaws.

MY RATING - 4/5.

London Paris New York - Movie Review

Hum-Tum revisited! Thats what i felt when i first saw the trailers of debutante director, Anu Menon's London Paris New York. But, unlike Hum-Tum, this movie does not connect with its audience, and even appears superficial at times. It banks heavily on its urban and modern concepts, its beautiful cinematography and the lovely leading jodi- Ali Zafar and Aditi Rao Hydari.

Its an unconventional love story between two strangers who meet on a flight(technically after they land, and not 'on' the flight) and spend a 'memorable' day together. And, as expected, they develop a liking for each other when lalita(Aditi) has to leave for New York for her studies and Nikhil(Ali) has to stay in London. And all this just after spending a day together! The rest of the movie then follows the expected path- LONDON PARIS and NEW YORK!!

Lying on a wafer thin plot and a not-so-smooth screenplay, this movie works because of its lead actors. The whole film has just the two characters throughout the film! So, literally the whole film rests on their shoulders and its a brave bet by the director to go for two lesser known actors for such a demanding role. But, the actors carry the film almost effortlessly!!

Before praising the actors further, some criticism for the movie needs to be highlighted too. The biggest flaw that i found was in its weak script. The story was not convincing at all. How could two totally sane, modern and urban people fall in 'love' just after spending approximately 24 hours together? And they dont even stay in touch after that and bump into each other after years and spend the statutory '1-day' together and proclaim to be in 'LOVE'!! HOW?!

Apart from that, the movie also doesnt really manage to make a connection with its viewers through its 100-odd minute duration. Coming to back to the leads- Ali Zafar is A-grade!! He plays the director-in-the-making-desperate-for-freedom perfectly well. He even looks lean and his naughty dialogue delivery is his biggest USP! Aditi Rao Hydari looks radiant and extremely innocently beautiful. Already a favourite with the critics, she delivers a decent performance, though her role is poorly etched. The 3 different looks that the leads sport are funny, most terrifying is their Paris look. Aditi, especially, looks awful with that wig and ugly clothes in the Paris chapter.

Having blabbered all that i could, my final word is - Its just about an average flick! Dont go with any expectations and probably you'll end enjoying it more than i did.
MY RATING - 1.5/5

LOVE FAILURE - Movie Review

There is an old hindi adage, that goes like 'taali hamesha do haato se bajti hain', and Love Failure envisages on this in a duration of a little over two hours (pretty short for telugu film standards). Written and directed by a debutante, Balaji Mohan, the movie is a routine story with a fresh take, which makes it a decent and watchable flick.

Backed by a well crafted script and equally supporting cinematography, the movie definitely stands out as one of the few movies made with some thought and effort, in an industry dominated by mindless 'entertainers'! The fact that the movie does not deviate from its theme- Break-ups and Patch-ups, adds to its value. Also, its distinct narrative puts the director in a different league of mavericks!

It predictable story line involves Arun (Siddharth) and Parvathi (Amala Paul), two engg students who fall in love and eventually break up. Their respective parents and their love stories form the backdrop. On the whole, its pyaar ka gyaan! Though predictable and seen in umpteen movies, the different approach makes this movie likable. (The movie is a longer version of the directors acclaimed short film)

Coming to Siddharth - he definitely is the eternal college boy of the industry, and he fits the role to the T!! Amala Paul is a revelation! I was expecting yet another dumb hindi speaking girl, who does just the routine song-and-dance in telugu movies, BUT, alas! She surprisingly emotes well and plays the role of a girl next door with elan! The other actors who play Arun's friends are good too and provide quite a few laughs. The actors playing the lead stars' parents are believable and one can relate to them.

Final word is - Its definitely a great effort put into a telugu movie (atleast from what i have seen in telugu), and the technical team deserves a pat for sure! Might seem a little slow to some, but if u cant savour such delicate romances, its better you stay home!

MY RATING - 3.25/5

(P.S - I found it endearing because i could relate to it, so, go with a heart. And the director- Balaji reminded me of a friend of mine, who dreams of directing a movie as well! )

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu - Movie Review

What happens when an introvert gets drunk and ends up marrying a free-spirited chirpy,loud mouthed girl one night in Vegas? Sounds predictable right??? Well, i went into the theater having similar inhibitions. But, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, directed by Debutante Shakun Batra, starring the oddly-fresh pair- Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan came as a breeze of fresh air! Kudos to the Director, screenplay-writers and the editors for making such a predictable storyline worth watching.

Set in Las Vegas, the movie traces 14 days of Rahul Kapoor(Imran Khan), who lives life in a shell and is brought up by rich and domineering parents (Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah create some funny moments). On the Christmas eve, he gets drunk and gets married to Riana Braganza(kareena Kapoor) and with no fuss and drama that one would expect in a hindi movie, they decide to go for annulment. As things turn rosy due to certain turn of events, Rahul falls in love with Riana and they end up in India.

What works in the favour of this film are its believable situations,characters one can relate to , slow-yet-engaging screenplay and of course, its lead pair!! Kareena infuses life into the movie with her chirpy-urban-Geet from Jab we met, but Riana is a notch above Geet and Kareena deserves full points for portraying it so well! Imran Khan also fits the bill perfectly as the cleanliness freak and systematic Rahul Kapoor (He only wears ironed socks! :P). He complements Kareena well and their raw chemistry is a treat to watch.

But, there are a few weak points as well. The film starts on a weak and slow note, which looks dull, but picks up after the first 20 min. Also, its pace might seem a little slow, but the film savours on the chemistry and sequences between the lead pair, which explains its pace.

Apart from good performances by its leads, Ratna Pathak and Boman Irani lend perfect support, so do the other supporting actors. Ram kapoor has a small role but has definitely made 'pizza' a new word in urban lingo! :P

On the whole, the film works for its many small light hearted moments and also the different narrative. It also works for me for its different climax and end. Unlike what one expects, no bolly cliche's in the end. And mind you, its strictly for urban crowds who like subtle comedy and not slapstick like Golmaal! Final word- Its definitely worth watching once.

MY RATING - 3/5