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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Dabangg 2 – Its Chulbul Pandey All the Way…!



Star Cast: Vinod Khanna, Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Arbaaz Khan & Prakash Raj.
Director: Arbaaz Khan.
Producer: Arbaaz Khan & Malaika Arora Khan.
Duration: 120 Minutes
Dabangg 2 has Salman written all over it that is where the Glitch is..!
In Dabangg-2 Chulbul A.K.A Robin Hood Pandey (Salman Khan) takes transfer to the city of Kanpur with his family (Father, Brother  & Wife). His claim to fame in the new city happens with in no time as he rescues a kidnapped child from the goons.
With popularity comes the villain of the plot in the form of Bacha Bhaiya (Prakash Raj) the reigning king and political big-wig of Lucknow and his two brothers Chunni & Genda.
Chulbul irks Bacha Bhayya by killing his brother Genda, in the process of stopping him from abducting a girl. Bacha Bhayya levels the score by killing Chulbus yet to be born child.
Here starts the saga of vengeance between Chulbul Vs Bacha Bhayya and to know the end you have to watch the movie.
Coming to the plot of the movie, personally it was very disappointing. When you have an actor like Salman Khan who is probably at the best of his time and the brand Dabangg, you need to have a more compelling and a tight story line. But Dabangg 2 story line is just as same as that of Dabangg if you look at it in a broader perspective.
Speaking of Arbaaz’s direction which is good for a first timer but he has to realize that gone are the days where you can fit in songs for the heck of it and audience would buy it. And also would like comment on his choice of villain Prakash Raj, who is no doubt one of the best actors we have in Indian film industry. But, when you are pitching someone against a mass hero like Salman, the villain has to be more intense, meaty and brutal. The best part of his direction is he kept story short and characters real.
Speaking of characters except for Salman no one of them has much to say. Sonakshi’s role in the movie is short for which she has done a perfect justice. Vinod Khanna as a loving and sober father just lives in the character. Lastly, talking about the man himself Salman who has again done fabulous job as a true perfect entertainer. Be it his intense fights, splendid comic timing or his emotions you will love it all.
Lastly, speaking of other aspects, if one can remember Dabangg the two major things that worked for it are Dialogues and Music, but with Dabangg 2 both steeps down. Except for Fevicol song noting grips the audience mind.
All in all Dabangg 2 is a onetime watch, approach it with not much expectations you would enjoy it.
Rating: 2.5/5

Sunday, December 16, 2012

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – A New Quest

Star Cast: Matrin Freeman, Ian, Richard, James, Ken, Cate, Hugo and Andy.
Director: Peter Jackson.
Producer: Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson.
Duration: 170 Minutes
For all those who do not know The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first part of “The Hobbit” trilogy by J.R.R.Tolkien.
The movie starts with older Bilbo Baggins narrating the adventure journey which he undertook 60 years back. Cut to Dwarf King Thror discovers city of gold and other precious metals “Erebor” in the heart of a mountain. This finding makes Dwarfs powerful at the same time makes darkness creep in the form of “Smaug” the Dragon. Smaug destroys city of Erebor driving Dwarfs for their lives.
Thorin grandson of Thror is all set to reclaim the city of Erebor with the help of 12 other dwarfs and the man himself Gandolf. To complete the team Gandolf ropes in Bilbo Baggins as burglar and sets towards the mount of Erebor.
On the way the group encounters Azog's the leader of the Orcs, also known as "The Pale Orc,". Fighting against Azog and his army Gandolf &  his team seeks refuge in Elven stronghold of Rivendell where in the team meets Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman the White.
Gandolf explains Elevn’s that a strong back force is creeping up the woods and Radagast The Brown has hinted about it. After the help form Elrond in reading a secret map, the dwarf team moves on in the quest for Erebror.
How Dwarf team and Gandolf counters Azog and his army, Bilbo Baggins encounters with ring and the Gollum you have watch out on a big screen.
Coming to the most talked about aspect of movie, the making with 48FPS personally has not impressed me. The quality of the movie is immaculate but the drawback has been, some scenes end up being rushed (the scenes where in Smaug attacks Erebor) which takes away the beauty of the movie.  I would have preferred the movie in normal 3D.
Beautiful locations, Peter Jackson direction, well crafted action and some fine performances will definitely add on the movie. The length of the movie is the only drawback I can name so.
All in all if you are a fan on LOTR you would definitely enjoy the movie. If you are not, still try it you will not regret it.
Rating: 4/5

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Talaash – A Mystique Search..!

Star Cast: Amir Khan, Rani Mukherji and Kareena Kapoor.
Director: Reema Kagti.
Producer:  Amir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani.
Duration: 140 Minutes
Talaash begins with an accident of famous actor Armaan Kapoor on Seaside road of Bombay. Police officer Surjan Singh Shekhawat (Amir Khan) takes up the case, his initial investigation makes him believe that there is more to this case rather than a mere accident, which he is all set to hunt down.
Focusing on Surjan Singh Shekhawat, he lives with his wife Roshni (Rani Mukherji) who is suffering from mental trauma due to the sudden demise of their only son in an accident. Surjan holds himself responsible for his son’s death and is under constant remorse.
Surjan encounters Rosie (Kareena Kapoor) a call girl, who provides him solace from his personnel problems and also helps him with the case by hinting valuable clues.
How Surjan in the process of investigation, unearths several other mysteries that are hidden in the case and his personnel life is the plot.
Talaash as a movies starts with a bang I meant the first half, the way Reema Kagti & Zoya pens down the plot is very intriguing, every shot is full of suspense and thrills. But when it comes to second half the movie becomes very pale and predictable. It’s almost like rollercoaster ride where in you expect a next bump but the ride stops. But still all credit to Reema Kagti & Zoya for a well knitted story.
Coming to direction, Reema’s work is eased done on actor’s performance front all credit to Amir, Rani  & Kareena for some brilliant performances. The most appreciating part of Reema’s direction has been her taking of the movie, especially the way she narrated Mumbai as a city and the characters in it.
Some good cinematography by Mohanan and fine tunes by Ram Sampath just adds in to the movie.
Keep your fingers crossed and set in for Talaash and trust me the search is worth it…!
Rating: 3.5/5

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum – A Journey of Life


Star Cast: Rana Daggubati, Nayantara, Brahmanandam, Kota Srinivasa Rao.
Director: Krish
Producer:  Saibabu Jagarlamudi, Y Rajeev Reddy.
Duration: 140 Minutes
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum starts with Devika (Nayantara) an undercover CBI officer disguised as TV reporter who is investigating the illegal mining king pin Reddappa (Milind Gunaji) and his activities in Bellari.  Reddappa is the illegal mining king sitting on 1 Lakh crores wealth and dictating terms to all the four estates of democracy.
Cut to B.Tech. Babu (Rana Daggubati) and his grandfather Surabhi Subrahmanyam (Kota Srinivasa Rao) runs a drama company.  Surabhi Subrahmanyam believes that Drama’s change the due course of one’s life and in that effort he pens down the drama of his life “Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum” which narrates the incarnations of Lord Vishnu that saved the world, every time there is an adversity.
Surabhi Subrahmanyam dying wish is to make B.Tech. Babu enact this drama in his home town Bellari. To full fill his last wish B.Tech. Babu reaches Bellari and notices that how the mining has ruined the lives of many people who reside in forests. In an effort to change the situation, B.Tech. Babu encounters mining mafia and Reddappa.
How B.Tech. Babu counters Reddappa and in that effort realizes the true meaning of god and his incarnations is the story.
Coming to performances both Rana & Nayantara did a decent job, but personally the one performance the stands out for me is that of Matti Raju (L.B.Sriram) who did an exceptional job as an exploited tribal.
Coming to the story and direction, Krish has chosen a very bold topic (taking the political situation in Andhra Pradesh into consideration) and has done decent job as director. But, had the story taking been tight the movie would have been much better.
For me the strength of this movie is in its dialogues and beyond any doubt Burra Sai Madhav has given some hard hitting ones. Credits to Mr.Mani Sharma for some intense background score.  
The let downs have been patchy editing work and some ordinary graphic work.
Do not miss this movie, for a change you will get to see a new dimension in Telugu movie making.
Rating: 3.5/5

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Son of Sardaar – Entertainer in its own way!


Star Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, Juhi Chawla, Mukul Dev, Vindu Dara Singh.
Director: Ashwni Dhir
Producer:  N.R.Pachisia, Pravin Talreja and Ajay Devgan.
Duration: 139 Minutes
Jassi aka Jasvinder Singh Randhava (Ajay Devgan) is a Punjabi NRI living with his uncle in London. Jassi receives a courier that contains details of his father’s property which can be claimed by the legal heir upon his presence. Jassi’s uncle warns him about their family rivalry with the Sandhu’s.
Jassi on his way to Punjab encounters Sukh (Sonakshi Sinha) and as expected falls in love with her. Upon reaching Punjab Jassi meets the most influential people in the town through Sukh’s reference, Billu (Sanjay Dutt), Tony (Mukul Dev) and Tito (Vindoo Dara Singh) who would help him in claiming his father’s property.
Story takes a turn, when Jassi realizes that, the people who are helping him are none other Sandhu’s who has vowed to kill the Randhava’s.
Cut to Sandhu family has tradition of respecting the guests and at any cost would not spill their blood in the house. Roller coaster fun ride begins as, Jassi in order to save his life should stay back in Sandhu’s house and Sandhu’s are waiting for him to get out of the house so they can kill him.
Can Jassi win back his life along with Sukh? If so how? is the plot.
Son of Sardaar has a story which is inspired from a Telugu Movie “Maryada Ramnna” which in turn is inspired from an English Movie “Our Hospitality”. But, accolades to Ashwin Dhir for adding his own Punjabi Tadka to the existing storyline and making it watchable.
Coming to performances, Ajay Devgan played well as Sardaar but was not convincing enough. Sonakshi Sinha fitted the role of Sukh a true Punjabi Sikhni and even performance wise she has improved a lot when compared to her previous films. But, for me the show stopper has been Sanjay Dutt, whose characterization is complexed in the movie, Billu has to maintain the right balance between looking evil and comical. Sanjay Dutt played the role to the perfection.  
Noting much comment on the music or the other aspects of the film but, credits to stunt director for picturizing some good fight sequences.
All in all SOS is a good one time watch. Give it a try.
Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Jab Tak Hain Jaan – It’s A Yash Chopra Romance


Star Cast: Sharukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor & Anupam Kher.
Director: Yash Chopra
Producer:  Aditya Chopra
Duration: 175 Minutes
It’s not a story of courage. It’s not a story of miracles. It’s a simple story of love…!
Major Samar Anand (Sharukh Khan) a bomb defusing expert is positioned in Ladakh. Samar encounters Akira Rai a discovery channel intern, saving her life from an accident and forgets his diary with her. Akira accesses to Samar’s diary.
Cut to movie shifts ten years back, where in the same Samar a church attendant cum singer encounters Meera (Katrina Kaif) a rich brat. Meera takes singing classes from Samar only to surprise her dad on her wedding with Roger her childhood friend.
The movie takes a twist when love blossoms between Samar and Meera. Fate intervenes or you can call it a director’s cut in the form of a accident leaving Meera and Samar separated. Heartbroken Samar filled with angst for Meera leaves London as per her wish.
What happened to Meera after Samar’s exit? Can Samar and Meera be together again? If so, how? is the plot of the movie.
Now coming to other aspects of the movie let me first start with direction. Late Yash Chopra has left no stone unturned to make this movie another master piece. Be it casting, locations, music, performances, and of course his magic direction.  
Every scene has Yash Chopra’s stamp on it be it sequences in church, showing Sharukh in black jacket with shoulder bag and Raj Kapoor hat and his famous Guitar or his cult character name “Raj” it has it all.
Coming to individual performances let me start with the king of hearts one and only Sharukh khan. His charisma rules, that is evident till today as I see young girls cheering for him in the movie every time he is on screen. Mark me it is one of his best and the real performances so far. He made sure the character Samar is made a cult just like his characters raj & veer from (DDLJ & Veer Zaara). For all those Sharukh fans you get to see him in a Lip lock for the first time on screen. (Sorry……for revealing the secret)
Coming to the leading ladies Katrina & Anushka both did a splendid job. Nothing to take away from Katina’s performance but Anushka did a fabulous job ensuring the screen is lively as long as she is there on screen.
Lastly credits to Gulzaar Saab for some amazing lyrics & A.R.Rehman for his wonderful notes. London & Ladakh have never been so beautiful before, thanks to Anil Mehta for his Cinematography.
The only thing that can be debated is the length of the movie.
All in all Jab Tak Hain Jaan is great movie to watch from a legendary director who romanced with romance through his movies. It is a movie for all the generations. If you belong to 70’s, 80’s or 90’s era it is a beautiful walk down the memory lane. If you are a 20’s kid get a slice of Yash Chopra romance, you would love it.
Jab Tak Hain Jaan……..Yash Chopra romance lives on.
Rating: 5/5