Bhaubali 2 - The conclusion

Bhaubali 2 - The conclusion : 'Mahendra Bhaubali' had to be an engineer like his dad 'Amarendra Baahubali' on inistance of Kattappa even though he enjoyed outdoor activities. After he discovered he was the King of Mahishmati. No wonder the quality of metals and cement was bad during 'Bhallala Deva' reign. Joke aside, it's visually pleasing but I think the story lost essence in the dubbed hindi version. The story is bit lagging since you have to remember a lot from Bhaubali - The beginning.

It's a Indian 'Super human' movie about good winning over evil. The extent one will go to feel the pain to get righteous justice. Well is it a worthy cliffhanger? I say yes, indeed. High budget production design and crisp editing along with ethnic soundscape unless you love being on your phone.

It's a crews hard work that has made the film come alive.  Especially to Nassar for funny character of 'Bijjala Deva' for playing funny and tricky manipulative person. Yes even Prabhas and Rana Daggubati's acting and maintaining physic is commendable. But Tamanna Bhatia could have got a larger role like the first part. Ramya Krishnan, the queen mother Sivagami and Devasena played by Anushka Shetty the tortured soul take over commanding mother figure roles that inspire and change tides of the film.

It's a family film with no smoking 🚬 but with some family violence but with rightous end. Mind blowing visual effects and story only if you have seen the first part. The writer and director does some justice for a new viewer watching it first time.

The theory of everything review

'The theory of everything' is a British movie which is based on Jane Wilde Hawking's book on her life with her ex-husband Stephen W Hawking who is a theoretical physicist adapted by Anthony McCarten. 

The movie starts with a very unusual top-ish framing at the beginning which is out of focus which establishes the state of health of Stephen W Hawking in present times who is eventually becoming weak due to motor neuron disease before we are taken on a time, in the 60's when Stephen W Hawking a brilliant but somewhat shy British student who turns into a world renowned theoretical physicist who never made excuses because of his difficulties.

'The theory of everything' is a very hooking drama directed by James Marsh. Stephen W Hawking character played by Eddie Redmayne who falls in love with Felicity Jones as Jane a literature student at Cambridge. They both are doing PHD's as they fall in love and the chemistry happens and hence the molecules bond. 

The filmmakers also used the tool of foreshadowing before Hawking discovers the disease with the chair which shows various state of deteriorating physical health and speech by the character of Stephen W Hawking with progress of time as he fights the disease for which there is no cure and losing his motor skills and eventually his speech but he learns to speak with his famous synthesized voice and he pens 'A Brief History of Time'. Hawking contradicts himself disapproving the equation of  Almighty's role in creation of universe in physics and later on his theory as he combines the two opposing theories.

The film depicts the English country side, Cambridge campus and the river filled with rowing boats, fireworks filling the night sky at the ball filled with youth and the ever changing weather and color tonality which is shot by Benoît Delhomme and beautiful ambiances with moving picture edited by Jinx Godfrey well paced often too long but the narrative demands stay for audiences to savor Hawking's thoughts and feelings towards his wife,family and friends.

The music and sound creates the mood and ambiance which is most of the time centered at large conferences, college lecture halls, theaters and closed claustrophobic rooms. The costume and hair,makeup was apt and near to reality as the character grew older in lives which is set in different periods of time and decades.

Krish 3 Review

I went to watch the film Krish 3 today:

First Impressions:
Full house and lots of cute kids with their parents.

The movie begins with 'Krish 3: The Game promo'
(I am like what the hell)

Stay with me, Now the montage is shown which depicts previous incidents from Koi Mil gaya and Krish 2.

Story/Direction:
Its feels like the great Indian epic story of Ramayana retold in mordern times.

Hritrik Roshan and the double role of father avatar works.

Priyanka Chopra and Kangana adds glamor and humor in the film filled with action and melo-drama.

Vivek Oberoi dude you really nailed it.

Rajapal Yadav the wannabe Krish and Rakhee Vijan A.k.a Sweety (Hum Paach) should have gotten a little more screen time and there are lots of surprises so no spoilers from me.

VFX:
Simple and sweet. State of the art digital art direction.

Sound Design:
Excellent sounds used in the action sequence and no extra Indian serial like sounds used to add humor.

Songs:
Yo mon ok but feel like non digetic sound may be I am not used to Indian films shot like Hollywood so songs made me feel awkward but no offense.

Editing:
It takes patience to manage vfx sequences and maintain the narrative, emotions and continuity. The fight sequences where well edited and comic scenes where well cut.

(I don't know why 'U' certification given by the Indian censors had kissing scenes and death of a kid shown to primary audience kids. I am sure some children may have some nightmares.)

Cons:
Too many in film branding feels like inception.

The actors mark can be seen by the way rocks have been placed in the song.

The Lunchbox Review

'The Lunch Box' is a film directed by Ritesh Batra which was selected by prestigious Sundance Institute film fund and has won many hearts at the film festivals. 

The film shot by Michel Simmonds around the backdrop of Mumbai which showcases the life of its inhabitants and there struggle in the city. The film also recreates the nostalgia like the use of tapes and tape recorders and the letters as a medium of exchange of communication between Illa and Mr. Sajjan Fernandis. They both fall in love due to an error in the dabba (Tiffin box) food delivery system which leads to delivery at the wrong address instead of her husband. 

The film has actors like Irrfarn Khan a widower working as a accountant in a government office working in the claims department who is about to retire where as Nawaquzidin Siddiqui the new office employee in the claims department and Nimrat Kaur as Ila the house wife and her husband trying to re ignite the romance in the marriage after her daughters birth. 

A a sweet voice of a Illa's neighbour who spices up the screen with witty puns and advices but with seriousness which Ritesh Batra successfully evokes similar to Hitchcock where audiences seem to relate and root for the negative character and many other small moments which can make you laugh out loud. 

The marathi folk songs have been cleverly used with old hindi film songs like Sajjan as background songs with interesting linking of cuts in the editing by John F. Lyons and music by Max Richter and sound design . 

The film at the end teaches you to appreciate small things in life.

Tasher Desh Review

It's not an art cinema or a commercial Bengali film its promises of an experience.

Qaushiq Mukherjee also known as 'Q' is known for directing films 'Gandu'. He is well known for making psychedelic films, which have overdose of visuals style of editing cuts like a fashion film with parallel narrative taking you a trip of music and visuals in a world governed by the characters which takes you on journey.

'Tasher Desh' is a modern take on revolution breaking rules and coming out of the shackles of the society. 'Tasher Desh' in English means 'Country of cards' reminds you Satyajit Rays 'Chess Players' and movies like Dreams by Akira Kurosawa and Takshi Kitnao's way of story telling and narrative structure.

The songs of Rabindranath Tagore with new age music bring life to stretched conversations between the writer and the widower and the relationships between the royal prince and the princess and the queen.

The writer's story is in black and white whereas he characters are in color. Mixed with claustrophobia and open spaces of beaches in the land of cards.

Its Rabindranath Tagore's play retold.

Ship of Theseus

After a very long time I saw people silently viewing the movie 'Ship of Theseus' in the theater just like my days in film school and sitting till the end of the credit roll. 

The story of  'Ship of Theseus' by Anand Ghandi tells three stories of a blind photographer, a Jain monk and a stock broker. Its a well shot film which should not be missed at all.

 The concept of replacement of components with new one is well explained at the end of  the movie.

D-Day Review

D-Day is a action packed drama film which is more like playing with India's sentiments loosely based on a true story if go by the end credits based on India's no. 1 wanted criminal and worlds no. 2 most wanted criminal residing in Pakistan with help of ISI.

The story revolves around four RAW agents from India trying to bring back its wanted terrorist Goldman played by Rishi Kapoor to India after following the United States model of locating Osama Bin Laden from Attobad by in flirting a country to get its enemy.

Nassar as Chief of RAW Ashwini Rao gives green signal on Wali Khan's information played by Irrfan Khan a under cover RAW agent that he has spotted Goldman. Risking his family even though when had a choice when his mission was over. What soon follows a chain of events before and after the mission that follows to bring back Goldman.

The movie has well choreographed fight sequences and a well edited song Alvida. The production design and look of Karachi which was all shot in India looks good but if leave in the city you can't ignore noticing its not Karachi. The four agents Irfarn Khan, Arjun Rampal, Huma Qureshi, Aakash Daahiya.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

I recently watched Bhaag Milkha Bhaag last Saturday late night show which was week later due to my busy work schedule. 

The man who trashed by breaking the records and made India proud. Its the story behind his struggle of how he achieved the goals enacted by Farhan Akhtar in 187 minutes movie which at time seemed stretched but well paced and edited with ear pleasing heart pumping soundtrack. The good use of archival footage with CGI (Computer generated imagery) and picture perfect scenes of  Ladkh where Milkha trains with a heavy Tyre to break the world record. 

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a biopic film directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehera. Offcourse some of the scenes have been dramatized but the movie is a biopic on the great Indian athletic legend from India Milkha Singh or better known as the "Flying Sikh". 

The story is set in backdrop when Milkha Singh has thrashed the international 400 meter athletic record and Panditji (Pandit  Jawaharlal Nehru then Prime Minister of India) announces a friendship match with Pakistan and Milka Singh is chosen as the leader of the Indian contingent at Lahore which was fixed with the Pakistani General. But he refuses to go stating his bitter past during the partition. 

The movie also depicts women falling in love for Milkha. Sonam Kappor as Biro, Meesha Shafi as Perizaad, Rebecca Breeds as Stella are the actors who play love interest on screen. 

Prakshraj plays the the strict army instructor at Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh . Pawan Malhotra and Yograj Singh play Milkha Singh's coach. 

Dalip Tahil plays the iconic character Jawaharlal Nehru on screen.

Lootera Review

Lootera (Robber) is a love story between Varun Shrivastav a con man played by Ranveer Singh and Pakhi Roychoudhary played by Sonakshi Sinha the daughter of zamindar of Manikpur played by Barun Chandain set in Bengal in the post independent era of 1950's when electricity started reaching small towns and cities in India. This is a era when the government has brought in the act to abolishing the feudal system of zamindari.

The movie takes place in rural Bengal when Varun Shrivastav and Pakhi Roychoudhary both meet up on a chance encounter and series of events and they fall in love.When their love flourishes and they decide to marry against the wishes of his uncle Bajpai played by Arif Zakaria who has taken care of Varun and his best mate Vikrant Massey who plays Devdas a big fan of Dev Anand shab who are partners in the crime for robbing from kings and zamindars and the rich always fleeing away with the loot hence the title lootera. But Varun has fallen in love with Pakhi but he has to flee sighting that there is no future due to the constant danger which lurks on him. He steals away with a precious item on the eve of their marriage only to meet again after he breaks the heart of the zamindar and Pahki. She is suffering from illness alone at Dalhoise where she is trying to write a novel but the heartbreak and losses make her weak but soon they meet again as Varun comes back in her life but inspector K N Singh is after the duo. There is also sweet humor and funny bits that makes you laugh which sets the love equation between Phaki and Varun.

A beautifully shot film by Mahendra J. Shetty and wonderful performance which makes the film come alive. The production design of the film is well down like in the scene where the Varun meets up with his uncle Bajpai in the park street restaurant which resembles like Mocambo in its hay days. A popular restaurant joint in Kolkata then known as Calcutta or a Adda (A place for chat) which is surrounded by well dress high society Bengalis, businessmen and youth in their suits. The realistic zamindar house and old cars. The movie is well edited by Dipika Kalra setting the right pace with wonderful lyrical songs written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Swanand Kirkire, composition by Amit Trivedi sets the mood and the emotion and the geography and the period.

Vikramaditya Motwane has done a commendable job with teaming up with a creative team. He has put his heart in the film with great background score, songs and the production design the way the movie progresses it makes you live the era.

Ghanchakkar Review

Ghanchakkar literally in Hindi means 'heavy spin' or in simple terms fickle minded. The movie tends to serve humor with lots of " Heeanh..!" by the Punjaban kudi Neetu played by Vidya Balan. A average housewife with very fashionable clothes married to Mama's boy Sanjay a.k.a Sanju played by Emraan Hashmi who is a master lock breaker who happens to rob a bank with Pandit played by Rajesh Sharma and Idris played by Namit Das the kiddish mobster with a gun as his only power.

The trio loots a bank with funny mask of Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Uttpal Dutt which we all have seen in the trailers which takes away the element of surprise but its still fun to watch the film with trio wearing mask of famous Indian movie stars which makes the scene hilarious and creates a association. After the trio loot the bank they decide to meet again after 3 months to avoid being caught but there is one problem Sanjay meets with an accident and he forgets about the robbery due to amnesia. The vital details where he had hid the money is gone as he tries to trace with little clue available. The quest for search of their money and with his co-accomplices struggle to make Sanjay remember where the money is hidden which makes him question his wife and friends who will he trust and how will he get through the hurdles is what keeps the audience on their toes.

The movie celebrates retro amnesia in glory. One one of the scenes where the characters tries to figure out the name of Ghajni lead protagonist where they all go wrong and also in another scene doctor trying to figure out the patient Sanjay which glorifies the human nature of all us being a fickle minded or a 'Ghanchakkar'.

The film also tributes Rajesh Khanna when the character played by Emraan Hashmi tries to trace the lost money as he explains Neetu about his whereabouts much like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro "Antonini Park" pun Sanjay describe his is at 'Rajesh Khanna Park'.

The sound design of most of the film is like a arcade video game. The movie does not have too many playback songs in between expect Allah Meherbaan and Lazy lad as title sequence which is sweetly animated which gives some clues about the movie.

The train action sequence scene edits and camera work are very interesting to watch.There is also a cameo shot of director of the film director Rajkumar Gupta.

One disappointment too much in film branding affects the narrative structure and the flow of the film.

In my conclusion life is short but a pinch of salt little or more can make or break the balance so do watch the film at cinemas near you.

Fukrey Review

Fukrey in hindi which literally means cheap. The film portrays the struggle of 4 guys trying to take shortcuts to reach their goals. The wired guy played by Varun Sharma as Choocha the dreamer, the confident Pulkit Samrat as Hunny the school students and Lali the sweet guy played the son of Bali Halwali doing correspondence in Delhi followed by Ali Fazal as Zafar graduate and a budding musician who devoured his life to music who is still struggling to make a foot.

Fukrey is a hilarious satire a small slice of our Indian education system on reel when students migrate from school to colleges and the anxiety of public exams to score goods marks to get into desired college. This is a period when students crave and count days to start their new college life. These anxiety leads Hunny and Choocha the lottery buying easy money seekers who get into trouble with Bholi Punjaban played by Richa Chadda the money lender and also a dangerious criminal which drives them to do illegal businesses.

Neetu, Zafar's ex-fiance played by Vishakha Singhwith whom Zafar is in still love with leaves her when she confronts to Zafar to choose her or music but he chooses music. This sets the underline theme of conflict shortcut VS struggle. 

But only fact that has to be noted which strikes me is that they never show any back story of Hunny like his family or other friends expect Choocha as his best friend and Priya played by Priya Anand as love interest.

Pankaj Tripathi as the corrupt security guard and the man walking on the street with a hearing problem whom Lali inquires when the beggar takes away his motorbike parts or cylinder adds humor to the story which did make the audience laugh their hearts out loud.

Ambarsariya and Raba are refreshing songs.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Review

Yeh Jawaani hai deewani is a emotional journey. Its a film worth watching at cinemas. Ayan Mukerji as a director is successful in evoking the emotions as I walk out of the cinema hall one can not let away those good deep heavy feelings as you leave the theater with the small moments and the soul touching song and lyrics just like he did in his previous movie Wake up S!d.

Ranbir and Deepkia are good pair on the film and even the actors Farooq Shaikh and Tanvi Azmi makes you feel home who play the parents of Ranbir Kapoor who prefers to be called as Bunny.

The friends Aditya Roy Kapoor and Kalki Koechlin are confusing but they do spice up the screen with humor and support to bunny even though Bunny is lost in his world of ambitions to live his dreams to travel the world.

The special appearance by Madhuri Dixit as Mohini in the song does add up to the film where Ranbir's character a out going and adventurous young lad explores the world as he dances with Mohini in a intership for a foregin tv crew as the first song of the film looks too forced and early but it sets the character of Bunny a 'besheram' (Shameless) a person who lives the moment.

The character of Deepika as Naina the 'scholaar', the character who takes on taking challenges as she transforms from a reserved bookish topper to a fun loving girl.

Off course is a commercial Indian movie and it showcases foreign locations but also captures the Indian hill stations of Manali and Kashmir. 

Hangover 3 Review

Hangover 3 is a continuation of disaster before a wedding at a bachelor party but Hangover 3 seems to be a reunion more of a intervention to Zach Galifianakis as Alan lives his reckless life. Its a laughter riot. 4 friends coming back together once again. The movie also takes on famous Hollywood iconic scenes which is cool to watch. Leave your brains and just enjoy the joy ride with the wolf pack.

Chow

Go Goa Gone Review

Watched Go Goa Gone..! I am sorry to say its a crapy film.

What all we know? what we have done?
A. G#@n£@

The film is well crafted no problems with the story too. Its just that the Zombie genre for Indian Cinema is too late to hit the screens.For audience like me who have seen the episodes of 'Walking Dead' and watched films like Zomieland and other films of same genre would only love the jokes. But hey its not that bad if you are bored watching animals in the zoo focefully caged in the zoo in the name of science or hate your Italian Pasta or Sushi looking out something new for food, how about some human flesh for a change or how about some shooting practice. Oh wait the bullet shots generated on Nuke or after effects in cgi, well didn't get the software since the theater "My Cinemas" cut short the end credits to save time and lamp change cost for "Shoot Out at Wadala".

Bombay Talkies Review

I spent a lovely evening all alone by myself with Rs. 300/- spent for a ticket at a suburban multiplex seated on a comfy mechanized leather seats to watch a film after 5 months inside a air conditioned room with complete strangers to watch 'Bombay Talkies' a film, which showcases the regular people and their connection and livelihoods connected with cinema. It is a series of 4 short films with 4 different stories.

Go watch the film its a good movie. :)

Mission: Impossible: 4 Ghost Protocol

Recently I saw the movie Mission Impossible 4 at Prasad I max in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh during my vacations from my film school during my term break. I must say I am not that great fan of mission impossible series but the movie bowled my eyes with extreme graphics of sandstorm and journey from USA to Russia of course with love to the streets of Mumbai my home town.

The one line premise of the film is " A story of a man who wants lead a regular life despite his dangerous job as a spy"  

The jump by agent Ethan a spy of IMF a fiction spy agency backed by the USA played by Tom Cruise was nail biting to see him jump off Burj Kalifa, a posh seven star hotel in Abhu Dhabi, UAE. Watching it on 70mm screen is heart stopping and very cool experience too watch. But being a film student and a editing student it does clinch to my eyes which won't bug a average audiences is to notice it in I-max screens is a shifting of the image aspect ratios to give the chills to the audience when showcasing the huge Arial shots. The cinematography by Robert Elswit is brilliant and eye pleasing.

The editing of the film is very smooth to the eyes and well cut but the pace and the rhythm does come down when the actors mainly speak about their past lives but the editor Paul Hirsch recovers and compensates with action cuts sequences in the film.  

The movie also showcases the characters entering the Kremlin as bogus military Russian officers and bombings that create tensions in short the movie is similar all previous majority of Hollywood spy movies which are set in political backdrops in pressure cooker situations.

Even though we see a special appearance of Anil Kapoor from Oscar nominated winning film fame of Slum Dog Millionaire who is showcased as a rich billionaire holding the keys to stop the USA and Russia nuclear destruction as some terrorist organization try to take control on satellites to launch missiles with the stolen launch codes when Ethan and his team try to stop them anonymously as they conduct unapproved state operations after the death of the IMF chief after he is being killed. 

Overall the music and the editing and direction of Brad Bird and the usage of prop does give the audience a edge that it does not test the intellect and also has small humor that can be easily understood. This movie should be definitely not missed.

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire a British Drama film directed by Danny Boyle & co-directed by Loveleen Tandan, and written by Simon Beaufoy. It is an adaptation of the Boeke Prize winning and Commonwealth Writers' Prize nominated novel Q and A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup.

Slumdog Millionaire can be said a film about India from an outsiders point of view of the city of Mumbai .The movie is about Jamal Malik a 18 yr old who is a street kid who Wins 20 million rupees.That's when everyone doubt how can a Chaiwala [Tea Srever] who's uneducated win such a amount.The movie shows the truth of how Jamal knew all the answer correct while police interrogate him in the police station before he gives final answer in the famous Indian Show "Kaun Baega Corepati" [Who want's to be a millionaire].

Well the movie may have won Oscars, Golden Globe, Bafata and various awards but one thing is sure that its not just India's poverty that sells but any kind poverty around the world sells as the people like to see pain and suffering of people.