Annabelle: spine tingling horror!

I went in as a fan of 'The conjuring' and with not too many hopes. What I got was an intense horror with even tighter, crispier scares. Some may claim the story to be nothing new, but nor is any other horror movie's.

Above average acting, spot on screenplay & cinematography and good direction are what make this 'not dependant on vfx horror flick' a treat to watch. 

Spl mention 'closing door' scene and the elevator sequence. Climax cud hv been tad better, but doesnt affect the overall effect.

All in all one of the best horror movies in the decade.

Recommended for people who like and respect the genre & to doll enthusiasts :P

9 out of 10!

Movie Review: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Hindi)

When I saw the teaser trailers of this movie, I was totally hooked on. The only question remained, as to why such big names of the Indian Film Industry (I hate the term 'Bollywood') are coming together to make a film on Milkha Singh! 

Milkha Singh is an above average athlete who represented India and yes he had bagged a few laurels. But the guy is not a legend as being portrayed and marketed to advertise the film!

Coming back to the movie, the movie is a period biopic, which goes through all of Milkha's efforts and his failures. It lays big emphasis on small things in the first half and breezes through the important stuff in the second half! (The biggest achievement of Milkha is not even highlighted enough!) It drags like a punctured car and similarly doesn't really follow a single direction. It becomes boring and you start loosing interest.

All in all the result is too long and too big an effort to watch for a life of such a non-important person!

Details:
Direction: Ok-ish, could have been much better for a person who made Rang De Basanti- one of the greatest Indian movies ever!

Acting: Farhan Akhtar has put in a lot of effort, which 'shows'! No one else is worth mentioning. Divya Dutta is a pain.

Editing: Non-existent!!

Cinematography: Fair

Music: Except for the 'Zinda' track, the movie doesn't even feel like a Shankar Ehsaan Loy album! Not done!

All in all, it feels like an undercooked batter with nice ingredients marketed in a fancy wrapper! 

Final Verdict: Could have been much better, editing team should have been present too!

6.0 stars out of 10

Awesome 'simple' movie : Garden State

Today I saw this movie and had to share with the few people who might take interest in these articles.
I want to recommend this movie to each and everyone who still has a small corner deep in his/her mind that is pure.
I don't want to be a 'big talk' about the movie, but I mean it, this movie is a simple, super sweet, short story of, finding a small piece of reality, of purity, of love in this god for-sicken fake world that has grown all around us.
If you believe that deep down you too have a healthy hatred of the make believe and image painting that goes around in the world, where people are more made up than the biggest brands in the market, please do this one.
This is the kind of movie, which can cheer you up out of anything.
Simply loved it. (BTW Natalie Portman has just become my favorite actress!)

9 out of 10 for this breath of fresh air.


Recommended for anyone who needs a warm hug in a movie.

An epic art movie : Black Swan

Natalie Portman starrer another classic blockbuster.

Simply magnificent. The movie is just like the orchestra and the symphonies that play around in the background of the movie. It has its notes, its melodies, its desire , the crescendo and it dies out. I watched it cozz of Natalie and boy she has given a god-like performance in this one. She is no doubt one of the best actresses of our times. Thoroughly deserved Oscar for her role and acting.
The movie as we all know is based on the Swan Lake ballet, which goes about the same way for our lead Nina in the movie. She is overtaken by ambition and is unable to control her alter ego.
The theme revolves around the leads uncontrolled desires to be perfect and the way her mind starts playing out on her. Mila Kunis provides the needed raunch and sex appeal as Natalie's character is too
All in all, a great movie, not an entertaining one for Bollywood buffs. but you'll enjoy it if you like great direction and superb acting. Hats off to Natalie Portman and the director Darren Aronofsky.

8.5 stars out of 10 for this piece of art.

Recommended for people who dig artsy stuff and off beat films. This director is the same who made Requiem of a dream, so expect intense scenes which may make you cringe. I am jealous of the way this guy is able to portray the human psyche and its maladies. Simply great!

A big deal horror film from 80's: The Shining

Jack Nicholson starrer thriller which had been a big hit back then and has become some kind of a cult symbol with huge following.
My mandate: quite average. It might be the case that I watched it now, after I have watched so many horror flicks with effects and crisp direction that I am not able to appreciate the subtle direction and over the edge overacting by Nicholson that might have created rage fan following back then.
The setting of the film is perfect for a horror, with a lonely big hotel in a snowbound mountain with a dark past etc. but somehow the director and the writers have not quite exploited the superb setting they had at their disposal. The movie somehow kept me wanting for more. it was like, ok now the thing would happen, now the revelation would be shown, now the character will open up but then you are pushed towards the exit door by a swift climax.
I mean, what happened to the things we had been waiting for? Anyways, lot of bashing done! Lets look at the good stuff, the setting and initial parts are good. The psychic kid acts great. his mom was made for the role. Nicholson (have seen..cuckoo's nest too) is quite capable, but was not used by directors back then. Still became a big star! (Lucky I guess).
To summarise, watch it if you want to know what the fuss is all about as the movie is BIG on fan following. But beware, you too will be left wondering why that is.

5.5 stars out of 10 for this average thriller.

Recommended for people who believe more in 'blending in' with the others and only so appreciate things which 'people' like. (ex. Shawshank, HIMYM etc.) (Remember the days when you used to collect worthless things that were given free with FMCG products, ONLY because your friends collected them and you felt COOL about it? Well, you have grown up now. Stop doing the same and stand out on your own opinions.) (Gyan pravachan :P)

A riveting drama about some uncovered secrets: JFK

I saw a decent rating for the movie on imdb and decided to watch it. And was surprised to see a hard hitting, crisp drama about one of biggest controversy of the modern world. I must say, I envy the content and the amount of freedom that Hollywood movies have to those in movies made in India.
Freedom of speech is what those guys over there really have.

Anyways, the movie is a worthy watch. It keeps you glued to itself as it slowly uncovers the never before known secrets that lie beneath the surface, relating to the President's death. Kevin Costner gives a memorable performance.
The direction and editing are great. Sometimes the screenplay goes off the balance, but it recovers in no time.
A definite recommendation for history and mystery (:P) buffs. Also for people who believe in freedom of speech and the truth. Disclaimer: The original ghastly footage has been shown in the movie. The movie makes serious in-roads into the existing, stated explanation of the JFK case and bares a lot of skeletons that once hid in American government cupboards.
7.5 stars out of 10.

Stellar performances, still average movie: Closer

Superb star cast for a messed up love-hate movie.
Watch this movie only to see superb performances by Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen.

It sails smoothly for the first half and then suddenly slips on a banana skin and lands flats on its arse (English accent is boring in it :P).
Its starts like a mature piece of art about relationships. Then suddenly I guess the director went nuts and missed the plot completely, ending the movie in a half baked, immature, foolish kind of climax and end.
I din't like it much, but had real fun watching a truly mesmerizing performance of Natalie Portman. She and Clive Owen put up a great show!

5 1/2 stars out of 10

Still recommended to people who think Twilight series is about love and romance. :P