Since the early 20^th century, Hollywood has been persistently flourishing and progressing towards better and greater dimensions; shaping filmmaking trends for rest of the world’s leading film industries to follow. One of its achievements remains its ability to manage a global diversity of artists, producers, directors, technical teams, supporting staff and crew members, and how it enables all of them to render their services on the single platform of Hollywood. This film fraternity has produced a galaxy of legends and stars who have earned intriguing rewards in terms of name, fame, money, career, passion and self-attainment. The lustrous charm of this industry and the overall impact it establishes through the films ultimately enchants viewers globally. Articles by film critics are closely followed, and people love and cherish their favourite artists and their work, whether they hear about it through social media, TV or print. A tabulated chart at Twitter Counter unveils that out of world’s top 20 Twitter users (who have the highest numbers of followers), 13 are artists. Such facts show just how curious fans are and how much they like to be in touch with their favourite celebrities. Hollywood junkies always want to know what their favourite movie stars are up to, what they are working on, who they are dating, what they will wear at the red carpet and every personal detail that helps them connect better with the stars they see on screen. Hence, the Hollywood ship is sailing smoothly; so far so good. But how did things go wrong for a follower like me? Recently, I came across a news headline that not only infuriatingly flabbergasted me but also made me feel torturous paroxysm in my senses. I gazed at the headline which read:

“Hollywood studios blacklist Penelope Cruz over Gaza letter accusing Israel of genocide”.

“A panjandrum of the filmmaking industry can make or break a person’s Hollywood career”.

“Gaza is living through horror… while the international community does nothing”.

• One top producer, who has worked with Cruz, says he has privately vowed not to hire her again.
• Another top Hollywood executive also privately expressed his disapproval, saying he’s furious at Bardem and Cruz and he wasn’t sure about working with the couple again.
• Relativity Media’s chief executive, Ryan Kavanaugh, was the only studio head willing to go public with his views. He said,

“I got a very nice proposal,” said a friend who was at a stage in life where she wanted to settle down in marriage. “But there is an issue. I am 31. And he is 26. I am five years older. I really like him but my mom says that in another five years mein uski maa lagoon gi (I will look like his mother). I will have to say no,” she said with resigned acceptance.

“Disgusting! How can you even ask me that?” was her response, her face showing she was genuinely disturbed at the idea.

“Marry someone four years older than you beta” is what an aunty was caught saying to a 17-year-old. “That is ideal age difference. He would have already completed his education and would have a job by the time you complete your undergrad. And bachi, you have a tendency to gain weight, so never marry someone your own age.”

These days, with an over abundance of clichéd romantic and post-apocalyptic dystopian movies, original films, like Horns, are a breath of fresh air. Based on the book of the same name by Stephen King’s son Joe Hill, Horns is a fantasy drama that tells the story of a man who suddenly grows a pair of horns after he is accused of his girlfriend’s murder. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/105531423[/embed] The story is set in a small town, where the Harry Potter-famed Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Ig Perrish, has been accused of killing his girlfriend Merrin Williams (Juno Temple) by bashing her skull in. However, due to the absence of any concrete evidence, Ig hasn’t been charged with murder. The first few minutes of the movie establish that the citizens of the town vehemently hate him and compare him with the devil as they protest outside his house holding placards. There are even local news vans following him around town. Much like the other townies, Ig’s parents don’t seem too certain of their son’s innocence either. In fact, the only person who seems to believe in Ig is his friend Lee Tourneau (Max Minghella), who is also his lawyer. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Horns Official Facebook Page[/caption] One morning, after Ig wakes up from a night of his drunken debauchery, he finds two small horns protruding from his forehead. At first, he thinks he might be hallucinating, but he is soon proven wrong. Ig expects people to be scared, or at least surprised by the sudden change in his appearance, but almost everyone seems to take his devilish horns at a face value. Not only that – people begin to reveal their darkest, deepest, most sinister thoughts and secrets to him.  People also begin to ask him for his permission to act upon those thoughts, as if he is the devil. This bit is perhaps the most entertaining part of the entire movie (especially the news-crew fight scene). Ig relates his new influence over people to make them do or say things to his newly grown horns and sets out on a mission to find out Merrin’s real killer by using his horns. To know how he uses them, you’ll have to watch the movie. If we divide the movie into two parts, the first one could be described as an eccentric mix of dark humour and some really interesting twists. The second part of the movie is much faster in terms of pace, with completely unpredictable revelations, and is somewhat more sinister and dark than the first. It even includes a pitch fork! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Horns Official Facebook Page[/caption] I have not read the book yet, but the movie has a very heavy religious undertone. There are quite a few references to Christianity used throughout the film. The movie strongly focuses on how the devil was once an angel and circles around other religious aspects. However, despite its demonic theme, this movie is much like a murder-mystery-cum-adult-fairytale. As far as the acting is concerned, Radcliffe has once again outdone himself. His performance, along with almost every other cast member, was quite brilliant throughout the movie. Even his American accent was up to perfection. Juno Temple, who only stars in flashbacks, also adapted a pretty impressive American accent. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Horns Official Facebook Page[/caption] However, the movie has some serious lows. It got quite dull in some parts and some of its scenes didn’t seem to fit in with the rest. The dullest parts of the movie were perhaps all the flashbacks. These flashbacks portrayed the beginning of Ig’s and Merrin’s relationship when they were young, and how they continued their relationship until the time of the girl’s death. These flashbacks were certainly very critical to the movie’s plot, but from a viewer’s point of view, they were much too prolonged, which was exhausting to watch. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Horns Official Facebook Page[/caption] Even though I liked the movie, I wouldn’t recommend others to watch it. It was quiet enjoyable at first; I got hooked as soon as the movie began, but somewhere down the road it got a bit absurd. It just felt like one of those movies that have too many strong components that just don’t seem to fit together. Until and unless you like such kind of films or you are a Radcliffe fan, I wouldn’t recommend this film to you. Horns was premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and has received mixed reviews from critics. This movie exemplifies that great casting, brilliant acting, perfect cinematography and a strong screenplay can make an average movie look good – but it can never make it great. Alexander Aja, the director who has movies such as The Hills have Eyes and Mirrors on his resume, has certainly failed to deliver with his new movie.

It doesn’t come as a surprise for the audience when they get to watch remakes of classic movies of the 70s and 80s. Many filmmakers, directors and actors have started this trend of remaking movies and this time we have The Shaukeens, a remake of the 1982 rib tickling comedy Shaukeen. Just like the original version, The Shaukeens is based on ‘almost’ the same plot and characters. However, there are a few changes in the storyline which will appeal to today’s audiences more. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26qf00_the-shaukeens-2014-hindi-movie-theatrical-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0_shortfilms[/embed] It is a tale of three childhood friends, Lalchand (Anupam Kher), KD (Annu Kapoor) and Pinky (Piyush Mishra), who are in their early 60s and lust after every woman they lay their eyes on. The trio plan a fun-filled vacation to Mauritius, in order to live up their wildest and most lecherous fantasies. They reserve a guest house owned by Ahana (Lisa Haydon), a young flamboyant and ‘earth child’ kind of a girl, who is also head over heels in love with Akshay Kumar, the movie star cum serious alcoholic. She announces that she’d do anything for the person who would make her dream of meeting Akshay come true, and these words play as music to the ears of the young-at-heart oldies. The measures they overtake and endure to make her wish come true is what The Shaukeens is all about. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] The movie rests mainly on the shoulders of its primary leads. Whether it is Akshay, Lisa or the trio of maestros of power packed performances, all of them were fantastic and did complete justice to their characters, roles and diction. The other strongest point is its flawless and witty script. In almost every other scene, there are some dialogues that were applauded and thoroughly enjoyed by viewers. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] If I were to pick out the best performances, it would have to be the trio’s. Piyush excelled in every scene; his articulation, peculiar way of delivering dialogues and his expressions stole the show. Even his emotional outbursts were a treat to watch. Annu was another ace in the movie. His craziness, style and ‘Mr-know-it-all’ attitude is delightful and he looked at ease in performing his role. As always, Anupam delivers a good performance and does not overact, especially when it came to his expressions. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] Lisa’s performance looks promising and her screen presence is very strong. Similarly, Akshay does exactly what he is the best at doing – entertaining the crowd, from the gallery to the critics. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] In terms of music, some of the numbers were nice, especially Manali Trance and Alcoholic which are great to watch and listen to. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x284h5g_manali-trance-official-dance-video-the-shaukeens-ft-yo-yo-honey-singh-lisa-haydon-hd-1080p_music[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x273gqy_alcoholic-hd-video-song-yo-yo-honey-singh-the-shaukeens-2014-akshay-kumar_music[/embed] This is Abhishek Sharma’s second release after Tere Bin Laden, and his production seem very promising in terms of providing entertainment value to his movies. The Shaukeens is a great attempt and does exactly what it’s meant to do – provide entertainment to the viewers, with some fine performances. Compared to the original Shaukeen, the latest version is louder, more dual meaning and suits the likes of today’s society. However, the two productions cannot be compared to one another because it is close to impossible to provide the kind of cinema Basu Chatterji provided. Shaukeen is still a masterpiece even after three decades but The Shaukeens is a rollercoaster ride for sure. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Shaukeen (1982), The Shaukeens (2014)[/caption] In terms of the acting, script and thorough entertainment, I would rate it 4 out of 5 - an incredible fun watch!

Saif Ali Khan’s re-entry was a success back in the early 2000s. The hero who had fallen flat in the 90s was seen in a completely new light in movies like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Dil Chahta Hai, Hum Tum, Salam Namaste, Kal Ho Na Ho, Race and Love Aaj Kal etcetera. And in movies like Omkara and the likes, he overshadowed anyone else who may have been in the film with him.  Unfortunately, nowadays I feel Saif Ali Khan’s performance is a bleak reminder of the hero he was in the 90s – none of the movies he is doing have any nostalgic value or cinematic value nor have they brought in good business; examples being Humshakals and Bullet Raja. On the contrary, Govinda, who was seen in a negative role in Kill Dil recently, has re-launched himself with a bang, with critics applauding his work. This time, in the movie Happy Ending, Govinda is all set to play for the front-row audience. After all, he’s the king of comedy. Let’s see if they both, Govinda and Saif, got their share of brownies this time! [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27lxrt_happy-ending-2014-hindi-movie-official-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] Happy Ending is based on the life of a writer called Yudi (Saif Ali Khan), who published his last book five and a half years ago which turned out to be a major hit. Unfortunately, after that, he couldn’t publish any book and making ends meet became a task. His stardom, as a writer, starts to fade away and then enters a new romantic author in the limelight of the literary world called Aanchal (Ileana D’Cruz). Aanchal gets everything that Yudi once had as an upcoming writer. Soon after, Armaan (Govinda) comes into Yudi’s life. Armaan is the superstar of Bollywood and wants Yudi to write a fresh script (copy of multiple Hollywood blockbusters) for him. Having no other choice, Yudi accepts his offer and starts to alter his lifestyle and terms. The rest of the movie is the journey of how Yudi, as a writer and a person, learns how to end some things and start new things. Performances wise, Saif stands tall and delivers a dependable performance. One can easily recall the comfort he had in the movies Cocktail and Love Aaj Kal. Govinda, as always, is hilarious and owns every scene he is featured in. Nachcho Saaray G Phaar Kay is a song of the film that provided the perfect entertainment to the audience and credit for that goes solely to Govinda. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that if given a good script and the opportunity of outdoing himself, Govinda can still be in the race of the most entertaining actors in the industry. Kalki Koechlin is a revelation, she looks adorable, highly irritating and fits her role perfectly. Ileana is okay too; in fact, she is improving as an actress and is able to handle serious roles quite well. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28elez_g-phaad-ke-official-full-song-video-happy-ending-govinda-saif-ali-khan-ileana_music[/embed] Ranvir Shorey, who plays Saif’s best friend, delivered some good performance. Some of his scenes are truly amazing, especially, (spoiler alert) the scene where his wife tells him that she’s pregnant. There are some surprise packages in the movie like appearances by Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta. Preity has an extended role and she looks good but the fact that she is ageing is pretty obvious. The dialogues are fresh, some of which require reading between the lines, but they go along with the mood of the movie. Content wise, Happy Ending will make you feel ‘happy’ at the ‘end’ of the movie. It’s an entertaining romantic comedy with a few hummable songs. I would rate it a 3.5 out of five on the basis of decent performances, a good script, nice music and lightness of the theme. And no, it’s not based on the American TV show, Californication, which most people think it is.

Good Morning Karachi, for Pakistani cinema, is amongst the few unconventional, path-breaking movies that we’ve come across in recent years. The reason is very simple; Good Morning Karachi is a female-oriented film with a female protagonist. Unfortunately, except for this bit, there is little else that is extraordinary about this film. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dm09w_good-morning-karachi-pakistani-movie-by-rafina-official-trailer_fun#from=embediframe[/embed] So far, the movie has received mixed responses based on different factors. Perhaps an exploration of this movie is required. Before we begin, however, let me clarify that this film is not the Pakistani version of Bollywood’s Priyanka Chopra-starrer Fashion (as many may insinuate). The entire movie is based on Rafina (Amna Ilyas), who belongs to a lower-middle class family and wants to become a fashion model. How she accomplishes her ultimate goal is what the movie is all about. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Good Morning Karachi Official Facebook Page[/caption] The movie has its highs and lows. For instance, keeping the fashion world of Pakistan in mind, the dresses and wardrobes selected for the movie are disappointingly below-average. Even the Lux Style Awards showcases celebrities in some truly amazing outfits compared to the wardrobes presented in this particular movie. The relationship depicted between Amna and Yasir Aqueel comes off as kind of forced; it does not provide any justification to the plot. Why would a man be interested in marrying a woman who lives and breathes to become a celebrity, whereas he, himself, can’t bear to stand the idea of it? The characters don’t have the psychological edge that most other Pakistani movies do. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="299"] Photo: Good Morning Karachi Official Facebook Page[/caption] The only support system in Rafina’s life is Rosie (Beo Raana Zafar) and her character, in my opinion, has just not been developed properly; I think perhaps had she been given a few more scenes, the treatment of her character would seem more logical in the film. Saba Hameed (who plays Ammi), on the contrary, is actually a talent wasted in such a role – any other average female actress could have carried off this role. Performance wise, Amna excels and boasts one of her finest performances, undoubtedly. She acts naturally, without making it complicated. Whether it is her sweet-girl avatar or the rising-model-in-the-industry persona, she carries it off flawlessly. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="312"] Photo: Good Morning Karachi Official Facebook Page[/caption] There are a few surprise appearances as well, but I won’t disclose names; watch the film to find out. The music of the movie is nothing special. Had Sabiha Sumar spent a little more time building her characters, I believe the movie could have done very well. Many sequences in the movie could have been dealt with better, in terms of direction and execution. If you are looking for a true depiction of the fashion world in Pakistan, don’t watch Good Morning Karachi. As a supporter of the revival of Pakistani cinema, the movie is a good watch.  Yes, it had some great performances but remained unsurprising overall. I do not feel the need to give it more than 2.5/5.

Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor and it is always a pleasure to watch his ventures. Even in supporting roles, his performance demands attention and appreciation. While his movies don’t exactly mint money, as would normally be expected, they do guarantee fans. Thanks to its trailer, his upcoming visual treat Mortdecai has already heightened the interest of audiences, and Depp fans, across the globe. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2eit0g_mortdecai-2015-official-trailer-johnny-depp-gwyneth-paltrow_shortfilms[/embed] The story revolves around a stolen Goya painting, ‘The Duchess of Wellington’, rumoured to contain a bank vault code that leads to lost Nazi gold. Art dealer and part time rogue, Lord Charlie Mortdecai, played by Depp, is approached by MI5 agent Martland (Ewan McGregor) to solve the case by retrieving the painting. Accompanying Mortdecai on this case is his gorgeous and ‘impossibly leggy wife’, Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his right-hand man Jock (Paul Bettany). Following clues, Mortdecai travels to Moscow, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and back to London. As the story unfolds, Johanna’s character also becomes more prominent as she tries influence Martland for her own gain. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] During the film, what the audience will enjoy the most will be the arguments between Mortdecia and Johanna over his rather… strange moustache. In my opinion, Mortdecai takes inspiration from two very prominent movies; Pink Panther and Austin Powers. The jokes are crude, sexually inclined and go awry at times. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="537"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] In terms of performances, all one looks forward to is Depp’s overpowering screen presence. If you are a Depp fan, one who enjoys his humorous takes, then you will love his performance in this film. While Depp did once mention that the character of Charlie Mortdecai is influenced by Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers, his performance sometimes comes across as a really bad caricature of Charlie Chaplin and David Niven. Although I myself am a fan, I believe it would be really nice to see Depp do something different, differently. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Jeff Goldblum is a treat to watch, but sadly, he hardly has any on-screen presence. McGregor is a decent performer but with jokes like the ones in the movie, even he couldn’t make much out of his character. As for Platrow, she is strictly “okay”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] In terms of production quality and value, Mortdecai could be counted in ventures which fall under “larger than life” movies. But in terms of content, performance and treatment, Mortdecai is not what one would expect from a Depp movie. In my opinion, all the hype was created simply because it starred Johnny Depp, not because of what the movie or its storyline has to offer. If you are an avid Depp fan, he should be your only incentive to watch this movie. Otherwise, it is not one you need to be fired-up about watching in a cinema; sit back on your couch at home, make a bag of popcorn and that’s good enough. Unfortunately, the excitement about this movie starts and ends at the trailer itself. I would rate it a tight 2.5 out of 5.

In Bollywood, it’s hard to find movies where the protagonist is speech-impaired; only a few movies come to mind of such sort, including Koshish, Khamoshi and Iqbal. R Balki’s Shamitabh revolves around the story of a speech-impaired boy, named Daanish, and his struggles to realise his dreams. His strong desire to become an actor takes him to Mumbai and once there, he starts his journey to become the “future king” of Bollywood. But his progress is slow and the journey is quite perilous; after all, who would sign a film with a mute actor in a lead role? [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/116146788[/embed] After seeing his struggles, the audience is then introduced to Akshara Pandey (played by Akshara Haasan), who is an assistant director, who notices the passion, zeal and volcanic expressions that Daanish has in his acting. She takes Daanish to her uncle (who is a doctor by profession) to see if there is anything that he can do to help him. The uncle reveals that there is, indeed, a certain treatment which might help him speak. But for it to work, they’ll need a voice-box, one that suits Daanish. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="311"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Here begins their search for the “right voice”, until they bump into Amitabh Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan). Amitabh is a drunkard who lives in a graveyard as a tenant. They find his voice appealing and decide to ask for his help. But why would he help Daanish? Will there be a clash of egos? Will Daanish make it to the silver screen? Will the world ever get to know about Daanish’s speech-impairment? This is essentially the storyline of Shamitabh. To get the answers, you need to watch the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Mr Bachchan outdoes himself once again and gives a phenomenal performance. He excels in a role that he never had any difficulty performing; his frustrated, angry and comic scenes while he’s drunk – they truly evidence his excellence. To date, he is the best on-screen drunkard ever seen in Bollywood movies. That’s why he played the lead in the 80’s Sharaabi. In recent years, this movie is Amitabh’s most promising work, hands down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Dhanush, the Kollywood actor who plays the role of Daanish, was appreciated by the masses in his last venture Raanjhana (his Bollywood debut). In Shamitabh, he has managed to enthral our hearts once again. It’s almost impossible for new actor to get noticed in scenes where an actor like Mr Bachchan shares screen-time with them but Dhanush not only surpasses that, he also makes the audience eager to see more of him in every other act. His emotional scenes, unspoken anger and outbursts are the highlight. He is undoubtedly the next big thing in Bollywood – he just has to select the right roles. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Akshara’s performance was average – it could have been a lot better. Her acting reminded me of a younger Aishwariya and Sareeka (her mother), but I saw very little of her own self. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Shamitabh stands at par with R Balki’s last two excellent instalments Paa and Cheeni Kum. He has the talent of beautifully portraying difficult and complicated emotions with gusto. If you are an Amitabh Bachchan fan, or fell in love with Dhanush in Raanjhanaa, then Shamitabh is a must watch. But if you are looking for a dhishoom-dhamaaka, senseless comedy or a total masala flick then skip it. Shamitabh caters to a particular taste; you either love it, or hate it. Nothing in between. I would rate it an easy 3.5 out of five.

In the midst of increasing inter-cast marriages and prevailing women suppression, NH10 encourages India to plunge into liberalism and women empowerment. The movie is a superb attempt at addressing issues soaked in violence and injustice amongst the sexes. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gjash[/embed] Anushka Sharma, after her girl-next-door roles, emerges as a revolutionary body in NH10, portraying a powerful woman who takes an initiative of saving her husband by fighting under adverse circumstances. There are astounding progressions in her character throughout the movie – from a modern corporate woman to a fearless fighter. NH10 opens with a vivid image of a lively couple Meera (Anushka) and Arjun (Neil Bhoopalam) living in Delhi. After a dangerous attack on Meera, Arjun takes her on a road trip for her birthday to make her feel better after the incident. Their tragedy begins when they venture into the territory of NH10 and Arjun interferes in a family dispute at a roadside dhabb where they find a young couple beaten up by the girl’s brother, Satbir (Darshan Kumar). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] Furious at seeing the beaten-up couple, Arjun decides to teach the mobsters a lesson, despite Meera’s aversion, and ends up killing one of the men from Satbir’s gang. In order to take revenge for their friend, Satbir and his gang chase Meera and Arjun, during which Arjun gets severely injured. Meera takes the initiative to fight the men alone but conditions do not show her any mercy. During her struggle for survival, Meera gets to know that the Haryanvi people, including their law and its officials, are immersed in ignorance regarding injustice and there is a brutal divergence of inter-caste marriages and injustice of women. She tactfully tries to escape the situation but fate leads her towards a painful end. At that point, nothing can calm Meera down except for vengeance. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="429"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] NH10 has a great story line which is presented terrifically. However, as the movie progresses, the pace slows down, which was a bit of a let-down. There are horrifying, nerve-wrecking and violent sequences in the movie, which I would not advise soft-hearted people to watch. The cinematography is mind blowing with superb direction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] The characters support the plot wonderfully. Bhoopalam plays the character of an impulsive and immature guy, and does justice to his role. Darshan Kumar, on the other hand, does not fail to surprise the audiences by his atrocious and extreme character in NH10 after his sweet hubby image in Mary Kom. Deepti Naval, in a glorifying cameo, startles the public with her mind-altering performance. The evolution in her character from a mild, dejected woman to a harsh one was quite appealing. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] Last but not the least, Anushka was undoubtedly the screen-stealer. In this movie, she has proved that she is one of the leading actresses of today. She never goes off track and her intimacy with the camera is magical. From the beginning till the last shot of the movie, Anushka never escapes the essence of Meera’s character. There was so much ease in her acting that it looked as if the events actually happened to her. The way she smoothly transforms her character is impressive too; how she’s soft and ladylike in the beginning and how the events change her into a tough person with unbeatable courage. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="506"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] The reason why I felt NH10 was so striking is because of its hard hitting subject. Tribulations like ignorance, oppression, injustice and cruel behaviour against women are unfortunately found in Pakistani societies as well. In most conservative families, women are pressurised by men and are not allowed to marry or live in accordance to their choices. These women are leading a suffocated life and need to raise their voice against their sufferings. For this cause, movies like NH10 is an overwhelming portrayal for combating such evils and supporting women. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: NH10 Facebook page[/caption] Overall, NH10 is an eye-opening experience. It is one of those bold movies, like Mardani, that the Indian film industry produces from time to time, and which are perhaps the need of the hour to educate the public about our dark society. I think this movie is a must watch. I would rate it a 3.5 on 5.

A good action movie never fails to impress its audiences. This is why the action movie genre is the safest bet for producers and directors and guarantees box office revenues. Having said that, it is also true that some movies just don’t have what it takes, which is saying a lot, and the reasons are repetitive plots and identical scripts. In order to produce great action, changes in plots and somewhat believable action scenes are required. After all, movie-goers these days are getting smarter. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cmnxe_sean-penn-is-the-gunman-trailer_shortfilms[/embed] The Gunman is one such recently released action film which stars Sean Penn along with a group of decent performers like Peter Franzén, Mark Rylance, Ray Winstonem, Idris Elba and Javier Bardem. I know what you’re thinking – how can a Sean Penn-movie ever go wrong? Yeah, I thought the same... until I watched this “blockbuster”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] The plot revolves around a special forces associate, Jim (Penn), who falls in love with a humanitarian doctor, Annie (Jasmine Trinca). But unfortunately, their romance is fleeting. After successfully completing an assignment in Congo, Jim leaves both Congo and Annie behind when duty calls. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] Eight years later, when Jim visits Congo again, he is attacked by an unknown assailant. To get some answers, Jim turns to his friends, Felix (Bardem)and Cox (Mark Rylance), but he finds them fighting their own battles. Jim then realises that he is alone in this and that going back to the ‘gunman’ life will not be an easy route. Does Jim manage to find out who this silent attacker is? More importantly, can the mighty Jim win? Well, I guess you’ll have to watch it for yourself and find out. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] Performance wise, The Gunman fails to impress, as hard as it is to believe. Penn’s performance resembles Liam Neeson’s in the Taken series. In fact, at various points in the movie, Penn looks and walks just like Neeson, which was a huge disappointment for me. Penn is definitely a good actor but perhaps this was just not the role for him. The other performances in the movie are also literally a waste of their talents. I mean, come on, you have Penn, Bardem and Elba! How can you mess that up? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] The stunts, chase scenes and dialogues are so worn out that they might just put you to sleep. The plot gets predictable as there is no element of surprise whatsoever. Furthermore, the relationship between Elba and Penn is ill-conceived. The script and production team could have pulled off a great blockbuster had they worked on it with a different angle. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] Photo: The Gunman Official Facebook Page[/caption] Looking at it from a directorial point of view, if you’re in a good mood, you just might enjoy the movie. But if you’re not, then it comes across as an average watch with some action sprinkled here and there. Director Pierre Morel terribly fails to deliver something even remotely close to Taken, if that is what he was going for. Unfortunately, the movie lacks substances and will cease to be remembered. It greatly misses the target and terribly so. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo:IMDb[/caption] In terms of production quality, direction, script, action and performance, I would give it a mere 2 out of 5.

It takes ages to find a plot that has the tendency to showcase different emotions, scenarios, and the journey of life i.e. transformation of one’s identity.  [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2xvvor_manjhi-hd-hindi-movie-trailer-2015_shortfilms [/embed]  Manjhi: The Mountain Man is one such story that shares a tale of a man who believes in love, humanity, arrogance, friendship and doing what’s needed in his capacity as an individual to bring a change. It is based on the true story of Dashrath Manjhi, an unsung hero and legend who proved that nothing is impossible to achieve. The film is directed by Ketan Mehta and features Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the lead role of Manjhi. Manjhi has an able team to give what the audience of today’s world is in dire need of. Let’s dissect the movie and find out how rock steady it actually is. Manjhi was an ordinary man from Gehlaur, India, who left his hometown as a child solely because he never wanted to be a slave for Mukhia (Tigmanshu Dhulia), the landlord of the village. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] At the age of 20, he returns to his hometown and meets his ‘child bride’ who he was married off to in his childhood, Phaguniya (Radhika Apte). Oblivious to the fact that they were married off as kids, he instantly falls in love with her. But when Phaguniya’s father opposed her relationship with Manjhi as he was jobless, they decide to elope. The movie takes a dramatic turn when Phaguniya accidently slips on the mountain and dies. To avenge his wife, he curses the mountain and vows to bring it down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Siddiqui has already proved his mettle with almost every movie he has featured in but Manjhi is exceptional and can definitely be considered as one of Siddiqui’s most accomplished works. There is no match to the variety of emotions Siddiqui puts forward for his audience. His peculiar way of laughter after every unusual and weird metaphor is commendable. It’s safe to say that Manjhi is Siddiqui’s best performance till date. He truly deserves an award for this movie. Apte is another underrated actress who showcases her acting prowess in her role of Phaguniya; Mehta has managed to utilise her skills to the fullest. A sensuous mud sequence between Siddiqui and Apte is beautifully and aesthetically filmed, again thanks to Mehta. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Indian Express[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Dhulia as Mukhiya puts forward a phenomenal performance as the oppressive landlord. He gives an earnest performance, though at times viewers might recall shades of his Gangs of Wasseypur character. Ashraful Haq as Manjhi’s father is strictly okay. Prashant Narayanan who plays the role of Jhumru, the helpless husband and powerful Naxalite, is not only effective but dominant too. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] It’s hard to make people realise that it’s not any less of a wonder to keep audiences interested in a movie throughout which only has two main characters, Manjhi (the protagonist) and the Mountain (villain of Manjhi’s life). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Manjhi starts with a high voltage and power-packed scene where Manjhi vents out his anger towards a mountain and challenges to turn the towering piece of rock into scrap – that’s not usual. Or is it? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Manjhi Facebook page[/caption] Every other scene in Manjhi is praise worthy and leaves a long-lasting imprint in the minds of the audience. Indian cinema has not seen movies like Manjhi which have a solid narrative in a while. Along with it being a cinematic delight, it also puts forth the harsh truth of civil injustice. The movie shows no matter how mountainous injustice is, when there is a will there can be a way made. Manjhi is a masterstroke and movies like these are not produced and showcased on regular basis. Manjhi offers its audience and true cinema aficionados everything they crave for – awesome direction, amazing cinematography, great screen play, fabulous acting and clap worthy dialogues. I would rate Manjhi a solid five out of five without any second thought.

Akshay Kumar is one of the most loved and sought after celebrity in Bollywood and this is why his movies do exceptionally well at the box office, irrespective of their script, subject, direction and content. Kumar paired with Prabhu Deva is a lethal combination, substantiated by 2012’s block buster Rowdy Rathore. This is why the audiences were desperately waiting for the Kumar starrer Singh is Bliing. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x327onh_singh-is-bliing-hd-hindi-movie-trailer-2015-akshay-kumar_shortfilms[/embed] Kumar’s fans wondered if Singh is Bliing will be a blockbuster at the box office like his previous films? But will this movie be as entertaining as his previous endeavours? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Singh is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] If you are too big of a Kumar fan, caution is advised before reading further, because even Kumar couldn't save Singh Is Bliing from doom. Singh is Bliing is about Raftaar Singh (Kumar) who lives in Bassi Patna, Punjab. Raftaar has a nonchalant attitude towards life but has a heart of gold. Raftaar’s father gives him two options; either marry his friend’s daughter, an overweight Sweety or work under his friend’s supervision in Goa. Raftaar picks the second option and leaves for Goa, where he meets Sara (Amy Jackson), daughter of a ‘mafia king’. Mark (Kay Kay Menon), a deranged thug, is thirsty of vengeance from Sara for she offended him in the past. The rest of the movie is hoopla of these very circumstances. No brownie points for guessing what happens along the way, can’t be called a Bollywood movie without a typical love story, can it? Insanity prevails throughout the movie without an ounce of innovation, except Kumar’s energetic Bhangra moves, of course. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Singh is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="508"] Photo: Singh is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] Amy Jackson doesn’t have dialogues in Hindi, none at all, but she manages to leave a mark. Her action sequences are very well executed. Lara Dutta plays a small role in the film, but looks breath taking in every shot, even in ghastly outfits. Menon is one of the finest talents in Bollywood but he is literally wasted in Singh is Bliing, the same way he was wasted in Drona. After Haider and Rahasya, this performance was a major let down from Menon. Don’t know if we should blame Menon or the script for it. The 54-year-old Rati Agnihotri plays Kumar’s mother’s role in the film and does justice to her role. Kareena Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and Sunny Leone are seen in cameo performances. Singh is Bliing is amongst those movies whose performance, script and logic don’t make any sense and perhaps are also not needed. Why? Because it’s supposed to be brainless comedy. Kumar performs all the absurd activities suavely, which is why the audience watches it despite its idiocy. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Singh Is Bliing Facebook page[/caption] Prabhu Deva’s previous release was Action Jackson, which didn’t do well at the box office either. If Deva wants to keep making such senseless movies, he can perhaps cast only big stars, as only star-power can (perhaps) save such ridiculous movies from drowning. I was hoping may be the music of the film can help it from drowning but its not applause-worthy either, even though it suits the genre of the film. Singh Is Bliing is an attempt at slapstick humour and glorifying Singh-ness, but fails miserably. Those who are thinking it would be something similar or close to Singh is King – please refrain. The movie might just do well with the masses who don’t intend to exercise a single brain muscle. Those who intend to apply logic while watching movies, don’t bother. I would rate Singh Is Bliing 1.5 out of five.

2015 was a mixed bag of a year for Bollywood. On one hand, we saw a lot of new-age filmmakers come up with some really off-beat stuff, while on the other, we were subjected to some same old, regressive, masala films. The classic confusion that every movie critic faces in picking the top films of the year is whether to go with flicks that have Box Office tills ringing or go with movies that set one’s own heart fluttering. I have simply avoided the whole dilemma by including both. So without any further ado, here are the top five popular movies of the year: 1. Tanu Weds Manu Returns: Banno tera swagger is the sexiest! As the old age saying goes,

“Marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightening.”

“Dil ka bhanwar kahe sun saathiya, chup na dupatte me tu o chhaliyaa”

2015 has been a great year for Hollywood films. I personally can’t think of the last time there was as much anticipation for the movie calendar as there was this year. We saw the return of beloved 70’s and 80’s icons like Rocky Balboa, Han Solo, Max Rockatansky, The Terminator (for better or worse), a 70-year-old director, George Miller redefine the action genre and the most beloved movie franchises – Star Wars and Rocky – got rejuvenated. So naturally with the year coming to an end it’s only fair that we talk about the films that we loved the most, but I’m not just going to talk about the films that were popular at the Box Office and made a lot of money, but also the films that weren’t watched by most people but are great nonetheless and deserve your time. 5. Creed Ryan Coogler’s Creed, the seventh film in the Rocky franchise feels both fresh, nostalgic (with subsequent nods to the originals) and is arguably the best one since the original. Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone gave knockout performances, with Stallone in top-form reprising the role that made him what he is today, while Ryan Coogler’s vision gave the film a uniquely visceral and gritty feel allowing the camera to make sure we feel every single blow. But while the literal punches certainly make an impact, it’s the figurative ones that really leave a mark. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/132287948[/embed]   4. Steve Jobs After 2013’s abysmal Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher it was evident that we needed a movie that did justice to the legacy of one of the most influential personalities of our time and director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin did just that with this year’s Steve Jobs. Sorkin’s spitfire script is undoubtedly the main attraction and makes the film move like a bullet, but Michael Fassbender’s layered and commanding presence as the Apple founder is also mesmerising to watch. Add to that: Danny Boyle’s solid direction and a trio of great supporting performances from Jeff Daniels, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen and you’ve got a biopic that engrosses and electrifies in equal amounts. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/128112371[/embed]   3. The Martian I can’t think of the last time I had more fun watching a movie than I had watching The Martian. Ridley Scott finally made a comeback after nearly a decade of making one dud after another but this isn’t just a Ridley Scott movie because he’s offered great support in all departments. Matt Damon’s outstanding central performance drives the film, the visuals are stunning, the entire cast did a great job and Drew Goddard’s superb and surprisingly smart screenplay made the film both thoroughly enjoyable and uproariously funny. The Martian is a celebration of the human spirit and the most feel-good movie of the year. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/131809849[/embed]   2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens It would be wrong to say that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was anything less than the most anticipated movie of all time and riding on these unimaginably high expectations, JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasden forged an alloy between the old and the new and delivered a film that was both nostalgic and wonderfully fresh. The stunning visuals, great new characters and a story with genuine heart and emotion ensured that Star Wars was finally back and this one was truly a force to be reckoned with. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/143053004[/embed]   1. Mad Max: Fury Road We get action movies every year, but rarely does one even come close to Mad Max: Fury Road. The over-the-top stunts, eccentric characters and gonzo designs all come together to create a cinematic tour de force, a film that strives to be something more than just another action movie. George Miller orchestrates a breathtaking spectacle of high-octane, exhilarating and gut-wrenching action that is as beautiful as it is chaotic. Charlize Theron gives us the most badass female protagonist since Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley and Tom Hardy brings new life to the role of the strong, silent and tortured hero that is Max. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/114225625[/embed] 5. Spotlight Tom McCarthy had the honour of making one of the year’s best and worst films this year, The Cobbler starring Adam Sandler being one of the worst, but from the other end of the spectrum, Spotlight emerged as one of the year’s most important and engrossing films. McCarthy’s ode to investigative journalism is based on the true story of The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team that nailed the Catholic Church for its legacy of child abuse and cover-ups back in 2002. The ensemble cast comprising of, Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery and Liev Schreiber all do stellar work but it’s how profoundly hard-hitting this film is that makes it so great. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/135003652[/embed]   4. The Lobster Rarely do you see a film as original and surreal as Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Lobster, but if you saw his previous film Dogtooth, you’d had some idea what to expect from this. The Lobster is an utterly bizarre, darkly funny and satirical on society itself. It is a film with layers of strangeness and is definitely hard to take in all at once but once the strangeness comes together you have yourself a rich and incredibly rewarding cinematic experience that is not to be missed. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/138633312[/embed]   3. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl In a year that was full of big budget blockbusters, it was nice to see a film that was so understated in its ambition yet so powerful in its impact that it moved me without even giving much of a spectacle; Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is that movie. It’s a movie that may remind you of The Fault in Our Stars because it plays on a similar premise, only it isn’t sappy, overly melodramatic and unlike The Fault in Our Stars, it’s actually good. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is easily one of the most beautiful, charming, heart-breaking and emotionally resonant films I saw this year and in a long time. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/124559243[/embed]   2. The Hateful Eight Tarantino’s latest film, his second western in a row is arguably his densest and most important film yet. Shot on glorious 70 mm film (as referenced by the film’s posters), the movie unfolds almost like a stage play and is extremely entertaining despite its three hour run-time because the trademark Tarantino dialogue, crazy over-the-top violence and colourful characters never let it get boring. It’s also wickedly funny with a fantastic cast and an intricately woven, jigsaw puzzle plot that keeps you guessing right up to the bloody, brilliant end. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/136309589[/embed]   1. The Revenant Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu astounded us all with Birdman, last year; this time around he astounded us with a completely different film, a beautiful, haunting, sometimes jaw-dropping epic of the frontier. The Revenant is a breathtakingly shot examination of what a person can do to survive. It’s an immersive experience that is both poetic and lyrical while also being brutal and exceedingly intense to sit through. The Best Actor Oscar may finally have Leonardo DiCaprio’s name on it as he nails one of the most challenging roles of his career, and there’s Tom Hardy ripping up the screen as one of the more intriguing villains you’re ever likely to see. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/141966402[/embed] You, what do you think? Are there any movies you thought should have made the list? Sound off in the comments section below.

“Ho Mann Jahaan”, apparently among Pakistan’s most anticipated films, released recently to packed houses and rave reviews. While there's enough in the film to keep you glued to the seats, Pakistan has definitely seen better films lately. An amazing soundtrack, a boisterous star-cast, decent acting, ample use of flashy colours, spectacular cinematography and some great locales are some of the film’s strong points. However, there's more to the film; and far more shades of grey that go well in one flick. So here’s a round-up of the deeper meanings and greater life lessons from “Ho Mann Jahaan”. No spoilers are given here, partly because there’s not much to give from the plot-line! 1. Boys and girls can never really be friends. You might be buddies for life and all that, but all your friends from the opposite gender are eventually going to hit on you - it’s just a matter of time. Yes, even if your female best friend is committed to your male best friend. However, it totally depends on you if you prefer sweeping all this awkwardness under the carpet and are intent upon showing absolutely killer moves on “Shakar Wandaan” with the very same friends. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOCO6FrxD4M 2. You might belong to the lower strata of society, and may also carry your humble foundations on your arm; but that won't stop you from looking dapper at will. Also, you can deliberately pronounce monotonous as mo-no-tone-ous to convince us of your lack of privileges, but owing to your showy friends and high-profile (and Sheheryar Munawar looks), that still comes across as a totally acceptable pronunciation and we start doubting our own. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] 3. Your life might be a complete mess, replete with all the tragedies that would give “Umrao Jaan” a run for her money; but all these problems come with a simplistic-to-the-point-of-stupid solution. You can always end up having (or feigning, if you’re strong-nerved) a nervous break-down and you are done: happy endings! So yeah, you just need a hospital admission or Mahira Khan to rescue you from life. The second one might not always work, so we’re sticking with the former. And so is Adeel Hussain! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] 4. Speaking of which, it has been sadly revealed that there’s only so much you can digest (and appreciate) in the name of Mahira Khan. And this is something coming from a person who watched “Bin Roye” twice for her. You might have a great cast to begin with, but you cannot expect it to swim across the ocean and come out alive if your script is tissue-paper thin. 5. Cameos might have registered themselves as the ‘in’ thing, but they are sure to be met with indifference (or worse, yawns) if they do little to compliment the story-line. Who would've thought that the sight of heart-throbs like Fawad Khan, Zohaib Hassan, Zeb Bangash and Hamza Ali Abbasi would be met with such a deafening silence. Or maybe it was just the Lahori cinema I watched the movie in. - Parents will always understand you at the end of the day, and vice versa. In this Pakistani version of “Taare Zameen Par”, with exceedingly more aged and better looking actors - the relationship between parents and kids uses a convenient brush-up. This movie must be mandatory watching for all the parents out there. They’re sure to come out as better ones afterwards. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] 6. If you’re single and a bit too eager to mingle, friends’ mehndis are where you should be heading. You can always count on finding a hot, compatible, eligible match for you. (Hint: they will approach you with all the Bollywood clichés - your table is empty and they’ll ask if they can take a seat; followed by the usual - ‘I don't really know many people here!’). To which you’re like, “Hell, baby. Now you know me well-enough. For life, that is!” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] 7. Your dad might be a border-line fanatic, but he’ll just accept you if you're strong-headed enough. And he won’t go berserk after barring you from stopping music and then seeing you on national television out of the blue. You just have to present him, very sweetly, an invitation to your wedding (about which, again, he has no idea), and he will be there to bless you in all his might. Well the film has already been playing for a bit too long, so we’re too tired to question the sanity of this! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] 8. When they say a film is made on the editing table, they aren’t kidding. A film can always (and I repeat, always) use some sleek editing. And then some more of it. If you’re bent upon dwelling on all the unnecessary bits, go for a TV drama instead. Those things run for years, but there might as well be a reason why more directors all around the world are going for shorter movies. 9. Someone might be flawless. But that does not save them from bagging a role that is meatless. Ask Sonya Jehan! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook- Ho Mann Jahaan Official[/caption] 10. Songs are imperative for a film, especially when its counting on them so heavily. Also, it is smart to save your best song for last. That way you can assure that the people remain seated to the very end. Otherwise they might leave the hall in search of greener pastures half-way through the film. 11. Everyone is selfish. Everyone uses you for their own good, eventually (especially the men). But stay tuned: Everyone also learns a lesson somehow and then competes with Mother Teresa in selflessness. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration there - but given the promising trailers and mammoth-like publicity, so is this film. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/142850097[/embed] [poll id="399"]

Creed is a story of an underdog boxer named Adonis Johnson (Michael B Jordan) who is burdened by the legacy of his father, the boxing legend Apollo Creed. Adonis embraces his fate and heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a boxer named Rocky Balboa. After realising the potential in Adonis, Rocky agrees to train him in the ways of boxing and the determination of a better life. Did anyone ask for another Rocky movie? Well, I’m glad they did end up making it because Creed is the best Rocky film since, well, the original Rocky (1976). After the campy, Rocky III, Rocky IV, the abysmal Rocky V and the redeemable Rocky Balboa , Creed smartly returns back to the basics of what made the Rocky franchise so appealing in the first place; an underdog story of a man who dreams big. Michael B Jordan is more than up for the task to fill in the shoes of Stallone, bringing with him the grittiness and sweat that the franchise so badly needed. Unlike Jurassic World, the film pays homage to the previous Rocky films without letting the nostalgia factor overwhelm it. Ryan Coogler’s previous indie film Fruitvale Station (2013) allowed him to breathe a new life to this tired old franchise with sharp, emotional dialogues and creative cinematography. Other than a pointless love story and a few exponential, obligatory storytelling clichés, Creed is a solid boxing film in its own right and can be easily detached from the Rocky brand. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)[/caption]  

Rajkumar Hirani is a name trusted with visual delights and great story-telling. R Madhavan is one of the most underrated actors of Bollywood who never fails in surprising his viewers by playing different and unusual roles. In this film based on a number of true stories and facts, they joined hands. Saala Khadoos is a tale of passion for sports (boxing) and the country’s pride. Let’s see what Saala Khadoos has in store for its viewers. [embed width-"620" height="348"]https://vimeo.com/149753920[/embed] Saala Khadoos starts when Adi Tomar (women’s boxing coach) is transferred from Delhi to Chennai because of a forged anonymous sexual harassment complaint received from a boxing student of the academy. After moving to Chennai, Adi spots raw talent in a fisherwoman named Madhi (Ritika Singh). The movie gears up from this point on and shows how a wild, ill-tempered and grumpy girl starts her journey of boxing. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption] What happens next is an interesting story of boxing, coach-student relationship, love and politics etcetera. From action to pack-up, Saala Khadoos is a Madhavan movie. He is believable and acts aptly as the title of the movie. Saala Khadoos, literally! Even his jokes, taunts and emotional out-bursts are in sync with the character he plays; one of Madhavan’s best performances, hands down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Ritika Singh is stellar. She delivers a pitch perfect performance, oozes rawness, wildness and unpredictability. Ritika is one actress to look-out for in the future. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Zakir Hussain (as Dev) is effective and impressive. Nasser is a delight to watch. Mumtaz Sorcar (as Laks) has also given a praiseworthy performance. The movie has good music; very unconventional but it goes with the theme of the story and the songs are smartly synced in the storytelling to make the needed impact. Jhalli Pataakha by Sunidhi Chauhaan is simply outstanding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzLc-KjobAI The title track is good and narrates the feel of the character properly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljo8JN3GUvA Dil Ye Ladaku is another song which is not a usual track, but reminds of A R Rahman’s Kya Kare Kya Na Kare from Rangeela (1995). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRJyu03fJhk I would recommend this movie highly to anyone who supports quality movies; this is by far one of the most captivating and powerfully written scripts of 2016. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption] I would rate Saala Khadoos a good 3.5 out of 5.

Many of my friends have been complaining that I am writing on way too serious issues and should take the ice bucket challenge (in my head). Since Valentine’s Day is close and all, why not? Before I begin, I do wish to offer a pre-emptive apology (similar to the kind America offered Saddam’s Iraq – no bombs here though) to all the female readers of this blog. The views contained herein may present only a limited set of emotions, for which I apologise. I am a man after all and was born with a limited set of emotions. Expecting more emotion from a man, now that’s the stuff from fairy tales. At the end of the day, we only register four emotions – anger, love, hate and hunger. Love here should be written as love plus lust or ‘lovust’, since we really can’t tell the difference between the two. Enough male bashing or reality check (take your pick). From childhood we are normally told or made to read a lot of fairy tales with princes and princesses containing the simple protagonist or antagonist archetype and an even simpler twist of fate representing the conflict which can only be overcome by true love alone. Examples are numerous but since almost all are copyrighted by Disney, I won’t take any names and run the risk of being sued for libel. If only we were told right there and then that these are fairy tales and fairies aren’t real, there is no real happily ever after and the person you are fighting the whole world to marry – you actually have to live with them for the rest of your life, not to mention living with your susraal (in-laws). And no, there is no incessant singing involved either. For the sake of comprehensiveness, let’s discuss a common conflict paradigm we see laid out in fiction and played out in reality. Love versus Duty Our concepts of love have unfortunately become so morphed that we are now unable to understand what it actually is. To explain love to ourselves at least commercially, we have now tried to pit it against duty. The dutiful daughter or son is in love with someone and parents want them to marry someone else and thus the familiar tale of love versus duty carries out against the backdrop of sad sounding music. You get the drift, right? If not, please watch Indo-Pak entertainment channels, which you probably already do. Fast forward a few episodes and the character is married to his or her cousin as per their parents’ wishes leaving them sulking and depressed till they finally get rid of their spouse or their parents’ realise that their child’s boyfriend or girlfriend was a better choice. By the end, the lovers reunite and the whole universe unifies in celebrating their triumph to the sound of advertisement jingles. Like the sad tales of love and redemption in the dramas, we all try to make our futile stands to live with our beloved – till death do us part and all – then do something silly and utterly dangerous along the way, as if we think that being with our beloved will be remarkably different from being with someone else. Bad news Valentine’s Day lovers, it’s really not that different. Your darling wife will force you to change your habits and clean yourself up, not to mention taking out the trash every day. Your beloved husband will try to impose himself on you and will make a lot of your decisions for you. Expectations of fantasy always crash down in the face of reality. Both arranged and love marriages are tantamount to jumping in deep water with sharks. The difference of course is that if your love marriage goes sour you can’t blame anyone else for it or even if it wasn’t your fault, nobody will let you. Arranged marriages at least have the plausible deniability clause built in.

“If you don’t like her mom, what can I do? You chose her for me.”

The Night Before (2015) is a Christmas comedy that takes place essentially in one single night. Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have been friends since childhood and every Christmas, they hit the town together till the wee hours of the morning next day. But this Christmas, things might just be different as they somehow get invitations to the Nutcracka Ball - the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. For a Christmas night that is supposed to be remembered for ages, nothing really memorable happens and I forgot about this film soon after watching it. That isn’t to say that the film doesn’t contain laughs. Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon Levitt are always great together. But the problem lies in juggling the comedy-drama aspect of the plot. The film tries to be different than most stoner comedies but at the same time, doesn’t want to meander too far away from the mainstream Hollywood comedy formula; wacky premise of a man-child running away from responsibilities but in the end, realising how family is more important than anything. Unlike 50/ 50 (2011), also directed by Jonathan Levine, you never really get invested into the characters too much to feel emotional empathy for them. The film starts off quite strong with real character motivations but within a few scenes, the plot is hijacked by an autopilot of stoner comedy nonsense. Sure, one can laugh at the wackiness of Seth Rogen high on mushrooms but it gets tiring real fast. The second half of the film tries hard to create jokes through celebrity cameos acting crazy and recycles jokes that we have seen countless times by now. It is now obvious that stoner comedies really have become stale and utterly predictable at this point. That isn’t to say that Rogen, Gordon-Levitt and Mackie aren’t funny actors, they are, but there have been much better Christmas comedies in the past and The Night Before just doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Publicity[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Jonathan Levine.
Photo: IMDb[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Still of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption]

Fashion icons, catwalks, style statements, and cameo appearances run wild in Zoolander 2, the sequel to Zoolander (2001). Ben Stiller reprises his role of Derek Zoolander, a silly male model while Owen Wilson returns as Hansel McDonald, another male model who was Derek’s arch nemesis in Zoolander but becomes his best friend in the sequel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XBDE7aijIs Stiller has appeared in notable movies including There’s Something About Mary (1998) Mystery Men (1999), Meet the Parents (2000), Meet the Fockers (2004), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Night at the Museum (2006) and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) giving stellar performances in each but his role as Derek in his latest comedy and its prequel is perhaps too easy to forget. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stiller.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Was the sequel of Zoolander much anticipated by viewers? The answer is in the negative! At a time when Hollywood is buzzing with side-splitting comedies like Deadpool, Kung Fu Panda 3, and Ride Along 2, Zoolander 2 came like a fad that faded away within a week. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stiller, Penélope Cruz and Owen Wilson
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] The movie has its ups and downs, and it doesn’t really seem like a sequel. It begins with unknown assassins killing celebrities. Derek, who is now living in seclusion, away from the hustle and bustle, must come out of hiding and join hands with Hansel McDonald, to find answers. With ordinary waggishness, action, and suspense being the combination of the movie, the script itself is ordinary and presents nothing inimitable. The action scenes are predictable and do not entertain. Where the prequel had a few giggly bits here and there, Zoolander 2 does not have many of them, if at all. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stiller and Penélope Cruz.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Penélope Cruz playing Valentina Valencia, an Interpol agent working on uncovering the assassinations is a breath of fresh air. Her role could have been much better had her character not been abased to a chatterbox, plastic bimbo. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller and Penélope Cruz.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Other cameo appearances continue to deliver reprocessed humour, which is not funny at all. Celebrities appearing in cameos include MC Hammer, Sting, Kiefer Sutherland, and a few others. Naming them all will be a spoiler. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Will Ferrell returns to Zoolander 2 as villain, Jacobim Mugatu. His appearance, in the latter parts of the second half, somewhat saves the movie from being an utter waste of time. Moreover, where Stiller and Wilson are lead protagonists, it is Ferrell’s comic timing which is better than all others in the movie. His antics actually make viewers laugh. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Penélope Cruz.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Stiller’s character of Derek Zoolander could have been made much bigger than it was in the prequel, however, the script and the plot were not cohesive enough to get the job done. Watching the duo, Stiller and Wilson, was the only sigh of relief in a movie that does not offer anything clever, or amusing. It is Stiller and Wilson’s on-screen chemistry and their ability to keep their scenes digestible that saves the movie from being a complete disaster. The burden of making sure Zoolander 2 is being funny, which it wasn’t, perhaps falls on Ben Stiller’s shoulder, who has directed it. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Will Ferrell and Nathan Lee Graham.
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] The proverb of ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ sits aptly with the movie as the script is monotonous despite having the brains of four writers behind it. With the overuse of curse words, lustful language, and comic violence, the movie fails especially when compared to its predecessor. It seems the director and writers have tried their best to add humour but end up with senseless babble that fails to build the plot. The climax of the movie is a mere 30 to 45 minutes in length and seems too cluttered with dialogues and action that the message – if there was any – seems to be lost. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] At the end of the movie, all you will remember are Stiller and Wilson for their rigid faces, Penélope Cruz for her jabbering character and Will Ferrell for his comic timing. It gets difficult for the audience to digest the excessive cameo characters that utter a line or two adding so much confusion that the story loses its charm. Even the action scenes seem to be glued together to form a sequence and with too much distraction due to nonsensical comedy and a parade of cameos, Zoolander 2 is a movie that will soon be forgotten akin to Zoolander. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] If you are adamant on watching Zoolander 2, then do it only if you have no other plans.