Badmaash Company (2010)

The Plot

Karan, Chandu, Zing and Bulbul are 4 youngsters just out of college in Bombay, 1994. They are on the lookout for some easy cash and a big life full of glamor. They get lured by fast bucks and don’t hesitate in going illegal too. They cheat the customs by not paying duty by following some fraudulent schemes.

Then they shift to the US, follow the same policy there too.  They try their hands in other types of shady businesses too and finally the law catches up with them and their leader Karan also becomes too egoistic, arrogant and he hardly respects his partners and family. He loses his business and friends.

Then he spends time in jail, realizes his follies and returns to re-unite with his buddies and this time they help Karan’s uncle resurrect his business in a legal manner. All is well in the end with the friends and also with Karan’s family. 

                                                                         

Hits

• Shahid Kapoor though heavily inspired by SRK, is very boyish, charming and is the typical dude. He shows a lot of intensity and talent.
• Anushka Sharma shows her super-hot, sexy and oomphy side in this movie. Jaw dropping stuff-strutting from her. She is obviously a good actress too as we’ve come to know
• The chemistry between the leads is truly sizzling. Their lip locks are so passionate and up the heat factor.
• The 2 friends Chandu and Zing have their moments too. Good smart character artistes. The scenes where they are obsessed with girls and booze are funny. They also do well in their confrontations scenes with Karan when he becomes arrogant. 
• Lovely peppy songs by Pritam, with maximum focus on groovy beats

Misses

• Since the movie is set in the mid-90s, it’s hard to believe the kind of language the friends speak, the kind of costumes they wear and the kind of facilities that are seen in all the locations.
• The schemes used by the friends are sometimes clever but very cinematic and hardly believable. 

VERDICT

Decent heist movie in typical Bollywood style. Colorful Yash Raj extravaganza. 

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

The Plot
3 long time friends, Kabir, Arjun and Imran decide to go on a bachelor road trip to Spain, to celebrate Kabir's last few days of bachelorhood. The plan is to try out 3 surprising adventure sports that would help overcome their fears. Deep sea diving, sky diving and bull fighting are the 3 chosen sports.

The 3 guys realize their life's true existence and after the trip they get what they want in life and are free from all confusions. Arjun meets his true love Laila, the sea diving instructor. Imran knows the truth behind his mysterious father and Kabir realizes that his marriage is nothing but an effort to appease his family. Some solid male bonding and dreamy romance are also part of the package

                                                                           
Hits

• The 3 adventure sports have been shot like a dream. We can literally feel the adrenaline rush and the swirl of emotions. Beautifully shot. All the 3 episodes take the cake.
• The Spanish locations are worth catching up on the big screen. Magnificent locales. We yearn to see these places
• Farhan Akhtar as Imran scores the maximum brownie points among this ensemble cast. He is spontaneous with his jokes, emotes well and dances cool too. 
• Katrina Kaif as Laila is every man's dream girl and her pleasant smile and elegant dressing add to her splendor. She emotes very well nowadays. The way she rides the bike and proposes to Hrithik is one solid romantic moment
• Hrithik as Arjun carries the business dude look with the yo accent and the money minded nature perfectly. He is a Greek God, plain and simple. His reactions when he is about to leave Laila are really endearing. His friendship with Farhan has its share of frictions and it pans out nicely in the end. 
• Abhay Deol's voice is girly but still he impresses with his honest portrayal. The Dev D star is better off doing the drugged and spoilt brat rather than playing the rich and decent lad. 
• The songs are a major plus and they are picturized as expected, in a grand manner. 'Paint it Red', 'Udi', 'Senorita' you name it, the movie has it. 

Misses

• A bit slow in the second half with a cameo for Naseeruddin Shah thrown in. Anyone could have done this role but, the surprise factor is what must have brought Naseer in. 

VERDICT

Bollywood's answer to the Hollywood road-trip genre with a nice message about 'living life to the fullest' and 'following your heart'. Fairy-tale like and feel good to the core. 

Green Zone (2010)

The Plot
The movie is about the WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction)scenario in Iraq. US Soldier Roy Miller heads the WMD unit and he leads his team to many spots but they don't uncover any WMD. He starts suspecting the US intel that they are provided.

With the help of a journalist Lawrie Dayne, another US official Martin Brown, a local Iraqi citizen Freddie, Miller uncovers the truth about the actual WMD scenario from General Mohammad Al Rawi, the former right hand man of Saddam.

Miller comes to know that the US Govt. had actually faked the intel and that there is no WMD in Iraq ever since 1991. He realizes that this war is a major sham to just eliminate Saddam and take over Iraq for the oil and other such reserves. He exposes this in the end to the media.

                                                                 
Hits

• Matt Damon is the single biggest force in the movie and he carries this action movie on his shoulders with his charisma and intensity
• The depiction of firing and other such standard army procedures is quite authentic. 
• The screenplay is action packed all through. Not much space for long dialogues et al. 

VERDICT

Though the movie is cinematic in that, a single soldier exposes a major military scam, it is still a worthy movie from the 'Bourne' director-actor combo of Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon. Yet another US-Iraq war movie.  

Twelve Monkeys (1995)

The plot

The world has been devastated by a deadly virus that has killed about 5 billion people, starting from the US passing to many other countries, in 1996. James Cole is sent on time travel to the past, first 1990 and then 1996. The purpose of this time travel is to find the source of the virus in its purest form so that scientists in the present can find a cure for this virus and help humans regain control over the planet. Animals have taken over the planet in the present day world.

In 1990, he is sent to a mental hospital where he meets Jeffrey Goines a lunatic whose father is a famous virologist. He also meets a psychiatrist Kathryn Railly who is intrigued by his prepositions that the world has already seen the loss of 5 billion people. She doesn’t believe what he says at first but later accepts as events unfold according to what he says because he has already seen everything happen before.

In 1996, he meets the psychiatrist again and they both are on a mad race to find the source of this man made virus and the mystery surrounding the army of the twelve monkeys

An intriguing sci-fi movie which is complex at the same time highly understandable thanks to a brilliant screenplay.  

                                                                           

Hits

• Brad Pitt as the lunatic Jeffrey Goines brings out the most flamboyant crazy act seen in movies. The accent, the gestures, the crazy smiles and the hyperactive expressions are all worth watching again and again.
• Bruce Willis is overshadowed by Pitt when they are in the same frame. But, his performance is also very good as the disturbed James Cole, who is confused whether he is really lunatic or whether what he visualizes and believes are true.
• Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist Railly looks so cute and adorable. One of the prettiest women around for sure and a highly competent performance as the frustrated and desperate Kathryn Railly.  
• Brilliant concept aided by a very fast screenplay. Never a dull moment. Seat edge moments galore. 

Misses

• Some confusing moments. I assume that the most competent among the dead 5 billion, are in the time machine and volunteers are sent on a time travel to gather information on the virus. 

VERDICT

The brilliant concept, Brad Pitt's natural talent showcase, Madeleine Stowe's super pretty face and a typically brooding Bruce Willis make this movie a must watch. 

Classic: Donnie Darko (2001)

The Plot

Donnie Darko is a school kid and he has some sleep walking problems and he takes medication also for the same. He has 2 sisters and lives with his parents. The story happens in October 1988

Suddenly he starts getting visions of a big bunny rabbit that gives him instructions to do certain destructive things in and around his place. It also tells him that the world is about to end at the end of the month. Donny treats this imaginary character as a friend called Frank. Donny also meets a doctor Lillian Thurman for counseling. He gets a new girlfriend at school and is not in the good books of his gym instructor because his thoughts are too radical. 

He then starts reading a book about time travel written by a mysterious 101 yr old day in his area called Roberta Sparrow who was a former science teacher at his school. He finds coincidences to what he reads in the book and what happens to him in real life. As he reaches the end of the book, we are startled as a big shocking twist is thrown at us. The movie turns out to be a big mind bender and dreams & visualizations are a major part of the movie. 

                                                                          

Hits

• Jake Gyllenhaal with his wry smile and light eyes is perfect for the part of the mentally affected Donny.
• Other than him, the other characters are just minor additions like the English teacher played by Drew Barrymore, Donny’s parents, his girlfriend, his sisters, his gym instructor, Jake Cunningham, the old lady, Frank, the 2 school bullies, the Chinese class mate etc. etc. 

VERDICT

This is totally the director Richard Kelly’s movie for the stunning screenplay and shocking climax. MUST 

WATCH. Needs repeated viewing of the key portions at-least for total understanding. 

Deiva Thirumagal (2011)

The Plot
A remake of the Sean Penn starrer "I am Sam". Vikram and baby Sarah reprise the 2 memorable lead roles of the mentally retarded man with the mental faculties of a 5 yr old and his 5 yr old cute daughter. If in the original, it is the Govt. that is against the father staying with his daughter, here it is the father-in-law's family that is against the father staying with his daughter.

Here also, a lawyer Anuradha takes up the case of the father Krishna, as he aims to reunite with his daughter Nila. Nila's mother dies during her birth and her sister Shweta comes to know about Nila and doesn't want to give her up. A senior lawyer Bashyam is on Shweta's side and is against Krishna's bid to get his daughter.

Krishna has his set of childish friends and he is a very good man at heart. He works at a chocolate factory and there are some comedy portions here, involving Krishna and 2 other workers. Anuradha also has her 2 sidekicks who provide some funny moments as they try to get a case desperately.

In the end, what happens to the father and his daughter and whether they reunite or not is the question.

                                                                     
Hits

• Dr.Vikram scales peaks yet again. As the naive, pure and childish Krishna he is A rate. But, heavily inspired by Sean Penn's act
• Baby Sarah is angelic and godly. Lovely emoting too. The father daughter bonding is the biggest highlight of the movie. Their pranks with their hands, their attempts at story telling etc. etc. are so touching and innocent
• G.V. Prakash is the biggest highlight of the first half as his mesmerizing BGM and songs take up the entire first half. This is his best work till date, by a mile. Maestro like. 
• Anushka looks elegant and acts well too. Amala Paul looks fresh but, a very minuscule part. 
• Santhanam looks very smart and provides some funny moments as he attempts to win the case for Krishna by manipulating the witnesses
• The childish friends of Krishna are also a take-off from "I am Sam". Good genuine fun nevertheless. 
• Other characters like Ragi and the factory owner also make a mark with their pure intentions. 
• Director Vijay's cute touches at showing Krishna's law abiding and helpful nature

Misses

• Some comedy scenes in the first half are irritating
• Vizhigalil Oru Vanavil song looks great and smashing on screen thanks to Nirav Shah, the editing and the visual effects. But, very poor placement.
• In the end, Anushka's efforts and character lose their weight. 
• Nasser appears brooding in the entire film. Quite an irritating and lengthy character portrayal. 

VERDICT

In-spite of the misses and the obvious inspiration, the movie makes a mark for its feel good nature 

The Big Lebowski (1998)

The Plot
Jeffrey Lebowski loves to call himself 'The Dude'. He doesn't have a job and his only work is to go bowling and have a good time with his 2 buddies Walter and Donny. Walter is a Nam war veteran and Donny has this knack of being rebuked for each question he asks.

Due to a confusion arising out of the same name, The Dude is mistaken to be a big shot of the same name and 2 people come to his home, rough him up and pee on his rug. The big Lebowski has a young wife Bunny who is into pornography and she takes money from many parties without bothering to return the money. There are people who are after her for the money.

The Dude gets mixed up with the Big Lebowski after Bunny goes missing suddenly. The Dude is asked to be the courier to deliver the money to the supposed kidnappers. He is offered some money for this job too. The Dude is now caught between the parties who are after the money from Bunny, the supposed kidnappers and also with the big Lebowski and his manager. The big Lebowski's daughter also uses the Dude like a sperm donor for her child

In the end, The Dude realizes that everything is just a sham and that the big Lebowski wants Bunny dead and Bunny has not been kidnapped at all. But unfortunately, in the ensuing fight in the climax, he loses his friend Donny to the bullet. Finally, The Dude gets back to his laid back life on the bowling alley along with his aggressive friend Walter.

                                                                   

Hits

• Jeff Bridges looks the part as The Dude. Always clad in casuals and with his coolers and long locks in place, he is a true rock star. And his voice covers all the emotions easily.
• John Goodman as the aggressive Walter is another guy with dude looks. The huge frame and the light coolers go so well with him. He impresses in the scenes when he spews aggression worked up in him from his Nam days. 
• Steve Buscemi plays the unfortunate Donny. A nice touching cameo from him. We feel bad for his death. 
• The ladies in the film are all ever willing to expose. A good time for the lads.
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as manager Brandt is another charismatic character and he has a way with his words

Misses

• Some confusion due to too many characters in the movie

VERDICT

Another complex and enjoyable entertainer from the Coen brothers. It's sort of a buddy movie in the end. 

This is England (2006)

The Plot
Set in England 1983, during the times of Margaret Thatcher and the war with Argentina. There are a bunch of skinheads who are fiercely patriotic about their England and don't want immigrants to come and take their share of the pie. They feel that they are losing out on a good life and jobs due to the immigrants particularly the Pakistanis.

A young boy Shaun is also taken into this group by the leader Combo, after seeing his angst at losing his father in one of the wars. Shaun also indulges in bullying the Pakistanis along with Combo and gang. There are also a set of skinheads like Woody and Lol who are also Shaun's friends,but don't want to get mixed up with Combo's violent form of nationalism.

In the end Shaun realizes that all this violence towards other immigrants is going to help him in no way after seeing Combo brutally butcher Milky, a Jamaican friend, in a fit of drunken rage. Shaun throws the St. George's Cross flag into the river in the end.

                                                                         
Hits

• Stephen Graham as the fiercely proud skinhead Combo is a very talented actor. His expressions are top class. But, his baby face doesn't make him look the part. 
• Thomas Turgoose as the 12 yr old Shaun acts over smart and beyond his age as the character demands. 
• The music score by Ludovico Einaudi is good. Some songs and poignant theme bits are part of the score.
• The screenplay is not very predictable. It travels on unexpected paths at times like when Woody backs out from violence, when we actually expected him to lead the fight. 

VERDICT

The obvious similarities to American History X, that classic movie, notwithstanding, this movie is also worth a watch for the socially relevant themes of racism and nationalism.  

The Graduate movie review

The Plot

Benjamin is a brilliant student who comes home to a great welcome. But, he doesn’t enjoy all the attention. He finds some solace in an illicit relationship with his parents’ business partner Mrs. Robinson. This lasts for a month or so. Mrs. Robinson doesn’t want Benjamin seeing her daughter Elaine.

But Benjamin sees Elaine reluctantly at first and falls madly in love with her. Elaine comes to know of this illicit relationship and she as expected leaves Ben. She hears a different version of the actual story from her mother. But, her love is intact.

In the end, in spite of parental opposition Ben wins Elaine over at her marriage function. They elope as the rest of the marriage party looks on helplessly. 

                                                                        

Hits

• A total Dustin Hoffman film. Initially he is nervous with Mrs. Robinson, later he starts opening up and in the end he becomes a complete romantic as he falls head over heels in love with Elaine
• Some of the pranks that Ben does are enjoyable particularly the desperation he shows in the climax to marry Elaine

VERDICT

Starts off as an illicit relationship movie and then turns into a classic template for the romantic movie that keeps releasing at such regular intervals in recent years. 

Fargo movie review

The Plot
Jerry Lundegaard takes the services of 2 henchmen at Fargo, Carl and Grimsrud, to kidnap his wife Jean, so that he can extort some money out of his rich father in law Wade. The henchmen are promised 80000$ and a car to do their job. This was supposed to be a smooth affair

But things turn bloody near Brainerd where the 2 henchmen kill 3 people who come in their way after they kidnap Jean. The police are hot on their heels now lead by the pregnant Marge Gunderson. Finally only Grimsrud is left alive and even Jean,Wade and some other people are brutally shot. Marge arrests Grimsrud in the end after he kills the already shot Carl with a spade.

                                                                     
Hits

• Frances McDormand as the pregnant cop is charming and charismatic with her words. Very cheerful particularly her dialogs which have a lot of "Yeah"
• The snow clad setting is perfect for this investigation story. 
• The sad title theme played out with violins is quite touching. 
• The 2 henchmen are totally contrasting. While Carl is constantly irritable and very abusive, Grimsrud is always grim and rarely talks.
• William H. Macy as the fumbling Jerry makes a mark in the scenes where he is at the receiving end of conversations. The helpless and restless expressions come easily to him.  

VERDICT

Good on screen adaptation of a real life murder incident, by the Coen brothers.

The Green Mile movie review

The Plot

108 yrs old Paul Edgecomb reminisces about his life in the Green Mile where he was in charge of executing prisoners who are on death row in the electric chair. He tells his experiences to his friend Elaine at the old age home.

Paul vividly remembers how a huge, burly animal-like dark prisoner John Coffey had healing powers and how he cured his urinary infection, saved a mouse Mr. Jingles’ life and gave a second life to his colleague’s daughter who was suffering from a brain tumor. John is such a wonderful human being whose character  is in total contrast to his appearance.

There is also a jerky prison officer Percy who is sadistic and always wants to show his influence and contacts and he causes a lot of harm to a prisoner called Del even during Del’s execution. Percy is actually a very weak person and the way his life pans out in the end as a mentally retarded person is very apt.

Each of the prison inmates has his own story and the bonding between the mouse and Del is one of the real highlights of the movie. John is actually in the prison for a crime he didn’t commit and Paul is really filled with guilt for executing such a pure at heart and highly divine person. He leaves the job after this execution and so does his dear friend and colleague Brutal. Dean and Harry are the other prison officers who are also really good at heart and humane.

After being healed by John, both Paul and the mouse Mr. Jingles turn almost immortal.

                                                                          

 Hits

• Tom Hanks turns in a restrained show as Paul, the E block chief in charge of the prisoners' execution.
• Michael Clarke Duncan, the huge John Coffey must rank among the most contrasting characters in movie history. Monstrous from the outside and so tender and divine inside. Great show.
• David Morse as Brutal, has a very soft face but a huge frame and is quite cute in fact. Good show again.
• Doug Hutchison succeeds in getting us to hate him, as Percy. He is a real jerk and he portrays this role very convincingly. 
• Barry Peeper as Dean is another humane prison officer who succeeds in making a positive impact with his sober show. 
• Every other character like the old Paul, the friend Elaine, the wife Jan, the prison officer Harry, the prisoner Del, even the mouse Mr.Jingles leave an impression too. 
• The healing scenes are quite mystical and fascinating. That too when John coughs out some bee-like   particles, it is really haunting. 

VERDICT

A totally character driven film where each actor literally lives the role and succeed in engaging the viewer completely. 

127 hours movie review

The Plot

It is a true life depiction of how avid mountain climber and adventure freak Aron Ralston, gets trapped in the Blue John Canyon for 127 hours.

He goes off without leaving a note and no one knows his whereabouts during these 127 hours. He initially frantically tries to set his arm free, but later realizes that it is not going to help and slowly he uses all his memories of his past, his family, friends, his lady love and he even hallucinates about a talk show where he has a conversation with himself and he really repents his state.

He finally does the unthinkable after surviving with bare minimum water, food and protection. He even drinks his own urine to survive. He cuts his arm off in a moment of sheer desperation to survive. He leaves the place in a rescue chopper after he finally finds help through some other fellow climbers.

The film is quite intense and might not suit the faint hearted.

                                                                         
Hits

• James Franco literally lives the role. We can feel the pain through him.
• A.R. Rahman provides some soul lifting BGM for the scenes when Aron is in the process of severing his arm and also in the final sequences when he shouts for help after escaping the canyon. Fills us with tears and goose bumps.
• The cinematography is imposing particularly in the sequence when the camera moves top angle to show us the extent of the depth of the crack that Aron is stuck in
• The dialogues are quite brilliant and emotional particularly the final dialogue by Aron after his escape “I need help. I need water. I got stuck in a crack. I cut my arm”. When complemented by ARR’s BGM, it is time to get overwhelmed by a swirl of emotions. 

VERDICT

Sheer triumph of the human spirit and the will to survive. Great cinema by Danny Boyle to bring to the silver screens the life of a great adventurer and survivor, Aron Ralston.  

Black Swan movie review

The Plot
A dancer at a theater company, Nina Sayers is very obsessed about perfection in her dance and all her practice sessions are directed towards getting that coveted lead role in the play Swan Lake that is to kick-start their company's new season.

She gets the role and following this, she goes through hell in the form of violent hallucinations, disturbing dreams and all this takes a toll on her relationship with her mother and her health too. In the climax, she gives a spell binding performance in the play and what happens to her next is the picture perfect moment in the film.

Another Darren Aronofsky obsession movie. The movie has lot of disturbing and graphic images of violence and sex. Not for the faint hearted. The blood and the pain give a lot of impact to the viewer.

Hits

• Natalie Portman's perfect performance. Her dance moves, her expressions in the final performance and her pain during her preparation for the role are top class
• The music by Clint Mansell and the adapted music from the play Swan Lake are mesmerizing and induce goose bumps. 
• Good supporting roles for the actors who play the ultra sexy San Francisco dancer Lily, Nina's mother and the director Thomas Leroy. 

VERDICT

A glorious show by Natalie Portman carries the movie to the winning post singlehandedly, supported ably by the soundtrack. 

180 movie review

The Plot

Ajay comes to Kasi and decided to lead a fresh life as Mano after seeing the careless attitude of a small kid towards death. He then moves to Chennai and gets a home and helps all the people around him. His policy is to live for the day and not bother about the past or future.

He helps the small newspaper boys; he helps his house owners set up a mess etc. His neighbor Vidya, a reporter falls for him due to his jovial, playful and helpful nature. She confesses his love for him but he refuses. Later, due to a freak accident, Ajay is forced to take Vidya to the US for treatment.

There he revisits his past, his love marriage with Renu, an NRI girl. He was actually a doctor and he uses his contacts to get Vidya treated in his very same hospital. What leads to his present attitude and state, is told in the flashback that moves in parallel with the present. The significance of the title is also proved in the flashback scenes. 

                                                                      

Hits

• Siddharth is perfect for the role of the cheerful NRI doctor. His costumes are awesome and he looks very handsome. He contrasts well during the emotional scenes
• The 2 heroines are very expressive and emotive in their own way. While Priya Anand is so slim and svelte with some terrific costumes, Nithya Menon is voluptuous and cute at the same time. Both act very well though; Nithya’s costumes don’t suit her huge frame. 
• The film has high production values rivaling Hollywood films. The cinematography by Balasubramaniam is a major plus. The US locales are a real treat to the eye and the final Rio de Janeiro shots are a real dream. 
• The songs by Sharreth are superb. Many hit songs and the opening song in particular "Rules Kidayadhu" shot at 1000 frames per second with awesome detailing is a huge highlight. 
• The 2 friends Julie and Sambasivam play apt foils to the lead roles.
• Some of the love scenes and dialogs are enjoyable. 

Misses

• The film drags in the second half, the emotional scenes in particular 

VERDICT

A Manirathnam style romantic movie that is worth watching for the beautiful people, beautiful locales and the beautiful songs. 

Venghai movie review

The Plot
It is set in a village Pandiapuram where Veerapandian is the most respected and feared person. Sort of don of dons. Rajalingam is elected as the Sivagangai district MLA through Veerapandian's goodwill. Selvam is his son who is sent away to Trichy to lead a calm life. Selvam respects his dad like a God.

He falls in love with Radhika, his school days flame and a demure woman. Their love has the fair share of misunderstandings and family related problems. As expected Rajalingam is corrupt and he is against Veerapandian's domineering ways which are always for the good of the village.

They both are after each other's heads. Which party wins, is the story. As expected the hero finishes off the corrupt guys in the climax almost singlehandedly after some interesting but predictable ideas, dialogues and sentiments.

There is the usual buffoon comedian who gets bashed up by all and sundry & the rural film constants like Rajkiran and Prakashraj as the village chief-ton and villain respectively. There are also some good moments typical of Hari's films like some fast fights and twists at the appropriate moments.

                                                                           
Hits

• Devi Sri Prasad has given some good songs. 3 of them are hum worthy. But his BGM is loud most of the times
• Dhanush puts up a good show as usual. A full range from him. His fighting is much more convincing now.

Misses

• Too much importance to the sickle and lots of bloodshed. A throwback to olden days.
• Tamanna is a big dud. She looks pale and sad most of the times. Her midriff exposure in the songs is a poor compensation too. 

VERDICT

Just an average Hari movie with lots of typical elements that you would find in his films.

Classic: Amadeus Director's Cut (1984)

The Plot
The movie starts off with an old Antonio Salieri confessing to a church's father, as to how he plotted the death of the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri is a court composer at the Austrian Emperor's court. He is a hard working musician who learnt music through sheer interest despite his father not showing any interest in music.

Mozart on the other hand is a child prodigy who is nurtured by his father from a very young age. Mozart is a very extravagant character and he enjoys life to the core with a lot of drinks and with his lover girl. Salieri just can't digest the fact that a singlemindedly devoted character like him isn't even a percentage of what Mozart is, despite Mozart being a very funny character from the outside.

Mozart moves to Vienna and to the emperor's court from Salzburg, despite his father's disinterest at this move and his marriage. Then, Salieri starts plotting Mozart's downfall by not giving him some good offers, by seeing to it that his operas don't run for long and by not allowing new students to go to him.

Mozart thus becomes increasingly reliant on drinks due to the lack of quality work and Salieri even convinces him through shady means to compose a death mass following the death of Mozart's father. This piece really takes a toll on Mozart and Salieri succeeds in his mission at getting Mozart killed. But, 32 yrs on, Salieri is full of guilt and feels miserable at all the mediocrity around at a mental hospital after he attempts suicide.

                                                                     
Hits

• The music for this movie is one for the ages. Many of Mozart's operas have been recreated brilliantly and been picturized equally astonishingly in grand theaters.Antonio Salieri's works have also been used. Goose bumps all over. 
• F. Murray Abraham as Salieri is unbelievably brilliant particularly in the old makeover. The scenes where he feels the music through his words are mesmerizing. Deserved the Oscar
• Tom Hulce as Mozart is very apt be it the funny laughs, the comic walk, the charming smile or the passionate music composing during the operas. Brilliant. 
• Elizabeth Berridge as Mozart's concerned and possessive wife is another terrific character. She is so cute, charming, and busty too :) Quite a dream woman to have as a wife. 
• The costumes are all so extravagant and colorful. The big grand hats, the outrageous wigs, the gowns etc. Mirrors the period and the setting perfectly. 

VERDICT

A complete musical feast with some passionate human drama thrown in. An eclectic mix. MUST WATCH. 

Green Street Hooligans (2005)

The Plot
Matt is kicked out of Harvard for a false drug related crime and he comes to East London to live at his sister's. He is introduced to the culture of football gangs. West Ham United is the club that he is exposed to, thanks to Pete the gang leader and Steve's brother. Steve is Matt's sister Shannon's husband. GSE is what the firm or gang is called.

Matt is particularly hated by Bower,a GSE member for being a Yank and he is also thought of as an under-cover journo when all that he did was maintain a daily journal as part of being a journalism student. But, Pete is very close to Matt and the other members also see him as one of their own.

West Ham have a bitter rivalry with Milwall and the respective gang leaders have a personal score to settle. In the ensuing gang war, there is a lot of violence and Matt goes back to Harvard in the end after being grateful to Pete for teaching him to live with true grit.

                                                                       
Hits

• Charlie Hunnam as Pete, the GSE leader looks and plays the part of a yo yo punk with conviction
• We are introduced to the world of football gang fanaticism which is quite new
• The guy who plays Bower is also good in the scenes where he repents for his back stabbing of the GSE and later when he proves his loyalty again to his leader. 

VERDICT

A decent buddy movie with a different premise on football fan gangs. Watchable. 

Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011)

The movie is about 3 friends and housemates - Vikrant, Rajat and Nishant, and their respective flings with 3 girls - Riya, Neha and Charu.

While Riya is a big time flirt, Neha is a big control freak and very possessive. Charu just uses Nishant as a tool to get her work done. For all the 3 guys, this is their first relationship.

Finally after a variety of problems, the 3 guys break lose from their girls and decide that being single is true bliss.

Guys who have had some sort of experience with girls can relate to this movie big time. Most of the scenes are realistic even though the girls act crazy because that is how girls are, most of the times. 

                                                                           
Hits

• The very casual take on love and relationships. The relationship guide is in particular very funny
• Will strike a chord big time with people who have lost in their love life
• The 3 guys are all apt for the roles. The girls are hot. 
• The easy bonding between the guys is nice to see. 
• It's a nice date movie and also a movie which guys can see over a round of drinks. 

Comments

• We wish the guys in the movie had a bit more self respect and been more aggressive while breaking up with their girls. They do whatever their girl says and become mere puppets beyond a point. Except Vikrant, the other 2 just keep their frustrations within themselves and don't show it on the girls.

VERDICT

Will appeal to the "lost in love" crowd majorly. Authentic portrayal of city girls and the way they literally enslave guys.

The Godfather: Part II (1974)

The Plot
The film traces the path of Michael Corleone's life as The Godfather, how he ambitiously plans to rise in the casino business, how his wife goes away from him citing his shady life as a gangster, how he deals with the inquiry commissions and how he again deals with all his back-stabbers including his brother Fredo and other close aides.

The early days of Vito Corleone is another parallel track in the film. Right from the days when Vito comes to New York as a small kid after the murders of his father and brother to his early days of struggle as a family man cum paisan to his bonding with Clemenza, Tessio and how they deal with the local don Fanucci to how he rises as a Don and how he takes revenge on Don Cicci for the murder of his father.

The film ends with an aged Michael Corleone reminiscing about how his life had changed.

                                                                       
Hits

• The rise of Vito Corleone is easily the best part of the film. Robert De Niro is brilliant as the young and middle aged Vito. That easy gait and the pleasing face are major pluses for Robert
• Al Pacino as Michael is grim faced throughout the film and he under plays and bursts out with ease. Class act.
• Robert Duvall has another major role as Tommy Hagen. Another restrained show. 
• The casting is perfect. Michael's son looks just like young Al Pacino and Vito's son Fredo looks like Robert De Niro  
• The soundtrack is an extension of the first part's. Legendary themes by Nino Rota

Misses

• Not as gripping as the first part.
• Particularly, Michael's business dealings are picturized in too much detail and the screenplay is bogged down. 

VERDICT

Watchable for Al Pacino and Robert De Niro

Delhi Belly (2011)

The Plot
A bag of diamonds are replaced mistakenly with a bag of shit by 3 friends Tashi, Nitin and Arup. Tashi's girlfriend Sonia, an air-hostess is actually supposed to smuggle these diamonds unknowingly but, she hands it over to Tashi and the bag passes hands and finally turns into shit when it reaches the gangster that it is supposed to reach

The gangsters begin their hunt for the diamonds and they nab the 3 guys. But, a comedy of errors follow and the diamonds again land up with the 3 guys who sell it off. The gangsters kidnap Sonia and demand the diamonds back from the trio. They take the help of Menaka, Tashi's boss and one sided lover to save Sonia.

What happens to the gangsters, the diamonds and Tashi's love life is the culmination which is in true Guy Ritchie style with cops, shootouts et al. Aamir Khan makes an appearance in the end with a funny number.

                                                                           

Hits

• Absolute contempt for Indian cinema's traditions and values. Liberal use of expletives, exposure of skin and cheap jokes that make us laugh 
• 2 smoking hot ladies and they have some intense smooches and ****jobs with the lead man. The climatic smooch is in fact scorching and the kiss in the 'parda' is equally pulse-raising. 
• The lighthearted nature of the content. Perfect timepass. 
• The fat guy Nitin is perfect for the role of the guy with a troublesome tummy who farts regularly. 
• The climax is particularly the clincher. Reminds us of some cult English films. 

Misses

• The shitty jokes are overdone and are not in good taste after a certain point. 
• Imran Khan is very plastic and artificial. His looks are good, nevertheless. 
• 'Bhaag DK Bose' could have been picturized entirely. Even as a montage, the song deserved its entirety and not just the bits and pieces that has come up on screen. 

VERDICT

Justifies the hype well and the tagline even better