IRON MAN 3

Genre:  Superhero/Sci-Fi/Action

Director: Shane Black

Cast : Robert Downey Jr.(Tony Stratk/ Iron Man), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes), Guy Pearce (Aldrich Killian), Rebecca Hall (Maya Hansen), Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan), Ben Kingsley (The Mandarin), Paul Bettany (JARVIS), Ty Simpkins (Harle, The Kid)

A perfect conclusion to the Anchor series for Marvel Comics which has lead to everything from Avengers to its multiple storylines. From the time Iron Man takes its first flight to the time when all the suits are finished by JARVIS, has marked a journey of transformation of Tony from a Merchant of Death to a Super-Hero. This movie belongs to Tony Stark and not Iron Man.

Does the man make the suit??
OR
Does the suit make the man??

This question had severely started haunting Tony Stark since the New York incident of Avengers and all he can think of doing with this severe tension of his is to TINKER, i.e. design more and more variants of his suit with specific functionalities.

With all this going on America is struck by the terrorist activities of a Super-Terrorist who calls himself as The Mandarin. His reach knows no bounds and his threats are of serious concern as they were turning out to be real. With a series of blasts in American establishments around the globe, he ends up stirring a lot of attention. Even though, the Governments of the whole worlds are busy preparing for another probable incident against aliens, Iron Patriot is assigned the security of President of America against a direct threat issued by Mandarin.

When one more blast which accidentally ends up severely hurting Happy, Tony’s bodyguard and friend, Tony ends up taking it personally and openly challenges Mandarin. Its then, his house is struck and all his lab and suits end up getting blown up. With his back against the wall, Tony embarks on a journey to discover the truth behind Mandarin.

The movie is very unique as its able to maintain the High Humor quotient, whereas being classically Epic too where the decisions made by Tony in the past make him regret his present situation. Not only the story is able to encompass a lot of areas but its visual effects extravaganza is Awesomeness Picturized, especially during the Air-Force One plane escape scene. All the Tony Stark attitude has been played amazingly by Robert Downey Jr. (needless to say, he carries the entire movie on his shoulders…) and all the actors have had their parts cleared precisely too. Loved to see Dale's careless attitude as the first EXTREMIS experiment. Orchestral Music by Brian Tyler has a major role in increasing the overall adrenaline levels. Shane Black has proven his mettle as a very good director as the story keeps one glued to the seat without exception.

There is just infinite things can say praising the movie, so, I will just conclude it by sayin…
My rating:- 4.75/5, after watching the movie 5 times already, I still get a high when 35 Iron Man suits simultaneously say . “Yes Sir”…  :D

 

Batman – The Dark Knight Returns Part 2

Genre:  Animation/Action/Superhero

Director: Jay Oliva

Cast (voice) : Peter Weller (Batman/Bruce Wayne), Mark Valley (Superman/Clark Kent) , Michael Emerson(Joker), Ariel Winter (Robin)

Based on one of the best graphic novels of all time – The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, this movie is one of the best and most epic animated super hero movies one will ever come around. This one makes you think and breaks all the odds and norms of any average animated movie. It gets one deep into the characters of Batman, Superman and Joker (as we know them…) and flourishes on their psyche.

The story continues from the first installment where Bruce Wayne is about to touch his fifties and Gotham has rotten from its roots. After years of quitting due to people pressure, he wears the cape again to bring in some hope, law and order. Not only he has to face rejection from people and opposition by old foes like Joker but his own friends like Superman go against him. Then the story continues in the way he manages to win people and counter those against him. With a slight help, he manages to be the first human to defeat Superman face first and that was an amazing treat for the eyes.

All this epic quotient has been possible because of a highly impressive script and great screenplay. Though quality of animation has nothing very impressive about it and is similar to the standard DC universe animation. Character re-development is superb and the script lets in space for loads of epic moments, especially when Batman loses his control and kills someone for the first time.

My Rating : 3.75/5 , a must watch for all Batman fans as this will redefine his image in their minds and take it to the next level. And obviously, you will enjoy seeing the ends of Joker‘s life and Superman’s career via the hands of Batman….  NOBODY messes with The Dark Knight when he is on business… ;)

Talaash

Genre: Crime/Thriller/Drama

Director: Reema Kagti

Cast: Aamir Khan (Srujan Singh Shekhawat), Kareena Kapoor (Rosy), Rani Mukherji (Shreya Bondre), Nawazuddin Siddiuqi, Raj Kumar Yadav (Devrath Kulkarni)

This movie grips you firmly, keeps you hooked through the first half but loses you totally flat face near the end and that is where it fails.

I must admit that direction is good, acting by all lead actors is fantastic but what makes or breaks a thriller is the script and trust me guys when I say SCRIPT is WEAK for the film. Just to draw up something unexpected, it kind of ends up betraying its own genre and becomes extremely predictable by the end. One ends up saying, “Ye to Kuchh bhi tha..!!”.

This story is about an inspector Surjan Singh Shekhawat, who is facing difficult times on a new high profile case of an actor meeting an accident which clearly seems like a murder. Troubles not only surround him professionally but personally as well. He is facing lack of emotional comfort at home and the thought of losing his son due to his negligence is eroding him from inside. In this complex scenario, he meets a prostitute while solving the case, who helps him to solve the case as an informer and comforts him emotionally as well. Then slowly, the pages turn to reveal the connections and how the case helps Shekhawat with his personal turmoil also.

No doubt that the direction is just too good with great use of Bombay Locals to intensify the thrill. Narration has been fantastic as well which doesn’t allow one to take eyes away from the screen for even a single second. Great performance by Aamir as the frustrated police officer. Rani Mukherjee does justice to her role as a supporting house-wife. Kareena Kapoor is unbelievably genuine in her act and easily keeps the mystery quotient high on-screen. Background scores and songs add to all the drama and are well placed.

The only point (being the most important point…) where it fails is the finale of the script. Not only can u predict it easily but it goes way beyond the unexpected limits and ends up somewhere totally out of the scope for such kind of a formula thriller movie. Can’t give you any spoiler though, so experiencing it yourselves would be better…  he he he.

My Rating :- 3/5, could have easily given it above 4 for the great over-all performance of actors and crew, but the finale keeps me from doing so.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Genre: Romance/Drama
Director: Yash Chopra
Cast: Shahrukh Khan (Samar Anand), Katrina Kaif (Meera Thapar), Anushka Sharma (Akira Rai), Anupam Kher (Meera's Father), Rishi Kapoor (Imran)

More than a film its a Vintage Yash Chopra Romance…

Amazing cinematography, breath-taking shooting locations and emotionally-loaded sequences take the viewers to the days of romantic cinema when films like DDLJ, Dil To Pagal Hai and Veer-Zaara ruled. Completely owned by YashJi, this movie is a tribute to the legendary romance that Bollywood was ever known for, before being over-taken by circus-style action genre.

It is a story about Samar Anand, an Indian army bomb diffusion specialist whose life has been a rough road. In his initial struggling days as a singer in London he meets Meera Thapar and they fall in love with each other. But, just to keep a promise made to God she backs out from this relationship. The high-tempered and unforgiving Samar couldn’t accept this fact and ends up carrying the hatred against Meera in his heart. He leaves his career in mid-way and goes back to Kashmir to become a bomb diffuser for Indian Army. There he meets another high spirited Discovery Channel reporter, Akira Rai who after accidentally reading Samar’s diary falls deeply in love with him. She requests him to come back to London and Samar agrees. There due to some circumstances he ends up facing Meera again and seeing no space in Samar’s heart, Akira leaves the two together. Meera ends up quitting her promise and comes back to Samar.

Script is weak but the magic is in the screenplay and the way the scenes are made heavy with emotions. Acting performances have been great. Katrina Kaif seemed to have finally learnt to act and it’s the first movie she has proved true to her profession. SRK has seriously worked on his over-acting and has redefined his emotions as a stubborn soldier incredibly. No amount of praise can do justice to Anushka’s acting in this film. She has won the show on all squares. Her lively presence on screen helps one to glide through the second half effortlessly and still she carries out the emotional scenes very naturally. (Kudos to all who believe she deserved the best debutant instead of Asin, the over actress… :D).

Finally, the star of the film is Yash Chopra himself who has managed to deliver a typical romance with wonderful cinematography and exquisite locations. His direction wasn’t upto the mark, I must say but he managed to keep the emotional quotient high.

My rating :- 3/5, a faster narration and increased sensibility could have made the film a much better experience. A fine end to a great film-maker. He will always be missed.

Skyfall

Genre: Action/Adventure/Crime
Director: Sam Mendes
Cast: Daniel Craig (James Bond), Judi Dench (M), Javier Bardem (Silva), Ben Whishaw (Q), Ralph Fiennes (Gareth Mallory), Naomie Harris (Eve), Berenice Marlohe (Severine), Albert Finley (Kincade), Rory Kinnear (Tanner)

So Bond goes 50 with style… and by style I mean a lots of it…  ;)

This bond movie is very unique in its own way and still it easily maintains the traits of classic Bond franchise (and should I say one of the longest running successful franchise). Not much of action and adrenaline in this installment but it’s well supported by very good performances by the actors. Plot is kinda average too and has a slow buildup but gives a great base for the movies to come. All in all Bond is Back.

So the story goes forth as M manages to misplace a very crucial piece of information (a hard drive…) having the details of all undercover agents of MI6. Bond trying to retrieve it accidentally gets killed (or so everyone thinks… he he he). It turns out to be an agent gone rogue, Silva, who wants to punish M for abandoning him. Bond sets a trap with M as bait and ends the villain’s sorrow by killing him. Although, M doesn’t survive the assault herself.

As can be observed, the plot doesn’t have much to offer. But, Judie Dench has shown great acting skills in her last Bond movie and keeps one interested to look up what’s next by her good dialogue deliveries (specially the one in which she convinces the panel of ministers to continue the existence of MI6). Daniel Craig is still unbeaten when it comes to portraying the intensity of Bond’s character. Some past shades of the character are exposed in the movie explaining why Bond is such a stubborn and motivated person which is topped up with good acting skills of Daniel (trust me he is the first Bond who knows to express more emotions with focus than any other in the past). Javier Bardem as Silva is one of the most different Bond villains. Some might like him for he beats Bond when it comes to making an entrance and others won’t as he fails to bring the seriousness on-screen. Ralph Fiennes makes a very cold and calculated new M and serves as fitting replacement to Dench. Also, can’t end this section without the mention of the new Quartermaster ‘Q’. He is young, funny and reliable. Chemistry between Bond and Q is very interesting and something to look up for.

So all in all this movie isn’t for new Bond viewers but for seasoned viewers only and gives a lot to look up for the coming installments (did I mention Naomie Harris as the new Eve Money-penny ..?)

My rating :- 2.5/5, movie is simple but this Bond is closer to Ian Fleming’s portrayal and cunningly avoids the use of gadgets. Hey, not to forget the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 with headlight guns was a homely touch to the proceedings. Also, a few inspiring lines from ‘Ulysses’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson mentioned in the film keep the tone of the movie high:

”Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”