Action Replayy (movie): A film without homework!

Directed by: Vipul Shah
Release date: November, 2010

After a long time the trailer was able to convey the right expectations of the movie. When the trailer came to charts the first impression about the movie was not promising and that’s TRUE. Most of the times the trailer looks very promising but in actual the movie is not a good one. But in case of Action Replyy the trailer was able to convey the right “picture” of the picture. Movie will disappoint you!

About the Story – Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai are married to each other for past 35 years. For such a long time what all they have done is fight, blaming each other and more fighting. Their only son Bunty believes that marriage was the biggest mistake done by their parents, due to which when his girlfriend ask him to get married he always run away from the scene. Bunty travels back to time so that he can change the arrange marriage of their parents to a love marriage, so that they will love each other and he will be able to marry his girlfriend. (Sorry to say but illogical thought)

The movie doesn’t look like its set up in late 70’s. Though the director tried a lot on clothes, locations, dialogues, so that it should give a retro look. However, the effort was not enough. In several shots including songs, you will feel the dress is of present time and if someone will not tell you, you won’t realize its set in 1970’s. Some of the special affects (like the first shot when Bunty came to 1975 and stands in front of VT station) are also not up to the mark. Story does not have much to offer. Actually there is no story. Just couple of events happenings now and then and director tries to make them humorous. It’s only Akshay, who will be able to make you laugh in 2 or 3 instances. That’s it, nothing else to cheer or talk about the movie. Songs are also not memorable (Jor ka jatka is an exception here).

Wait for the original DVD to be released or its premier on Indian television and provided that you don’t have anything else to do on that day than you can take the risk to watch it.

Aakrosh (movie) : Are you ready to pay the cost for "LOVE"?

Directed by: Priyadarshan
Release date: October, 2010 

When the trailers of Aakrosh came on charts it says – from the directors of Gardish and Virasat. The intensions were clear; don’t expect another Hera Pheri or De Dana Dan. This time Priyadarshan along with Kumar Mangat Pathak is going to hit the screen with a very serious issue of honor killing. The same was reflected in the very first trailer in which Ajay Devgan (in back ground voice) says – kya hum sach me azaad hue thee.

About the Story – Three college students went missing when they visited a village in Bihar. Its 2 months and government is not able to find them. In Delhi, media and college students asked for a CBI enquiry and a team comprises of Ajay Devgan and Akshaye Khanna is sent to Jhanjhar village to solve the case. After reaching there they realise that it’s not a routine work this time. No one from the villagers or the local police is helping them or talking to them about this. After that, a series of incidents happened in which several people were killed brutally, whole village is burnt, some people were hanged on the trees, some were killed in accidents etc. In the second half, CBI came to know that it’s not a murder case rather it’s on honor killing. In which people of higher cast kill the girl and the boy (who are in love) because they bring dishonor to the family or their community. In the end with the help of Bipasha Basu, they solved the case.

No doubt the subject was strong and for most of the audience who lives in metro, this needs to be addressed. Couples living in metros (who goes to McDonalds, Pizza hut, Cineplex, Disc and outings) should know what happen, when someone living in a small village dares to love. They are not just killed but murdered in such a manner that it will become a lesson for others. Not only the couple but their families also burnt or murdered. Couple of scenes like – the long chase scene, in which Ajay chase a guy on the roof and another one in which Ajay and Akshaye went to arrest roshini for the first time are worth watching. Not to forgot the scene in which Paresh Rawal beats Bipasha brutally by his belt behind the closed doors and in the end when Ajay took revenge and beat Paresh behind the door are delight to watch. The intensity of these scenes is so strong that though you are not able to see it but still from the screaming of the actors and background score you can feel it in your blood. That’s the magic Priyadarshan is able to create. I had a very strong expectation from the movie. The movie is GOOD, but not as I expected. The kind of experience Priyadarshan (director) and Kumar Mangat Pathak (producer) have, I have expecting the unexpected.

Ajay Devgan is perfect in such roles. Though I feel that director didn’t give him much space. Whenever we think that he is going to say a dialogue on which we will die clapping OR he will take the front seat and beat the other guy, Akshaye drew him from there.

Overall, we should watch it at least once. Just to know that life is not as easy as it seems in metros. Especially love is still a very sensitive matter in villages and if you dare to love someone outside your caste – be ready to pay the cost!!!!

It’s not that much brutal that girls or family members can’t watch it. So, you can plan it with anyone you want.

Driven: Let the “GAMING SPIRIT” win!!!!

Directed by: Renny Harlin
Release date: April 27, 2001

The interesting part of the movie (I believe) is starring Sylvester Stallone as a Formula 1 driver. I haven’t seen a single movie in which he didn’t hit a punch to the villain. But as they say – there is always a first time in everything (it’s for me this time). Watching Sylvester in a balanced manner is like watching Nana Patekar in the movie – Ab tak Chappan. I was waiting to watch a fight sequence by Sylvester but that wait never ended.

About the Story – Sylvester (who is a well known personality in racing) comes back to the racing track on the request of his old friend to mentor a NEW driver of his team. As expected, because of our HERO’s mentoring the new driver starts winning the race. The opponent driver (we can take him as the villain component) is also very near in winning the World Championship. Sylvester job is to make sure that our NEW driver should win the championship in any given condition. NO SURPRISE – Sylvester completes what ever task is given to him (he himself is enough for the whole Army, what’s big in winning a Formula 1 race).

Though my wait for a mind blowing fight scene never ended but still I had seen something which changes my perspective to watch movies.   

Ø  It’s not a rule that HERO should win all the races and when he comes back from the exile he will (for sure) hit the bull’s eye. When no one else can do it, wake up the hero from his dreams and he will do it for you like he is playing a video game. This is not the case here – Sylvester comes back with the bang (must watch – the scene where he drops 3 pennies on the race track and drift over them), However he didn’t win any race and he makes sure that the NEW driver wins. He is there for support not for winning.

Ø  It’s also not the case that the villains are always born with the cruel intensions. In the movie when another supportive driver met with an clash – Our NEW driver and the villain, both stop the race in between and saves the crashed driver’s life. Its not personal guys – It’s professional. They are opposite to each other due to their game. The movie gives a very clear message – It’s the Gaming spirit which makes your good or bad, looser or winner.

I liked both these facts very much. We have a tendency to watch the villain’s role with a bitter eye. We always think that if he is going something good there must be a conspiracy behind it. The movie says that it’s not able the positive or negative role – It’s about the GAME.

The movie does not have superb special affects or it has a very interesting stories. Everything is just ok types. Racing scenes are also just presentable, but nothing to cheer about. The most important thing is the message given by the movie - Let the “GAMING SPIRIT” win!!!!

Hellboy (movie): “Man” in RED!!!

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Release date: April 2, 2004

Hellboy, the name suggests that the movie is related to hell or some underworld (if it’s actually there); some people may also refer it to a horror movie. But this is not the case; the movie is about our world. The world, where if you want to live, you may need to kill someone, the world where people judge you by your looks and not by your decisions, where people will forget all your goods but can’t ignore a simple mistake made by you.

The movie is ugly, in fact the HERO is ugly, his skin color is RED, he has a long tail and moreover he never does what he is asked to do. He blow things in air, when are need to deal nicely. Moreover he likes cats, cigars, dirty rooms and disobeys orders etc. He also believes that he can not die. He knows that he is the son of Evil and he was born to destroy this world. But his up bringing was done by the Professor "Broom" and he made him a “HUMAN”. He always guides him that though he was born to kill but he can be a good protector (It’s a choice which he needs to make).

As he is the “hero”, he always makes the correct choice, which seems to be difficult but always works. He saves our world every time at the end moment when he only was about to destroy it. His attitude while fighting with other deadly creatures (I mentioned other deadly creatures because Hellboy himself is one) is awesome. Its like he is playing video games and he knows he is going to win in the end. No hiding, no plans. He kills the creature in a style and relax manner. TRUST ME – you will like it. As the movie progress you will start liking this hero. He is different – in style, looks, action, decisions, comic behavior etc and all these things make him lovable. If this is not enough for you – our hero has girl friend as well and when he is not saving this world he is spying on his girlfriend.

The pace of the movie is good, there are so many events happening now and than. Screenplay is again awesome. The makeup of Hellboy is “ugly” but director makes sure that audience like it. As the movie was based on a comic book, the director has all the liberty for imagination and he uses this freedom in a balanced manner.

It’s a GUY thing!!!

The A- Team: Old team with the BANG!!!!

Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Release date: June, 2010

Watched The A team (movie) today and I must say that I recall the days of Arnold and Stallone. I guess we all remember those days of manly action movies with bang. No high tech stuff but still you cannot remove your eyes from the screen. Where the hero alone is equal to an army and his plan always works.
Movie started in a stylish manner of all times. Main lead is caught by the bad guys (in this case its Mexican corrupt police), they beat him to death but he didn’t utter a word. Once they left him for dying he fights back. Their own people ditch them and after giving everything to the system, that same system sends them to prison. As expected they find a way out from the prison and start searching the guy how set them up. Its include agencies like CIA, NSA and their own army people as well. But you don’t worry this A-team will find their way out as there is no plan –B.
The A-team is of 4 members. One is planner, another is muscle man, one is mad and the last one is a lover boy. Each of them is master in whatever they do. They blow thing in air, they fly the helicopter like a fighter plane and a huge army carrier plane like a helicopter. When they are bored of doing all these daily work they fly a TANK. Yes, you read it correctly – they fly a tank in the movie. I don’t know whose concept it was, but trust me it is worth watching. The enthusiasm created by the actors (by the close up shots, dialogues and the energy level) in this particular scene is a delight to watch.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s a movie shot in a style in which action movies of 80’s and 90’s used to be shot. You will find huge bomb blasts, cars flying in air after a hit, big punch and mind blowing dialogues before every fight scene. Before every plan (while discussing the course of action) everyone is always in such a light mood that they are planning to watch a movie with other guys. You will not find this attitude irritating because the actors did a perfect job in meeting the characters requirements. Instead you will love them for their attitude.
Story line is OK, enough for an action movie of such canvas. Cinematography is usual (nothing to be noticed) in regular shots but when supported by the special affects in fight scenes is more presentable. I think the director didn’t want such integrands when he is playing his game on the hardcore action scenes and moreover that too in old style.
Do watch it on a free weekend with your old friends.

Clash of the Titans : Not a single clash to cheer !!!

Yesterday I watched Clash of the Titans and after that I was not able to recall a single fight scene which I enjoyed to the maximum. After watching movies like - 300, Troy and Gladiator, we have very high expectations with any historical epic. 300 raised our expectations even higher due to the dept and intensity in the dialogues. We consider historical movies to be filled with mind blowing fight sequences, old monuments and a Stone Age feeling. But 300 add another aspect to it – DIALOGUES and slow motion fight sequences.
When the movie started I didn’t expect it to be 300 but I was expecting something what we call eye opening. It starts normally (nothing stunning to offer) and same continue in the whole movie. Most of the facts look illogical. We can not relate to them in any given conditions. The editing part was also not approachable. Fight between GOD and MAN is seems to be un-realistic, unless it is presented in an appropriate manner with evidence and examples to which audience can relate. Moreover in the whole movie GOD seems to be most afraid among all others and seeks help from anyone who offers (very hard to digest). The fight sequence between the ruler of HELL and Perseus (main lead) is the most disappointing. In the whole movie everyone is talking about the Kraken (a very giant creature of underworld). Everyone believes that on one can defeat him. We are waiting for that creature to arrive on the screen. Surprisingly, our hero kills him in couple of seconds without even a single punchJ.      
 

I don’t have much to write, as the movie doesn’t have much to offer!!!

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai : Where was mumbai in it

I believe we all have some expectations before watching a movie. When it meets it - we say it’s GOOD... else bakwaas... My point is when we went to watch OUATIM what were our expectations. Frankly -- I didn’t have much (as it was directed by Milan Luthria). 

But my expectation was that I will re-live the era smuggling / music / cabre / close fight scene / heavy dialogue  / main zabaan de chukka hu / maa – bhai etc. Some others things which I expected – a different look of Mumbai, camera which just shows face of the actor saying the dialogue, long scenes (no hyper editing stuff), a unique music while all fight scenes (though one tune was there and it was quite good), a very close to heart & strong drama.

I only find few things which I liked (as mentioned not much expectations).

Ajay is all time favorite and he proved me correct again (don’t try to compare his performance from Company). The role he played needs a HERO and he is the one. His favorite line - dua me yaad rakhna and Patrick muhje shahar saaf chahiye are awesome. When he says them you can feel it in your blood. That ajay …. He will make you jump from your seat just from his eyes and if he said it you are not on earth. Other good thing about the movie was Kangana Ranaut … she is looking beautiful. I am sure they need some one like her to relate with Madhubala (though I know you can not compare madhu with any of the present actress).

My opinion – don’t have much expectations from the movie. Its just one time watch and if you missed it don’t worry J