Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Movie Review

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a decent comedy musical about 3 Chipmunks and 3 Chipettes who accidentally fly away from their cruise ship on a kite and reach a deserted island. Now, the real challenge begins for the naughty and irresponsible Alvin. He must now take responsibilities and organize everyone to accommodate the food and shelter for everyone. He soon starts realizing Dave’s situation, how hard he works for everyone and he, Alvin, just cause more and more painful troubles for him because of his erratic behavior.

Highlights:

1. Songs – As always, the songs are very cool with good music and better lyrics. The very famous Chipmunk voice is an attraction too.

2. Story/Screenplay – Not much of a story, but the twists and turns are amazing. The screenplay is also great, incorporating the comedy and occasional stunts.

Lowlight:

1. Visual Effects – Although this department has a done an average job but the scope was there do much better. A visual designer can do wonders if he is given an island with underwater stunts, a waterfall and an erupting volcano.

Overall it is a good one time watch. If you want to relax your brain and pass time by watching a light hearted comedy, then this movie is perfect for you. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 3

Critics rating: 3

Don2 Movie Review

Don2 is a pretty boring movie with not much of a story line to support it. There is neither enough comedy nor enough thrill to keep audience awake. Although, the movie has got a plenty of action sequences, stunts and car chases, but none thrilling or innovative enough to remember. The performances are also very ordinary.  

Only a single highlight is noticeable:
1. Cinematography - Jason West has done a nice job making the stunts, action sequences and car chases look........... well......... not despicable.

Lowlights:
1. Story - There is not much of a story to support the film. There are just a bunch of stunts, action sequences and car chases put together to pass the time and to entertain the audience, which they, very much, failed to do.
2. Music - Although there is a decent amount of background music present in the movie, all thanks to the innumerable stunts, action sequences and car chases, but there is nothing impressive enough to click. Neither it plays any part in making the scenes look any better nor does it succeed in catching the audience’s ears.
3. Performances - Everyone is a little below average, except Kunal Kapoor, even he is just a little above average, nothing like “Rang De Basanti”.

Overall, it is not even a one time watch. In fact, there is nothing to watch. Neither the story has got anything new to offer, nor the stars. As far as the stunts, action sequences and car chases are concerned, if you are fan of these things, then you must have seen a lot better than what this movie offers. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 2
Critics rating: 2

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Movie Review

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a full on entertainer completed with breathtaking stunts and witty dialogs to keep the audience tensed and laughing at the same time. The stunts are more adventurous and much logical this time as compared to the last episode. The mission takes the audience to a variety of locations across the globe including Mumbai, India. There are no surprises where the story is concerned, it is pretty flat, completely dependent on the stunts to create the thrill, which they do successfully.

Highlights:
1. Screenplay - The stunts and dialogs are awesome and a must to watch. There are also many scenes which are written so brilliantly that speak for themselves without the presence of any dialogs.
2. Cinematography - Really amazing work is done during all the stunts and animations making them look stupendous.
3. Sound Mixing - The background score and the famous theme is integrated in many scenes and almost all the stunts making sound a lot better. The best part is that the dialogs and the original sound is not shadowed by the background score.
4. Makeup and Costume Design - A good job has been done by this department in preparing the various disguises.
5. Editing - Pretty cool job is done switching between the various locations and also between the past and the present.

Lowlight:
1. Story - Pretty flat, nothing new, no surprises at all. If it would not have been for the above mentioned highlights, the movie would have been quite boring.

Overall, it is completely worth the time and money. Unlike the bond movies, adventure and thrill lovers might enjoy it each and every time they watch it. A must watch for such audience. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 4
Critics rating: 3.5

New Year's Eve Movie Review

New Year’s Eve is a typical drama movie depicting seven different drama stories which interlink with each other on New Year’s Eve day (31 December, 2011) in New York City. The stories are as follows:

1. New York Times Square’s Vice President (Hilary Swank) has her job at stake, as the ball which is dropped every year is suspended half way (mid air) due to a technical glitch, which only a single person can fix. The issue is that this person has recently been fired.

2. A very old man (Robert DeNiro), dying on a hospital bed, who might not live to see the first sun rise of 2012, makes the wish to be taken to the roof of the hospital to see the ball drop. The issue here is that taking patients to the roof is strictly denied in the hospital’s policy. Now, all is up to his nurse (Halle Berry).

3. A hunk (Ashton Kutcher) hates New Year’s Eve. He is struck in an elevator with a young and pretty attractive lady who teaches her that it is not a day to complaint but to enjoy.

4. A mom (Sarah Jessica Parker) is trying to protect her young daughter (16) from going to the Times Square alone and unaccompanied.

5. A teenager (Zac Efron) is trying to win passes to a rock concert by helping an old lady (Michelle Pfeiffer) fulfill her new year’s resolutions.

6. A very renowned singer (Jon Bon Jovi) is trying to win his love back, which he lost because he got cold feet in the name of marriage and went on a tour, leaving the girl alone.

7. A couple is trying to win $25,000 by giving birth to the first baby of the hospital of 2012.

Highlights:

1. Story – There is a lot of content to show. The stories are all very nice and the interlinking is done brilliantly.

2. Editing – Just amount of focus has been given to all the stories and not one seems too stretched or too compressed.

3. Music – Mostly thanks to Jon Bon Jovi for his rock songs. Others are pretty decent as well.

Lowlights:

1. Performances – The best of the actors have given their near worst of the performances. Zac Efron was the only one which showed some energy and enthusiasm, rest all were way below par.

Overall it is a little below average romantic-drama movie. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 2.5

Critics rating: 3

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl Movie Review

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is an average Yash Raj movie with pretty good music, average comedy and poor performances by the leads. The story is also quite predictable with no major surprises. Although, the movie is not boring due to the presence of an entertaining supporting cast (Parineeti Chopra). As usually noticed in majority Yash Raj movies, the songs (including the music, lyrics and choreography) were pretty amazing.

Highlights:
1. Music - Be it in the songs or out of the songs (background score). Salim-Suleman has led their department to outperform all others.
2. Cinematography - Due to lack of action sequences, the major focus is placed on the songs. Although, there are many regular scenes as well where the work of Aseem Mishra is well noticeable.
3. Choreography - All the dances are well choreographed, and with a little help of Aseem’s cinematography, are looking spectacular.

Lowlights:
1. Performances - One of my good friends warned me against Ranveer’s performance, but I still gave it a shot considering he has performed at par with his last performance (in Band Baaja Baaraat) and Anushka being at her average, is acceptable. After watching the movie I realized that my consideration was a big mistake as this movie witnessed the personal worst of both the leading stars. Although Parineeti Chopra’s performance is a surprise gift.

2. Story/Screenplay - Aditya Chopra and Devika Bhagat are just not able to come up with enough material to put up a 140 minute movie. Combined with the absence of the surprise factor, the outcome is distressing.
3. Direction - Maneesh Sharma was not just able to maintain the standard he set with Band Baaja Baaraat. One word: Disappointing.

Overall, there is nothing much to enjoy in the movie (except a couple of songs). It is hardly worth a single watch. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 2.5
Critics rating: 2.5

Puss In Boots Movie Review

Puss In Boots is a just another animated comedy movie with awe inspiring 3D effect in the first half. The story focuses around a brave and gallant cat which steals from the nastiest of humans. One day it while hunting it’s score it comes across another cat just as brave and gallant as him but wicked fast and efficient in stealing. It turns out that it is not he but she. Hence, continues their adventures together against two of the most dangerous humans alive.

Highlights:

1. Special Effects – 3D effects are really great in the beginning of the movie and pretty good afterwards. Animation is also among one of the good ones we see now a days.

2. Background score – It is very much noticeable throughout the movie and is very catchy during a dance fight.

Lowlights:

1. Editing – It was OK, but could have been much better as the stories split up in the end and sometimes the focus was mostly around the lead and the other stories got lost.

2. Screenplay – The screenplay was also not very impressive. The movie was lagging in impressive dialogs. Although, credit must be given as the scenes were pretty much self explanatory and were looking good with the help of the background score.

Overall it was a good one time watch and fun to hang out with friends. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 3.5

Critics rating: 3.5

The Dirty Picture Movie Review

The Dirty Picture is nearly flawless and a very raunchy entertainer. Vidya Balan being the heart of the movie, as depicted by the posters, is pushing the lecherousness quotient of the movie to the extreme limits. Even her dialogues are at the height vulgarness.

Besides Vidya Balan, everything else in the movie is also near to perfection. I am quite sure that the critics will be leaving the auditoriums without much criticism. 

Everything is a highlight of the movie. Still I would like to detail those highlights as follows:
1. Performances - Vidya Balan is simply awesome and is very well supported by Naseeruddin Shah, Emran Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor. Even the performers with the smallest of the roles have done their best.
2. Cinematography - It is the second best thing you will notice about the movie. I agree that Bobby Singh’s work was not very hard, but the outcome is simply amazing. The close ups, the stills and the scenes which will make you bet that they are shot by a handheld camera.
3. Editing - I have never liked the black screens during the movie, but Akiv Ali showed me what all a back screen can do. It is used 4 to 5 times and each time to a great effect. May it be using the background voices or just for the fun of delaying the next scene, but again the outcome is pretty lovable.
4. Background score - It has done what it was supposed to do. Filled the long gaps between dialogs, depicted the seriousness of the scene and even added the fun flavor to some scenes. Even a pathetic spectator can decide his emotions towards the scene per the background score.
5. Costume design - Even if Vidya Balan did leave some voids in playing Silk, then those voids are covered by her wardrobe. Most of the male audience will be watching her with their eyes about to pop out and their jaws dropping to the floor. Most of female audience will be hoping to get their hands on all of them and just observe their lovers’s expressions, when they wear those for them.
Despite Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah looked exactly like the superstar of 80s, with his wardrobe full of flashy shirts and tight pants. And Tusshar Kapoor looks like he has mistaken his dad’s (Jeetendra’s) wardrobe for his own, seriously.
6. Art direction/Set decoration - This department had a pretty tough task to perform and they have done an amazingly remarkable job performing it. The sets are really giving you the feel that you are watching some good 80s movie.
7. Story/Screenplay - The dialogs are brilliant. They are one of the most entertaining parts of the movie. The audience loved them so much, that some were even clapping on a few dialogs.
Although, the story is moving at a steady pace from beginning to the end, but the screenplay kept the movie alive for almost 3 quarters. The final quarter gets a bit boring as it is deprived of the obsceneness, both audio and visual, but the ending is pretty convincing. It might not be to some audience, but to me it is.
8. Direction - Last but not the least, the ring master of the circus. Milan Luthria has done an outstanding job. Each and everything is so near to perfection that it seems like he used retake the scene even if a single leaf must have been blowing without his consent. Too good.

There are no lowlights in the movie. Overall, it is a great entertainer. In Silk’s words “log picture sirf 3 reasons ke liye dekhne aate hain ‘Entertainment’, ‘Entertainment’ and ‘Entertainment’, aur main Entertainment hoon” (I might not be word to word correct). Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 4
Critics rating: 4.5

Desi Boyz Movie Review

Desi Boyz is just a time pass entertainment movie with great songs which will make you dance. The movie has a traditional story line with no new surprises and even lacks the spice which would have added the desired flavor. The movie also lags behind on comedy, which have created long boring patches distributed throughout the movie. The movie targets the John Abraham’s and Akshay Kumar’s fan club for major grossing. Talking about “baring the skin”, Deepika and Chitrangada are not much behind the guys either.

Even if you are not a fan of any of the stars, then also you can be entertained (very little though) by the following Highlights:

1. Music – Be it the music in the songs or the background score in the scenes, the music will definitely catch your attention and will make you stamp your feet. The songs like “Desi Boyz” and “Tu Mera Hero” might even make you dance.

2. Art Direction/Set Decoration – The sets are literally glittering with high contrast colors and flashing before your eyes mesmerizing you. The scenes like the one in “The Ritz” must have not needed much doing but automatically fascinates the onlooker.

3. Cinematography – This department has done a pretty nice job which is the most prominent during the dance sequences. The spider cam or similar giving you the rotating top view is a very nice touch.

4. Costume Design – The costumes department has done a good job as well. The wardrobe for all the 4 stars has been given a lot of thought. Flashy and attractive dresses for females. Customized casuals and sober formals for males. 

Lowlights:

1. Screenplay – No doubt the story is not much awing, but a decent screenplay mixed with some comedy dialogues must have made it a lot better. The screenplay failed to add the desired quantity of salt and other spices required to bring out the flavor of the dish. Due to this inability the movie has got no fun.

2. Direction – Rohit Dhawan should have added some action or some thrill, or even more romance in order to grip the audience’s interest in the movie. The lack of these factors has made the movie very dull and boring.

Overall, if you are not a fan of any of the star casted in the movie and are not interested in any of the above highlights, then this movie is definitely not for you. Even I am not sure whether I got the entertainment worth the cost of the ticket. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 2

Critics rating: 3

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part1 Movie Review

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part1 is a total waste of time. The story is pathetic and hence has been stretched by long boring sequences. The first part of the movie is centered around Edward’s and Bella’s honeymoon in a lake house on an isolated island. This is the part for Robert Pattinson’s and Kristen Stewart’s fan club, who like to see them naked.

The second part is centered around the difficulties faced in by everyone (esp. Bella, who faces physical challenges) due to a Vampire-Human baby which is growing in Bella’s womb. There is also this new learning about an already explained werewolf concept known as “imprinting”. Charlie (Billy Burke who plays Bella’s dad) is given a lot of rest in this one.

Highlights:
1. Songs - As always are quite nice and helps the situation which otherwise has been very boring and unbearable.
2. Cinematography - The cinematography is decent. There are scenes shown from eyes of a running werewolf and some more like it.

Lowlight:
1. Story - Totally pathetic. It might be an intermediate to link the past and the future, but in this case my question is; why have they not waited until the next part? They could have covered the complete story in the first thirty minutes of the next part. Why do they need this intermediate? I seriously do not know the answer, but there must be a good one, otherwise no one will destroy the goodwill built until now for no reason at all. I mean hoping for the success of a movie based on exposure of Robert and Kristen, along with a concept of a Vampire-Human baby seems like a pretty optimistic attempt to me.

Overall it is a very poor movie due to the lame story. It is not worth watching in a theater. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 1.5
Critic’s rating: 2.5

In Time Movie Review

In Time is a conceptual movie about a science fiction concept so well thought of, that the first three sentences of the movie (explaining the concept) left me stunned. The next few scenes detailing the concept just seal the deal. One realizes that they are in for a real science fiction treat. The concept, never heard or thought about is running high and fast, with all the amazing applications of the concept.

The movie gets a bit dull and repetitive in the second half, but the director immediately switches the focus from concept to action. Immediately put into action is a kidnapping, theft, chase sequences and many more. It puts the movie back on track, ending on a positive note.

Highlight:
1. Story/Screenplay - The concept is awesome and flawless. The movie moves at a great pace, explaining the concept alongside. Despite the brilliance of the concept, the action and thrill are also  fascinating.

Lowlight:
1. Background score - I do not remember if there was any. Even if there was any, then It was totally unnoticeable.

Rest everything was pretty ordinary. The only thing to watch this movie for is the science fiction concept. If you appreciate the awesomeness of the great science fiction concepts, then this movie if for you. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 3
Critics rating: 2

Rockstar Movie Review

Rockstar is a rocking movie about the life of a rockstar. Better so, it is a musical life journey of a common Delhi University (Hindu college) student to a destination where he desperately wanted to reach. There is not much of the so called “story-line” basing the movie, it just goes on with all the ups and downs, twists and turns, rises and falls..... The base of the movie is it’s sound. You feel like you are watching a live music concert in a theater, odd thought but it feels amazing.

The movie features a lot of highlights:
1. Sound - Be it the music in the songs or just the background score, it will just not leave your ears. Although, I do agree that it feels a little irritating at times, listening to the same background music again and again after every scene but it just happens for a very little time and that too in the beginning. Maybe the Mr. Rahman is trying to save the best for later and he has achieved that successfully too. When the audience leave the theater, they are not talking about that mishap which happened in the beginning, but the awe striking sound which has left them dumbstruck even after the movie is over. There is metal, there is rock, there is classical and even fusion.
2. Ranbir Kapoor’s performance - Ranbir Kapoor has done a great job. He has done both the roles (a fun loving Delhi University student and a frustrated from life rockstar) astoundingly. Even Shammi Kapoor’s performance is pretty decorous.
3. Editing - Aarti Bajaj is definitely not the genius but she has undoubtedly done a great job in this movie. Due to her editing the movie has got a great shape. The movie is able to run stories parallelly, show flashbacks of past events, hide the secrets to be revealed in the end......
4. Screenplay - Although there is no overall story in the movie, but then too, the screenplay for some scenes is very cool. There are many scenes which appear as though you are reading them out of a detailed novel. Especially the last scene.
5. Direction - Without the lack of a strong story, direction is the only department which is making the ends meet and at the end the effort put in this department is worthy of an applause.

Lowlights:
1. Story - Or should I say, the lack of it. There is as such no story, but various day today episodes in the life of a teenager leading him to his ambition (not unlike “Slumdog Millionaire”).
2. Nargis Fakhri’s performance - Although she has done a pretty decent job for a debutant, but there are many places where she was just out of expressions. Then there are places where she has overdone it. Well, she can blame it on lack of experience, but the damage has been done.

Overall it is an amazing movie, a must watch. Some people might criticize the ending or the lack of story. Still, they will not regret watching the movie. Very rockingly entertaining. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 4
Critics rating: 3.5

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn Movie Review

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn an adventure cum mystery movie. The pace of the movie is pretty slow in the first half, concentrating on building the base of the mysterious adventure to unfold in the second half. The journey for the truth begins very late in the first half, but instantaneously picks up tremendous pace in the beginning of the second half itself. An amazing chase sequence thrilling the audience with amazing 3D effects and lasting more than 15 minutes marks the single most thrilling point in the otherwise monotonous movie.

It does feature the following highlights:
1. Visual Effects - The animation is awesome, very much similar to those of PIXAR animation studios. The 3D effects are pretty cool as well, not throughout the movie though. But at some particular places they are really noticeable and awe-striking.
2. Screenplay - The screenplay is pretty proficient as well. The drama-mystery fans are gonna like it very much.

Lowlights:
1. Background Music - The background music is not vary attractive. It is there, you can feel it, but it does not move you.
2. Editing - The editing is very rough and there are many blank patches of 1 second or more. Also, the only effect of editing is changing the act, very much like in stage plays. It is not at all adding to the mystery or thrill.

Overall, it was (I can not believe that I am saying this again, second time in a row) a pretty average movie. A little bit less than my expectation, to be frank. The sequel should be better or I will not watch. Hence, I will rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 2.5
Critics rating: 2.5

Tower Heist Movie Review

Tower Heist is an insanely average movie. Average comedy, average drama, average mystery, average action.......... well, actually action is a bit less than average. Anyways, what I am trying to say is that the movie has got nothing unusual to awe the audience. It is just another movie.

Although there are the following highlights:
1. Eddie Murphy's performance - The guy has done a good job and his first real scene (where he is the lead) causes the audience to really focus on the movie running in front on them on the big screen.
2. Cinematography - The cinematorgraphy is a bit above average as the scenes have been shot from multiple angles at very tricky locations, like the upper area of the lift or the car dangling from a rope from the roof.

Lowlights:
1. Background Music - Not once the background music has caught my attension. Now, I frankly do not remember that whether it was there or not.
2. Costume Design - This too was a department which did not perform up to the mark. There was a pretty bright scope of variety of coustumes with people ranging from doormen and waitresses to FBI agents and thieves.

Overall it was not even a one time watch. It is pretty ordinary movie. I would rather suggest watching some other movie in place of this one, as that will definitely give you something to remember. But you will forget this one in just a couple of days as there is nothing to remember exept the 15 mins. of Eddie Murphy's acting. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 2.5
Critics rating: 2

The Three Musketeers Movie Review

The Three Musketeers is an adventurous movie based on a more than 150 years old novel by Alexander Dumas. The movie revolves around the Three Musketeers (Athos, Porthos and Aramis), who work for the King of France and do not have healthy relations with The Cardinal and his soldiers.

Although the move revolves around The Three Musketeers, but the lead is a teenager named D'Artagnan. This guy comes to France with the expectation to become a Musketeer and succeeds to do so the very first day. Now, starts the action packed, adventure filled and thrilling journey of these four fine men’s loyalty for King’s pride and honor.

Highlights:

1.       Costumes: The costumes of the 17^th century are very well designed and attract the eyes.

2.       Background Score: This is very cool during the long action sequences.

Lowlights:

1.       Screenplay: Lacks humor. The dialogues in the novel are very comical.

2.       Art Direction\Set Decoration: This department could have done a lot better job as the lots of scenes are inside the King’s palace.

The movie is not far behind on the comedy, but yeah, it definitely lacks the ability keep people laughing most of the time. The people who enjoy the thrill, adventure and sword fights of the old times will definitely like this movie. Overall it is a good one time watch. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 3

Critics rating: 3

Real Steel Movie Review

Real Steel is an adventurous and thrilling movie about a sci-fi concept of “World Robot Boxing” (WBR) championships. These championships are very much similar to the Boxing championships of today, but with a lot more muscle as the fighters are artificially intelligent robots made of steel. Also the outcomes of the matches are not broken jaws or broken ribs, but ripped or crushed heads. The movie also provides loads of comedy and fun, all thanks to Dakota Goyo.

Highlights:

1.        Performances – Hugh Jackman as always has done an excellent job. The surprise here is Dakota Goyo, who has proved that he might be younger and less experienced than him, but he is no amateur in the field.

2.       Graphic effects – Although the movie is not 3D, but still it is full of effects and they have never let down. The awesomeness have of the effects has made the movie all the more interesting.

Lowlight:

1.       Although the story is very gripping, but still there are a few boring patches here and there. Though these patches are not large enough to spoil the thrill, but they are neither small enough to neglect.

Overall it is a must to watch movie which will keep you gripped to your seats till the end. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 4.5

Critics rating: 3

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Movie Review

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is full on masti. Rocking-shocking, gaane-shaane, full time pass and paisa wasool. Like a roller coaster It starts very high on fun and the ride after that just keeps on getting better and better till the end. The comedy is very cool and not at all cheap (so obviously those audience who love Salman Khan comedy will be very disappointed). The locations are very dynamic and varies from Agra’s Taj Mahal to Delhi’s Chawari Bazaar including valleys of Dehradun and a bird’s eye view of London. Very hard work has been done by both the cast as well as the crew.

I would like to pinpoint the following highlights:
1. Sound Department - An awesome job has been done by this department. If the movie is a cake then they are the cherry. Their work is noticeable in all the fields, be it Sound Mixing, Background Score or Original Songs. All the songs of the movie, be it Rock (Dhunki), Pop (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) or Qawali (Isq Risk), are very catchy. I have been watching movies in this theater since it was built two years ago and only today I found out that it has got speakers on ceiling too, as in one scene a single voice comes directly from above your head. Such was the precision of sound in this movie. All heads turned up at once, amazing.
2. Cinematography - Sudeep Chatterjee has done a great job in capturing as much as his camera can hold. He has made the scenes look so vibrant that they speak for themselves. Shooting the moving objects is the most difficult task and he has done that on numerous occasions (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan song on moving train, Dhunki song on moving lorry and jeeps etc.) in this movie, that too with outstanding results.
3. Performances - Imran Khan’s performance is as usual, which is to say damn good. Katrina Kaif has also done a good job, although I personally think that Priyanka Chopra must have done a better job here. I am saying nothing against Katrina here. I myself like Katrina’s performances a lot and she did everything she could have done. It was just a requirement mismatch on side of the casting director. More like fitting a square for a circle. The rest of the cast have also done a good job. No one is out of line under the direction of Ali Abbas Zafar.

The lowlights (although there are not many):
1. Story - The story line is no doubt an obvious low. It is a traditional Yash Raj wedding special story line used in many movies (Band Baaja Baraat, Neal ‘n’ Nikki, Dilwaale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge etc.). Hero meets heroine in the first half, spends time with her, does not realize that he is in love until it is too late and she is getting married to someone else. In second half he confronts her, accepts his love for her, tries to marry her and succeeds in the end. Very typical.
2. Choreography - Although it is not bad at all, but Bosco and Ceaser have not nearly lived up to the standards set by Vaibhavi Merchant in Band Baaja Baraat.

Overall it is a very cool movie which can be viewed age independently. If you enjoy light hearted romance-comedy, then you are bound to enjoy more than you spent. A one time watch for sure, but if someone will ask me to watch it again, I will be more than happy to oblige. Hence, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 3.5
Critic’s rating: 2.5

That Girl In Yellow Boots Movie Review

That Girl In Yellow Boots is an unimpressive drama movie about the struggles of a British-Indian teenage girl, "Ruth" (Kalki Koechlin), searching for her Indian father in Mumbai who left her when she was 5. She does not have any pictures of him and does not even know how he looks. The movie starts with Ruth reading a letter by her father, expressing her love and desire for her, signed as "Arjun Patel". The story immediately moves to her struggle in a government office, to renew her visa. This struggle includes long queues, bribery and occasional flirting by officers (nothing new, everybody know this). Another struggle is her struggle for money. For this she did little sexual favors to her clients at her job at a massage parlor (nothing surprising here either, a very typical and widely used concept). Her third struggle was her boyfriend, who was a drug addict, a criminal and very demanding and non-understaning kinda guy (no innovation here either. In fact, if you remeber Abhay Deol of "Dev D", then you feel like it's just copy + paste done by Anurag Kashyap).

Anyways, then there were a few other people put in the movie just to enhace her struggles, like:
1. British consulate guy: He asked her to get her a contract by doing sexual favors to some of his business partners, in return of information about her father.
2. A gangster: He asked her to do sexual favors to him, in return of her boyfriend's debt to him.
3. Some government officer: He continuously increased the amount of money he used to charge her, finally asking for a sexual favor, in return of keeping his mouth shut to the visa office, concealing that she is working on a tourist visa (without a work permit).
4. Post Master: Who took money, in return of information about her father.

The movie after moving at a very steady pace reaches a climax at the very end, when Ruth finds out who her father is. Why her mother kicked him out of her life. Why he wrote the letter to call her to India etc., but by this time this seems like some secondary part of the story and not the primary objective of the story. Although, I would like to give credit for picking up a father who is an active member of the story and the revelation does come as a liitle bit of a surprise. Now, the ending again is a copy of "Dhobi Ghat" movie's ending. Disappointing.

Things to keep your eyes open for:
1. Kalki Koechlin's performance: The movie starts with her and ends with her, with hardly 2 or 3 scenes without her presence, as described by the line "Kalki Koechlin in and as The Girl In The Yellow Boots". This is her biggest part till date and she has done it justifiably well.
2. Cinematography: A good job has been done in this department, even if we are always in a tight space, be it Kalki's home or workplace. There is this one scene which is repeated 2 or 3 times, in which Kalki is smoking in the balcony of her workplace and just looking at the Mumbai traffic and people moving on the road below.
3. Sound Mixing: This has been quite noticable at a few places, e.g. there is a scene in which two telephonic conversations are merged and the effect has been quite good.

Things to ignore:
1. Background Score: The score was was missing at most of the places where it was needed and could have made a nice effect.
2.Editing: The editing was missing. The only noticable editing was between the very first and second scenes of the movie. With all these stories and characters, a hard work in this department could have given a very nice touch to the movie.
3. Direction: It could have been a great movie, but direction certainly let it down, or I should rather say "the lack of direction". It seemed like everyone was given free reign, well, in case of Kalki that was an advantage, but a director has to do a lot more than just managing the performances. There was no crafting done in the story, it was very crude, despite a few jokes forcefully added in the beginning to bind the audience. Monitoring was not done regarding the pace of the movie, it was flat and dropping till the climax.

Overall not an appreciable effort by anyone except Kalki and Rajeev Ravi (cinematographer). Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 2.5
Critic's rating: 3

The Smurfs Movie Review

The Smurfs is a classic fusion of traditional fairy tales and the latest animations/3D effects. The movie targets the audience of a very specific age group i.e. ages 5-10. The younger kids will not be able understand and the elder ones will neither find the comedy scenes comical nor the adventurous scenes thrilling.

The story consists of a few (small and blue) magical creatures living in a far away land. One day their village is attacked by an evil sorcerer and while escaping from him, they come across a portal which brings them to our world (in New York). Here they come across a married couple expecting a baby and start living in their house. Now, their lives get tangled as The Smurfs help the man to retain his job (accidentally) and he helps The Smurfs fight the evil sorcerer and get back to their own world.

There are a very few things people will like to watch in the movie and they too are not much impressive:

1.       Songs – There are a couple of songs which are quite good and their timing in the movie is all the more better which makes them quite likable.

2.       Animations/3D effects – Both have been very good but at very few and specific places. One such place is the final battle.

Despite the above couple of things, there is not much to watch in the movie, but a few things which have been the most disappointing are:

1.       Story: It is kept specific to a very small audience (ages 5-10) and they too will not appreciate it much.

2.       Screenplay: Not much has been done in this department either. This is mainly due to the story, which does not leave the screenplay writer with much to do.

Overall, it is good one time watch for some specific audience, who like such movies. I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 3

Critic’s rating: 2.5

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Movie Review

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a very well directed movie about 3 grown ups who are friends since school days, but now lead their own different lives. Now, one among them is getting married and they decide to go on a trip to Spain before his marriage. On this trip they will participate in 3 adventure sports, each of each ones choice. However, it might sound like The Hangover, but it is not. It is a drama movie not comedy.

This however is not the real story. Although, this is the story for almost 3/4th of the movie but the real story is revealed in the final 1/4th of the movie. Now, this real story would not have been gripping if it has been stretched for 3 hours. Hence, the dirctor very cleverly conceals this real story till the last and fills most of the movie with a story line which is not going anywhere but at the same time is even stopping the audience form going anywhere. Then, at last when the real story is revealed the audience is mesmerized, as it is no doubt very interesting, when compressed, and gives a sudden spike in the otherwise flat story line. Finally Zoya Akhtar manages to win everyone's hearts by justifying the title at the last scene and making everyone forget about the beggining. All everyone ever remembers after leaving the theater is the last 1/4th of the movie. A must to watch:
Direction: This is one of the best directed movies I have ever seen. Zoya Akhtar had a plan, which could have backfired on her disastrously (what if the first would have been so boring, due to the flat stroy line, that the audience would not have waited for the second half), she took the risk, and it paid out surprisingly well in the end. Stupendous job Zoya.
Performances: Everyone has done a good job, especially Kalki Koechlin. It is not easy being an amateur and making your presence felt against the big names. A thing she has done so well that you can not help noticing her.
Music: Be it the songs or the background music, you will most definitely like it. At a few places here and there you might feel it a bit meager, like at one place there is a tune of "Saare Jahaan Se Achcha, Hindustan Hamaara" being used without any real need.

Thing which might disappoint you:
Sound Mixing: This has not been quite as good. There are times when you can not hear the dialogues over the music.

Overall it is a very cool movie, which can be viewed be any audience without much contempt. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 3.5
Critics raing: 3

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Movie Review

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 continues the journey of Harry and his friends (Ron and Hermione) in search of more of The Dark Lord's horcruxes, finally ending with the final battle between Harry Potter and The Dark Lord.

Now this movie is very much like it's predecessor i.e. Adventurous and Thrilling. Although still not as good as the novel but it does keep the story identical, with a few changes here and there in order to save time and to create dramatization. It also contains a few humor not present in the novel, but it works well at times when there are long and monotonous conversations. As the previous chapter this too focusses a lot on Harry, Ron and Hermione and the rest of the characters have a very limited role which they have done well. Hence, the positives:
1. Performances: Everyone has played their part well, no doubt, the stakes are always high for Harry Potter movies but they were much higher for the last chapter and everyone has given their 100% to it.
2. Screenplay: Screenplay was very well written. As it is always very difficult when you are writting an adapted screenplay, the writer took great care not to change the story too much compared to the novel and still managed to create a lot more thrill in the action sequences.
3. Cinematography: This is the department in which the 3D was evident. The camera angles in not only the action sequences but also in the much stable scenes was kept such that the whole set must be visible giving details about the distances.
4. Art Direction and Set Decoration: Thanks to the 3D and the amazing cinematography the sets just awed the audience. May it be the Gringott's vault or Hogwart's Room of Requirement, very hard work was done create those sets.
5. Costume Design: The wizard robes have always earned a lot of admirarion and this time was no different.
6. Sound Mixing: It was good, if not brilliant. You can distinguish between the sounds well and the infusion created sound not noise.

Negatives:
1. Background music: I think the background music was not very catchy. I hoped that they will use the famous theme more. But it seems that they have intentionally kept it constrained, due to the reasons unknown.
2. 3D Effects: 3D effects were not used to even half their ability. There were such scenes in the movie which could have made it to the top of the list of the best scenes ever, if only........

Overall it was an amazing watch for both, the people who have read the novel or those who have not. Although those who have read the novel might like to remember the novel rather than the movie, but it is expected isn't it. After all which of the last 7 movies have stood up to the standards of the novels. Therefore, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 4
Critics rating: 4

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Review

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a pure entertainment movie with a very gripping story line having lots of twists and turns. Two or three times you will feel that this is the climax and now what remains is the anticlimax, but not long after you will start feeling the building up to another greater climax. It is this build up which is the most impressive part of the movie. It keeps the audience gripped to their seats for the complete 157 minutes i.e. two and a half hours. A long time to sit on one chair with just one break, but it is the craftiness of the story line by virtue of which you enjoy that chair and don’t want to leave it even when the movie is over.

Highlights:

Story line/Plot: Too good, it is much better than the last part. A few new characters have been introduced and each and every one of them plays a very crucial role in thickening the plot.

Sound Mixing: As always, the sound mixing was brilliant again. Thanks to lot of action sequences there was ample amount work in that department’s plate, which they performed quite nicely.

Background Score: It was good but could have been better as a few tunes during the action sequences were not very impressive. But then a person starts to wonder just how many tunes can be composed. And if some are not up to the mark, I think we should still give the department some credit.

Lowlights:

Performances: Here I am talking about the humans and not the Transformers. The transformers did a great job but their human counterparts (heroes, as well as villains) were not up to the same standard.

3D effects: This was disappointing, considering how many animated actions scenes were there which could have been made breath taking just by adding some special effects, but that touch was missing. The beginning witnessed some nice effects but they were lost pretty soon.

Overall it is a very entertaining movie and there is not much for the critics to criticize either. I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 4.5

Critics rating: 3.5

Cars 2 movie review

Cars 2 is a very disappointing effort to make an entertainment movie filled with adventure and thrill. Sadly it has got none good enough to glue the audience to their seats.

It is a sequel to the previous movie “Cars” and at the starting of the movie itself it is told that “Lightning McQueen” our hero has already won 4 Piston cups, more than any car has managed to do yet and hence is the greatest racing car till date. Now, the movie begins with an awesome action scene involving a secret agent and a gang of goons stealing weapons of mass destruction which will make you believe that you are in for a treat. But this thought goes away with the scene. The rest of the movie is quite boring with a lot of stress given on the very complex story line which should have proved interesting but in the end was only able to scrap a few acknowledgements owing to the second half which was a bit more comical and the satisfactory ending to a poor story line.

Disappointing features are a plenty in this movie starting from story line, background music, involvement of key characters, lack of humor, even 3D effects are not as great as “Kung Fu Panda 2” and the list can go on and on. The only reason why you would like to watch the movie is because in case they release Cars 3, then you should be updated on the story line. In a nutshell it is quite bad and not worth a watch, I rate it as follows:

Entertainment rating: 3

Critics rating: 1

X-Men: First Class Movie Review

X-Men: First Class is a total entertainment movie with the story explaining a lot about the past of a few of the key characters of first three movies (X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Lat Stand). But that’s not all; there is a whole lot more in the story than being just another prequel. There are new mutants with new mutations and another new villain.

Though the start of the movie is not very impressive with less action and thrill but it is worth waiting for the second half which is a treat not worth missing for the entertainment loving folks. The performances of all the lead actors i.e. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Kevin Bacon are amazing and the action sequences are very gripping, a major reason for that is an excellent work done by the sound department in background score and sound mixing.

There is not much to criticize except the unnecessary stretching of the movie due to a couple of mutants who are not much related to the story but are simply there to provide entertainment and the clichéd subject of Mutants vs Mutants still unchanged since the first episode. Overall it is an entertaining watch and hence I rate it as follows:

_·          Entertainment rating: 4

_·          Critics rating: 3

Shaitan Movie Review

Shaitan is a dark movie about 5 college students not unlike the cheerful gang of “Wake up Sid” who likes to enjoy life to the full, but one of their adventures goes horribly wrong and their life takes a U-turn. Now, in these difficult times comes the real test of their friendship. They have to trust each other wholly and completely in order to go through it. So, “will they be able to keep their bonds of friendship strong and intact in these dark times or will their inner Shaitan will get better of them and they will end up killing each other and cease to exist?”, is what Shaitan is all about.

Although the subject is a bit good but the story is not that much. Hence, the use of completely unnecessary rated R language (jokes and comments) and scenes in the beginning of the movie to grip the audience. Although there are a few very impressive things to watch in the movie:

The editing – The editing is awesome. The continuous switch to Amy’s (Kalki Koechlin’s) past, giving us a little bit information about her brings out the more from the story then there really is.

The background score – The background score is also very well composed. No doubt the theme tune is very attractive and catchy, but with the help of good sound mixing the action scenes and chase sequences have become a lot alluring.

Kalki Koechlin’s performance – Kalki Koechlin’s performance as a psychopathic, sociopathic and druggy teenager has been pretty impressive. A few lessons from Kangana Ranaut and she will be a pro in no time.

Overall it’s an OK sort of movie. No doubt there are the above mentioned cool things but the dark and unimpressive story line might not click to a few audiences. It was worth spending 120 bucks for me but some people might find themselves cheated. Overall I will rate it 3.5 out of 5.