The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Review (English)

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

Story : A couple of British retirees have their own share of problems to deal with. It's only after they reach a not-so-happening hotel in India that life turns into a roller coaster ride... 

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Hugh Dickson, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith

Direction: John Madden

Genre: Drama

Duration: 2 hours 4 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review : Life begins at 60... at least for a group of seven 'old and beautiful' lot in this British film. Of course, there's a pretty tough ride they've got to first undertake. 
1) Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) is stuck with her broadband connection since it's in her late husband's name. 2) Muriel Donnelly ( Maggie Smith) is on the lookout for a cheap hip replacement. But then the doctor, for her, has to be English. 3 & 4) Douglas and Jean Ainslie (Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton) who have made their unhappy marriage work just for the fear of society now have a financial crisis to deal with. 5) Retired judge Graham Dashwood ( Tom Wilkinson) wants to get back to India in search of his love. 6) Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) is out in search of companionship, while 7) Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) is all desperate to find someone for a one-night stand. What next? Destination: India calling. To be precise, it's the Best Exotic Marigold hotel -- a hotel for the old and beautiful -- at Udaipur. 

Now just when you think this one is going to be yet another when-Hollywood-meets-India story, director John Madden proves you wrong. It's more about hope (Evelyn at 60 is on the lookout for a BPO job). It's all about the need to keep trying (Muriel not only gives up her wheel chair, but finds a new purpose in life). It's all about diving into India -- a riot of noise and colour (Graham finds true joy in playing galli cricket with the local kids). Needless to say, all this would actually seem been-there-seen-that had it not been for the performances of the seven veterans. So much so, even the subplot of a budding romance, topped with an over-protective mom (Dev Patel-Lillete Dubey) seems unwanted. In fact, you can't really tell who (amongst the seven) is better than the other. And it's not just serious stuff we're talking about. Watch the bonding amidst some heart-felt emotions, dialogues, respective tales, fears... and English wit. 

But then, it's the desi wit with its typical cliches -- roads full of camels, elephants; a bumpy crowded bus ride, a photoshop-ed hotel full of pigeons and cockroaches; the untouchable domestic help... that somewhat forces you to ask this: Does this (still) happen in India 2012? 

Seven people. Seven stories. Seven problems. Seven different reasons to travel to India... a country, as the movie says, where everything will be alright in the end. And alright it is! 
Now, that (surely) happens only in India! 

Tip off: Only for those who think age (and the pace of a movie) is no bar when it comes to living life all over again... falling in love all over again... and above all bonding with India all over again.


Courtesy: The Times Of India

Chhota Bheem And The Curse Of Damyaan (Animation)

Chhota Bheem And The Curse Of Damyaan

Story: Damyaan, the evil snake of Sonpur, is simply a step away from being over powerful and immortal since he has access to the Book of Magi. What's stopping him? The curse that has him locked inside a palace for ages... a curse that shall be broken should the king of Dholakpur set him free. Now, the king does set him free (by mistake) and then chaos forms the order of the day. Can Chhota Bheem and team stop Damyaan from doing the unwanted? Can Chhota Bheem and his team make Dholakpur one happy place to live happily ever after in? 

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Voice by Kaustav Ghosh, Rupa Bhimani

Direction: Rajiv Chilaka

Genre: Animation

Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review : Jham, jham, jhambhura! Now we know why our tweeny lot always maange more of Chhota Bheem. After all, our hero can do anything and everything that every Bollywood mainstream hero does. Chhota Bheem can save the girls from being kidnapped. Chhota Bheem can fight a dozen of bad guys at the same time. Chhota Bheem can fight tigers and snakes. And, most importantly, Chhota Bheem knows how to be in sync with the time - he can play (and win) the T20 cricket tournament in town. Not to miss out is his looks: Chhota Bheem is a hit with girls in his kingdom (He looks rather cute), and has a couple of pretty things hitting on him! 

Now for the movie. Talk of animation and it's bright and colourful, though not really sharp. 

Next, talk of music and there's ample to tap your foot. In fact, the theme track (sung by Shaan) works well. As for the fun, it's all in there to make our under-12s happy. Case in point, Chhota Bheem goes all dishum dishum with Damyaan, Bheem and his team being gifted with magical powers. However, the wait for fun unlimited is a bit too long. And if tween claps is what you are on the lookout for, there's ample scope particularly when our little hero fights one enemy after the other... all in a row: first the giant spider, then the tiger, then the MMA warrior, then the snake guy.... Finally, those into sci-fi stuff can have there share of time travel as well - of course, it's absoluetly desi in every sense of the word. 

Sadly it's the voice-over that just does not seem to connect well specially for a face like that of Chhota Bheem. But then you might choose to overlook that considering there is hardly happening entertainment for kids in desi cinema. Right bachcha party?

Courtesy: The Times Of India

The Raven Movie Review (English)

THE RAVEN MOVIE REVIEW

Story: It does not take long for Edgar Allen Poe's murder mystery tales to turn into reality, courtesy a serial killer. Now, what will it take to stop those gruesome murders? 

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans, Brendan Gleeson

Direction: James McTeigue

Genre: Thriller

Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review: Those into Edgar Allen Poe shall be left satisfied. The first shot of the movie tells you this one is possibly on the lines of a biography: There have been lots of theories as to how Poe died; The Raven adds a new dimension. Those into his tales of mystery too shall have no reason to complain. The Raven is an amalgamation of a couple of whodunnit tales from the greatest inventor of the detective genre. And those into neither, can treat The Raven as your usual dose of murder, mystery and thrill. 

THE RAVEN OFFICIAL TRAILER (HD)

First, it's two women who are murdered in a locked room. Enter detective Emmett Fields ( Luke Evans) who traces it back to Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Next, a man is discovered sliced into two, just as in Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum. Enter detective Fields... this time with Edgar Allen Poe (John Cusack) himself. Interestingly, it's Poe himself who ends up solving his own murder mysteries. But then you've got to pay the price. In this case, blood, gore and soul-stirring crime, specially when the pendulum cuts the man into two. As for John Cusack, he is bang on as Poe when it comes to the looks. As for Poe's character, it comes rather naturally to the actor. 

Back to the murder and thrill. There are tense moments, chases, one puzzle leading to the other. There's also a Victorian setting, a serial-killer, his tricks... and of course, Edgar Allen Poe's macabre tales.

Department Movie Review (Hindi)

Story: Mumbai Police forms a Department beyond the law to end the underworld - what happens when this Department gets corrupted?

DEPARTMENT MOVIE REVIEW

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Rana Daggubati, Vijay Raaz, Anjana Sukhani, Abhimanyu Singh, Madhu Shalini

Direction: Ram Gopal Varma

Genre: Action

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Like other Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) films, Department has an idea - a force to finish the underworld by stepping over the law's boundaries. But like other RGV flicks, this one also blasts itself out of the water, leaving you savouring jarring camerawork, flimsy acting and over-the-top violence. Inspector Mahadev Bhosle (Dutt) creates Mumbai's department to battle, ahem, mafia dons Mohammad Ghori and Sawatiya (Raaz). Bhosle inducts Shivnarayan (Daggubati) and with skulls crashing on walls, children flung out of windows and criminals impaled on rods, they take on the underworld. So far, so gross, but the film pulls along, powered largely by Daggubati whose smokin' machismo holds Department together - but not for long. That's despite Bachchan popping up as don-turned-politico Sarjerao Gaikwad, all silvery hair, dark glasses, manic laughter and a tinkling bell. Bachchan's clearly having fun - but few viewers are.

That's because Department, which should've been a taut, tense encounter between three strong men, is instead ripped to shreds by too many weak actors given puzzlingly large roles. There's a most non-don-like Raaz, living in a shed, sporting an enviably slender waist exposed by mysteriously thin dhotis. His sullen sidekicks DK (Singh) and Naseer (Shalini) make one of the most unattractive screen duos ever. They mouth lines banally, shoot bullets expressionlessly, blow smoke dully into each other's mouths, yet have more screen time than Bachchan even. Others - like Shiv's wife Bharti (Sukhani, pleasant) - have
little to do except dodge those bullets and bodies.

Watch Department Movie Trailer (HD)

The violence might even have clicked, considering the tale's twists - but crazy camerawork makes you forget all that. Varma's experimented, placing multiple cameras at different angles, treating you to close-ups of bottles pressed to mouths, lips sucking cigarettes, zooms up Dutt's hairline. The camera even flips upside down, puncturing the tension that should've vibrated between Bachchan and Dutt. One line - "Chamatkaar ko namaskar" - nails it. You stagger out sensing something wasted - Nathalia Kaur's item number's more hideous than hot, the prettiest thing around is a translucent tea-cup, the action is mind-numbing. Losing the plot and three strong stars, Department shoots itself in the foot.

Courtesy: The Times Of India

Ishaqzaade Movie Review (Hindi)

ISHAQZAADE

Story: Where love and hate collide, this love story is born. Two people who're raised hating each other, break the unwritten family dictat; and fall in love. These outlaws of love thus start a new war. 

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra

Direction: Habib Faisal

Genre: Romance

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review:It's the war of the roses. And it's as (t)horny as it can get. Splattered with bandooks and badmaashi, goondas and gaalis - starts this ajab prem kahani. Firebrands Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya (Parineeti Chopra) are childhood hate-mates, born into politically warring families who've avowed to hate unto death. So, in the rustic and earthy brown landscape of small-town Almore - where pocket guns are a fashion accessory, and local yokels could kill for anything - diesel or dancing girl Chand (Gauhar Khan), the Queen of 'Kwality Baar' - a love story blossoms between loveable rowdy rascal Parma and feisty, free-spirited Zoya. They growl at each other with the same fierce passion with which they grope each other and get-it-on. Most riveting in this love-hate plot, is the (fore)playful chemistry between the two, with their volatile verbal wars, and sexed-up lovemaking; even between chases and gunshots. Rare indeed to find such a beautifully complementing debut pair onscreen.

ISHAQZAADE OFFICIAL TRAILER (HD)

In an impressive debut, Arjun Kapoor believably plays Parma with dollops of arrogance, energy and unabashed guts; chomping with the same crudity with which he shoots, spits gaalis, pisses on posters, manhandles his girl and makes raw love. He uses his boy-man charm topped with that infectious 'batteesi' effectively, and keeps up the temperatures throughout.

Parineeti Chopra is fabulously effervescent. As the 'mango 'ishmile' flashing Zoya, she's adorable and admirable. She lacks the obvious, larger-than-life mega-screen presence, but wins you over with her 'item'bomb' simplicity.

Gauhar Khan 'reveals' a lot more, of her acting skills that is.

UPCOMING VOLCANO: Parineeti Chopra

Director Habib Faisal takes you into the heart of this small-town story, creating a politically-divided Almore with elan - penning gripping characters (a rigid and arrogant Dadda, a suppressed, dukhiari Amma, two overbearing brothers), but fails to maintain the crescendo in the second half. After highlights like a sensitively shot lovemaking scene on a rusty train berth, a subtly picturized romantic song (Pareshan), and a shocking pre-interval scene, it starts falling apart like a house of cards; ultimately folding into a predictable climax.
The flatness of the second half is what takes away from the pace of a launch vehicle that could've been memorable.

'Ishaqzaade' starts with a bang-bang, but ends up firing blanks.

Longoria evolved with 'Desperate Housewives' character

Eva Longoria says her experience as Gabrielle Solis in " Desperate Housewives" has given her hope in real life.

PINK HOT: EVA LONGORIA

Longoria, who has been working in the show for the past eight years, believes if she can change, anyone can change.

"Gabby has taught me that everybody evolves. She started off as a selfish bratty woman, self-centred, didn't want kids, and was a horrible wife. Now she has evolved into this loving mother, domestic, supportive wife," showbizspy.com quoted Longoria as saying.

"I never would've thought that is where the journey would've gone. It really shows that you just don't know where life is going to take you," added the actress who has featured in all the eight seasons of the show.

The final episode of "Desperate Housewives" will air May 30.

IN SPOTLIGHT: KATE MOSS

Supermodel Kate Moss insists she is like any girl when it comes to a bad clothes day, and ends up with a messy room when she can't decide what to wear.

HOT QUEEN: KATE MOSS

The 38-year-old supermodel says she often leaves her garments strewn all over the floor on the days when she has wardrobe woes, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Asked about her bad clothes days, she said: "God, yes! Just like anyone else I have bad days and leave clothes strewn all over the floor. Just ask my friends."

When Moss is unsure about what to wear, she always try to rely on styling herself in jeans, jackets and trouser suits because she believes they make her look perfect.

"I love the jeans, jackets and trouser suits. I think it's a look that works well for me," she added.

Russell Brand 'wants Katy Perry back'

Russell Brand has reportedly sent an email to his estranged wife Katy Perry, asking for reconciliation.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand

The 36-year-old comedian, who filed for divorce from the singer in December 2011 after 14 months of marriage, is said to have changed his mind after seeing photos her at Coachella Festival last month.

Perry, 27, was spotted being affectionate with Robert Ackroyd from music group Florence + the Machine as they watched acts on stage.

According to Grazia, Brand was prompted to admit that he "gave up" on their marriage too soon and that filing for divorce was the biggest mistake of his life.

"Word has it Russell was 'seething with jealousy' when he saw pictures of her with Rob," Contactmusic quoted a source as telling the publication.

"He apparently feels he gave up on their relationship too easily.

"It's fair to say that Russell only wishes Katy happiness but perhaps he should have realised just how special his wife was when he was married to her rather than five months later," the source added.

Courtesy: Gossip @ Times Of India

The Lucky One Movie Review (English)

Story: Logan Thibault walks all the way from Colorado to Hampton in search of the woman he thinks was his lucky charm while he was serving as war soldier in Iraq...

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner, Riley Thomas Stewart, Jay R. Ferguson

Direction: Scott Hicks

Genre: Romance

Duration: 1 hour 41 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review: The problem with screen adaptations of novels written by Nicholas Sparks is that if it's not bang on (in story and spirit), it might get Nicholas fans a little disappointed. Remember Nights in Rodanthe? And if it's minor changes in the plot that we're talking about, as in The Lucky One, we don't really know how Nicholas fans are set to react. 

Logan Thibault ( Zac Efron), a marine having served three tours in the Iraq war finally decides to call it quits. But before that he has an unfinished task: He is hell bent on finding the woman whose picture he has been carrying all throughout the war. For the record, his friend and now he himself, feels that it's Beth's picture which has been saving grace, literally. So out he is on a mission to find his lady luck, meet her and as Dame Fortune would have it, fall for her. But then love, as we know, has never really been that simple. 

The setting is perfect: the woody countryside, streams running into nowhere and a laidback life led by the inhabitants. Coming from one of the best selling contemporary romantic authors, this romantic plot is nothing short of perfect. The performances good: Zac, like Logan in the pages, is a man of few words, seldom smiles and is pretty cool at his job -- walking the dogs. Taylor Schilling's Beth, again like the pages, has her highs and lows as she goes about proclaiming to be a 'damn-good-mother'. 

The Lucky One Movie Official Trailer (HD)

But all said and done, something still seems to be missing out there. Now what is it? Is it Logan who in the very first meeting with Beth (unlike the book) is ready to play plot spoiler? Or is it director Scott Hicks who (unlike the book) does not let the romance and Sparks-ian mush brew between the two love birds? Or is it the bonding (unlike the book) between the nanny and her granddaughter that never really happens? Or finally, is it Zeus (the loyal dog) who (unlike the book) barely has screen time, leave alone being the hero in the end? Yes, the hero is someone else here. 

Now, don't go looking for The Notebook and A Walk to Remember, and you might not end up complaining.

Information Courtesy: The Times Of India

Fatso Movie Review (Hindi)

Story: Navin and Nandini are to marry - but Navin dies in an accident that wasn't supposed to kill him. He returns in Sudeep's chubby body - but will 'Fatso' get his girl?

Critic's Rating: 

Direction: Rajat Kapoor

Cast: Ranvir Shorey, Purab Kohli, Gul Panag, Neil Bhoopalam, Gunjan Bakshi, Brijendra Kala

Genre: Romance

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review: Think of all those uber-cool Mumbai movies you've seen - Dil Chahta Hai, Bluffmaster, Wake Up Sid - put them in an imaginary blender, switch on, and hey presto, you have Fatso, frothing over with shots of surfing sea, rain-soaked skies, stylish bars.

Fatso Movie Official Trailer

Add a group of friends led by Navin (Kohli), who pops the question to Nandini (Panag) before crashing headlong into a truck and you have Fatso's main course - how to live after death. And what to do if your buddy, thinking you're in the great beyond, makes a move on your girl.



Fatso's a whimsical film with a rhythm somewhere between jazz and an old Bollywood song. Starting on an innovative note, it's brightened by Kohli's sparkly performance, Panag's dimpled smile and every shot of Mumbai that's made prize-winning cliche-level. Its most stunning sequences however occur in the grim sarkari office everyone apparently visits after they're dead - there is no heaven or hell, posits Fatso, just hundreds of peons, files, queues and babus, eternally occupied in 'mittings'. But Navin refuses to rest in peace till returned to earth - as fat friend Sudeep (Shorey). With Shorey literally getting a new lease of life, having visibly restrained himself as the much-mocked 'saand' of his group, you imagine Fatso's second half will rev up.

Alas. Here's where Fatso flops down heavily. Any sense of magic, of life rescued from death, love saved from vanishing, even the funny ironies of a slim guy stuck in a fat form, is totally missing. The 'friends group' is unconvincing. Kala's notable as a chatty clerk escorting souls about while Panag stands out in the silence of someone hit by grief. A cafe sequence, where Navin sees Nandini ordering spaghetti, then crying in the ladies' room, is moving. But otherwise, strangely flat acting and banal lines leave Fatso more heavy than cheerful.

The film seems overwhelmed by its own smart styling - little details like a dress drying on a clothesline, a girl rubbing hand-cream onto her palms, are clever. But there's too much style, not enough substance. No-one but pretty Tanuja (Bakshi), whose boyfriend Yash (Bhoopalam) hits on Nandini, seems to have a job. Life's a round of bar-hops with holidays when the living gets dull. The movie's peppiest number - 'Fatso! Na jaane kab last time sofe se khara hua' - is reserved for its feeble end, pushed wearily by Shorey listing everything he loves - mangoes to mosquitoes - before Panag mercifully plugs his outpourings with a kiss. Willing, yet weak, Fatso joined a good gym - but could have done with a much stricter trainer.

Courtesy: The Times Of India

Jannat 2 Movie Review (Hindi)

Story: A rookie guns dealer goes undercover for a cop who is out to crack the illegal arms racket. Caught in a web of lies and miscalculated moves, he becomes the target of suspicion and gun-war.

Critic's Rating: 

Direction: Kunal Deshmukh

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Esha Gupta, Manish Choudhary

Genre: Thriller

Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review: 'Guns for a cause - Nothing illegal about it!' That is gun dealer Sonu Dilli's ( Emraan Hashmi) theory - If everyone in the world owned a gun, there'd be no war, only peace. He's as easy with his guns as with his gaalis, and like a self-proclaimed KKC (kutti, kameeni cheez), 'humps' a woman, ridiculously to the rhythm of 'ek rasta, do rahi ...' (climaxing to aha aha!). ACP Pratap (Randeep Hooda) is the always bloodshot, almost 'Devdas'esque cop, wallowing in grief at the loss of his wife, killed in one such shootout. This cop of 'caliber', has a personal agenda, he tracks down Sonu Dilli (forever with his pants down), and takes him under his wing as an informer who can expose the illegal gun racket, led by the deadly Mangal Singh Tomar (Manish Choudhary). In the meanwhile, Sonu is shot in the heart (by Cupid), and his ladylove Jaanvi (Esha Gupta) is a doctorni who believes he runs a shop called 'Kareena Cut Piss' (read: cutpiece). Sadly, it's not a 'bullet-proof' plan, all hell breaks loose, with everyone gunning for something, and Jannat seeming like a faraway destination.

Emraan plays Sonu Dilli with a brusque Haryanvi accent, which is forgotten halfway through the movie. He's impressive in intense scenes and panic moments, portraying conflicting emotions with aplomb. He's crass and cool at the same time, wooing the lady, kissing and making love - in true Hashmi style.

Jannat 2 Official Trailer (HD)

The man to watch is hot-gun Randeep Hooda. Explosive in this one. Brooding but brave, intoxicated but vigilant. In this angry young cop avatar, he stuns you with silent pain and frantic outbursts. The film almost rests in his able holster. In probably the best performance of his career, Randeep is 'bang on'.

Debutante Esha Gupta struts ravishingly at times, though expressionless; shoots off a few dialogues, romances Emraan in Sufi-ish songs, and kisses back passionately. Her role is essential to the plot, but is under-written and she is over-exposed (ahaan).

Manish Choudhary is as evil as he can get. More pungent than gunpowder, deadlier than his weapons. He's the baddie that we love to fear.

Hot & Sexy ESHA GUPTA

Director Kunal Deshmukh shoots off gritty action and gushy romance, combined in unequal proportions. The chase sequences give you a shot of adrenaline and the action is high-tension. Although random romantic moments and too many songs break the pace of the story (Shagufta Rafique). The climax is touching, but for a thriller, there are several predictable turns, minus the twists. The dialogues are crude, but suit the rawness of the film, and the actors use cuss words as liberally as their guns. The music (Pritam) is memorable, but only till the next Bhatt album release.

Jannat 2 is a decent crime caper, but doesn't shoot you between the eyes.

Tip Off: If you don't have an appetite for crude desi gaalis, be armed before watching this one!

Courtesy: The Times Of India

Hugo Movie Review (English)

Story : Once upon a time there was boy named Hugo Cabret who lived in a train station. Despite being single and young, he searched hard to find a secret message from his father. The message, like magic, reached all the way to the right person, till dreams were re-lived. 

Critic's Rating: 

Direction: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen

Genre: Drama

Duration: 2 hours 6 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review: For the time being, let's keep all this aside: After having released in the U.S last year, Hugo finally releases in India today. Hugo went on to nab 11 nominations and five Oscars this year. With Hugo, directorMartin Scorsese for the first time ever enters three-dimensional territory. Instead, let's talk of this: The Eiffel Tower of the 1930s has never looked so inviting; the snow falling atop the wooden roofs and window panes of old France has never looked so mesmerizing; the world of clocks has never seemed so hi-tech. For starters, Hugo is a visual treat. And now we know why it grabbed the Oscar for Best Visual Effect this year. 

But then adding life to all that eye candy is Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield), the orphan boy in town, who lives in a railway station, steals croissants, and gets his five minutes of laughter when he spots the odd ones out at the station when peeping from the huge clock tower. Like all restless kids, Hugo too is on the lookout for his 'purpose' which in this case is understanding the secret message his dad (an unfortunately hardly-there Jude Law cameo) brought forth by an old piece of automaton. Helping him in his purpose is yet another kid, Isabella (Chloe Grace Moretz). For her, the 'purpose' is rather simple: adventure calling. Fun while the two are out coding and decoding messages, sketches, and looking out for the right key to get the automaton started. Once functional, you realise there is much more to the movie -- the true story of turn-of-the-century French pioneer filmmaker Georges Melies, all his surviving films, his collection of mechanical models called automata, his determination of making dreams (filmmaking) come true.

Watch Hugo Official Movie Trailer (HD)

Now, for the ideation. Hugo lives up to the pages it owes its creation to - Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret. And why just the plot, Martin Scorsese ensures even the feel of the movie is in sync with the literary version. With 284 pictures between the 533 pages, the book appeals to all for its words as well as pictures. With hardly any dialogues, the movie depends equally on its performance as it does on the picturesque setting. Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz are quite successful in taking you back to the Dickensian era... and perhaps a 1930 version of Potter's 9-3-4 platform. Watch Asa go all out to give Chloe her first taste of real adventure - they sneak into a cinema hall. Watch Chloe kiss Asa for the first time ever on his cheeks - something that makes our kid grow up. But the real winner is Ben Kingsley who, as the owner of a small toy shop, 'fixes' whatever little seems to be amiss, both when it comes to machines... and the silent pauses. 

Tip off : If the tick-tock of clocks (Hugo is quite low on dialogues) sounds like music to your ears, and the huffing-puffing of steam engines (Hugo brings to life the old French charm) looks like wizardry to your eyes, you are sure to like this one.


Courtesy: The Times Of India

Movie Review: Safe (English)

Story: Mei (Catherine Chan) is wanted by all -- the Triads... The Russian mob... The NYC super and corrupt cops. Why? She has the secret code to the safe. Enter Luke Wright (Jason Statham), her protector... and the one who ultimately gets access to the safe. 

Critic's Rating: 

Direction: Boaz Yakin

Cast: Jason Statham, Catherine Chan, Chris Sarandon, James Hong

Genre: Action

Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 

Movie Review : It's a Jason Statham movie where the actor is once again seen paving his way to victory while sorting the good from the bad. So no prizes for guessing what lies in store: gun firing in loads and fist fights in aplenty. Add to that some Statham-ism and there's no looking back. Now, how many actors do we have out there who pick up call girls in NYC, pay them plenty of that dollar, get an entry into a sizzling restaurant and ask them to leave immediately. Or for that matter, how many Medowlands (New Jersey) ex-fighters do we have dressed in an executive suit breaking tracheas of the bad guys. Statham fans, there's enough of the suave in here. 

A still from the movie

But then, Jason Statham has competition in Safe. And this competition is a pretty tough one for it comes from the little Catherine Chan. With hardly any dialogues (in English) to herself, Chan actually keeps you asking for more each time she (or Statham) are missing in action. In fact, it's not just her computerised memory that helps her remember all important bank transactions in the Chinese world, it's her ultimate understanding of the big bad biz world (she excels in distinguishing between good business and the bad one) that takes you by surprise. Make sure you catch Catherine's Mei calling the shots - in every way - in the last sequence. 

Of course, the two (Statham and Catherine) together make this gang war for the green bills in the bustling narrow bylanes of New York's China Town worth a watch. The action, on the other hand, is crispy and smart. As for the storyline, guess it was always meant to tread on safe ground... nothing that you have never seen before.

Courtesy: Movie Reviews @ Times Of India