February 2013
3 posts
5 tags
Yippee-kai-yuck, Oh Father!
Die Hard(1988) was one of the first films that I actually bought off the shelf with my pocket money when I was a wee lad. An original crystal case containing two CD-ROMs and a Summer Movie Guide featuring the best movies of the year. It all started with officer John McLane(Bruce Willis), with his gung-ho attitude and procured machine guns, fighting his way through Nakatomi building killing bad...
5 tags
Kanni, Katti, Kisht aur Cricket
22.02.13
It rarely happens that a movie grabs your attention with its opening scenes, solely on the basis of its naivety. The scene set 10 years down show a number of young prodigies excelling in their individual disciplines. And all of them look like actual talents. Talk about practicing what you preach – “A talent comes by sparsely and needs to be nurtured and promoted”. Ishan adds the...
5 tags
Tale of Two Witties
The film begins with a flash forward. Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher interview a female candidate and they talk casually about uprooting corruption from the country. The scene is acted out very sincerely by the 3 actors. But there is still that underlying sense of humour in that scene. Something about ‘saath me ukhaadege na Sir’. The tone is set and you are glued.
This is what separates the new...
October 2012
1 post
6 tags
Dil Hai Chota Sa, Choti Si Bhaashaa
English Vinglish, in which we see Sridevi after a gap of 15 years as an undervalued mother and homemaker, wins you over in the very 1st five minutes as we see Shashi (Sridevi), trying to sit down with her morning cup of coffee but unable to enjoy it as one by one her family members wake up and ask for breakfast. This is a scene that plays in most of our homes every morning. Breakfast table lights...
September 2012
2 posts
5 tags
Sweets and Sweethearts
In this age of South-Indian remakes and romantic movies a million miles away from anything related to the heart, you can’t help but fall in love with a movie like Barfi! which teaches us the importance of that unexplainable, irrational and downright-stupid feeling that fills our heart with warmth one in a lifetime for someone else without expecting anything in return.
Murphy (Ranbir Kapoor), or...
3 tags
Too Many Guns On The Wall
First of all, this is NOT a review. These are just thoughts collected over a period of watching and re-watching Anurag Kashyap’s Wasseypur movies and pouring them out for the readers. Some might agree, some might agree to disagree. The article is mind bogglingly late but we are lazy pillocks not to watch and review them right after they released. Better late than never! Some thoughts from the...
August 2012
1 post
6 tags
Bonny and Bourne Born for Love
So it’s that time of the year again. What people the world around call Eid, we Indians call it annual Salman Khan blockbuster day. 3 years back it was Wanted, which officially shut up Salman’s detractors and turned them into his die-hard fans, Dabanng the next year which showed what can be achieved with a moustache and a really sacrificial shirt that rips itself for her...
July 2012
3 posts
7 tags
Deh-shay! Deh-shay! Bah Sah Rah! Bah Sah Rah!
“If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal… you become something else entirely. A legend, Mr. Wayne, a legend!” - Ra’s al Ghul.
And a legend he does become. First of all, this review will be full of spoilers. I’ve waited for 3 days so that everyone would get a fair chance to see the movie before the cat is let out of the bag. So...
6 tags
A Cock's Tale
In a recent national magazine feature, 6 legends from various field were asked to name their rightful scion. One of those rightful legends was Yash Chopra. And his answer was Imtiaz Ali. And I cannot agree more. All his films till now, be it the doe-eyed Socha na Tha or the passionate, tragic Rockstar, have been Mint-o Fresh. Cocktail which is written by him and has his stamp all over it,...
6 tags
Too much yacking!
“Chor Machaaye Shor is an evergreen classic. I and my team have tried to relive its magic, with the usual Rohit Shetty elements thrown in.” Doesn’t really have an impact, does it?
Bol Bachchan is just that, a remake of the Bobby Deol starrer Chor Machaye Shor, masquerading as remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic Golmaal and trying to sound all high class. Good that they didn’t name it Golmaal 4...
May 2012
2 posts
5 tags
Hack Slash Pow Bang!
Serbuan MAUT: The name itself spells death. And death it does deliver, by all means possible. I saw the poster a while back and thought, ‘Oh another oriental indie movie. Maybe I’ll download it and watch later’. I cannot comprehend how wrong would I have been if not for Slim who insisted we watch it in the theater instead. And boy were we entertained!
The Raid is an...
6 tags
Qayamat me Laila Majnu Ek Duje ke Liye
Ishaqzaade, a take on the word Haraamzade, is just that: A take on a million other love stories.
Set in a fictional, default town in the Indian hinterland, where Chandni-bai the courtesan, and not false promises ensure a votebank, it’s a story of clashes between 2 rival, political parties fighting it out for the region’s MLA title. The hatred runs deep and through the generations. The youngest...
March 2012
2 posts
6 tags
Chelsea vs Aston Villa - Chelsea FC Player Ratings...
31.03.12
Andre Villas-Boas, he could be anything. He could be an assistant to Mourinho, a manager of the quadruple wining FC Porto side, a man handler of Torres and a potential model, but he was definitely not a person capable enough of winning the trust of the dressing room at The Shed. Chelsea were losing matches here and there, such that every victory was supposed to be an opportunity to build...
5 tags
Run Tomar Run
The year was 2010. Somebody asked me which movies am I waiting for most. I had said Udaan, Kites and Paan Singh Tomar. Udaan placed itself deeply into my heart while Kites proved watchable at best. Paan Singh Tomar, still shows up on the list of Bollywood releases of 2010 by Wiki. But it got released now.
It was actually unanimously panned when it was shown in various film festivals in 2010 and...
February 2012
6 posts
5 tags
Norwich City vs Manchester United - Manchester...
26.02.12
Today marked a very special day for United and in particular, Ryan Giggs who played in his 900th appearance for Manchester United. A servant of the club since over two decades now, Giggs is the benchmark when it comes to discipline, longevity, skill and a relentless hunger to succeed. United travelled to Carrow Road to face Norwich, chasing Man City who were 5 points clear before the...
5 tags
Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers - Chelsea FC Player...
25.02.12
A boring first half to the point of being soporific, was revived by a great second half display by Chelsea who went for the jugular. They did the double over Bolton with style as they reclaim fourth spot in the BPL. Drogba scored his 99th goal for the blues, re-establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. Lampard kissed the badge which might indicate he is not moving away from...
5 tags
The Woman Who Spooked!
“The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts” as quoted by Italo Calvino is a feeling that is manifested in this old-fashioned, macabre film based on Susan Hill’s novel. Directed by James Watkins and produced by the famous now-revived Hammer Productions, The Woman In Black introduces Daniel Radcliffe in a new light. A dark one, and it leaves us on the...
5 tags
Peppermint Pataaka
Ohhh what an enigma you are, Imran Khan!
The new Romantic ‘Comedy’, if I can call it so, looked dull and boring from its first look. And when Kamaal R Khan says so too, you can’t really deny it, can you? So I was uninhibited in doing an “Aage Badh” and letting it pass through, excited instead to watch Ekk Deewana Tha next week. But I did watch Ek Main Aur Ek Tu and was really charmed by the...
4 tags
Best of the Year List Do Hazaar Gyaarah
(The above picture is just aesthetically pleasing and has nothing to do with the post as such. Also it’s a testimony to the fact that we are not GAY!)
With doomsday inevitable in December of this year, we grab this last chance to write our first Top Movies of 2011 list. This year has been an absolutely rocker in terms of tickets sold. How many of you, however, who don’t address...
7 tags
Chelsea FC vs Manchester United FC - Player...
05.02.12
The stakes were set high as Man United faced Chelsea for what turned out to be a topsy-turvy affair at the Stamford Bridge on Sunday. United haven’t won at Chelsea for 10 years now and they did not seem to shake off the jinx tonight. The first half was a dull affair with both teams cancelling each other out effectively, barring the own goal by United. The game picked up speed in...
January 2012
1 post
5 tags
Khaali Haath Aaya Tha, Aur Khaali Haath Jaayega!
First of all, a confession. The original Agneepath – haven’t seen it. So will refrain from commenting about the adaptation bits in the movie. Will review this movie based solely on the emotions it succeeded in generating in this audience member’s mind.
Agneepath, retells the story of Viju, a young boy from the island village Mandwa whose righteous father was killed by the local Zamindar’s...
December 2011
5 posts
6 tags
Bad Sketching Ikon
If you are puzzled about the title, it is just an anagram of this painfully long, bland and tiring movie. Don 2: The King Is Back is extreme self indulgence at its best or storytelling at its worst. The film has been the most anticipated release this year and boy has it disappointed spectacularly! Though it certainly gives a fitting end to what has been a remarkably average year for Bollywood...
6 tags
Impossible Is The Protocol
Mission Impossible has always been a fun series to watch through the years and one of the few spy/secret agent movies that have held their charm just for the sake of their fun factor more than anything else. Ghost Protocol – The latest addition to the series is no different. Explosive action, breath-taking locales, dynamic plot and a fun cast are the factors that make this one the magnum opus of...
6 tags
Queens Park Rangers vs Manchester United -...
18.12.11
Manchester United are back from their stupor and seem to start a purple patch since their unceremonious exit from the Champions League. This was Sir Alex Ferguson’s 750th Premier League game in charge as United manager and the players gave him a plausible performance. United dominated right from the 1st minute and had everything under control. The scoreline at 2-0 is very...
5 tags
Hit and Miss!
Biopics aren’t easy to carry off. They require a lot of research and a great understanding of the human psyche. What to show, and what to leave out is always difficult to grasp. Recent Indian biopics which impressed me were Guru and The Legend of Bhagat Singh. This one, resting on its awesome cast had me waiting. Does it impress? I DON’T THINK SO!!
Reshma (Vidya Balan), as a child, was awed by...
4 tags
Newcastle vs Chelsea - Chelsea FC Player Ratings...
03.12.11
After a string of bad form and bad luck, Chelsea gave its fans what they wanted-a hard fought victory against a formidable Newcastle, with the entire team chipping in before the Champions League kick-or-get-kicked match against Valencia. For the last 2 months now, Chelsea have been suffering to something akin to the nervous nineties in cricket, where they would always let the other team...
November 2011
2 posts
5 tags
Rom, Dick and Jerry!
Desi Boyz is about recession hitting a duo of bros, Nick and Jerry; one engaged and other free, one responsible and the other careless, one White collar and the other collarless. So Nick loses his job and Jerry can’t get any. Add to that Nick’s high-maintenance girlfriend and Jerry’s responsibility as a guardian for his nephew and you have the setup. So in a gist, income is zero, savings almost...
5 tags
Rock Star In A Black Hole Of Light
The poster makes us feel that this movie is going to be EPIC, but Imtiaz Ali’s latest directorial venture leaves viewers hanging in the balance and wanting for more at the same time. It is a film from which many conclusions can be drawn and each would be in stark contrast of the other, or none at all. Rockstar is a shade different from what we are used to seeing in a Bollywood movie.
The story...
October 2011
4 posts
5 tags
A Paradoxical Extravaganza
Shah Rukh Khan, or SRK, was the clear frontrunner in ‘the race’ for a span of about 13 years. But his credibility was soon overtaken by Aamir and fan following by Salman, who both sadly lack the other trait. Aamir doesn’t have die-hard fans and Salman’s films are usually dull affairs. Both of them are having a hot streak right now. This was the vehicle SRK had to regain his Kingdom. Add to that...
4 tags
Chelsea FC vs Everton FC - Chelsea Player Ratings...
15.10.11
After 8 matches of the current season, Chelsea again looked like a top contender for the league trophy this year after some initial hiccups. After an initial draw with the Potters and a valiantly fought defeat at the Old Trafford, they seemed to be scoring at will and never putting a wrong foot down. Now coming from the international break, they faced an out-of-form Everton under a...
5 tags
Liverpool vs Manchester United - Manchester United...
15.10.11
Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25 years at Manchester United and Kenny Dalglish’s 250th league match at Liverpool marked this epic clash of the titans of English football. The stage was set, Anfield, where 45 thousand Liverpool fans can devour any opposition and shake the very foundations of the stadium with their hostile chants; Manchester United had a daunting task at hand to...
4 tags
Bolton vs Chelsea FC Player Ratings 02.10.11
02.10.11
A brilliant 1st half display by the Blues had locked the 3 away points they were looking for. However, rather than going on the backfoot, I personally think AVB should have aimed for more goals. The league this year is even more open than the last year and it will come down to goal difference on the last day. So “winning is important, not the scoreline” attitude won’t work this year. In...
September 2011
8 posts
6 tags
Sheer Force!
I honestly wasn’t planning on catching this film…neither am I a John Abraham fan nor was I enticed by the promos. I mean all masala movies feed on an opening, and this movie lacked any buzz. It only meant the producers wanted to avoid more losses. I actually wanted to review Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster this week. But I missed that film. And I really don’t have any regrets. It is a very enjoyable...
5 tags
Neither Awful, Nor Awesome-That sums up Mausam
A foreword-I am a huge Pankaj Kapur fan. I found class in ‘Dus’ because of Pankaj Kapur. So I might be a little too generous with my review here. Just like all autowallahs are generous with Salman Khan movies and Taran Adarsh is with moving pictures in general.
I had been waiting for the first look of the movie for a long time. And barring a few good images, it left me high and dry. It did not...
4 tags
Stoke City vs Manchester United - Manchester...
24.09.11
The picture above describes the match in general. Tough tackles, physical play, worrying injuries and a thumping realization that Stoke is still one of the toughest teams to beat away from home. The match was full of hustle and bustle where each side was intent upon giving it all. The nature of Stoke’s physical play was too much to handle at times for United. This was not helped...
7 tags
Searchin' Leo : "Messi"ng in the City of Joy
About 4 months back I got the news that Messi was going to visit India for a friendly against either Spain or Portugal. For all of you without a television or Internet, Messi is a football player, the best the world has ever seen arguably. My 1st reaction was ‘What’s the date, dude?’ After making sure it isn’t April 1 and the news isn’t another one of the silly funny news items those bored...
8 tags
Manchester United vs Chelsea - Player Ratings -...
19.09.11
Red Devils vs Blues, the most awaited fixture of the year where Andre Villas Boas pitted his rejuvenated team against a formidable United side who are in murderous form this season. Today’s match had all the hallmarks of a classic encounter. AVB against SAF, David De Gea’s big test, Rooney’s penalty miss, Nani’s stunning strike, Torres’s amazing comeback...
4 tags
Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United - Man Utd...
10.09.11
Yet another masterful display from the current league champions. They are scoring at will now and I will stick my neck a little bit further out and say Man Utd are currently if not the best, then definitely at par with FCB now and Wayne Rooney is the currently in the best form of his life and probably the best and definitely the most complete player in World of Football right...
4 tags
Sunderland vs Chelsea - Chelsea FC Player Ratings...
10.09.11
Sunderland FC hosted the Blues in the Stadium of Light in the fourth week of the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea were there usual dominant selves by keeping possession, spraying passes and getting in the goals. But will the real Chelsea please stand up! Conceding goals late in the match is becoming their trademark. However, a hard fought match that was won convincingly.
Final score:...
5 tags
Not Even For The Hardcore Salman Khan Fan!
Salman Khan is in the best form of his life. Dabanng and Ready have been consecutive blockbusters. While Dabanng was a very good film, even in terms of content and characters, I did find even Ready enjoyable to an extent. I think its spontaneous humour was very visible on screen and Salman and all his extended family were brilliant. And I definitely know they didn’t want me to take my own life,...
August 2011
8 posts
3 tags
Manchester United vs Arsenal - Manchester United...
29.08.11
Remember this date. Manchester United’s young team ‘gunned’ down Arsenal literally and figuratively. Old Trafford was ablaze by the pace, skill and teamwork of Man United that was just too hot to handle. Sir Alex Ferguson has put together quite a group this season.
Final score: Manchester United 8 - 2 Arsenal
Goals: Welbeck 22, Young 28, Rooney 41, 64, Nani 67,...
3 tags
CHELSEA FC vs NORWICH CITY PLAYER RATINGS OF...
27. 08. 11
The match between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge again saw the usual pattern that Chelsea FC seems to be following this season…there is utter domination in the first 30 minutes…followed by some bad mistimed passes which results in the entire team losing their mojo collectively, followed by resurgence due to a goal scored in the last quarter, and again utter domination till...
6 tags
Apes Are More Fun Than A Barrel Of Monkeys
After the iconic Planet of the Apes series and reboot years later, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a breath of fresh air. It marks quite a remarkable end to this year’s summer blockbuster season. Starring James Franco as Will Rodman, a genius scientist who develops a cure for Alzheimer’s and tests his drugs on chimpanzees. His test subject, a female chimp shows promising mental development but...
9 tags
Medieval Utopia
Kaiser Chiefs has been my favourite Indie Rock band for a couple of years now. So when they released a new album this July, I was excited to try it out as soon as it hit the shelves. Bummer! The Future Is Medieval is not an album, it is a collection of songs, made randomly, for sale, on the INTERNET! Now this band from Leeds, England might be ahead of our times but I am a pretty medieval customer...
5 tags
Cancel Your Reservations For This Over Hyped...
Reservation is an issue which is debatable infinitely and still you wouldn’t end up with a winner. It has affected all our lives. Many hate it and others take it as price we have to pay for socialist India to be established. But it’s very clear from the film that Prakash Jha simply made the film because it is a hot topic that looks explosive on paper. Gosh he is back to his Rahul days!
It...
4 tags
The Goods, The Bads, And In-between
Bollywood for a good part of 20 years was only known for its song and dance routines by the world over. I always felt they were only trying to humour us by saying kind words, but the truth which we knew pretty well was our stories sucked, our acting was substandard and good movies were few and far in between. Not that trash was doing any good at box-office. India boasts of around 150 releases...
5 tags
Explosive Cinema, Almost At Its ‘Good’est!
Singham, a remake of Tamil film ‘Singam’, is another one of the recent array of legally remade South Indian blockbusters that have followed Wanted, a scene-by-scene remake of Pokhiri, which plays a lot on Utv Movies. Honestly I don’t know how much credit to give to such movies on the criteria of script and dialogues, and sometimes even music, as in the case of Dhinka Chika which though was...
6 tags
Cowboys, Aliens and Forgotten Indians
What do you get when you mix Western and Sci-fi, two genres as different as chalk from cheese, cast James Bond and Han Solo and add cliché dialogue and characters that take their jobs too seriously? A complete wreck of a movie that fails to do justice to either of the genres it is supposed to adhere to. With a tagline like ‘First Contact, Last Stand’, one expects it to be a kick-ass movie full of...
July 2011
6 posts
5 tags
Tinkle Tinkle Little Stars
Growing up in India in the 90’s, it was hard to miss Tinkle, a great comic monthly, started by the Late Anant Pai. As a tribute to our favourite childhood comic, here’s presenting the top 11 Tinkle characters of all time.
11. Kapish
Taking Sanskrit in the 8th standard is finally being put to use here. Kapish, as many of you lucky fellows might not know, is derived from Kapi + Ish,...
6 tags
Horcruxes, Goosebumps, Hallows and Guffaws Galore
The most awaited film of the year, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II hit theatres worldwide this Friday to an overwhelming reception from the muggles and squibs whom the magical series by J K Rowling so endeared itself to. The eight installment marked the end of a fantastic film franchise and boy did they do a wonderful job of it! Going by the facts and stats on which many naysayers...
