Gone Girl

Rating : 9/10
Release Date : 31st October, 2014
Time : 149 minutes
Director: David Fincher; Writer: Gillian Flynn, based on her own novel; Music : Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Starring : Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Patrick Fugit, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Emily Ratajkowski, Casey Wilson, Lola Kirke, Sela Ward



Deliciously devilish. Fiendishly clever. As beautifully twisted, with the façade of normalcy, as can be. Am going to struggle to write as I don’t want to give anything away, will simply say – just when you think you know whats happening, the movie takes an unexpected path once more !

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike met 7 years ago. On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, when things aren’t going that well between them, Rosamund goes missing. Soon most people are thinking Ben’s responsible. It doesn’t help that she is a mini-celebrity, the daughter of a famed writer, whose books were all about her amazing daughter’s childhood.

The best part of the movie is how various aspects, which colour your perception, are presented. The opening scene where Ben voices his thoughts while ruffling his wife’s hair. The police assistant, Patrick, who wants to arrest Ben from day one but his boss, Kim Dickens, is more circumspect, wants there to be no doubt before she moves in. The swift condemnation of the media, based on a couple of photographs. And, most telling of all, the compelling voice of Rosamund, as she continues to be missing, conveyed through her diary.

And its not just the unexpected turns but the refreshing idiosyncracies of the characters shown. Treasure hunts (with a hilarious suggestion involving the wood clue). Throwing gummy bears in preparation for an interview. Spitting into a drink as a minor form of revenge. A quick skip in the air, clicking the heels, when you realize your plan is working. The surprisingly genial, affable lawyer, Tyler Perry. The touching concern of the twin sister, wonderfully played by Carrie Coon, steadfastly standing by her brother, even when she finds out he’s been lying to her. And, just when you think you've planned it perfectly, trouble can be just next door...

The much lampooned Ben Affleck does a stellar job in his role – conflicted, troubled, sailing in what very much looks like a sinking ship but doing his damnedest to stay afloat. I last saw Rosamund in Jack Reacher, where she’d impressed in her role. She has this Cate Blanchett-like statuesque quality, an ability to stand out, no matter the circumstances, to seem intensely private, a bit superior to others irrespective of her surrounding. And she nails this role with everything she’s got !

If you think your marriage is rough, you should see this film. If you think your spouse is tough to be with, you should see this film. And be reminded of how much worse it could be. There could also be a strong case made, for an injunction against the movie, for giving inspiration to vengeance seeking spouses. For no one would want to be in a relationship like Ben and Rosamund…

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Fury

Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 31st October, 2014
Time : 134 minutes
Director, Writer : David Ayer; Music : Steven Price
Starring : Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs, Anamaria Marinca, Alicia von Rittberg

“Ideals are peaceful. History is violent”



If you’re turned off by the sight of blood, don’t watch this one
If violence makes you queasy, don’t watch this one
If gore makes you twitch, don’t watch this one
And if you don’t like watching people die, definitely don’t watch this one
But do watch it if you want to experience war, up close, with all its mud, blood and glory - and hopefully wish there was never a war again

Brad Pitt leads an American tank in 1945, as the Allies make their final push in Germany. He and his loyal crew, who he's promised to return home safe, have been killing Germans, or Krauts, as he likes to call them, all the way from Africa and hope to be there when the final bastion falls. The crew, comprising the bible preaching Shia LaBeouf, the fierce Hispanic Michael Pena and the crazy Jon Bernthal. have to welcome a new member, Logan Lerman (of Percy Jackson fame), when their assistant gunner dies. He, Logan, is young, a rookie (actually a typist), unaccustomed to war and now thrown into the thick of it. Brad decides to teach him the ropes while they navigate the treacherous towns and forests of Germany, meeting near-fanatical resistance from the last few defending soldiers.

The action scenes, especially the ones involving multiple tanks are great, tension inducing, slickly done. All the violence is quite neatly offset by some touching moments – none as beautiful as the little meal Brad, Logan enjoy in a tiny German village, with Anamaria and Alicia. The impromptu piano and the song. The precious eggs, safely stored, being brought out. Brad cleaning himself up. And then the rest of the crew arrives, bringing reality back to that moment.

Have always wondered why we go to war so often. What makes us so power hungry? Also, what makes us so cruel when we are in power, a gene that seems unique to the human race. Also, when a war does occur, have always found it strange how the soldiers go about doing what they do, without once questioning why they’re doing it – going through the prospect of imminent death while believing in his cause but not even being sure the cause is the right one.

It’s a thought provoking but not an easy film to watch. The execution of a prisoner. The induction of a rookie into killing. The murdered civilians, strung up as an example for other folk unwilling to help. But it does present the gritty, real side of war – the mud, the stench, the conditions, the blood – and the inescapable reality that everyone loses in such a situation. Maybe, just for that, its worth a watch.

“It will end soon. But before it does, a lot more people gotta die”

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Happy New Year

Rating : 4/10
Release Date : 24th October, 2014
Time : A mammoth 185 minutes
Director: Farah Khan; Writers: Farah Khan, Althea Kaushal; Music : Vishal-Shekhar
Starring : Shahrukh Khan, Boman Irani, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Deepika Padukone, Vivaan Shah, Jackie Shroff



This is a few distinct notches below Farah’s first two films, Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om. Happy New Year (HNY) has a bloated storyline, packed with unnecessary melodrama, redundant sub-plots and silly slapstick versus the zany humour that characterized her earlier two movies. I still start cackling when I remember the scene where Zayed steps into the library for the first time in Main Hoon Na. Here, you get men in tutus learning to dance. And compared to the delightful violins that play everytime Shahrukh sees a sensuous sari-clad Sushmita, here you get a little ball of fire, each time Deepika touches Shahrukh. And don’t even get me started on Abhishek’s vomit.

Shahrukh thirsts for revenge against Jackie Shroff, the man who ruined his father, both business and reputation wise. He spots the perfect opportunity when some priceless diamonds are to be stored in the vault (designed by his father), now managed by Jackie. The plan is to steal those diamonds, the only catch being that to do this involves participating in a World Dance Championship. And a team is needed that includes two of his father’s associates, Boman (a Parsi chick magnet and safecracker) and Sonu Sood (the brawny explosives expert). Also joining the team are Vivaan (a whiz-kid hacker), Abhishek (a tapori who happens to be the lookalike for Jackie Shroff’s son) and Deepika (a bar dancer, roped in to teach them how to dance – because the tutu stuff didn’t really work out).

There is a smattering of heist films here – Italian Job, Ocean's Eleven. But packed with giant sized dollops of tears, emotion and ordinary songs. And its not just that there are emotional moments – each such moment has to be accompanied by shots of everyone in the team shedding a few tears, their bloodshot eyes and group hugs. Just as a back-up, if the weeping doesn’t tug your heartstrings, they invoke the India angle in the dance championship, with loads of shots of the tricolor, national pride etc. I also feel nothing highlights bankruptcy of ideas, a desperation for cheap laughs as much as showing men in drag and here even that stone isn’t left unturned.

There was an interesting film hidden somewhere here – with a little bit more work, some funnier moments and massive pruning from its inflated 185 minutes run time – this could’ve actually been a really good film. Instead of choosing between a comedy, musical, heist or revenge drama, Farah chose to combine the four in an inelegant potpourri, giving us a product placement riddled mish-mash. Deepika has little to do other than feature in a couple of songs, display her dimples and washboard abs. Abhishek demonstrates that he is now officially scraping the bottom of the barrel with his brand of slapstick and vomit. Boman, Sonu and Vivaan come out relatively unscathed. Instead this one will hinge on how you react to its main lead.

If You Love Shahrukh (most women)

You will love watching his near patented gestures including standing with his arms outstretched, the wipe across the face
You will love his exaggerated, over the top acting
You will love his muscular abs, rippled body
When he sheds a tear or two, you will feel like reaching out, ruffling his Navratan tel soaked, thanda thanda – cool cool hair and telling him things will be alright

If You Dislike Shahrukh (most men)

You will cringe, wonder how someone can make a living as an actor in todays day and age by doing the same thing for the nth time
You will beg for mercy killing when he does his hammy, excessive moves
You will find his muscles look odd on his wiry frame and increasingly gaunt looking face
When he does his cheesy emoting, you will feel like giving him a tight one across his Emami Fair and Handsome enlightened face.

The choice, as always, is yours

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The Judge

Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 17th October, 2014
Time : 142 minutes
Director: David Dobkin; Writers: Bill Dubuque, Nick Schenk; Music : Thomas Newman
Starring : Robert Downey Jr, Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Leighton Meester, Emma Tremblay



This one is about father-son relationships and they make it about as complicated as it can get, throwing in lots of flashbacks, emotion, a dead mother, melodrama, two other sons and even a murder trial to keep us gripped as the narrative slowly unfolds.

Robert Duvall is the iron-handed, bull headed patriarch of the family, a respected, practicing judge at the court of the little town where they reside. Two of his sons live in the same town. Vincent D’Onofrio, the eldest, hasn’t really recovered emotionally from what could’ve been since an event from many years ago. Jeremy Strong, the youngest, isn’t really all there. Robert’s relied on his wife to be the emotional binding thread in the family. Now she’s gone. And he’s being charged for murder, a hit and run case that happened on the evening of his wife’s funeral.

Robert Downey Jr, the middle son, returns to town after twenty years, for his mother’s funeral. Doesn’t get along with his father at all, used to speak to his mom on the phone occasionally. Is probably about to get divorced, has a cute little daughter. Is one of the top lawyers in the country, with a fiercesome reputation for finding ways to get the guilty off. And his father wants nothing to do with him for his own defense.

There are bits that work and bits that don’t. Watching Robert as a normal screen person after a while, without either the iron exterior nor the garb of a famed fictional detective, he is very convincing as a man with lots of angst from his childhood, unresolved issues. Robert Duvall is good as the obstinate, opinionated man who is coming to terms with his own physical frailties and also the fact that the murder trial may destroy his forty-two year legacy as a judge in the town.

However, a lot of the things he does, do not make sense. There are decisions he makes regarding his trial which are whimsical, not in keeping with his logical demeanour as a judge. The film is also riddled with a lot of unnecessary sub plots. And, almost like a Hindi film, this one is injected with deliberate tear-jerker moments at almost every opportunity. Everyone has unresolved issues from the time Robert left, about twenty years ago, including his then girl-friend / childhood sweetheart, Vera Farmiga, who is now a successful local businesswoman and a single mother.

Robert’s interesting bumper sticker methodology of juror selection was the funniest part of the film, with ‘Lost Wife And Dog – Reward for Dog’ probably the piece de resistance. Billy Bob Thornton, as the opposing out of town attorney does make the trial interesting but this film isn’t a courtroom drama. It isn’t about the law. Its about relationships. Coming to terms with our actions and events from many years ago. And hopefully, finding some closure and peace while we’re at it.

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Sex Tape

Rating : 4/10
Release Date : 17th October, 2014
Time : 91 minutes
Director: Jake Kasdan; Writers: Kate Angelo, Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller; Music : Michael Andrews
Starring : Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper, Rob Lowe, Harrison Holzer, Sebastian Hedges Thomas




Ten years into marriage, sapped by kids and the humdrum routine of life, a couple, Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel, make a sex tape (film themselves having sex), in a desperate attempt to rekindle their sexual fire. However, now they’re faced with the prospect that a lot of their friends and associates, including the mailman, may have it on their iPads (thanks to an autosynch app). And it may even go viral.

The movie really works only till this point – and here are the top five reasons why

1. Ludicrous Situations : Most sane people wouldn’t go about salvaging the situation the way our lead pair does. Their clumsy attempts to retrieve the files, the behavior of the people involved, their dumb excuses, the cheap attempts to draw laughs via a canine displays a tendency to go for the easy route, a la Sajid Khan, rather than work on the script. The whole scene at Rob Lowe's, her future boss, probably the lowest point of the movie.

2. Indian Censors : The most you get to see are Cameron’s perky nipples poking through a white T-Shirt. Our beloved censors (and I include their political masters here), driven by a misplaced, hypocritical sense of morality, do not deem us capable of handling anything further, thus (probably) depriving us of the best parts of the film

3. Cameron Diaz : She has a great figure but doesn’t look hot anymore. Wrinkles, a certain haggardness and that famous smile that wears slightly thin implies that she is unable to carry the film on her once curvaceous frame, which would’ve been a no-brainer in her ‘The Mask’ or 'There's Something About Mary' days

4. Gyaan from Jack Black : Nothing can demonstrate that there is something fundamentally wrong with the thought process and script, as when they have Jack Black, in a brief over-the-top cameo, actually come and dispense life changing pearls of wisdom. Apart from the innate silliness of the specific situation, I just felt they chose the wrong casting option.

5. Indian crowd : Especially in the late night shows, this film is likely to attract the worst kind of crowd, including groups of men, attracted like moths by the title, determined to have fun via cheap remarks, loud laughter and silly behavior. Probably better to wait for it to come on the tv

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Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami

Rating : 5/10
Release Date : 10th October, 2014
Time : 140 minutes
Director: Ravindra Gautam; Writer: Rahil Qaazi; Music : Ram Sampath
Starring : Anupam Kher, Divyendu Sharma, Manu Rishi, Aditi Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Neha Dhupia, Supriya Kumari, Uttara Baokar, Bhagwan Tiwari, Sudhir Pande



A decent idea, good performances, especially by the lead pair and the ever reliable Rajesh Sharma, and a couple of (intentional) hilarious moments cannot protect the film from the curse of the second half, where it descends to near farcical levels and the yawning chasm of predictability

Common man, honest crusader, the scourge of mosquitoes, Mumbai Municipality employee, Anupam Kher, alas, has two kids who are extremely unlike him. His elder, Manu Rishi, a bit dheela, also in the BMC but corrupt and the younger, Divyendu, a bit of a firecracker, working for the corrupt CM of the state, Rajesh Sharma, as a party employee. The CM’s speechwriter, the cute Aditi, is his girlfriend while the vacuous Neha Dhupia, is the CM’s ‘keep’. The clash of ideals, doesn’t last too long, with Anupam Kher popping it after being wrongly insulted in office and then later by his kids. But not before we discover that he wants to be honoured, at least once, for his honesty and hard work. By a 21 gun salute at his funeral.

You can see most twists coming a mile away and those you can’t, are silly beyond belief (the Swiss bankers bit, for example). The sentimental bits were particularly tedious, especially the flashbacks (via Anupam Kher’s diary), the crowd getting together at his funeral and the ideological clashes between the various members of the family after their patriarch’s passing away. The climax is very painful and very long drawn out

The truly paisa vasool moments are when Aditi actually writes a speech for the CM, translating his expletive filled tirade into a palatable press release, when the CM bemoans the fact that he will go to jail for a mere Rs 12 crore scam when he has cheated so much more and when Neha Dhupia and Rajesh Sharma do a sort of Hindi film item girl retrospective…

This is one of those which would’ve sounded funnier on paper than it does in reel life. A comedy which tries to tread the ground of classics like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron but without being able to incorporate the zany humour of the same and also giving in to maudlin tear-jerking moments at every opportunity. There is also something paradoxical about a common man craving for recognition. Wouldn’t that, then make him, an UnCommon Man ?

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Annabelle

Rating : 4/10
Release Date : 10th October, 2014
Time : 98 minutes
Director: John R Leonetti; Writer: Gary Dauberman; Music : Joseph Bishara
Starring : Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Tony Amendola, Alfre Woodard



Uses all the traditional ways to try and scare you. And a couple of new ones. Succeeds sometimes but fails overall as a film because it never manages to make us feel anything for any of the characters it depicts nor provide a really convincing explanation for what we witness.

The doll brings evil things. Why ? Just. The demons search for a soul. Why ? Because. Annabelle, the doll, is bought by Ward Horton for his very pregnant wife, Annabelle Wallis (how ironic that the heroine’s real name is also Annabelle?), as a gift, to complete her doll set. Bad stuff begins to happen that very night and continues for several months, despite their moving house and attempting to get rid of the doll. The family priest, Tony, and a mysterious bookstore owner, Alfre do their bit to help…but…

Billed as a prequel to the enjoyable (if such an adjective can be used for a horror film?), The Conjuring (the director here was the DOP on the earlier film), it lacks the human connect and also the more appealing finale of the previous venture. Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton deliver competent performances but we don’t really find out too much about them, their tastes, their personality to really care about what they go through.

For those seeking cheap thrills, there are quite a few scenes – one with a pram, some writing on the roof and another where a child becomes a woman behind a closed door come to mind. There is a grim sense of foreboding throughout the film. But precious little else…

PS : The audience comprised mainly large groups of college going kids, with most of the girls and some of the guys professing they were scared before the film began and displaying their fears with exclamations during the movie. Imagine if they got a really good Hindi horror film to chew on ?

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