Begin Again (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Keira Knightley (Gretta) and Mark Ruffalo (Dan) cross paths at emotionally volatile times of their lives. One is a song writer and singer, the other is a producer of music. While their chance meeting seems like it won’t go anywhere, it takes them and us, on a musical journey across New York City.

We come across other talented musician characters, the sights and sounds of the Big Apple and witness how the two lead individuals evolve. Their performances, along with the supporting cast, are vulnerable, understated and real. Through them, we have a greater appreciation of music and its process of creation.

For music lovers and musicians, this film is a must watch. For the rest, this is a beautiful film about relationships, friendships, talent and perseverance, which is all bound by the sound for the soul – Music.

3.5/5

Chef (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

You want flavours? You got ‘em. This ensemble cast whips up a recipe which will make you chase your passion and turn you into a social networking pro! A tale about career, family, friends and all the awkward moments in between!

Written and directed by main lead Jon Favreau, who plays the creatively charged chef ‘Carl Casper’, he has a cast that include the talents of Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr., Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Oliver Platt and Russell Peters!

Their varied and distinct portrayals of real but kooky characters make this food truck journey all the more sumptuous. An ‘R-rated’ dish, it is served straight from the heart and has captured food preparation so well, that a vegetarian like me thought that the meat looked appetizing!

Tasty and recommended hot!

3.5/5

Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

While watching the introductory credits you realise all the new names which are associated with this project. That itself gives you a feel that you can expect something different. Debut director Shashank Khaitan has spoofed cult films, giving his venture a contemporary twist.

We have a feisty young heroine with an emotional young hero. Reversing traditional gender roles, he gives the audience a few laughs and many romantic moments. The chemistry is explosive, with appropriate music. Varun has found a niche for himself, whilst Alia continues to do what she does best. Together they are an unpredictable Jodi. Many scenes are well written with everyday language, mirroring our own individual experiences. Varun’s relationship with his dad in particular, is endearing.

Ashutosh Rana looks great on screen and Varun’s two pals, Sahil Vaid (Poplu) and Gaurav Pandey (Shonty) embody the loveable, dependable, partners-in-crime buddies we all adore. Siddharth Shukla looks every bit the way he is supposed to, but hardly gets any screen time. Overall it was entertaining and light, with just the right running time.

Fresh, crisp and fun!

3/5

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

The story starts a decade later from the first part, where most of the human population has been wiped out by the virus and the intelligent apes have survived and multiplied.

The treatment of the film is slow, with lingering scenes of drama. It has some moments that are charged with resonating sound and action. The basic plot is of winning trust, where both sides have members with differing motives. The result? A ‘part 2’ of the series that may not have carried its audience to look forward to part 3.

Brilliant sound and visuals, but not deeply engaging.

2/5

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Everyone is fighting their own battle, just like you are. The trick is to select the right battles, not every one or thing is worth your stress or worry. Pick wisely.

Read the movie, watch the book

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

The second oldest debate in the modern world, (you decide the first); what was better, the movie or the book. Many times, we watch the movie and then head to the book, which is usually a far richer experience. Other times, we read the book and are sad so many plot points were left out in the film(s) (Harry Potter fans will know the feeling). Sometimes the film is as good as the book (The Namesake) and other times, the film is the living, breathing, personification of the book (The Fault in our stars). I am sure some will disagree, but for me it seemed like the soul left the pages and enchanted us from the screen in the cinema. We had out-worldly, static-disconnected experiences alongside the pain, love and everything in between suffered by Gus, Hazel and their loved ones. Bravo John Green (writer), Josh Boone (Director), Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (screenplay). The stars were perfectly aligned when you worked your magic!

The fault in our stars (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Once in a while a movie comes along that touches you, awakens you, moves you, inspires you, resurrects a part of you that you thought was dead, so to say.

“Depression isn’t a side effect of cancer, it’s a side effect of dying.”

“The world isn’t a wish granting factory.”

Many such pearls of ‘infinite’ wisdom take you into an ‘oblivion’ of emotion. When a film transports you on to the very streets, skies, rivers and roads it shows, with thoughts of the depth, divinity and tragedy of love, you know it has worked on ALL levels. The love in question is not just between two people, but between parents and children, between friends, and the way it is captured is authentically real.

Two cancer ridden teens fall in love and traverse countries and each others hearts. I wanted to remember every detail, because I dreaded their fate. I wanted to live their lives even more fully, because it was going to pass them by, just like all of ours are. Their dislikes were mine and I celebrated their moments, playing a quiet witness to their fragile yet indefatigable existence.

The lead pair Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort (of ‘Divergent’ fame) bring alive a morbid chemistry which is tinged with regret and a fighting spirit. Eulogies and romantic moments, gestures and wishes unfulfilled, they are every bit the brave sufferers we adore. Their best friend, Nat Wolff is candid, their parents are strong, the scenario is bleak but love somehow still blossoms and perseveres.

Young director Josh Boone has handled a complex story brilliantly. Based on the best selling book by John Green, it just added one more reader to its millions.

4/5

image

Bobby Jasoos (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Vidya Balan is back in many avatars to subtly amuse and investigate the going-ons in her neighbourhood. She is a budding detective, trying to get a decent case to make her independent and tickle her skills. Her accent is adorable and her antics unpredictable.

The strength of the film lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t pretend to be anything big or dramatic, it is sincere, funny, true to its socio-economic setting with characters we can relate to.

Bobby a.k.a. Bilquis is one of 3 sisters in a conservative Muslim family in Hyderabad. A boisterous rebel, she gets a mysterious case and takes us on a short 2 hour journey in the nooks and crannies of the old city area.

She is ably supported by a host of characters; Ali Fazal, Tanvi Azmi, Kiran Kumar, Arjun Bajwa, Zarina Wahab, Rajendra Gupta, Prasad Barve and Supriya Pathak as her ever understanding mother, quite a departure from ‘Dhankorbaa’ in Ram Leela.

Debut director Samar Shaikh presents us a refreshing story that entertains in an endearing way.

3/5

Goodbye June and half of 2014

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Mangi Midnite. Dedh Ishqiya. 19th January. YJHD on DVD. Gadda da Vidda. Illuminate. Delhi with Lamhe gang. Valentine’s with DeeJay. Mumbai T2. MAANVIK. Sidhu sisters & Harry Potter. College memories, London friends. Oscar night. Gulaab Gang. Queen. A ‘see you soon’. Lakme weekend. Preps for April. The universe ALWAYS provides. Laughed till I cried. Italy vs Germany. Shonali turns 20! Mehendi playlist. Aer & Haagen Dazs. 13th April. Rio 2 and farewell at Indigo. Mayyur’s Mumbai store launch. 50 GOLDEN YEARS. Reunions, dance, chanting and more! Vows renewed. Love is a 4-letter-word spelled T-I-M-E. Mumbai layover with an oath. Beautiful Berlin by buggy, bicycle, boat and foot. DeeJay save the week. Old friends, childhood families. 3 day birthday. 4 movies and 1 play. Jhalak Dikhlaja 7! Eiffel Tower & Brooklyn Bridge. Twitter, finally! Comic tragedy 1. Goodbye Toshiba, Welcome Dell. Soul lessons. Mini Musings. How to train your dragon 2. Comic tragedy 2. Full Circle @ Royal China. 22 June. 6 sunny / 2 blustery afternoons & 1 nostalgic night. In gratitude…

Ek Villain (2014)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Once again Sidharth Malhotra has done a film where he plays a supporting actor in the guise of the lead. What’s worse is this story is clearly about the ‘villain’, which he is not. The true villain in this film is the script, who can’t decide which genre it wants to fall into. Jumping from romance, to serial killer, to cop drama, to gangster, it leaves the viewer with a half-baked taste of all.

Shraddha Kapoor is different from her docile ways in her earlier film, bordering on annoying but still screeches her way through an act that needed more convincing. Sidharth has been pitched as ‘the angry young man’ but wasn’t angry enough. Neither was he bitter or sad enough. The intensity the role required was perhaps a bit too mature for his talents. He did his best though.

The show stopper and stealer was Riteish Deshmukh, a psychotic middle class man who was true to his character. Sadly none of the three leads were supported by director Mohit Suri or the script to perform in a logical manner. They went with a story that asked for the entire patience threshold of the audience, a bit too much with very little respite. Gaping flaws and loopholes in motive and plot make it a very difficult watch.

The last 10 minutes of the film were the best, but to ask you to watch all of it for that would be unfair.

1.5/5