Shaadi ke side effects (2014)

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Sid and Trisha, played naturally by Farhan and Vidya, tell us a story not told often or well, for the Indian audience. A lot of aspects are touched upon in this film, how married couples can keep their intimate lives fresh, what changes after having a child, what women and men go through, independently and together, when they become parents.

These and many other nuances of relationships and how they evolve is shown very well on screen, with the right amount of humour and drama. It is only in the end that it becomes a little melodramatic, but they steer out of that zone quickly. How such a film would end is tricky and a very fitting conclusion prevails, where there is equality of the sexes and a twist to think about.

Director Saket Chaudhary, who made ‘Pyar ke side effects’ is back with a fun sequel in this ‘shaadi’ counterpart. Watch to be lightly entertained and come out with a balanced view of life after marriage and kids.

3/5

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

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When both actors win the Academy Awards for their roles in a film, it becomes an automatic viewing choice. The film though, seems like a slice of what it could have been, incomplete without the performances of the two strong characters.

Mathew McConaughey has pushed his physical limits to embody his role, which was his biggest ‘prop’ or ‘asset’ for this character. His attitude, body language and most importantly his transformation whilst holding on to his deeply wounded masculinity, was his trump card. Jared Leto on the other hand, was a revelation with his soft voice, comfortably feminine demeanour and was not threatened by his co-actor’s brutish ways.

Director Jean-Marc Vallee serves us a portion of history, making valid commentary on the dismal state of the USA health and FDA system, even today. The way people with AIDS were ostracised and groups within them were treated with great prejudice, has evolved with the quality of drugs, a battle started by such clubs back in the 80s. 

The film has moments just like the patients it shows us, blacking out in parts, slowing down with dementia and speeding up as a reaction to a drug. That may have been deliberate or just a result of depicting something so stark, but it didn’t work. The only thing that worked was the authenticity of the age and the performances, which have got their due.

2.5/5

Non-Stop (2014)

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Aeroplane hijacks have been depicted several times on screen, but here it was not meant to be one. The motive was different and so were the methods of communication. What director Jaume Collet-Serra has been most effective at, is creating an atmosphere of doubt. Everyone is a suspect and no one can be viewed as innocent. This film was fast, tense, with varying levels of drama, mystery and fear, which translated into a great movie watch.

Liam Neeson brings a sincere quality to every performance and this is no exception. He is a delight to watch as he fights his inner demons and does his duty as an air marshal. Julianne Moore ably supports him and confuses us, her expressions walk the blurred line where we trust her sometimes, at others we don’t.

The ‘whothehellisdoingit’ game sees the light just as the audience is exhausted from guessing. At one point I turned to the person next to me and said, ‘It’s you isn’t it? Just admit it!’, that’s how frustratingly clever the build up is.

Watch for non-stop thrills.

3.5/5

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The month lasted a year, the fortnight felt like a day. An hour lasted a few moments, an evening an entire lifetime. Time has and always will teach and heal, in its own time. Thanking January for its clarity and February for its benevolence. Here’s to a mesmerising March!

Her (2013)

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Technology has invaded our space in an alarming way. It is supposed to make life easier, which it does, but also complicates it. I myself am guilty of being more in touch with my cell phone than with the company that surrounds me, so this subject is a warning of the times to come.

This film explores a society in the future where we have advanced technology to communicate, but have lost the art of communication. With all the tools at our disposal, we have forgotten how to reach and touch other people’s minds and hearts. People are lonely, relationships are fragile and we are swept in our own storm, where we have created a monster too powerful to tame.

Joaquin Phoenix writes beautiful letters for OTHER people as a living, because emotions have become a service one can pay for. A new operating system is on offer, which he buys. It calls itself ‘Samantha’, drawing on the memories and experiences of all people who have programmed it, but designed to become an ever evolving entity by itself. The voice is by Scarlett Johansson who never once makes you feel she is just a voice. She is present, in every way a person with a form would be.

How their relationship evolves, how complex the human mind and interaction becomes, what is the fate of Technology vs. Emotions, is explored in the most novel way, touching unique points of discussion never explored on screen. This is heavy duty writing, thought provoking and pushing the envelope of how helpless our society can become if not ‘humanised’.

Joaquin is our window into this world. He guides us effortlessly in the rising and falling waves of emotion experienced by him and the people he interacts with. Amy Adams is his friend who is on a similar journey and later becomes a mouth piece for his suppressed thoughts and feelings. The most warped and powerful scene involved a ‘surrogate’, something you will understand when you watch ‘her’.

Now the question is, why isn’t Scarlett Johannson nominated for any of the awards? Is it just because she was a formless voice? That would be true acknowledgement for her work which created such an impact.

3.5/5

Gunday (2014)

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A strong back story which starts with the creation of Bangladesh, shows us two young boys who are dealing with the consequences of being hungry refugees. How they survive and grow to be  proud powerful goons in the 80s, forms the riveting beginning. Bikram and Bala, acted in true 70’s style, by Ranveer & Arjun, exude excellent camaraderie on screen. Gunday is almost everything a period film should be in today’s age.

Priyanka plays a sexy cabaret dancer, who is wooed by both young men. Irrfan represents the law that is having a good time chasing them, more for the audience’s benefit than his own, rather than just arresting them. The first half goes by with entertaining amongst some over acting. The second half becomes more hamming, but still manages to retain the mood.

After an unnecessary song, shot ‘a la dil tu hi bata’ from Krrish 3, I was wondering what is Priyanka doing in the film besides looking stunning. She later established exactly why, in one powerful scene. The complications continue and have been given a fitting end, incorporating cow boy, Italian mafia, dramatic Bollywood cinema, all-in-one.

A ‘paisa vasool’ flick, stylised and shot well by director Ali Abbas Zafar.

3/5 

Ender’s Game (2013)

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It took some convincing to watch this film, which appeared another ‘save the world’ genre, using the talents of young children’s gaming skills no less! Keeping the alien threat aside, this film used combat strategy and teenage psychology to come up with the most effective battle plan to save Earth.

The pressure the kids are put under seems downright unethical, because they are strategically being used for their ‘fearless, risk taking, abandoning feasibility’ type qualities. The training they go through, and how Ender is identified and rises up the ranks, balances the action/special effects quotient with decent drama.

We have stalwarts like Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley supported by the talented Viola Davis, but the film belongs to the ensemble of young adults in it. Asa Butterfield as Ender, Hailee Steinfeld as Petra and Abigail Breslin as Valentine are memorable, whilst their peers that surround them are sincere to their roles.

An engaging watch.

3.5/5

Hasee toh Phasee (2014)

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What seemed like a rom-com in the promos turned out to be a dramatic and disjointed film on screen.  

Sidharth Malhotra showed promise in his debut film because he was given a good character. This time round, his dancing has improved and his emotions are understated, delivering some tricky lines without going over the top. But he was simply the ‘male lead’. This was Parineeti Chopra’s film, and her performance was superlative. His character should have been developed and kept in sync with how they show him as a child, matching up to his co-star in every way.

The music leaves much to be desired and the production doesn’t bear the dharma productions trademark, although KJo makes an appearance, hoping it would add some value, but it doesn’t. Peppered with some very good scenes and humorous / emotional moments, it lacked the screenplay and story to make it a film to take home.

2.5/5