Starring: Hugh Jackman Tao Okamoto Rila Fukushima and others
Frankly, I am at a loss for words because James Mangold has managed to follow up Knight And Day with a movie which is even worse. Hats of the you sir because only you could fail so spectacularly TWICE. I would start praying if it led to you NEVER again attempting to direct an action movie. Mr. Manglod if you keep giving us movies like these we will forget that Walk The Line was also your creation.
Blessed with the "most original" title in a long time, this movie is a colossal waste of time and money. The screenplay is written by two twelve year olds, who feel that it is important to resort to corny dialogue so that the audience doesn't forget that it is a superhero movie after all. The writers are so enamoured by Japanese tradition that they consider it to their right to introduce audience to the way the chopsticks are to be used and the kimono is to be worn.
Jackman is the only thing that keeps this movie together. Other actors including Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima are average but considering that it is their first movie their performance is not too bad. Svetlana Khodchenkov (I know the name sounds impressive) is truly terrible. The "so called twist" is as predictable as the outcome of Judd Apatow movies. I would have given this movie nada had it not been for a truly sensational Bullet Train sequence. Pranit’s Rating: 1/10
Monsters University is a prequel of the brilliant 2001 animated flick Monsters Inc. Now the story pretty much deals with how Mike and Sullivan become the best of friends in college. The voice-overs are top notch and Mike and Sullivan are endearing characters. This movie is very well produced and as expected from Disney and Pixar, the animation is top notch but the place where this particular movie fails is charm.
Now the main reason for this is its script. Even though it is well written, it seems recycled and consists of every college cliche possible. Predictable all the way through this movie lack imagination like some of the recent Pixar movies (read Brave and Cars 2). Dear Pixar we want more movies like Up, Wall E and Ratatouille and less like the ones released in the past two years.
I am not saying that this movie is bad, it is more than watchable and deserves your time. But the sense of deja vu is unmistakable and thus makes the movie more forgettable and less memorable.
Hugh Jackman Anne Hathaway Russell Crowe and others
Les Miserables is the worst of the Oscar nominated movies. Okay I may not be a fair judge of a musical but this movie is made to test the patience of the viewers. I liked The Sound Of Music because it had amazing songs and also consisted of dialogues. Les Miserables consists of two and a half hours of very forgettable music and the lack of dialogue soured my mood.
Leaving the faults behind (which is quintessentially the whole movie) Hugh Jackman is a revelation. He makes the movie endurable with his stunning performance. I would have handed the Oscar to him myself had it not been for Joaquin Phoenix. Anne Hathaway according to me should easily walk away with an Oscar for her performance as she steals the show with her short but extremely powerful performance. Russell Crowe delivers his worst performance to date and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter got onto my nerves. Now I wouldn't recommend this movie, but the final decision is in your hands.
Bradley Cooper
Jennifer Lawerence
Robert De Niro and others
Silver Linings Playbook is a amazing movie. David O. Russell is in inspired form in this movie, which is exceptionally well conceived. His direction is brilliant and he surpasses his personal benchmark (The Fighter, i didn't like it though) by a huge margin. This movie has been nominated for all the acting awards, which is an achievement, making it the fourteenth movie and the first after Red in 1981 to have achieved this.
Needless to say this achievement is well deserved even though I do not really approve of Jacki Weaver and Robert De Niro (because there have been better performances). I would have liked Tom Holland (The Impossible) to be nominated because he certainly deserved it. Bradley Cooper is sensational in this movie, though it is highly unlikely that he will receive an Oscar for this but this nomination is a sign of his vastly improved performances. Jennifer Lawrence according to me is the most encouraging prospect when it comes to receiving an Oscar, even though I expect her to lose to Jessica Chastlain (Zero Dark Thirty ). The best scene of the movie is the banter between Cooper and Lawrence at a diner. A beautiful movie, highlighting the fact that love is not perfect but clumsy and psychotic and can be found in the most unlikely of places because it is not the person who is perfect but the moment one shares with them.
Jessica Chastlin
Jason Clarke
Joel Edgerton and others
Zero Dark Thirty is not a conventional thriller. Boal and Bigelow combine for the first time after their Oscar winning Hurt Locker. The script is good but lacks urgency at times. Bigelow is great behind the directors chair but the movie belongs to a certain Jessica Chastlin playing a ruthless CIA agent who will do anything to succeed. She is a big name to look out in the future. A decent one time watch, but no where even close to the movies it is competing with for the Oscars.
Jamie Foxx
Christoph Waltz
Leonardo DiCaprio and others
I have a rule in which I label a western movie as terrible before seeing it, but all rules have exceptions, this is one of them. Django Unchained is vintage Tarantino. Previously my favourite Taratino movie was Inglorious Bastards, because I thought that he could never best his opening sequence in that movie. Well how naive of me. Needless to say Django Unchained has the best opening sequence and the most bizarre background score (but it works!).
Christoph Waltz is definitely not going to be remembered as the actor who played Hans Landa but the actor who's performance rises above that of every talented actor in this modern day classic. He has the best dialogues, my favourite being when he tells Django(Foxx), "Its a German legend, there is always going to be a mountain" . The dialogue writing is terrific (my favourite is still Double Indemnity though) and this movie is loaded with humour that will make your sides ache from too much laughing.
DiCaprio is sensational as always but this movie belongs to Tarantino who (literally) goes out with a bang. An eminently enjoyable script and top notch direction (as though he could ever go wrong with that) this is my favourite English movie (still loses out to A Separation in the all time favourite category). Hats off to the only person who could have pulled this movie off.
The Impossible is a movie based on the tsunami that hit Asia in 2006. Directed ably by Juan Antonio Bayona (which was something that I had a problem with in his first movie The Orphanage ) this movie is an emotional roller coaster which pulls at all your heart strings. Laced with abundant memorable scenes, this movie depicts the wrath of mother nature with imagery that shakes one to the very bones (especially the sequence when the tsunami affects Watts). The movie unearths a star in the making in the form of Tom Holland, who deserves an Oscar nomination at the very least. McGregor is very good and the scene in which he calls up home really stirred me. This movie is not perfect and the heavy handed approach of the director is to be blamed, but it still makes a compelling watch.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower is a compelling rendered narration of the awkward phase of coming of age. A beautiful script and good direction are not the only plus points of this movie. The biggest influence on my rating was Logan Lerman's who is simply stunning in his portrayal of the character he is given. The dialogue writing is crisp and the movie has quite a few memorable scenes, my personal favorite being one in which Ezra Miller compels his teacher to pass him by reminding him that on failing to do so he would have to endear another year of him in the class.
Life of Pi is a mesmerising piece of work from the very capable Ang Lee. A compelling story laced with heartfelt performances from the cast, this movie makes for a stunning view. Exception cinematography and even better direction engrosses the viewers from the word go. An Oscar nomination if not a win for Ang Lee at least. Watch it for Suraj Sharma's brilliant debut.
End of Watch is a movie which isn’t for everyone. The first
thirty minutes of the movie are so bizarrely shot that you can’t help but
wonder about the sense of it all. But once one gets acclimatised to the direction
one ends up enjoying the movie especially the banter between the two leads. The
climax is beautifully shot though a little indulgent the movie is an eye
opening affair about ordinary policemen doing their work. Give this movie a
try, you won’t be disappointed.
Joseph Gordon Lewitt
Bruce Willis
Emily Blunt and others
Looper is third movie from highly under-rated Rian Johnson. It is beautifully written and compellingly directed this movie is a must watch for the scintillating chemistry between the two leads and the amazing exchange between characters at the diner. That for me was the scene of the movie. Bruce Willis best performance after the original Die Hard.
Skyfall is the best Bond in recent times. The brilliant opening 15 minutes sets the tone for this fast paced adventure. Could have been the best Bond ever but a weak climax is the only complaint I had with it. Watch it for Craig's marvelous performance.
Here is my list of all the upcoming movies to look out for.
The list is based on popular:
-Liking
-Hype
-Buget
-Pre-requisite story
-Concept
-New form of animation/movie making
-Sequals to succesful films
Go ahead and decide what your going to watch.
2012 1.Skyfall (2012)
November 9, 2012
Plot Summary:Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. LOOKOUT:-For a film that once seemed as doomed as a Vesper Lynd, Bond's latest adventure marks the 50th anniversary of the character and the first outing with director Sam Mendes running the set. The narrative, with a focus on the strained relationship between Bond and M, is more interesting on paper than the idea of re-watching Quantum of Solace, and we already know what a fit villain Javier Bardem makes.
It's a MUST WATCH for any 007 fan. Bound to have amazing action and thrill.
2.The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
November 16,2012
Plot Summary:After the birth of Renesmee, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi.
LOOKOUT:-To what degree the real-life separation of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will influence the box-office performance here is unknown. What we can say is that the novel on which its based had some bite and some over-the-top energy these movies sorely need, but ultimately we fear the finale will be somewhat like your high school commencement: full of pomp, pageantry, a lot of boring people talking, good-byes to friends you've had for the past four years, and a bit of emptiness in the part of your heart where a twinkly-skinned vampire, a sullen-yet-determined girl, and an egregiously shirtless werewolf used to dwell, whether by your choice or the force of marketing. To Edward, Bella and Jacob: on-screen BFFs forever - stay cool over summer!
I suggest a PASS, if you are not a die hard fan.
3.Life of Pi (2012)
November 23,2012
Plot Summary:The story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper's son who finds himself in the company of a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck sets them adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
LOOKOUT:-When the tiger and the other animals heard that M. Night Shyamalan was originally set to direct, they refused to get on the boat. Enter Ang Lee and the film is out ahead of most other year-end releases as a definite Best Picture candidate.
Remake of an amazing book. If you have read it liked it it's a must watch. Otherwise its just another feel good movie.
4.Rise of the Guardians (2012)
November 23,2012
Plot Summary:When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.
LOOKOUT:-Peter Ramsey, who worked as head of story on Monsters vs Aliens, takes to the director's chair for the first time with an adaptation of William Joyce's book, The Guardians of Childhood (Joyce has handled the screenplay). Sort of like a folklore version of The Avengers, the first thing that strikes me is heavy Japanimation influence; the second is the realization that DreamWorks Animation has never worked from pre-existing characters until now.
Animated fantasy adventure. If your a big fan go ahead and watch it.
5.Killing Them Softly (2012)
November 30,2012
Plot Summary:Jackie Cogan is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game.
LOOKOUT:-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford goes down as one of the starriest films to be passed over during its initial release, but Andrew Dominik's second film -- as cult-y and enduring as his debut, Chopper -- has earned its audience over time. And when your fans include Harvey Weinstein and upstart producer Megan Ellison (a true hero if the film industry has one, especially since she avoids the press), talent and money follow. Hollywood would be wise to generate more high-profile, hard-boiled thrillers for the worldwide audience.
Brad Pitt is to look out for apart from that another action thriller.
6.The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
December 14,2012 Plot Summary:A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug.
LOOKOUT:-This is the most anticipated prequel since ... The Phantom Menace? Peter Jackson's return to the work of J. R. R. Tolkien and the masterful universe that Jackson and his crew created is the kind of event that shatters records over at Apple trailers and revives ailing movie studios; interestingly, the two-part project has met some resistance from people who wonder what this all might have looked like if Guillermo del Toro had remained in the director's chair. I expect most traces of derision to be extinguished once we see a more expansive look at the project; admittedly, the initial trailer felt a little small in scope and underwhelming.
The Hobbits of Lord of the Rings are back.Catch the movie if your a big fan of the franchise.
7.Lincon(2012)
November 9,2012
Plot Summary:As the
Civil War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing
carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on
the decision to emancipate the slaves.
LOOKOUT:-Between
the election-year parallels, the Tony Kushner-ness, and the assertion that
Steven's Spielberg's upcoming film features his personal-best cast ever, we're
genuinely excited for the first time in decade at the prospect of a Spielberg
live-action history class! Lincoln is a performance oriented flick with Daniel Jay Lewis touted for a win even before the release. Watch it just for him.
8.Hitchcock(2012)
November 23,2012
Plot Summary:A love
story between influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma Reville
during the filming of Psycho
in 1959.
LOOKOUT:-Raise
your hand if you think Anthony Hopkins's portrayal as Aflred Hitchcock has the
potential to be even creepier than Hannibal Lecter -- especially since Sacha
Gervasi's follow up to Anvil: The Story of Anvil delves into the director's
romantic life, which went to more dark places than any of his films.
Hopkins performance is expected to be at par with his portrayal of Hannibal. The only realistic competition for Daniel Jay Lewis.
9.Zero Dark Thirty(2012)
December 21,2012
Plot Summary:A
chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the
9/11 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy SEAL Team 6 in May, 2011.
LOOKOUT:-Kathryn Bigelow's never known the level of controversy her follow-up to The Hurt Locker has generated. Even before cameras rolled on the recreation of the events leading up to the killing of Osama bin Laden, a government watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against the CIA and the Department of Defense since details of the reported meeting between the agencies, Bigelow, and writer Mark Boal have not been released via the Freedom of Information Act. Seems like the filmmakers have been privy to classified information. It's the sort of real-world drama the industry and those who write about it could mutually benefit from, a reminder of when American films used to resonate beyond our desire for entertainment. And how righteous the Internet can be as well.
The most controversial movie of the year should be worth a look courtesy Bigelow's knack for making hard hitting movies.
10.Jack Reacher (2012)
December 21,2012
Plot Summary:A homicide investigator digs deeper into a case involving a trained military sniper who shot five random victims.
LOOKOUT:-Almost exactly one year after Ghost Protocol comes Tom Cruise's reunion with Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote and produced Valkyrie. McQuarrie is taking his second turn behind the camera as director of this adaptation of Lee Child's novel, which has been on the Paramount lot since 2008. It's a tall order to make a movie as universally entertaining as M:I4, but if the world embraces Cruise as homicide investigator Jack Reacher, there's a bounty of other Reacher adventures from which to choose.
In this particular list this is the most avoidable movie after Breaking Dawn Part II.
11.Monsters, Inc. (2001)
December 21,2012
Plot Summary:Monsters generate their city's power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted. LOOKOUT:-Sulley & Mike return to the big screen in 3D to reintroduce themselves before we go back in time to their early days at Monsters University next June. Does this mean Bill Crystal will host the Oscars again, too?
After the success of FInding Nemo in 3D it seems like every great animated movie is going to be converted into 3D. I wouldn't exactly recommend the 3D version but the original is a must watch.
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