ANGELS AND DEMONS (2009)

Director:

Ron Howard

Writer:

David Koepp

Akiva Goldsman

Starring:

Tom Hanks

Ewan McGregor

Ayelet Zurer and others

Angels and Demons is a significant improvement on the previous movie. Blessed with a few memorable dialogues this movie makes for a good one time watch. My favourite dialogue being Langdon and a priest, in which the priest asks him whether he is anti catholic to whom Langdon replies that he is not anti catholic but anti vandalism. Ewan McGregor is also good in his role. This movie is a good one time watch.      

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10
Kunal's Rating 6/10

                             

TRON: LEGACY (2010)

Director:

Joseph Kosinski

Writer:

Edward Kitsis

Adam Horowitz

Starring:

Jeff Bridges

Michael Sheen

Olivia Wilde and others

To say TRON: Legacy is a movie is an insult to the essence and the virtues movies stand for. The effects are marvellous and the movie is a visual treat. But the buck stops there.  Blessed with a plot which is ridiculous this movie only works in the visual department. There nothing worth mentioning in the acting department also. This movie is easily avoidable if mesmerizing visual effects have no influence on you.   

    

Pranit’s Rating: 4.5/10
Kunal's Rating 0/10

DA VINCI CODE (2006)

Director:

Ron Howard

Writer:

Avika Goldsmen

Starring:

Tom Hanks

Audrey Tautou

 Jean Reno and others

Da Vinci Code is terrible. A stunning book is made into one of the worst movies ever. Tom Hanks just doesn’t have the chops to portray Robert Langdon with enough conviction. The script has potholes the size of craters and the script labours on and on without heading in any meaningful direction. With so much vital information missing the movie is difficult to grasp for those not familiar with the book. Avoid this movie, you won’t regret it.    

    

Pranit’s Rating: 2/10
Kunal's Rating 4/10

CONVICTION (2010)

Director:

Tony Goldwyn

Writer:

Pamela Gray

Starring:

Hilary Swank

Sam Rockwell

Melissa Leo and others

Conviction is a highly underrated movie starring Hilary Swank. Well written and beautifully enacted this movie makes for a compelling watch. Sam Rockwell and Swank are particularly good and their on screen chemistry is engrossing. The movie also highlights the helplessness of people against those who manipulate law for their own benefit.   

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

DOWNFALL (2004)

Director:

Oliver Hirschbiegel

Writer:

Bernd Eichinger

Joachim Fest

Starring:

Bruno Ganz

Alexandra Maria Lara

Juliane Kohler and others

Downfall is the most historically correct Nazi movie made to date. This movie is beautifully directed and grips the viewers from the very start. Bruno Ganz is simply stunning as Hitler. Never before has an actor done justice to the role the way Ganz has. The script is aptly paced and layered with heart wrenching moments that make you look back and ponder at the sheer devotion some people had to the Nazi ideology. Don’t miss this one.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

AMERICAN HISTORY X (1998)

Director:

Tony Caye

Writer:

David McKenna

Starring:

Edward Norton

Edward Furlong

Jennifer Lien and others

American History X is a stunning debut by Tony Caye. A compelling narrative makes this movie a must watch. Furlong is not very convincing in his performance but no harm is done to this movie courtesy Edward Norton’s performance. He has outshone himself and this movie is a living testament to the skill set he is blessed with. Watch this movie just for that atleast.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

ANNIE HALL (1977)

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer:

Woody Allen

Marshall Brickman

Starring:

Woody Allen

Diane Keaton

Tom Roberts and others

Annie Hall is a decent movie from Woody Allen. Filled with amazing humour and even better acting this movie should be one of the bests I have seen, but sadly it is not. Even though the movie is short and sweet it feels to unidirectional towards the end especially Woody Allen as Ally Singer got a bit onto my nerves. I am not saying that this movie is bad, it’s good but just not something I really enjoyed.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 6.5/10

CARNAGE (2011)

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writer:

Yasmina Reza

Roman Polanski

Starring:

John C. Reilly

 Jodie Foster

Christoph Waltz and others

Carnage is a short and sweet movie. Set virtually in one room this movie is witty and charming and deals with the problems faced by very ordinary people in a beautiful manner which leaves the viewers laughing at very other scene. The acting is top notch and so is the script. Do not miss this movie.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

VOLVER (2006)

Director:

Pedro Almovodar

Writer:

Pedro Almovodar

Starring:

Penelope Cruz

Lola Duenas

Carmen Maura and others

Volver is a well made Spanish movie from Pedro Almovodar. He is one of those directors who just doesn’t have a bad movie. Concept is beautiful and Cruz is sensational in her role. Her best performance considering the movies that I have seen. Watch this for her performance.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

CHINATOWN (1974)

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writer:

Robert Towne

Starring:

Jack Nicholson

Faye Dunaway

John Hudson and others

Chinatown is Polanski’s best by a mile. Ok agreed that I have not seen Rosemary’s Baby till now but Jack Nicholson’s performance is just sensational. But the main hero of the movie is the astoundingly deft script by Robert Towne. The movie in Polanski’s able hand never lets go of its pace for even a minute. The end left me wanting five extra minutes just to give it a more complete feel. Don’t miss this one.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

END OF WATCH (2012)

Director:

David Ayer

Writer:

David Ayer

Starring:

Jake Gyllenhall

Michael Pena

Anna Kendrick and others

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.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD (2010)

Director:

Edgar Wright

Writer:

Edgar Wright

Michael Bacall

Starring:

Michael Cera

Kieran Culkin

Alison Pill and others

Scott Pilgrim VS The world is the worst movie I have ever seen. Blessed with an idiotic plot this movie really tests the patience of the viewers. I seriously do not know how people can like crap like this. I have a special rating for movies that should never have been released courtesy this terrible one.

    

Pranit’s Rating: -10/10

THE ORPHANGE (2007)

Director:

Juan Antonio Bayona

Writer:

Sergio G. Sanchez

Starring:

Belen Reuda

Fernando Cayo

Roger Princep and others

El Orfanato or The Orphanage is a beautifully complied story that keeps you gripped till the end. The direction could be better and it does not elicit the chills it promises but a compelling story keeps you interested in this affair. The end of the movie leaves you feeling satisfied and it makes a compelling one time watch.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

THE SEA INSIDE (2004)

Director:

 Alejandro Amenabar

Writer:

Alejandro Amenabar

Mateo Gil

Starring:

Javier Bardem

Belem Rueda

Lola Duenas and others

The Sea Inside is a beautiful take on the subject of euthanasia. Illegal in Spain, the story deals with Ramon's fight for euthanasia. Exceptionally shot this movie is moving and has a lot of memorable dialogues my favourite being “Living is a Right and not an Obligation“. Watch this movie for Bardem’s sensational performance.

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

BEFORE SUNSET (2004)

Director:

Richard Linklater

Writer:

Richard Linklater

Ethan Hawke

Julie Delpy

Starring:

Ethan Hawke

Julie Delpy and others

Before Sunset is a beautiful witty movie made with a lot of soul. The fact that the actor’s co wrote the script adds a new dimension because it seems like the actor’s personality shines through the script. Laced with memorable dialogues, Julie Delpy really shines out in this charming movie. Do watch this romantic movie, it makes you feel good.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

OLDBOY (2003)

Director:

Chan-wook Park

Writer:

Chan-wook Park

Jo-Hun Hwang

Starring:

Min-sik Choi

Ji-tae Yu

Hye-jyong Kang and others

Oldboy is a mesmerizingly tale of revenge from South Korea. Min-sik Choi is sensational as Oh Dae-su and so is Ji-tae Yu as a disturbed young man, with a twisted sense of revenge. The script is well layered and the end result is a movie which is complete and leaves you satisfied even though the twist in the end is a tad predictable.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN (2001)

Director:

Alfonso Cuaron

Writer:

Alfonso Cuaron

Carlos Cuaron

Starring:

Maribel Verdu

Diego Luna

Gael Garcia Bernal and others

This movie is an Oscar nominated Mexican movie. Firstly I do not share the enthusiasm of the critics regarding this movie. A story line that is nonexistent at best, this movie never really gives you anything to think about other than the usual sexual innuendo. The only redeeming and slightly believable part of this movie is its last scene after which the characters never meet again. You can definitely skip this one.

Pranit’s Rating: 5/10

MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)

Director:

Wes Anderson

Writer:

Wes Anderson

Roman Coppola

Starring:

Jared Gilman

Kara Hayward

Bruce Willis and others

Moonrise Kingdom is the best movie to come out this year. Made in classic Wes Anderson style this movie is a poignant tale of two twelve year olds fighting against the odds to prove their love for each other. Jared Gilman is a revelation and do look out for him in the years to come.     

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

YESTERDAY (2004)

Director:

Darrell Roodt

Writer:

Darrell Roodt

Starring:

Leleti Khumalo

Kenneth Khambula

Lilhe Mvelase and others

Yesterday is a scintillating piece of work from writer director Darrell Roodt. Brilliantly written and good acting makes this movie a heart wrenching affair. This crisply made movie did get an Oscar nomination but didn’t end up a winner. But for all the people who watch this movie it will ultimately win your heart, don’t miss it.    

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (2007)

Director:

Les Wiseman

Writer:

Mark Bomback

Starring:

Bruce Willis

Justin Long

Timothy Olyphant and others

Live Free or Die Hard is brutal; fast paced and represents everything the first two movies believed in. Direction wise it was the best movie and Justin Long adds a special something which was missing from the other three. It marks the return of Bruce Willis to form. Don’t miss this one.   

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

DIE HARD- WITH A VENGEANCE (1995)

Director:

John McTierman

Writer:

Jonathan Hensleigh

Roderick Thorp

Starring:

Bruce Willis

Jeremy Irons

Samuel L Jackson and others

Die Hard- With a Vengeance is cluttered, cumbersome and a total waste of everyone’s time. This movie is laboured and dragged and tries it’s very best to undo the good work of its predecessors. The script is uninspiring and kiddish and all the climax manages to do is elicit a few laughs at its sheer lameness. Watch this at your own risk.   

Pranit’s Rating: 4/10

   

DIE HARD 2 (1990)

Director:

Renny Harlin

Writer:

Walter Wager

Doug Richardson

Steven E. de Souza

Starring:

Bruce Willis

William Atherton

Bonnie Bedelia and others

Die Hard 2 is not as good as the first one but is enjoyable none the less. Laced with stunning action sequences this movie did enough to entertain me for the whole running time. The climax sequence was wonderfully shot and effective. I could watch that scene again and again.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

DIE HARD (1988)

Director:

John McTiernan

Writer:

Roderick Thorp

Jeb Stuart

Starring:

Bruce Willis

Alan Rickman

Bonnie Bedelia and others

Die Hard is an amazingly fresh action movie. Aided by the exceptional performance of Bruce Willis this movie is engrossing and satisfying and leaves you wanting more. The main hero of this movie is Jeb Stuarts amazing screenplay. If you are an action buff don’t miss this one.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

A PROPHET (2009)

Director:

Jacques Audiard

Writer:

Thomas Bidegain

Jacques Audiard

Starring:

Tahar Rahim

Niels Arestrup

Adel Bencherif and others

A Prophet is a very long and drab movie. The direction is uninspiring and the story borders on the ludicrous. The prison barely looks like one and it seems like most of the guards are corrupt and the ones who are not corrupt are too dumb to catch the murders, drug deals that are going on behind their back. Tahar Rahim is passable in his portrayal of the lead character. There is nothing good worth mentioning in this movie.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 4/10

INTOUCHABLES (2011)

Director:

Olivier Nakache

Eric Toledano

Writer:

Olivier Nakache

Eric Toledano

Starring:

Francios Cluzet

Omar Sy

Anne Le Ny and others

Intouchables is a movie with heart. Very rarely does one get to see a movie in which the actors seem like they were born to play this particular role, this is one of them. Elegant and classy in execution this movie makes you laugh even if you don’t understand the dialogues. Omar Sy deserves an Oscar nomination at the very least for his exceptional rendition of Driss. Do not miss this movie.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 8.5/10

AMELIE (2001)

Director:

Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Writer:

Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Guillaume Laurant

Starring:

Audrey Tautou

Mathieu Kassovitz

Rufus and others

Amelie is a French Oscar nominated movie which frankly has the recognition courtesy Audrey Tautou’s sensational portrayal of the lead character. Beautifully directed this movie has all the makings of a good movie, the script is well written but unappealing. Being a romantic movie my opinion may be biased but the movie felt too cluttered with unnecessary scenes and it is just too long. Watch it if you like romantic movies.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 6/10

LOOPER (2012)

Director:

Rian Johnson

Writer:

Rian Johnson

Starring:

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.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

BRICK (2005)

Director:

Rian Johnson

Writer:

Rian Johnson

Starring:

Joseph Gordon Lewitt
Nora Zehetner
Lukas Haas and others

Brick was the first Rian Johnson movie. The movie is stunning in execution and the vision behind it is engrossing but I am not a big fan of Film-noir and this movie represents that so it didn't work much for me barring the sensational and career altering performance by Lewitt. Watch it just for him.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 6/10

SKYFALL (2012)

Director:

Sam Mendes

Writer:

Neal Purvis
Robert Wade
John Logan

Starring:

Daniel Craig
Judi Dench
Naomi Harris and others

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.

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10
Kunal's Rating 7/10

THE PIANIST (2002)

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writer:

Ronald Harwood

Wladyslaw Szpilman

Starring:

Adrien Brody

Frank Finlay

Thomas Kretschmann and others

The Pianist is a well made movie. Adrien Brody is truly exceptional as Wladyslaw Szpilman and the best part of the movie is that, it doesn’t take any sides. Even though I am not a big Polanski fan there is no denying the fact that it is one of Polanski’s best.  

    

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (2007)

Director:

Julian Schnabel

Writer:

Jean Dominique

Ronald Hardwood

Starring:

Mathieu Amalric

Marie Josee Croze

Emmanuelle Seigner and others

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a brilliant movie. The direction is exceptional and the screenplay is one of the best ever. I have no clue as to how this movie did not win a single Oscar. Do not miss this movie.      

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990)

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writer:

Robert Zemeckis

Bob Gale

Starring:

Michael J. Fox

Christopher Lloyd

Lea Thompson and others

Back to the Future Part III was a big disappointment. I am not a big fan of western movies, and all this does is reaffirm my belief. For the first time the script is a big letdown. I definitely do not recommend this movie.      

Pranit’s Rating: 5/10

BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (1989)

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writer:

Robert Zemeckis

Bob Gale

Starring:

Michael J. Fox

Christopher Lloyd

Lea Thompson and others

Back to the Future 2 is the best movie of the series. The climax of this movie is one of the most unpredictable ever. The writer, director’s visualisation of 2015 is very good, even though now it draws a few laughs. The movie is well written. Don’t miss it if you enjoyed the first one.    

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writer:

Robert Zemeckis

Bob Gale

Starring:

Michael J. Fox

Christopher Lloyd

Lea Thompson and others

Back to the Future is one of the very few old movies I like. Brilliant in concept, stunning in execution this movie is evergreen. Laced with a lot of memorable scenes, you surely are not going to forget this movie soon.   

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART II (2011)

Director:

David Yates

Writer:

Steve Kloves

J K Rowling

Starring:

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Watson

Rupert Grint and others

The second part of the last movie was an unnecessary addition. The series could have been finished in the previous movie, that is why the movie feels stretched and cluttered with unimportant scenes. Not the best way to end the saga.   

Pranit’s Rating: 6/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART I (2010)

Director:

David Yates

Writer:

Steve Kloves

J K Rowling

Starring:

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Watson

Rupert Grint and others

The first part of the last movie in this epic saga was very good. Even though it wasn’t as good as the fourth movie it has its own charm. The book is done complete justice and performance wise this is the strongest movie.   

Pranit’s Rating: 7.5/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE (2009)

Director:

David Yates

Writer:

Steve Kloves

J K Rowling

Starring:

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Watson

Rupert Grint and others

The sixth movie in this epic saga was TERRIBLE. The best book of the series did not deserve such an indifferent treatment. The essence of the book was lost in the transition from pages to celluloid. Stay clear of this one.   

Pranit’s Rating: 2/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (2007)

Director:

David Yates

Writer:

Michael Goldenberg

J K Rowling

Starring:

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Watson

Rupert Grint and others

The fifth movie in this epic saga was a big bore. I personally did not like the book one bit so my opinion maybe a little biased. Apart from the fifteen minutes of training they do as Dumbledore’s army, the movie failed to grab my attention.

Pranit’s Rating: 4/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (2005)

Director: 

Mike Newell

Writer:

Steve Kloves

J K Rowling

Starring:

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Watson

Rupert Grint and others

The fourth movie in this epic saga was exceptionally good. The concept is so different and engrossing and this is the only movie in the franchise which does proper justice to the book. Do not miss this one.

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004)

Director:

Alfonso Cuaron

Writer:

Steve Kloves

J K Rowling

Starring:

Daniel Radcliffe

Emma Watson

Rupert Grint and others

The third movie in this epic saga was a big disappointment. The book was also pretty weak so I guess the script is not to be blamed but the director could have been a bit more innovative especially in the scenes in which they travel back through time.

Pranit’s Rating: 5.5/10