The Wolverine [Movie-2013]

The X-Men franchise is back, and so is one of our favourite anti-heroes, Wolverine a.k.a Logan. This movie continues after the events of 'X-Men - The Last Stand' showing a mourning Logan for the death of Jean. He has retreated to a life of seclusion in Canadian wilderness. He is located by another mutant, Yukio who can see how people die. She taked Wolverine to Tokyo, to her employer Yashida, whose life Logan had saved in the Nagasaki bombing in the World War II. It is shown than Yashida is dying and requests Logan to transfer his healing power/immunity to Yashida. Wolverine denies this request and is to leave Japan but then Yashida dies. All this leads to Yashida's son, Shingen planning an attack to murder his daughter, Mariko as she is the only recipient of Yashida's will. Enter into the picture our protagonist who becomes the bodyguard for Mariko, with Yukio becoming bodyguard for Logan. They battle goons while trying to hide all over the country. Also, Wolverine's healing abilities are diminishing, due to a parasite injected in his body by another mutant, Viper, who was also Yashida's doctor. Meanwhile, Mariko is captured finally and is taken to her father who is ready to kill her. Enter Harada and his black ninja clan who are sworn to protect the Yashida family. They take away Mariko and leave a not for Logan to find. Logan arrives at the designated place and is attacked by the ninjas and taken into capture. He is placed into a machine by Viper who plans to take away Logan's power and is transferring into a what seemed at that time, a robot called the SIlver Samurai. Logan breaks free with the help of Mariko and attempts to fight the robot, discovering in process it was Yashida all along, who had faked his death. Mariko and Logan then together defeat and kill Yashida.

Mariko becomes CEO of Yashida Corporation and bids farewell to Logan as he prepares to leave Japan. Yukio vows to stay by Logan's side as his bodyguard, and they depart to places unknown.

In a post-credits scene, Logan returns to the United States and is at the airport when he is confronted by Magneto, with his powers restored. Magneto asks Logan for help against a possible future attack against mutants. When Logan inquires why he should trust Magneto, Professor Charles Xavier arrives to reassure him. Logan is surprised to see Xavier alive, and Xavier reminds Logan that he is not the only one with gifts.

Hugh Jackman, as brilliantly as ever, recapped his role of Wolverine.  The storyline was bleak and requires a lot more. The story is very basic. Girl is in trouble, Wolverine saves her. Yes, the twist that Yashida was in never dead was unexpected, but it was just in the end, and didn't make the movie interesting by any chance.
Soundtrack for a superhero movie should go to, always, Hans Zimmer. Marco Beltrami didn't impress me. The action sequences are well shot. Especially the fight on the top of the train. But it is a bit unbelievable how the gansgters were fighting. None other actor impressed me. Or maybe because I haven't watched any Japanese/Chinese/Korean acting before. Basically, superhero movies have lots of action and great plots. This had neither. I was quite dissapointed by the movie.

My rating - 6.1/10

D-Day [Movie-Hindi-2013]

D-Day is a a good Bollywood action movie. After a while, a good Indian action movie has been released. But, the first rule of an action movie is, NO EMOTION. Movie goers are not that naive anymore. Emotion is not NEEDED in every movie now. The plot is good, except for the end. It is somewhat relevant and believable too. It just falls short of being a perfect actin movie.

This movie shows us lifestyles of anti terror agents and sacrifices they make for their country.
It somewhat follows the theme of A Wednesday, that enough is enough, and action against terrorists has to be taken. I loved the different ways in which the storyline was projected. We start at the halfway mark of the movie and then it is shown to us how the movie reached till there. Also, while they plan to attack, Dawood Ibrahim's house during the wedding, plot formation had been visualised in the movie.

This is Nikhil Advani's second good film after 'Kal Ho Na Ho'. Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan and Huma Qureshi and Aakash Dahiya performed really well as the four agents of RAW. I felt Dawood Ibrahim's character played by Rishi Kapoor was very weak and it could have been done better, both in terms of character formation and acting.

This movie keeps you on the edge waiting too know what would happen next.
There are many faults in the movie. One of them was that such a huge operation like the 'Operation Goldman' just could not have been planned and carried out in 40 days. Pakistani ISI/Goverment are not fools to allow such easy takedown of the world's No.2 Wanted Person.

I really liked the concept [though borrowed from Hollywood] of using songs as a background score and not just for keeping a song, and the whole sing dance routine.
Rest assured, the movie doesn't bore you. Go watch it.

P.S - Still don't get why Dawood Ibrahim never removes his shades. And one more thing I noticed, even though every single person watching the movie know who it is about, it is not a debatable topic to discuss.

My rating 7.3/10

Luck By Chance [Movie-Hindi-2009]

Luck By Chance is basically an expose on 'behind the scenes' of the industry known as 'Bollywood'
Zoya Akhtar is a brilliant director. One of the better ones in Bollywood who makes good, genuine, realistic and relevant films. Movies which make sense and not just for glam. This brother sister combination works really well. It helps that Farhan is such a brilliant actor too.
The film shows how Vikram Jaisingh [Farhan], becomes successful in this cut throat world of Bollywood.
Lots of luck, and connivery is required. This movies shows us the reality of what goes behind the scenes with actors, directors, producers and promoters all manipulating each other and that everyone in the cinema hides beneath a facade. Everyone stabs everyone in the back. Shah Rukh Khan stated in the film, 'Stardom ek mocktail hain, fame, power, money, yeh sab ek nasha hain' and it holds true. Farhan Akhtar portrays a very selfish man in the film, and yes, one does have to be selfish in this world. The great paradox of this industry is nobody cares about logic or the story while making the film, and glam rules logic. The movie mixes great acting, with great cinematography, great comic timing and a great soundtrack. I am glad after a long time, I saw a movie, where there were no unnecessary songs. Acting of Konkona Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor and Isha Sharvani is also lauded. Arjun Mathur, is a gem of an actor. Should have gotten more screen time.

The opening credits of the movie blew me away. The way it has been directed was amazing. It actually showed THE WORK behind the scenes focusing on every detail like costume designers, playback singers, security guards and even waiters serving food to staff.

Gem in the rubble of Bollywood. Watch it.
My rating - 8.2/10

Despicable Me 2 [Movie-2013]

Despicable Me 2 follows the first edition of the series and is equally fun, entertaining, original and fresh. Animation is perfect as ever, no doubt about that. Although, the story of a bad guy's transformation into a good guy is highly jejune, we still adore Gru as he tries to fight off 'bad guys'. The romantic angle is also well adjusted and we, as always in children movies, get the happy ending. Minions, I tell you are the reason for the popularity of this film series. Damn, they are adorable. Steve Carell, who has already proved himself as one of the prominent comic actors in current cinema, doesn't disappoint. All in all, a fun movie, well paced, go with anyone you like, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

My Rating - 7.1/10

Fast and Furious 6 [Movie-2013]

When you go to a Fast and Furious movie, you don't expect realistic, or good acting. You just go for some fun, and good action. And you get both. You have those plot twists you have in a such a typical action movie. You have that essence of romance and comic too. If you watch it directly from a critical view and you are just pouncing on the movie to criticise, you will find faults. But you don't watch such movies if you are just finding faults. They made it a bit realistic in the end, by making someone die, Giselle. I am irritated at the fact that they just won't finish the series. Jason Statham's entry at the end showed us the scope for the sequel.
I guess when a show/movie series is successful and it should end on a high rather than try to continuously reap profits on earlier success.
In all, a nice watch. Watch it if you're looking for action and a fun movie Don't apply logic because then you won't enjoy the movie.
My rating 6.7/10.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag [Movie-Hindi-2013]

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a biopic on the the great Milkha Singh also known as the 'Flying Sikh' starring Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor and Divya Dutta among others. For a biopic, you can't really argue for the story. It's based on a true story and even a bit of tinkering would lead to many people making noise. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has, in my opinion, done justice to the the legendary Indian athlete. Shows the class which he displayed in Rang De Basanti. Great directing and cinematography. Really loved the scene of training after the Melbourne Olympics, I believe it is 'Leh-Ladakh'. Both, the beauty of the location and the way the movie has been shot was admirable. Kudos to Farhan Akhtar, acted as brilliantly as ever. Farhan, has never dissapointed me with his acting, be it in Rock On!!, Luck By Chance, Karthik Calling Karthil or Zindagi Na Mile Dobara. He's the true all rounder of Indian Cinema. Director, producer, actor, singer, lyricist and screenwriter. Bloody talented.
I must also give credit to Farhan for the hell of transformation he has gone through. From a lanky fellow in ZNMD he has transformed into this hunk with muscles bursting and washboards abs.
I really like Divya Dutta too and even though she had a short role, it was fulfilled aptly.

A few points that dragged the film back were.
1.Too many songs. WHY? why do all Bollywood movies need songs? Half of them are unnecessary like the 'Maston ka Jhund' was ...... - Words cant explain my level of disappointment.
2.The Flashback scenes were a tad bit too violent and gory. Too many special effects takes the essence go away.
3.The film was stretched. Remove half the songs, remove some more scenes like with Sonam Kapoor and the Australian chick and the movie time could  have been reduced to 2.30 hours. That is perfect for a movie.


Inspiring story nonetheless.
My rating for the movie would be 7.7/10. Go watch it in theater. Just for Farhan and the cinematography.