Maze Runner [2014]

Language -English
Director - Wes Ball
Run Time - 1 hour, 53 minutes
Genre - Action/Sci-Fi
Starring - Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter

Maze Runner is as riveting as its trailer was. As any brilliant Sci-fi movie, it keeps you enthralled till the end, wanting to seek answers. This young fresh cast, provided with a fresh, unique storyline (based on the bestseller of the same name) is stunning. We all might have seen these actors playing teensy bit roles here and there, but here, when all put together, click really well.

For the first half hour we are very confused as to what is happening and that mystery keeps us wanting for more. And the plot develops with a perfect pace i.e not too fast neither too slow. This is something new, this is something that we wanted. The film builds up a good platform for the series.
This dark, gritty theme is quite welcoming.

The movie opens up with Thomas [O'Brien] waking up in an elevator which takes him upto a grassy plain called the Glades. He soon realizes that he has no memory, but is assured as the leader of the Glades, Alby said that it happened to anyone who has come up. We also see a wall which is situated at the end of the Glades, which is called the maze, where only the Runners are allowed. Runners being the strongest, ablest Gladers. While the rest of the Gladers have accepted their life here, Thomas is curious to know whats is out there and breaks all rules that the Gladers abide by. Is he successful?

Although I felt the climax was a bit disappointing, it leaves the space for a good sequel ahead. The performance of the huge cast is applaudable, so is the dark approach taken up by the director Wes Ball. Also, I felt the character of Gally [Pouter] could have been given more importance as he is a such a tremendous actor who can portray various kinds of roles with ease; as we can see him essaying completely different roles in 'We're The Millers' and here.

Gripping and entertaining. Go for it. Especially fans of Sci-Fi.

My Rating - 7.2/10

Lawless [2012]

Language - English
Director - John Hillcoat
Run Time - 1 hour, 56 minutes
Genre - Crime/Drama/Western
Starring - Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf

With such a star cast, and with Tom Hardy, one could never go wrong, and John Hillcoat certainly does not go wrong. Lawless, is simply marvelous. I'm not a big fan of westerns, but this movie did manege to grip me, and kept me enthralled thoughout.  This movie is based on a true story which focuses upon the so-believed immortal 'Bondurant Boys' fight against prohibition in the 1930's in the US State of Virginia. All actors have been cast perfectly and the movie is a smooth sail. Though I do think the character of Floyd Banner [Gary Oldman] could have been given a little bit more coverage.
That would be the only part of the movie I could criticize.

Forrest [Tom Hardy], Howard [Jason Clarke] and Jack [Shia Labeouf] are three brothers who earn their living through selling whiskey in the times of prohibition in Franklin County, Virginia. The business is successful, with them having a cooperation with the local police. But everything can't be smooth sailing and enter Special Deputy Charlie Rakes [Guy Pearce] who shows up demanding a cut from the profits too, which the Bondurants aren't willing to give him. What ensues is a bloody battle between the two parties. Through out the movie, we get to see an amazing character evolution of Jack. who tries to step out of his brothers shadows.

The supporting characters are all very good, be it Jessica Chastain as Maggie or Mia Wasikowski as Bertha, the various love interests of Forrest and Jack. Some credit is due to Jason Clarke for portraying the always drunk, but always tough brother for his small role. Guy Pearce as Special Deputy Charlie Rakes is just splendid. The conviction with which he rendered his role was amazing. Even though Charlie Rakes might not have had that much screen time as the leading characters of our movies, he will be the one character that truly strikes out, and will be remembered for his peculiarity.

The soundtrack for the movie is well made, with contributions from leading country singers like Nick Cave and Emmylou Harris.

In all, I really enjoyed the movie. Though it is quite gritty. Soft-hearted people should look away.

My Rating - 7.5/10

Olympus Has Fallen [2013]

Language - English
Director - Antoine Fuqua
Run Time - 1 hour, 59 minutes
Genre - Action/Drama
Starring - Gerrard Butler, Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman

As the name suggests, this movie is about an attack on the White House. The movie has been made neatly, but it kind of thwarts reality. In this world, in 2013, could the White House really be treated to such an extensive attack? And to top it off, it seems like Mike Banning [Butler] is the only person who is capable of defeating the terrorists. To be frank, it seemed more like a Chuck Norris movie going by the way it has been presented. I like Gerrard Butler, and do consider him to be up there with the top men of the industry, but he never really takes on good projects. Haven't seen a good performance from him since 2009 - Law Abiding Citizen. Eckhart also gives a very weak performance.  Fuqua makes a good film 2/10 times, and sadly, it was not supposed to be this time.

So, Mike Banning is a disgraced ex-Presidential Guard, who is tired of his new Desk job and is wanting to get on some action. It is perfect timing that a terrorist attack happens to befall on the capitol and everybody - the secret service, the presidential guard, the police and the army fail to protect the President who has been kidnapped by Korean terrorists in a bid to unify Korea. Enter Banning into the picture again. Apparently, he is the only security personnel who was not harmed and is able to defeat multiple enemies without being in practice of even wielding a gun for months.

Morgan Freeman's presence is of the only saving grace for the movie, which is devoid of common sense and berates logic. This movie tries to hard to be a Die Hard, but does not even remotely come to being at that level.

I would suggest to avoid this movie.

My Rating - 6/10

World War Z [2013]

Language - English
Director - Marc Foster
Run Time - 1 hour, 56 minutes
Genre - Action
Starring - Brad Pitt

What seems to start off as a 'run of the mill' zombie movie, World War Z turns out to be a lot more. It tries to bring in a little bit of mystery and a bit of drama in which it is successful. Yet it lacks that outstanding approach. The movie is well made, with some amazing special effects, and Brad Pitt's acting deserves no lesser praise. Yet, this movie did not strike to me as extraordinary. The audience is tired of the same perpetual plot line of a zombie movie, and it craves for something new. Yes, World War Z does take a somewhat new approach, but it is not able to conclude what it started.
And that is where it falls short of being truly a classic.

The movie starts off with a 'OH YOU GUESSED IT' endemic disease spreading throughout the world which turns them into zombies. Since Gerry Lane [Pitt] has an exemplary track record as a UN Investigator, he is called upon by them to take a team to find out the source/cause of it. Thereon, he embarks upon a trip around the world trying to find a solution, as one would solve a mystery, step by step. Does he succeed?

The movie is really good to watch. Brad Pitt is phenomenal and also the acting of Daniella Kertesz who plays the young Israeli girl Segen is also commendable. The movie is exciting and it does keep you waiting to see what would happen next. But, it could have been something much more.

Watch if if you're a
1.Zombie Movie Lover
2.Brad Pitt Fan
3.Action Junkie

My Rating - 7/10

Neighbors [2014]

Language - English
Director - Nicholas Stoller
Run Time - 1 hour, 37 minutes
Genre - Comedy/Drama
Starring - Seth Rogen, Zac Effron, Dave Franco and Rose Byrne.

One of the most awaited comedies of this summer. The trailer was intriguing, and the movie does quite live up to its hype, though not all the way. Yes, its something new. Yes, the cast is superb and does keep you engaged, but the aura wanes somewhere down the line towards the end. The ending was rather disappointing because you do not wish for either characters' downfall.

Zac Effron and Dave Franco are two stars who are really going to be big in the coming years. Loads of potential can be seen in them. Both Effron and Franco have been called 'Another Disney Kid' and 'James Franco's younger brother', but they have proved that they are capable and have shed off the tags.
Although the script is strong, the entire plot is very predictable and quite mundane. It is the sheer performance of our four lead actors, and the unique jests which carries the movie.

The movie starts with the perfect life of the 'Radners' who have good jobs, a perfect house and an amazing baby. UNTIL, a Frat House called Delta Psi Beta moves next door. At first, the Radners attempt to be 'COOL' with them till their constant partying keeps their baby up. A police complaint up next violates the trust between the Radners and the frat leaders and its all WAR! The frat house try to drive their neighbors crazy, and the Radners' vice versa.

To summarise it all, this is a crazy, adrenaline driven, wacky movie which one could go for the kicks and the lead actors. But still, like all Nick Stoller movies, it lacks a concrete base upon which the plot builds.

My Rating - 7/10