Blade Runner 2049 [2017]

Language - English
Director - Denis Villeneuve
Run Time - 2 hours, 43 minutes
Genre - Sci-Fi
Starring - Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto and Ana De Armas

Its safe to say that Blade Runner 2049 is not a movie for everyone. I liked the movie because of it's hauntingly beautiful visuals, the superior acting of the cast and its homage to the original.

Denis Villeneuve is quite the talented director; with engaging movies like Sicario, Prisoners and Arrival under his belt. Denis manages to do so again, for a size-able 163 minutes. And the fact that he builds upon a 35-year old movie, a movie which is listed in countless of  'all-time greatest list' warrants compliments. The cinematography is a visual delight, from the haunting personal office of Mr. Wallace to the dust-laden ruins and the wave-struck outpost where our final action sequence takes place.

The movie is set in the year 2049 and carries on 30 years after the original where Ryan Gosling works as a Blade Runner - retiring old replicants (androids). While on a routine assignment, he discovers a long-forgotten secret and thus, starts his quest to uncover it.

This is a movie for patient-movie watchers, as the buildup is quite slow and just like in the original, the movie suddenly shifts its base to lead us towards another direction. And just like the original, we are left wanting some more from the story, and the peripheral characters.

Jared Leto as Wallace, Harrison Ford as Richard Decker and Robin Wright as Lt. Joshi are all fabulous though they all seem a bit underutilized in the movie. There is quite a heavy emphasis on Ryan Gosling as Officer K. Ana De Armas portrays Joi, a virtual girlfriend, and does so, effortlessly. (next upcoming star?)

Could be a one-time watch, to uphold the legacy of the original Blade Runner, or better yet, for the visuals.

My Rating - 7.6/10

Lipstick Under My Burkha [2017]

Language - Hindi
Director - Alankrita Shrivastava
Run Time - 2 hours, 12 minutes
Genre - Drama
Starring - Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah

Lipstick Under My Burkha is an eye-opening movie which breaks barriers. It is a movie which touches all hearts, as it is set in realism. All around us, women are confined within walls; and this movie exposes us to that.

An interwoven tale of four characters, 'Buaji' aka Rosie who fantasizes about affairs, Shireen, who wants to work and have a career, Leela, the beautician who wants to escape this sad town, and lastly, Rehana, a teenage rebel who adores 'Miley Cyrus' and wants to dress up and sing like her but is bound by her burkha. All actors have given a commanding performance including Shashank Arora and Vikrant Massey as Dhruv and Arshad.

This is a bittersweet story, where problems are not met with superficial solutions; as in life. The mature-storytelling, accompanied by voice-over by Ratna Pathak orating a porn-novel fashions the movie as a serious drama with an inkling of humour.

The scenes, though simple, exhibit oodles of emotions. Be it the fieriness of  Rehana giving a speech for freedom or Buajis fear to buy swimsuits or even Shireen's pain during intercourse. The movie is packed with emotions and Srivastava here has ensured four protagonists of various ages and backgrounds to showcase different emotions and problems each faces.

Such a movie will only impress critics in India, as it will be termed as slow and boring. But if you're a genuine movie buff, go see this movie.

My Rating - 7.3/10

Dunkirk [2017]

Language - English
Director - Christopher Nolan
Run Time - 1 hour, 46 minutes
Genre - Action/Drama
Starring - Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy

While I will not say 'Dunkirk' is the greatest war film or the greatest Christopher Nolan film, I do indeed say that it is a grandiose masterpiece from the extremely talented, older Nolan brother.

Dunkirk is a film about the events of 'Dunkirk evacuation' where 400,000 soldiers were trapped on a beach amidst a German onslaught. While Dunkirk does not have an elaborate plot or mind-wracking concept [Inception, Interstellar, Memento], it does manage to expose and magnify human emotions in a war-zone. Nolan exhibits his narrative from three perspectives - air, sky, and land and one appreciates it when it all comes in to sync later in the movie. Accompanied by Hans Zimmer's beautiful score, it just becomes even more satisfying.

All actors in the ensemble give brilliant performances. Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy, although with small roles, perform gloriously. Fionn Whitehead as Tommy and surprisingly, Harry Styles [One Direction] as Alex also give a commanding performance.

Each and every scene of the film is gorgeous, and for the first time in a Nolan movie, feels real, as the movie is based on a true story. The intensity and ardour of the soldiers is captured by him beautifully and every single frame is thrilling.

Go see it in IMAX if possible, the cinematography is just exquisite. But do see it nonetheless too.

My Rating - 8.3/10

Spider-Man : Homecoming [2017]

Language - English
Director - Jon Watts
Run Time - 2 hours, 13 minutes
Genre - Superhero/Action
Starring - Tom Holland, Michael Keaton,  Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei

Homecoming is a pleasant Spider-Man reboot. After 5 movies of Spider-man, we did not need yet another origin story, and that is where this movie succeeds. Instead of pouring a good 45-50 minutes into a backstory for Peter, his parents, Uncle Ben and how he became Spider-Man; this movie almost perfectly syncs our friendly neighborhood Spiderman into the MCU. [Marvel Cinematic Universe]

For me, Tobey Maguire will always be Spider-Man, but one has to credit Tom Holland for his performance - may he be the Spider-Man to a whole new generation. Also, I'm so glad that a new villain - 'Vulture' [Michael Keaton] was introduced, too much of Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus anyways. Tony Stark and Happy Hogan fill in with some cameos

Homecoming carries on from post Civil War. Peter, having got a glimpse of the 'avengerous' lifestyle, is waiting impatiently for Tony Stark's call but is left hanging high and dry by Tony, as well as Happy, the point-man between Tony and him. Thus, when he witnesses some strange alien guns in the market, he tries to take matters into his own hand, and expectedly, fails. Therein we have the customary 'fall before you may rise' superhero moment.

The movie is quite predictable at times, but it is still a fun movie, with enough of action and humour for everyone to enjoy. It's a 'coming of age' movie for our little web-slinger which follows completely new storyline and characters. Expected a lot more from the mid-credits scene; very bleh.

Another thing I've noticed is that 'Aunt May' keeps getting younger with every reboot. And hotter?

Could be a one-time watch for all.

My Rating - 7.2/10

Baby Driver [2017]

Language - English
Director - Edgar Wright
Run Time - 1 hour, 53 minutes
Genre - Action
Starring - Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx and John Bernthal

Baby Driver is a whiff of fresh air. After delivering Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs the World, all brilliant movies on their own, and must-watches; Edgar Wright comes back with a spectacle once again. The cast is studded with phenomenal and talented actors,  it's an adventure you should not miss out on.

Ansel Elgort plays 'Baby', a getaway driver who needs music all the time to drown out a ringing in his years caused by an accident when he was young. He wants to get out of this criminal lifestyle but is threatened against doing so by his boss, the Doc, played by Kevin Spacey. Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, John Bernthal and Eiza González play out convincing gangsters. One does not have to worry about the acting in the movie, as the majority of the cast is world-class. Elgort grows in stature by his performance in this movie.

This movie does not have even an ounce of dullness as its extraordinary soundtrack keeps you on edge throughout. The movie proves that even an action-clad thriller can be smartly written and shot as pretty much every shot of the movie was just about perfect. In the opening sequence after the first heist, the lyrics of the song 'Harlem Shuffle' are emphasized by the graffiti and names of stores, etc in the background. This show what an amazing director Mr. Wright is.

Lastly, I shall credit the amazing soundtrack which mixes pop, funk, rock (both modern and old school), RnB, Soul, and Jazz to deliver an array of sounds.

An amazing mix of humor, action, great dialogue, soundtrack, acting and thrills, this movie is a classic.

A must watch for almost everyone. Though I did get the reception from some 50-year olds' that they did not enjoy the movie at all.

My Rating - 8.7/10

Ghost in the Shell [2017]

Language - English/Japanese
Director - Rupert Sanders
Run Time - 1 hour, 46 minutes
Genre - Sci-Fi/Action
Starring - Scarlett Johansson

Ghost in the Shell is a brilliant movie visually, but if visual beauty was all there was to a movie, every Terrence Malick movie would be a hit. Sadly, there is hardly any substance to the light show, and the plot becomes incredibly predictable as the film continues.

The movie is based in a futuristic Japan, where almost all humans are enhanced with cybernetics in place of various body parts. Scarlett Johansson plays Major Motoko Kusanagi, a completely cyber-enhanced individual whose only human connection is her brain. She is part of Section 9, a counter-terrorism organization which pursues threats in the homeland. The movie starts off with Section 9 being in pursuit of a cyber-terrorist called Koze, and it all whirlwinds from there.

Scarlett Johansson is a phenomenal actor, no wonder she's the highest paid female actor in the industry, but for me, she didn't deliver a convincing performance this time around. None of the other characters were given any depth. This movie had the capacity to do so much more, it fell short quite glaringly. And not for the lack of source material, as the movie and the characters are based upon three full-length mangas (Japanese comic books)

The futuristic description of Japan looks amazing, and the graphics as well as the cinematography was spot on, but with barely any plot to accompany, the movie fails miserably. Could be a one-time watch though for the visual treat.

My Rating - 6.5/10

Logan [2016]

Language - English
Director - James Mangold
Run Time - 2 hours. 17 mins
Genre - Action/Drama
Starring - Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart

Logan is not the movie Wolverine needed, but the movie Wolverine deserved (hope you guys get the ref). Logan is a high octane adrenaline pumping film that serves as a perfect conclusion to Hugh Jackman's rein over the character for the past 17 years.

The movie is set in a semi post-apocalyptic world - for mutants at least, with only few of them surviving. Amongst those are our dear favourites James Howlett a.k.a Logan and a 90 year old Charles Xavier. They are swept up into saving a child with some very familiar adamantium claws and therein starts the cat and mouse run.

Hugh Jackman finally gets to display the wild animal Wolverine is in this movie and he leaves no-holds-barred. It's violence and gore that exhilarates and drives up the adrenaline. And it's not only Wolverine who does that for us but the surprise package of the movie, Dafne Keen as the wild untamed daughter of Wolverine, Laura.

When the movie is not violent, it is emotional and sentimental and gives you the 'feels' consistently. It might be the best X-men movie yet (and I'm not counting Deadpool). Also, it derives partly from the brilliant 'Old Man Logan' storyline in the comics is another hallmark to one of the greatest, if not the greatest anti-hero ever.

Hugh Jackman does not disappoint, and the franchise seems to be far from over. No one will be able to replace Hugh Jackman easily.

A must watch for action movie fans, a movie that redefines the superhero genre and gives Wolverine a lasting legacy.

My Rating - 8.4/10

The LEGO Batman Movie [2017]

Language - English
Director - Chris Mckay
Run Time - 1 hour, 44 minutes
Genre - Animated/Comedy/Superhero
Starring - Will Arnett, Ralph Fiennes, Zach Galifianakis and Michael Cera

The Lego Batman movie disappointed me big time! Rather than what could have been a deserving spin-off of the Lego Movie, it has been presented as a parody on Batman promulgating "teamwork". It is therefore, not a movie 'for-all-ages' and would enthrall only kids, as I witnessed in the theater too.

Although, not all is wrong with the movie. It has some delightful cracks at the Batman mythos and a running gag on Iron Man. Introduction of characters from other franchises is always welcome, Voldemort, Sauron and King Kong for example in this case. The animation, like previously, is spot-on and the wide variety of Batman Rogues' gallery is also appreciated.

But quite frankly, the originality and freshness of its predecessor is missing. Phil Lord and Christopher Millers, the original directors could not deliver us the same awesomeness as producers which they did as directors. The plot is quite predictable, and the action sequences is a tad bit on the excessive side.

A movie kids would love but not all adults.

My Rating - 6.7/10

John Wick : Chapter Two [2017]

Language - English
Director -  Chad Stahelski
Run Time - 2 hours, 2 minutes
Genre - Action
Starring - Keanu Reeves

John Wick is back! And he has managed to keep us on the edge of our seats yet again. The movie picks up from where the first one left off. The story starts from the point where John goes to collect his stolen car from the Russians who had stolen it in the first place, and the action sequences also pick up from there. Since very few sequels plug the loose ends from their predecessor, a big plus point for this movie for having executed the same flawlessly.

John Wick was a niche movie, and not everyone liked it. Same can be said for the second chapter as well. But those who liked the first part will be happy with this movie as Keanu gives an adrenaline pumping performance yet again. You should not mess with the boogeyman because John Wick will take revenge on you. With his house burned down, and forced to come out of retirement, yet again, he is angry. Beware Baba Yaga a.k.a the Boogeyman.

The movie is stylish, suave and provides for a good trilogy at the end. But they should end it at a trilogy and not milk it fail like in 'The Bourne trilogy'. Keanu looks nowhere close to his age - 52. He looks the same as when Matrix came out, well except for the long hair and beard now. His performance is consistent. All action sequences have been shot amazingly, coupled with some great CGI and stunt work.

Other assassins like Cassian, the mute Ares as well as characters like Winston, the concierge, and Gianna D'Antonio, as well as elements like the operator, Continental rules, etc, add a certain level of depth to the film which would otherwise turn out to be just a never-ending battle for John.

Looking forward to the third part in 2018!

Great movie. A must for action lovers.

My Rating 7.5/10

10 Movies You Might Have Missed in 2016

Now that the year has almost come to an end, I've created a list of wonderful movies that I believe a lot of people must have missed. These include some mid-way popular, and some extremely 'indie' movies.

Before you start arguing for a non-inclusion of a movie, I'll say I've not seen some of the movies which were released in November and December like Manchester by The Sea, Jackie, Eddie the Eagle, Fences, etc

So here's my list. Comments are welcome!

Swiss Army Man

This dark offbeat comedy starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe is so original and refreshing that the absurdity is almost forgotten. Both actors have performed brilliantly, extra kudos to Radcliffe for portraying a real life 'swiss army man' who can become a jet ski, a compass, and also a well among other things. Also, the shots have been captured wonderfully as our characters try to get back to civilization from a deserted island.Watch this bizarre, yet delightful movie now.

                                                  Kubo and the Two Strings                                                                                                                                                     Kubo and the two Strings is an epic tale filled with action, humour and some pretty kickass animation. The film follows Kubo, a powerful magic warrior, who must escape from his evil family which wishes to steal his power. He is joined on his adventures by Sariatu, a talking monkey and Hanzo, a beetle warrior who had served in Kubo's father's army. Their path has many twists and turns, some dark and thrilling ones also. The stop-gap animation style is so splendid, as is the score of the movie. A movie for all types of movie buffs. Plus, the voices of the characters are played by actors like Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, George Takei, and Matthew McConaughey. So, another plus point.                                           

                             POPSTAR - Never Stop Never Stopping                                                                                                                          
This mockumentary featuring Andy Samberg (of the Lonely Island and Brooklyn Nine-Nine fame) is outright hilarious. It's stupid, but yet entertaining, and many pop-stars would actually relate to this movie as they are as eccentric as is the star of the movie 'Conner4Real'. Andy Samberg gives a classic performance, and the satire, is always on point.
It's definitely a one time watch.

                                                       Captain Fantastic                                                                                                                                                     Captain Fantastic is what would be the definition of an 'indie' movie. My words must sound repetitive, but even this movie has to be termed as 'original' and 'quite refreshing'. Viggo Mortensen, as Ben Cash, our protagonist lives with his family, literally, 'Into the Wild'; they train, learn and read about everything that is relevant in the world. But does Isolation lead them to be freaks? Watch this family drama of unusual nature that has some brilliant youth performances and some unexpected twists. Vigo should at least be nominated for the Academy awards for his extraordinary performance.

                                      War Dogs                                                                                                                                                             
A true story, based on two 20 year old somethings, selling arms to the U.S. Military. Sounds like fun? Hell yeah. This insane movie has action, comedy and keeps you hooked on. Jonah Hill and Miles Teller are two of the most promising actors in Hollywood, and they give a great show. Jonah Hill is such a versatile actor. He can play any goddamn role with such ease. More on the entertainment side rather than being a wonderful film, but a good film nonetheless. Also, Bradley Cooper has a cameo. That's always a plus.

                                           Raman Raghav 2.0                                                                                                                                                   
    Yes, a Bollwyood movie makes it to the list. Only because it was one of the best movies in Bollywood this year, and didn't get the attention it deserved. Yes, its gory and extremely violent, but the way Anurag Kashyap breaks down the brain of a serial killer is beautiful. And who better to play the psycho than the talented Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Newcomer Vicky Kaushal also shows some great talent. The cinematography is brilliant, the chase scenes were executed properly and the adrenaline kept on pumping. Anurag Kashyap is the greatest film-maker in Bollywood today. Kudos.

                                    The Nice Guys                                                                             
The Nice Guys takes you to Hollywood circa 1970's where we are to witness an accident. Enter Crowe and Gosling, our two somewhat ethical private detectives who become embroiled into this big conspiracy. Film stars, parties, gangsters and guns, this movie has got it all. The movie has a nice 'noir' feel to it as well.Crowe and Gosling share irresistible chemistry, and their impeccable comic timing adds another dimension to an otherwise crime thriller. 

              Hail, Caesar!  
                                                                                                                         The kings of black comedy are back, and though it's not a Big Lebowski or Fargo, they do manage to pull of a decent movie. With a cast like George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson and Jonah Hill, one would expect the film to rock the box office. But sadly, it did not gain much popularity, sinking to 6th in its 2nd week. But anyways, its a delightful and entertaining film which takes upon communism in Hollywood in the 50s. It's a light movie, brimming with satire and mockery (as is the style of Coen Brothers) which does manage to keep you enthralled. The plot is weak, but the actors manage to pull it off. 

                                     The Accountant                                                                                                                                                                        Although a somewhat popular movie, I feel The Accountant did not get enough love from audiences. Ben Affleck plays an autistic person, who was trained by his father in military style, and uses these skills to become an accountant for crime lords, mafia and kings.The movie is like pieces of a puzzle spread out, which paint a much bigger picture when they come together. Ben Affleck puts in a tremendous performance, Jon Bernthal, Anna Kendrick and JK Simmons assist, providing a good action film.The film could have been much better if there were more layers to the plot. But, a great watch nonetheless.

                                         Everybody Want Some!!                                                                                                                                                                  This may not be a Dazed and Confused, but Richard Linklater, the genius behind Boyhood and the 'Before' trilogy manages to pull off another classic 'coming of the age' movie. With a great ensemble cast, a half decent plot and a crazy rock-n-roll soundtrack, he brings back nostalgia of college and the decade of the carefree 80s. The movie failed because of zero marketing. A movie everybody would enjoy.