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Mere Dad Ki Maruti:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Saqib Saleem, Ram Kapoor, Prabal Panjabi, Rhea Chakraborty

Direction: Ashima Chibber

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 1 hour 41 minutes

Story: A comedy of errors, the film revolves around a brand new Maruti car which goes missing, days before it is to be presented as a wedding gift!

Movie Review: Everyone's dancing and making merry in the Khullar household, especially Tej (Ram Kapoor) who is all set to gift would-be son-in-law Raj and daughter Tanvi a brand new Maruti Ertiga gaddi on their wedding day. While the wedding preparations are in full swing, Tej's son Sameer (Saqib Saleem) is the daft guy who aspires to woo the hot 'Shakira of Chandigarh' Jazzleen (Rhea Chakraborty). She calls him 'psychic' (thinking it's the same as 'psycho') and he tells her, 'I am love you'.

In order to patau the pataka, Sameer uses the new car and ends up losing it! The car goes missing, thus forcing Sameer and his best friend Gattu (Prabal Panjabi) to form a complex web of lies to save Sameer from the wrath of his father.

The film sticks to a YRF's (Yash Raj Films) staple brand of entertainment; it revolves around a Punjabi family, the backdrop a lavish Punjabi wedding. Since the 'Punjabi' card has been used in films for years, it makes the film look a tad conventional.

However, in spite of certain cliches, the film manages to entertain you with its effortless performances, simple story and situational humour. Scenes where Sameer and his friends are being chased by cops, Gattu referring to Sameer's poor English as 'tatti English', are hilarious. The bride's outrageous dance number on her wedding day and the Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa-esque climax are few of the high points of the movie.

Rhea Chakraborty as Jazzleen is easy on the eyes, Prabal Panjabi as Gattu is adorable. He evokes maximum laughter. Saqib Saleem is pleasant but lacks the charisma of a lead actor. Ram Kapoor acts over-the-top as required, Ravi Kissen is wasted.

Don't expect an out-and-out comedy, the film is a light-hearted family entertainer with a message for the youth. Do take your dad along for it, in his gaddi!

Jolly L.L.B.:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla, Amrita Rao

Direction: Subhash Kapoor

Genre: Drama

Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes

Story: Lawyer Jagdish Tyagi 'Jolly' dreams of making it big like his advocate idol Tejinder Rajpal - will Jolly sell out too?

Movie Review: So, Jolly LLB isn't a comedy - despite jokes about 'appeal' spelled as 'apple' and Jolly telling Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists he's Maskhar-e-Taiba, Jolly LLB is a serious movie, showcasing the arrogance of the rich, the helplessness of the poor and the corruption of the law.

Jolly (Warsi) is a struggling mofussil lawyer, itching for big-city deals. He convinces girlfriend Sandhya (Rao, attractive and effective in her hot schoolmarm-avataar) and hits Delhi's District and Sessions Court where his 'office' is a desk under the sky. Jolly flounders about until he meets the super-polished, super-successful Tejinder Rajpal (Irani), arguing the 'victimization' of his rich client Rahul Dewan, whose Land Cruiser's run over six labourers on a footpath. An eye-witness appears - Jolly files a PIL. What happens when Rajpal replies using cash?

Rather like its protagonist, Jolly LLB's first half meanders a bit, featuring a clumsy 'daaru' song and a Meerut that mysteriously hides - but boy, does its second half hammer things home. With crackling scenes between Jolly versus Rajpal (Irani deadly smooth, like velvet soaked in blood) and Rajpal versus judge Tripathi (Shukla in a brilliant show, hysterically yelling, "Gavel kidhar rakha hai?!", thundering at Rajpal, "Sit down! Ye mera court hai, aapka club nahin!"), the action becomes electric. Drama builds as Jolly (Warsi, highly endearing and impressive) finds his voice. Jolly's astonishment at Rajpal's callousness - "Footpath sone ke liye nahin hai" - Jolly responding, "Footpath gaadi chalane ke liye bhi nahin hai!", mirrors the aam aadmi's bewilderment and determination to fight.

Jolly LLB works because of its bigger point - decency is for all and worth fighting for. Using bittersweet satire and plot twirls, the film shows corruption even used against the corrupt. Despite that weaker first half, this truly becomes a Jolly good show.

NOTE: You will not like this movie if you don't enjoy courtroom dramas with moral twists.

Django Unchained:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L Jackson, Kerry Washington

Direction: Quentin Tarantino

Genre: Drama

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Story: A slave, with the help of a bounty hunter of German origin, seeks out his wife who has been sold to a ruthless plantation owner.

Movie Review: With Quentin Tarantino, there are no half measures. The much-loved/reviled (depending on which side of the fence you're on) director has his fans and haters split right down the middle. It isn't easy to love or loathe the films he makes. They're shamelessly provocative but absolute guilty pleasures.

Take Django Unchained, for example. It isn't QT's best work by far. It is, however, his most discussed. Taking a familiar setting (the slave trade era in the American South), he pits it against the most outrageous (and most likely, fictional) tropes of the times. A free man, during the time, was rarely heard of. Much less, as a partner to a decidedly European bounty hunter who shoots with his words as eloquently as he does his trusty guns. Then there's the plantation owner who loves Mandingo fighting and yet, treats his head slave as something of an equal. Also, there's far more boom and far less bang. You'd be forgiven for thinking that Django (Foxx) and his minder/mentor Dr King Schultz (Waltz) have ammunition factories in each town they ride into.

QT draws out the mood of the times without taking his subject matter too seriously. Cinematography and score are top-notch as is the tight screenplay. The trouble really begins with the abundance of characters that make their poorly fleshed out appearances and exits with no reason or rhyme attributed to their existence. And given the running time, the film could easily have done with a little less indulgence. Not Quentin's best work by far.

NOTE: You will not like this film if extreme violence and foul language easily offend you.

Olympus Has Fallen:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett

Direction: Antoine Fuqua

Genre: Action

Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes

Story: The White House is taken over by a group of terrorists and the US President is held hostage. It's up to a former Secret Service agent to eliminate the bad guys and free the President in a limited amount of time.

Review: President Benjamin Asher ( Aaron Eckhart) loses his wife Margaret (Ashley Judd) during a road accident one bitterly cold night. It's an ominous portent of things to come. Secret Service agent Mike Banning ( Gerard Butler), who was in the motorcade on the night of the accident, blames himself for not averting that tragedy. Asher transfers Banning to a desk job that's devoid of action and excitement because every time he sees him, Asher is reminded of his loss.

Banning's misery is soon alleviated in the unlikeliest of ways. A group of North Korean terrorists (along with plenty of outside help) overrun the White House, hold the President and his Cabinet hostage and make a bunch of demands that have to be met, 'or else'.

Secret Service Director Lynn Jacobs ( Angela Bassett) and the authoritative Speaker Alan Trumbull ( Morgan Freeman, perfect for this kind of role) take charge, with Banning on the ground. The action (and the body count) sky-rockets here onwards. Banning channels his inner John McClane and unleashes systematic slaughter of the bad guys. In the process, the White House itself takes one heck of a pummeling. People are tortured, blown up, shot and killed in hand- to-hand combat. Banning's disdain for the enemy is only matched by the delight he derives from being able to prove himself.

The action is taut, thanks to the editing. Although it does play on patriotic emotion and righteous anger, 'Olympus... is mercifully low on excessive melodrama and jingoism. Furthermore, a few of Banning's muttered punchlines are genuinely funny. Despite being a formula-flick, 'Olympus... is satisfying if you get your thrills from action movies.

Porsche Macan:

Estimated Ex-Showroom Price: Rs.45lakhs to Rs.50lakhs

Expected: Early 2013

Fuel Types: Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Key Specifications:

Turbocharged, 4 cylinder diesel and V6 petrol engines, 7 speed automatic transmission system, top speed of 250 kmph, fuel efficiency of 13.2 to 15 kmpl, tilt steering, front ventilated brakes and rear disk brakes, 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, 3 rear seatbelts.

Specifications:

Porsche is developing a new entry level Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) called Macan for the D+ segment of the Indian auto industry. The car derives its name from the Indonesian term for tiger and is a part Strategy 2018, the company's plan to develop new models. Based on the Audi Q5, it will be the fifth model in the German automobile maker's portfolio. The luxury automotive giant is aiming to lure the youth of the nation to its showroom with this upcoming model.

It is said that the car maker will develop this SUV at its Saxony manufacturing plant in Leipzig, Germany. The company is investing a total of 500 million Euros into the facility to expand it, including an assembly line and paint shop, making Macan one of the biggest projects undertaken by it. Production of the Macan, which was earlier named Cajun, will begin in 2013, though Porsche has also released a teaser image of the car.

Engines & Specifications of Porsche Macan

Porsche Macan is expected to be available in two variants at the time of its launch - petrol and diesel. The former will be powered by a turbocharged, 4 cylinder V6 unit, while the latter will also have a turbocharged, 4 cylinder motor. Other details of the engines and their power and torque generation capacities are not known as of now. Both of these models will have a 7 speed automatic transmission gearbox that facilitates easy shifting of gears. Apart from these, a hybrid version of the car may also be launched by the manufacturer.

Performance of Porsche Macan

The entry level SUV from the house of Porsche should be a high performance vehicle, just like its siblings. It is anticipated that the model will be capable of reaching top speed of 250 kmph and delivering mileage of 13.2 to 15 kmpl. Macan's front ventilated brakes and rear disk brakes will allow the driver to retain control over it even at high speeds. The tilt steering mechanism of the model will help ensure that it renders unmatched driving experience.

Exterior, Interior & Safety Features of Porsche Macan

Exteriors of Porsche Macan will be characterised by suppleness, power, fascination and versatility. This SUV is expected to be as attractive in appearance as the other models in the German car maker's line up. It will be successful in drawing attention on the roads through alloy wheels and body coloured bumpers. Notable exterior features of the car include xenon headlamps, sun roof and electrically adjustable Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs).

The upcoming Macan is expected to have plush interiors, a characteristic of Porsche models. Some of the interior features anticipated in the car are air conditioning with climate control, power windows, electrically adjustable driver seat, in-dash music system, foldable leather seats and tinted glass. Apart from these, rear air conditioning vents, steering mounted controls, auto wiper and headlamp, rake and reach steering adjustment, and rear wiper, defogger and armrest with cup holders should also be present in Macan. For driver's convenience, the model is also expected to have features like remote central locking, boot and fuel filler.

Some of the safety features that auto enthusiasts expect in Porsche Macan are parking sensors, fog lamp, traction control, 6 airbags and 3 rear seatbelts. Apart from these, the manufacturer should also include Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

Snitch:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Barry Pepper, Joe Bernthal

Direction: Ric Roman Waugh

Genre: Action

Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes

Story: A devoted father sets out on a mission to have his son released from a wrongful conviction. Along the way, he has to risk everything and resort to some pretty unconventional means.

Movie Review: John Matthews (Dwayne Johnson) is an honest man. He goes about his day-to-day work and is a protective dad with a clear sense of what's right and wrong. But it's not long before the shoot-'em-ups start and the intrigue sets in.

His son Jason Collins (Rafi Gavron) is not the brightest kid on the block - a flaw that has him facing the slammer for a good ten years, for unwittingly participating (rather, being duped) in a drug shipment. Jason can however benefit from a reduced sentence if he helps 'snitch' on some of the senior baddies in the cartel. The only problem is Jason is no criminal. The cops don't believe this.

Sensing the danger his son is in, Matthews approaches the stony-faced District Attorney Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon) and offers her a deal - he will do the dirty work himself. He will help the cops ensnare some of the criminals with Agent Cooper ( Barry Pepper) monitoring from afar.

The film tends to lose direction now and then with unnecessarily serious discussions and vague, philosophical cross-references that question the US justice system. You might find yourself wishing that they would just get on with the action instead because that is the film's strongest point.There are plot holes too. For example, no explanation is offered as to how an ordinary businessman (Matthews) is suddenly an expert at wielding arms and ammunition like a commando. Susan Sarandon does carry with her a sense of gravitas. Juan Carlos 'El Topo' Pintera (Benjamin Bratt) convincingly plays the cartel kingpin.

Watch it if you like action films and are a Dwayne Johnson fan.

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Irrfan, Soha Ali Khan

Direction: Tigmanshu Dhulia

Genre: Drama

Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes.

Story: A royal saheb grapples with disability and betrayal, his estranged biwi dabbles with daaru and political demons. The gangster wages a war for pride and honour.

Movie Review: Mind you, this is not regular gangsta film; with usual showcasing of arms, ammunition, bangs and blasts. Yes, it has explosives of another kind - 'bangs' (it's a total 'bed'-bangers ball, what gall); Weapons of Mass Seduction and politics of bistar and beyond. This sequel, a strange mix of foul games and passionplay, unfolds with a crippled Saheb (Jimmy) holding onto the last vestiges of his shrinking Kingly pomp and glory. His boisterous biwi, Madhavi devi (Mahie), mostly depressed and drunk, lives as Chhoti Rani in the same haveli, but the couple share nothing but extreme hate and contempt for each other. Biwi, is a ruling MLA who knows little about rajneeti but mixes it brazenly with saucy traits and seductive moves to stay on top. Enter, gangster Indrajeet Singh (Irrfan), with a mission to topple Saheb (to avenge his family's lost royal honour), while his love-interest Ranjana (Soha), vulnerably falls prey to the political chess.

Tigmanshu Dhulia has created an intriguing world with rajas fighting for their kingship; politicians watching porn, gangsters sleeping with the enemy, and women unapologetic about adultery in the ballroom and bedroom. The setting and story is vibrant, dramatic, dark and humourous at the same time. Once again, he scores with his characters - intelligently sketched, with dichotomous layers - dark, brooding, loving and lustful. The editing and the screenplay in the second half lose steam, and the item number (courtesy Mughda Godse) punctures the pace. The climax passively surrenders without the satiating feel of bittersweet revenge.

Irrfan is absolutely terrific; he shows fury, passion, envy, pride with such utter conviction that you crave to see more of him onscreen. He's undoubtedly one of the finest performers we can boast of. Jimmy is excellent as the poignant, wheel-chair bound saheb exuding power. Mahie Gill is volatile as the unfulfilled woman desiring more, though her drunken drawl often leaves us more dry than high. Soha plays her part with subtlety and sophistication.

This may not be Tigmanshu's best, but it's a movie with more balls than most cinema can flaunt.

Oz the Great and Powerful:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz

Direction: Sam Raimi

Genre: Fantasy

Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes.

Story: A circus magician gets transported to the enchanting land of Oz, where he's mistaken for a great wizard of prophecy.

Review: Circus magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) is quite a jerk. His womanising ways forces him to flee Kansas in a hot air balloon which gets caught in a tornado, transporting him to the magical land of Oz, where he's mistaken for the great wizard who can fight against The Wicked Witch of the West. He fakes his identity for his selfish reasons until he stumbles across three witches and a flying monkey, the very naive Theodora (Mila Kunis), her conniving sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and the good witch Glinda (Michelle Williams). Can the conman con the people of Oz too?

When Disney adapts a classic fairy-tale, you can rest assured that the film would be nothing less than a visual spectacle which seamlessly blends physical sets with CGI. The 3D is spectacular. Do not miss out on the opening titles and scenes as they are shot in the gorgeous sepia tone. Once Oscar enters Oz, colours take over. The depiction of the dream-like parallel universe, located above the clouds, amidst lush green fields and serene waterfalls, takes your breath away.

The film, however falters when it comes to the length and a few performances. The film is slightly overlong. James Franco lacks the charisma to pull off an iconic character. He seems laid back! Surprisingly, Mila Kunis looks equally out of place. Helena Bonham Carter would have been apt for her role. Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams are brilliant.

The film strongly resembles Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland. If you fancied that one, you'd definitely love Raimi's feel-good pre-boot of the classic.

Note: You may not like this film if magical fantasies are not your cup of tea.

I, Me Aur Main:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: John Abraham, Prachi Desai, Chitrangada Singh, Zarina Wahab, Mini Mathur, Raima Sen

Direction: Kapil Sharma

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Duration: 1 hour 48 minutes

Story: Ishaan's life is full of gorgeous women but he loves 'I, Me Aur Main' best - which girl makes him change his mind?

Movie Review: On the plus side, I, Me Aur Main (IMAM) has the glossy good looks of a TV ad - on the downside, it stays there. Music executive Ishaan Sabharwal (Abraham) is a spoilt brat, his adoring mother Nisha (Wahab) teaching him he's the best, so he thinks he's irresistible and behaves like "a sexy idiot". Ishaan won't commit to his executive girlfriend Anushka (Singh). Sick of his light flirtations and heavy refusals, Anushka throws Ishaan out.

He moves to a new flat - with a hot new neighbour, fashion stylist Gauri (Desai). Their vibe crackles as Gauri challenges Ishaan, making him realize being a jerk doesn't work. Ishaan splits from his bitchy boss Beena (Sen having a ball, wryly going, "Clap, clap"), starts his own group and is about to commit to Gauri - when his sister Shivani (Mathur) tells him Anushka's expecting his child.

IMAM has an interesting plot and a progressive message. Some performances - Wahab coolly announcing, "Maine tumhare Pa ko chor diya hai", Desai as sexy wild-child Gauri, squealing "Ooooh, strip-tease!" as Ishaan peals off his shirt - are good fun. It's well-shot, showcasing stylish homes, lovely clothes, luscious drinks and luscious Abraham working hard at depicting super-selfish Ishaan.

But IMAM has issues too - the acting is superficial. There's lots of flashing dimples and pouting lips but not one performance that's convincingly power-packed. Storyline turns are too fast and fluffy. For a movie on the music industry, the score's fairly bland. Small details - the designer bag on Beena's arm, the guard catching Ishaan and Gauri in a changing room, Shivani describing Ishaan, "Majnu ki tarah phone par laga" - are fun but the big picture lacks thrust.

This niche movie doesn't nail it but it's a cute watch, floating by humming - "Take it easy, thora moody, thora cheesy."

Jack the Giant Slayer:

Critic's Rating: 

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci

Direction: Bryan Singer

Genre: Fantasy

Duration: 2 hours

Story: War between giants and humans is reignited when a farm boy accidentally drops the magic beans he's been given by a mysterious monk.

Review: A monk gives farm boy Jack ( Nicholas Hoult) some magical beans in exchange for his horse. Jack accidentally drops one of the beans. It erupts into a gigantic beanstalk which reaches to the sky, taking Jack's house and Princess Isabelle ( Eleanor Tomlinson) along with it. The beanstalk leads to the land of the giants. In order to rescue the princess, her conniving would-be groom Roderick ( Stanley Tucci), love-struck Jack and the king's brave knight Elmont (Ewan McGregor) decide to face the giants, thus reigniting an ancient war.

Adapting a classic fairytale into a feature film still seems like a distant dream, considering most of the recent attempts have been mediocre. Be it Snow White and the Huntsman, Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and now Jack the Giant Slayer which has borrowed elements from both Jack the Giant Killer and Jack and the Beanstalk. The films have been unable to recreate the magic of the classic fables.

Bryan Singer, who has made films like X-Men and Valkyrie, finds it difficult to keep the audience engaged, let alone be entertained. CGI giants which are supposed to be the USP of the film seem caricaturish and one-dimensional. They don't seem menacing at all. Even the evil Roderick looks cartoonish. Jack, the hero, seems inexcusably dumb while you wonder what Ewan McGregor is doing in this soul-less film!

The film is painfully predictable and the romance awfully sweet. An elongated tug-of-war scene between the humans and giants does not qualify for an epic battle scene and that's the biggest drawback.

The 3D is lacklustre and the SFX unable to salvage the uninteresting script. Children may find this film amusing, thanks to the art direction and story-telling style. For the rest, if only the story was modified better!