Bollywood World

Rating : 5/10
Release Date : 15th January, 2016
Time : 167 minutes (in India); 187 minutes (in other countries that don�t believe in silly censorship)
Director, Writer: Quentin Tarantino; Music : Ennio Morricone
Starring : Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, James Parks, Demian Bichir, Channing Tatum




For large stretches of the movie, it seems the characters are going to talk you to death. They go on, and on, and on � covering almost every topic under the sun, including the recently ended civil war, race relations etc. And then, finally, just before the interval, the first gunshot fires loudly, blood spatters�and the film enters familiar Tarantino territory and the violence doesn�t stop for most of the second half



In snowy conditions, with a blizzard fast approaching, Kurt Russell, a bounty hunter, is taking his latest catch, a dangerous outlaw, Jennifer, to the nearest town to be hanged. Samuel Jackson, another bounty hunter, is taking three culprits too, only difference being his are dead. Walton, a former renegade, is trying to make it to the town as well, to take up a new position there. Their paths converge, and with the blizzard almost upon them, Kurt, despite being deeply suspicious, almost paranoid, about his prisoner escaping / getting help from outside, is forced to take refuge, along with Samuel and Walton, in a well known haberdashery. Where a few other nefarious characters are present, also escaping from the blizzard. A retired Southern General, Bruce Dern. A cowboy on his way home, Michael Madsen. A Mexican, Demian Bichir. And an Englishman, who has an unusual vocation, Tim Roth.


Racial tensions lead to battle lines being drawn pretty swiftly, in an atmosphere already charged up with suspicion, distrust thanks to Kurt�s paranoia and with all the simmering anger, resentment, this situational powder keg is primed for explosion�


There are too many flaws in the story, though. There were surely easier ways for objectives to be achieved versus the complicated path chosen ? And did the build-up have to be so slow ?



Fans looking for a classic Tarantino gore fest will not be disappointed in the second half, despite our censors best efforts. But for those looking for something deeper to takeaway, even if it�s a memorable character, will leave feeling shortchanged. This one felt a bit lazy, a little loose around the edges, despite the deliciousness of its premise and a cameo by Channing Tatum.

Rating : 3/10
Release Date : 6th November, 2015
Time : 89 minutes
Director : Genndy Tartakovsky; Writers : Robert Smigel, Adam Sandler; Music : Mark Mothersbaugh;
Starring : Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Asher Blinkoff, Dana Carvey, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon, Mel Brooks




One of the worst things that can happen to you, as a movie-goer, is the realization that the trailer was the best part. A ghoulishly unimaginative script, scarily stale jokes and monstrously mournful music ensure that the laugh quotient versus the first one is guillotined into less than half.



The Count marries off his daughter, Mavis, to the human, Johnny, and is delighted when she bears a son, Dennis, thrilled that the Dracula bloodline will continue. However, Mavis, a classic over-protective mom, gently points out that there is a high probability that the baby could be human too. And when a couple of years pass by, without any of the vampire signs (fangs, for instance), Dracula decides to take Dennis to his old haunts, after sending the parents away, in the hope that it will tilt him to the other side�



One of the jokes involves Dracula�s inability to do anything with his new smartphone, thanks to his long nails. The first time you chuckle but by the time the same joke is repeated a third time, you�re ready to set the phone ablaze. It�s mildly amusing, and you share Dracula�s angst, as he observes how all his old haunts (like a campsite) have become tamer, more human (cost of insurance, as the gay campsite manager informs him) but there is nothing which actually makes you laugh out loud.


This may work for kids but unlikely to for any adults. A trailer is supposed to be representative of what lies in the film, so when you find it actually contained the best bits, you almost feel cheated, lied to. It�s tantamount to fraud, isn�t it, and you want your money back�

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 20th February, 2015
Time : 107 minutes
Director, Writer : Damien Chazelle; Music : Justin Hurwitz
Starring : JK Simmons, Miles Teller, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Nate Lang, Austin Stowell



Has the world become too soft ?
Do we recognize anymore the effort, the hours, the passion that it takes to truly master a discipline, much less produce works of unbridled genius ?
Are we really prepared for the blood, sweat, tears that usually accompany such a journey ? Especially in the world of social media, political correctness, education becoming more a business, over-anxious parents and molly-coddled children, are we really even trying to produce geniuses ?


JK Simmons doesn�t have any of these doubts. He�s the renowned head of the famous Schaeffer Music School, New York. And he�s only in it to produce top musicians, using any and all means at his disposal �including the most awful physical and mental abuse you�re likely to see from a guru



Miles Teller is a drummer, enrolled in the music conservatory. Is from a middling background, product of a broken marriage, has a caring father, not many friends. He fancies himself as a musician. And is spotted, picked up by JK to be a part of the main ensemble.



Nothing prepares you for what follows. Simmons is the kind who preys on his students weaknesses. He pretends to be interested in a student, only to be able to use personal information to abuse you violently. And he relentlessly pushes, drives you to perform, excel�


Nothing has prepared Miles for this. He�s changing as a person. Redefining his relationships � including his loving dad (Paul Reiser) and a recent girlfriend (Melissa). He fancies his chances, even though the competition is intense and he is, at least in the beginning, only the understudy to the main drummer�


So begins almost a game of cat and mouse between the student and teacher. Its gripping. Miles evolves in ways we wouldn�t expect. The story takes a course we definitely don�t anticipate. And we are hooked, right all the way to the astonishing climax. Simmons and Teller are excellent in their roles, believable, epitomizing their parts to the point you can scarcely believe them to be anyone else. And the music, mostly jazz, is great too�


Like the luscious swirls of a bitter-sweet dark chocolate with a mysterious twist� you�re going to need to taste it to figure out if it works for you.. and, as most creative artists would prefer with their work, you�re going to either love it or hate it�

Rating : 4/10
Release Date : 14th November, 2014
Time : 101 minutes
Director: Chad Tahelski; Writer : Derek Kolstad; Music : Tyler Bates, Joel J. Richard
Starring : Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Dean Winters, Adrianne Palicko, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, John Leguizamo, Bridget Moynahan



Vengeance. Against the mob. Albanians / Russians. For stealing his car and killing his dog. Keanu Reaves is John Wick. He used to be their enforcer, laying a trail of bodies at their command. But then got out, amicably, with the boss, Michael Nyqvist�s permission. To be with his wife. Who died of a disease a few days back. And then, the mob boss� son, Alfie Allen (of Game Of Throne�s fame) took a fancy to his car.



There was nothing new in terms of story or action to really keep you interested. The essential strategy was to walk in and shoot, knife, fight, kill. Got monotonous after a while, especially as we weren�t really emotionally invested in the characters. Keanu has essentially one expression through the film and the bearded look didn�t help enhance his boyish charm. The music was good, rock & trance accentuating the violent bits.



The one new idea was that of a Hotel C, a kind of mob / contract killers hangout. With strict rules about not doing business on the premises. Where everyone knows everyone. And no one has forgotten Keanu, even though he�s returning after five years.


Watch if you enjoy the sight of random blood being spilt. Avoid if you�re looking for something to accompany the red body fluid. Like a story. Or anything else.

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 7th November, 2014
Time : 117 minutes
Director, Writer: Dan Gilroy; Music : James Newton Howard
Starring : Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmad, Bill Paxton



Jake is eerily creepy as the accidental Nightcrawler, a colloquial term used for those freelancers who stay up all night, film scenes of urban crime and then sell any such exclusives to networks. He is determined to climb up the ladder of success and, thanks to the internet, he is armed with all the knowledge he needs to be able to do so.



Rene Russo is one of the network executives who spots something in Jake and its fascinating to see how this symbiotic relationship progresses. Bill Paxton is Jake�s competitor, who unfortunately passes up an opportunity to hire him when he had the chance. And Riz Ahmed is Jake�s mostly terrified employee � who struggles to cope with his drive and also morality � as Jake isn�t about to flinch while cutting a few corners and expects the same from his employees.




Jake, with his slouch, his strange kind of bookish English, his gaunt frame and burning eyes, is most definitely not the kind of guy you would want to cross paths with. He owns the movie, is there in almost every frame and you are riveted as you watch him try to be one step ahead of everyone else. He celebrates the fact that he is single and so is able to do as he chooses. It is fascinating to watch how he negotiates, the insidious way he makes himself indispensable to the network, ingratiates himself with the people working there, realizing the perfect opportunity to pounce or to give up.



It�s a strange world we live in� This film is most of all about the thin line separating right from wrong and how many, in their headlong rush towards success, knowingly cross it many a time. Networks in their chase for ratings, freelancers in their quest to get an exclusive, a close-up of blood to go with your breakfast� There is a sense of foreboding, something sinister throughout this movie and I can assure you, its not entirely misplaced�