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Shahid (2012)
10/10
A Gem of a Movie!!!
24 September 2015
Shahid is one of the finest biopics to have been produced in Bollywood. It focuses on the life of Shahid Azmi, a lawyer who defended those who were accused in terror cases. The titular role is played by Rajkumar Rao, who manages to create an enigmatic personality who can be charming while attracting clients in addition to possessing another side to his personality that comes out while defending his clients in the court. The restrained anger is omnipresent and has been displayed well by Rajkumar Rao.

The controversial lawyer was even imprisoned for several years due to being falsely accused of being an enemy of the state. Due to the unfair prosecution of innocent people, he decided to become a lawyer and defend those people who have no means of defending themselves.

In a lot of ways, the movie aims to showcase the inadequate judicial system in our country. A lot of times innocent people are imprisoned who are then released after several years despite not being guilty of any crime. This destroys the lives of those people and their families as they are unable to secure a job and are generally avoided by their friends due to being embroiled in a trial.

Shahid is a fine movie which captures the essence of a Muslim family living in a Hindu-dominated country. On a lot of occasions, a person is put behind bars because of his religion. The crisp editing keeps the movie under two hours due to which it is hard to take your eyes off the screen for the entire duration of the movie.
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10/10
Not your average action thriller!!
24 September 2015
The Bourne Identity is a spy thriller which, on the surface, is strikingly similar in premise to the James Bond series. However, as the movie commences and gathers momentum, it becomes strikingly clear that the filmmakers have strived to make this movie a lot more focused on the characters and the plot. Even though there is enough action to satisfy the genre fans, the intelligent way in which the story is presented gives us a unique perspective on the life of the lead character.

Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon, is a CIA agent who was sent to perform a certain task in Europe. At the beginning of the movie, Bourne is unable to recall his identity or the purpose of his mission. As the viewers are also unaware of this, it allows us to see the world from his point of view. I believe that this generates a much greater impact than knowing beforehand the identity of Jason Bourne.

For the majority of the movie, Jason Bourne struggles to remember anything about his past which is well executed by Matt Damon's acting. The CIA plan to capture him and the whole movie is essentially a battle between Jason Bourne and the CIA.

Technically, all aspects of the movie is quite impressive. A car chase sequence, in particular, is pulled off with consummate skill. Due to a run-time of just over two hours, the movie keeps you hooked and the strong writing enables the film to never lose traction.

I would highly recommend watching this movie as it is not a mere caricature of some other well-known spy thrillers. Instead, it is a unique story told by a talented director which has all the elements that are necessary for a timeless classic.
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9/10
An Epic Tale of a Man with an Unyielding Spirit!!
19 September 2015
Manjhi is a biography of Dashrath Manjhi who managed to carve out a road through a mountain by only using a hammer and a chisel. Incredibly, it took him 25 years to complete this unbelievable task.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the titular role with ease. It is yet another winning performance that showcases his range and effortlessness in capturing the essence of the character. There are certain scenes which are a bit difficult to watch due to the extreme conditions that he has to face while trying to accomplish this task.

The strength and motivation required to carry out a fruitless task like this was ignited by the unfortunate death of Manjhi's wife Phalguni. She fell down from the mountain while trying to cross the village. Due to the great distance of the village from any hospital, Manjhi resolved to make a road that will make it easier to access medical help.

Due to a superb lead performance by Siddiqui and some equally good supporting performances, Manjhi gives us a vivid image of his life and the great challenges that he faced in achieving his goal.

A short run time of 2 hours makes it watchable and it is hard to take your eyes away from the screen due to the engrossing storytelling. The cinematography of the movie is great and the skilled camera work makes it a visual treat.

Manjhi is a movie that should be seen as it celebrates the life of a person who is not famous but deserves recognition due to the perseverance and strength that he had shown.
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9/10
A Landmark Movie for Indian Cinema!!
28 August 2015
Before starting this review, I must confess that this is the first Telugu movie that I have ever seen. Thus, I have no reference point with which I can compare how good or bad this movie is.

Baahubali is the first part of a two-part period drama that has been made on the largest ever budget for any Indian movie. The cinematography is immensely beautiful and every shot is well- composed. It is rare to see a movie put so much thought into the set design, costumes and the prosthetic makeup. In every frame of the movie, the extravagance is palpable due to the large number of VFX shots used in order to give the movie more credibility.

As far as the story is concerned, the concept is not a new one. A boy is born who is destined to be great but has to prove his worth. A great amount of dedication and patience is required to make an epic movie like this one. The director must be commended for taking on such a challenging project that might be one of the finest period movies ever made in India.

There are flaws that are present in this movie. However, some illogical sequences and gravity-defying stunts can be ignored in order to enjoy the great entertainment value that is possesses.

Baahubali is a great movie that finishes on a high note. The ending will leave viewers intrigued and the second part is highly anticipated.
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Ex Machina (2014)
8/10
A Sci-Fi Movie that mixes realism with complex ideas!!
24 August 2015
Ex Machina features a premise that is somewhat related to the Spike Jonze movie Her. In this movie, a young talented coder is invited to a private island of a scientist whose quest is to use artificial intelligence to make a robot that can behave like a human.

As Caleb (Domnhall Gleeson) believes that he has been chosen due to his technical skills, he soon finds out that he is singled out due to a completely different reason. His day-to-day activities involve interacting with Ava, a female robot that has emotions like any other human. After a while, Caleb starts to fall in love with her that complicates things.

Even though most of the movie seems fairly straight-forward, the director pulls the rug from under the audience by presenting an ending that seems bizarre and confusing. In one viewing, it is almost impossible to uncover the complete meaning behind that last scene.

Ex Machina seems like any other science fiction movie but it manages to be original with a challenging plot that will keep the viewers engaged.
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8/10
A Refreshing Movie suitable for the youth!!
19 August 2015
Pyaar ka Punchnama yearns to be different from the usual fare, and it manages to succeed to an extent as it showcases the everyday life of young guys living on their own without any help from their parents.

The film focuses on the life of three men who are desperately trying to get into a relationship. Despite not having any well-known actors, the relatively inexperienced cast does a wonderful job with all the roles being memorable. During the second half of the movie, there is an almost five-minute long monologue magnificently delivered on the various problems that occur during relationships.

The first half breezes along at a good pace and raises the expectation of the movie. However, the second half features some needless melodrama that dampens the overall impact of the movie.

A major flaw in Pyaar ka Punchnama is the misogynistic tone. All of the women in the movie are portrayed as villains and are completely one-dimensional. The lack of empathy and courtesy shown by the female characters seems unrealistic.

Apart from certain shortfalls, Pyaar ka Punchnama delivers an entertaining movie that is different from the mindless Masala movies that are offered by Bollywood. The acting, direction and dialogs are the highlights of this must-watch movie.
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9/10
A Unique Franchise that Keeps Getting Better!!
19 August 2015
It is rare to see a franchise in which the fourth and fifth movies are far better that the three preceding it. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation continues the change in fortunes that its predecessor brought upon.

The audience is treated to big action set-pieces that consist of some of the most daring stunts performed by its star Tom Cruise. As seen in the trailer, Tom Cruise hangs from an aeroplane while it is in flight. This scene was actually performed without any special effects.

A recent trend in action movies has been the use of practical effects over the unrealistic CGI. Here, the director has chosen stunts that do not rely on special effects. Apart from Tom Cruise, the movie has Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Ferguson and Alec Baldwin. The enviable cast does a great job and no actor seems out of place while playing their roles.

The Impossible Missions Force faces a setback early in the movie as the court dismisses it due to the great amount of destruction that has been caused by them. Due to the unwillingness of the CIA to acknowledge the presence of the Syndicate, the primary objective that the team has is to prove their existence and get vindicated.

Rogue Nation is a summer blockbuster that delivers on its lofty expectations. Even though I would rate Ghost Protocol slightly above this movie, I am still immensely excited by the possibility of future sequels of this franchise that refuses to die.
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Maqbool (2003)
9/10
One of The Best Casts ever assembled!!
11 August 2015
Maqbool is Vishal Bharadwaj's adaptation of MacBeth by Shakespeare. To live up to the reputation of this famous play, a number of talented actors are a necessity. This movie features some of the best actors that are working in Bollywood.

Irrfan Khan was cast as the leading character of Maqbool. Apart from him, the talented cast also features seasoned actors like Tabu, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapoor and Piyush Mishra. Each of them brought some unique aspect into their roles that make all the performances memorable.

The story features a family that has powerful connections to the underworld mafia of Mumbai. A movie like Maqbool must be experienced by all cinema lovers due to the brilliance of its dialogs and the exquisite scenery that is shown throughout the film.
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Borat (2006)
8/10
A Maniacal Laugh-Riot!!
8 August 2015
Borat is loud, vulgar, culturally insensitive, racist, sexist, crazy but ultimately a ridiculously hilarious 84-minute movie that might be one of the funniest movies ever made. The eccentric title character is played by Sacha Baron Cohen.

Borat hails from Kazakhstan and works as a television reporter. He is sent to the USA in order to learn from their culture and incorporate the things that he learns during his visit.

Due to the incredibly hilarious opening scene, the main problem with the movie lies in maintaining its level of hilarity. There are a lot of moments which might disgust some viewers and it is definitely not a movie for those who cannot stomach some disturbing imagery.

Sacha Baron Cohen, the British comedian, also helped in shaping the character and in writing many of his own dialogs. It is a splendid performance and he deserved the Golden Globe that was bestowed upon him.

Borat starts off with a lot of promise, but the second half of the movie fails to match the level that was shown in the beginning. However, due to its short runtime, Borat is great if you are looking for something funny with a limited time.
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Drishyam (2015)
10/10
A Cinematic Masterpiece!!
6 August 2015
What are the necessary requirements for making a good movie? I guess strong acting, realistic judgments made by characters, complementary music and tight pacing are essential elements in achieving this. In all these departments, Drishyam stands head and shoulders over every other Bollywood movie that has come out in this year. Even though it is a remake of a Malyalam movie, there is no loss of quality and it delivered emphatically.

The essence of the movie is that due to some unexpected turn of events, a normal middle-class family gets itself involved in the missing case of the son of Senior Police Officers. As they never intended to do anything wrong, they decide to forge a story to dupe the police and save themselves.

Ajay Devgan and Tabu are the two established actors in this movie, and both of them prove their mettle. It is a welcome change for Ajay Devgan as he has made one bad movie after another despite possessing great acting talent. He plays Vijay who runs a cable TV network and leads a modest life that revolves around his family. Tabu, on the other hand plays the IG officer who is the mother of her missing son. She once again proved that she is the finest actress in Bollywood with a menacing, layered performance that will leave people spellbound.

Drishyam is a suspense movie and the director does well to include several trademark techniques that are used in such movies. The slow- zoom, slick editing and the tense background score all add another dimension to the well-written thriller.

The movie explores several elements of Indian life such as the rampant corruption of police officers, unyielding devotion to family, and the longing for revenge. Drishyam is a well-made movie that deserves wide recognition for its achievement in making something that everyone can relate with. All the actions that the characters made were justifiable and any other person in that situation would have done the same. I have not revealed much about the movie in this review because you have to see it to understand the power of this movie.
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8/10
An Improvement over Salman's previous movies!!
4 August 2015
Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a movie that is released for the masses. It is not meant to be an art film but an unabashed commercial movie with a singular motive to earn money. However, considering the mediocre quality of high-budget movies that have been released in recent years, this movie is a step in the right direction.

The story revolves around Bajrangi played by Salman Khan who is a strict devotee of Bajrangbali and is unwilling to lie, cheat, or commit any sort of deceit. Even though some of his actions might seem silly or naive, Salman Khan pulls it off. The innocence of this character is charming.

Shahida gets lost in India while returning to Pakistan. As she is just 6 and has an inability to speak, it is extremely unlikely for her to return to her home. However, on seeing the plight of this poor girl, the magnanimous Bajrangi takes it upon himself to return her safely.

The supporting cast includes Kareena Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The latter plays a Pakistani Journalist who joins the quest to look for Shahida's home. It is yet another winning performance from this talented actor who manages to make every role seem effortless.

There are a number of flaws in the movie. On a lot of occasions, creative liberties have been taken. Salman Khan manages to cross the border without a passport which is impossible. At one point in the movie, he even beats up multiple police officers who were starting to get rough towards Shahida.

At the end of the day, if you are looking for a sentimental movie that touches the heart, then this is the right movie for you. It is far from perfect, but the filmmakers should be credited to make an effort in improving the current state of Hindi Cinema. Also, the innocent, wide-eyed performance by Harshali, who has no spoken lines in the movie is also good.
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7/10
A Decent effort but not up to the level that Pixar has done before!!
4 August 2015
Monsters University is the prequel to the 2001 movie Monsters, Inc. This is the first instance of a prequel being made in Pixar history. Even though the quality of movies has dropped in recent years, Monsters University has done enough to satisfy its core audience of kids.

The animation as well as the voice acting is done superbly. All the surroundings are well detailed and are comparable to the work done by Miyazaki.

Most of the animated movies follow a formula and this movie is no exception. It describes how Mike and Sullivan team up to be scare partners. Mike has always been an odd monster who has been constantly disparaged by his peers as well as his teachers. On the other hand, Sullivan comes from a reputed family and is widely admired by everyone even if his technique is one-dimensional.

Over the course of the story, both of them manage to get expelled. To make up for this disappointment, Mike decides to form a team which includes amongst others Sullivan as well. Despite being the most mediocre team, they manage to overcome the odds and prove the others wrong.

Monsters University is a feel-good movie that must be seen at face value. The story is not an entirely original one but the movie is good enough for a one-time watch.
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Following (1998)
7/10
A Low Budget Thriller!!
1 August 2015
Following is the directorial debut of Christopher Nolan. As it was made on almost no budget with unprofessional actors, I was not expecting much. The protagonist is a young writer who has resorted to stalking people that he finds interesting so as to pass his time.

On one particular day, the guy that he was stalking confronted him and questioned the reason for why he was stalking. Both of them begin to break into other people's home and just try to guess the type of people that lived there.

Despite the lack of professional actors, it never feels as if the acting is poor due to the well rehearsed scenes. According to Nolan, all of them had rehearsed every scene so well that the majority of the movie had scenes which were filmed in the first or second take.

To make a movie without any distributor is courageous and a bit of a gamble. However, Nolan took the risk and today he is among the most well known directors in the world. Do not go into this movie for viewing a technical masterpiece because it isn't. However, if you are looking for a compelling story with a stellar ending, this movie is right for you.
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8/10
A Brutal Look at War!!
1 August 2015
American Sniper, helmed by director Clint Eastwood is the biopic of Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in U.S. History. The film deals with the aftermath of 9/11 and the extensive measures that were taken by the Americans to prevent terror attacks by sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bradley Cooper plays the lead role of a SEAL and he is thoroughly believable due to the nuanced performance that he delivers. As the conditions in which he lives in the U.S. and Iraq are completely disparate, he finds it hard to adjust to regular life after experiencing the atrocious conditions of war. Even though he makes four separate trips to Iraq, he is still not satisfied with his achievements and longs for helping more of his fellow soldiers.

The director does a pretty good job at vividly showcasing the brutal, egregious acts of the militants. As it deals with the war in Iraq, it has certain similarities to another war movie, The Hurt Locker.

American Sniper is a moving, honest look at the life of a great human. I don't believe that this movie was good enough to be an Oscar contender but is still a fairly decent war flick.
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Knocked Up (2007)
9/10
A Crazy, Hilarious Comedy!!!
1 August 2015
Knocked Up is a straight-out comedy with a hilarious screenplay that is filled with cultural references. The premise of the story is that two people hook up one night and it leads to an unwanted pregnancy. Due to the unwillingness of the mother to part with her baby, the two of them decide to give a shot at having an actual relationship which is what we see in the rest of the movie.

Ben (Seth Rogen) is a slacker with no job who hangs around with a bunch of like-minded friends whose only ambition in life is to get high. Alison (Katherine Heigl) is the complete opposite of Ben with a settled life as an entertainment news reporter. Even though both of them cannot have more distinct personalities, they somehow manage to make things work.

There is a wonderful support cast featuring Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann and Jason Segel. All of the characters are well developed with Paul Rudd being exceptionally good.

The minor hiccup in the movie is the development of Alison who is a contradiction. The story does take a lot of liberties when characters make some terrible judgments. However, as this is a comedy movie, we can cut the filmmakers some slack.

Knocked Up manages to deal with the subject amiably without getting too preachy. If you want to enjoy a few laughs and see some terrific comedy actors, then this is the movie for you.
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X2 (2003)
10/10
A Benchmark for all superhero movies!!
1 August 2015
The original X-Men movie was one of the best comic book movies that I had ever seen. With X2, we have director Bryan Singer returning for a sequel which manages the rare feat of surpassing the original in terms of quality. Once again, we have an ensemble cast comprising of the X-Men, i.e., the mutants.

Despite the large number of main characters, each of them have their own unique identity which has been shown in this film. There are some stellar action sequences along with some superb set design. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are the two outstanding cast members who have fleshed out commanding characters played with a steely calmness.

Due to the impressive ending, it enables the movie to serve as the perfect set up for all the future sequels. Every aspect of the movie manages to exceed the lofty expectations. X2 is one of the best sequels ever and is recommended for all.
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Donnie Brasco (1997)
9/10
Johnny Depp Steals The Show!!
29 July 2015
When you have two seasoned actors who have given legendary performances over the course of their careers, you are guaranteed to have a stellar movie. In Donnie Brasco, we have Johnny Depp and Al Pacino in the leading roles that is based on the real-life Johnny Pistone, an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates the mafia in order to gain evidence that lead to their arrests.

It is a typical mafia movie that is inspired by Goodfellas. We get to see the human side of these horrible people. Johnny Depp is unbelievably good as he is laconic yet assertive and someone who always has the sense of control. A truly mesmerizing performance that must be one of the best seen in modern cinema. Al Pacino plays a real life gangster Lefty. Pacino plays his role with his usual flair and propensity to scream.

The story is quite fulfilling and shows the effects that a person leading a double life has. It does not intend to show Johnny Pistone as a hero but as a regular person who is devoted to his job.

Donnie Brasco is a must-watch due to its chillingly realistic depiction of the ruthless mafia.
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The Prestige (2006)
9/10
A Mind-Bending Psychological Thriller!!
28 July 2015
The Prestige is just one of the many Nolan movies that prove that he is one of the true cinematic geniuses in the world. A period film that is based on the life of two magicians, The Prestige, has all the ingredients that are necessary to challenge the viewers perception on what is truly happening. It has a narrative that is non-linear which makes it hard to pin down and fully understand the plot.

Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale star as the two magicians who are obsessed with proving the world who the better magician is. Both of them give charismatic, spellbinding performances that illustrate the depth of their rivalry and unyielding desire to perfect their craft.

Christopher Nolan is one of the best directors in the world and the entire movie has his stamp of authority and he is in control of every aspect of the film. Even after a couple of viewings, it is difficult to fully understand the complicated plot.

One aspect of the film that just does not live up to the standard is the music. It never manages to reach the heights that the cinematography had scaled. Apart from this, I would say that the only limitation that Nolan has is constructing strong female characters with substantial roles. In this movie as well, there is not much scope for the actresses to do something unique with their roles.

However, if you are looking for a smartly made movie that constantly challenges the viewer and demands repeat viewing, then The Prestige will fulfill your needs.
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Psycho (1960)
10/10
An Untouchable Masterpiece!!!
27 July 2015
When you are watching a great movie, it can be ascertained within the first few seconds itself. Psycho, is no exception to that rule, as it has influenced several genres of film and has been widely imitated yet no other movie has managed to replicate the staggering impact that it had.

A secretary steals $40000 and decides to run away. While escaping in her car, she has to stop for the night and retires to a secluded motel that is far away from the highway. Here, she encounters Norman Bates, the owner of the motel, who seems like a perfectly normal, charming person who has a cheerful demeanor.

The acting is phenomenal and the natural performances by everyone involved in this movie make it seem effortless. Alfred Hitchcock, who is regarded as one of the most influential directors ever, has shot this movie brilliantly and every shot, every scene seems like a crucial piece in the puzzle that this movie is.

Psycho would not have been nearly as effective if not for the haunting score composed by Bernard Hermann. The music that is played during the shower scene is one of the most recognizable and compelling pieces ever written. As the tone of the movie is rather mysterious, the score serves as an audio guide due to the ominous sounds that are played.

Psycho is a compelling, ingenious, and singular movie that has managed to push the boundaries of filmmaking and is one of the best movies that has ever been made. No amount of praise will be able to take away the magic of this movie which can only be experienced by viewing it.
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8/10
A Smart but Confusing Plot!!
27 July 2015
Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is another winner for one of the finest modern directors of Bollywood, Dibakar Bannerjee. In one of the first movies in which an Indian detective is playing the lead character, this movie focuses on the mysterious death of Bhuvan Bannerjee. The movie is set in 1942 in Calcutta and the production design is grand with astute attention to detail. The impeccable realism of the city is something that stands out and is commendable.

Sushant Singh Rajput plays the titular character and it is another fine performance for him. However, the showstopper is little-known Neeraj Kabi who plays the primary antagonist in this movie. Apart from these people, all the other minor characters have their moments and are carefully involved in the main story.

What stands out in this movie is the effort in making the movie as authentic and realistic as possible. We are transported to a different era and that is palpable due to the speech characteristics of the characters, the opulent sets and the fantastic actors.

The main drawback of this movie is its convoluted plot that can be a bit difficult to follow. Due to multiple leads, the viewer is bound to be confused. The climax does seem to be a little rushed and a bit hard to believe. It is a dampener. However, the rest of the movie is quite good and serious movie fans will have a great time.
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Warrior (2011)
10/10
An Emotional Roller Coaster!!
27 July 2015
Warrior does not strive to be something unique or differ from the template that has been set for sports movies. Even though the story is quite predictable and similar to some other boxing movies like The Fighter, it is the realization of the drama that is gripping.

Tommy Conlon (Tom Hardy) is an ex-marine who decides to go into the ring in order to enter a winner takes all tournament named Sparta and give the prize money that he receives to the widow of his fellow comrade in war. His brother, Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton) is struggling to make ends meet due to which he decides that he will start training again in order to avoid getting evicted from his home.

The acting is sensational, with Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte, in particular, giving brutally realistic performances that are able to showcase the trauma and emotions that these characters have undergone.

The movie focuses on Mixed Martial Arts, and the choreography of the fight scenes is done excellently with encouraging results. It is easily one of the best sports movies that I have seen.

One aspect that sets this movie apart is just how every sequence is integral due to which it is impossible to look away from the screen. The acclaim that the movie has received is well-deserved and fans of the genre will love it.
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Exam (2009)
8/10
A Claustrophobic Thriller with a Disappointing Ending!!
25 July 2015
Exam is one of those movies which takes place in a single room probably due to budget constraints. However, the filmmakers have converted this liability into an interesting tool that makes us feel like we are in a claustrophobic environment and hence we can connect with the feelings of the characters.

There are eight candidates who have applied for a mysterious cooperation in order to obtain a lucrative job. In 80 minutes, the candidates are supposed to answer one question. However, mysteriously there is no question on the paper which completely astonishes everyone. Thus, they try various means to reveal the supposedly hidden question.

The main motive of this film is to show how all humans can degenerate into horribly egoistic people who are completely indifferent to the plight of others when there is something important at stake.

The acting is pretty good and in some ways the bonding and their interactions with one another seems to be inspired by 12 Angry Men. As the complete movie is set in a room, the director completely forces the viewers to focus on the story and not think too much about the technical aspects of the film.

The ending is a little disappointing as it does not give a satisfactory answer to the various questions that arise through the course of this movie. There is a lack of clarity at how the conclusion should be interpreted which is a little frustrating because it was a pretty engaging thriller.

I would suggest people to watch this if they are not dissuaded by the lack of action.
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7/10
An Improvement over A Phantom Menace but not too great!
25 July 2015
Attack of The Clones is thankfully an improvement over its atrocious predecessor. However, there were still a lot of problems in the script and some casting decisions.

This movie is set 10 years after the events of the previous one. Hayden Christensen plays the crucial role of Anakin Skywalker. His childish and petulant demeanor undermine the character that he is portraying. Considering the fact that Anakin Skywalker will become the omnipotent Darth Vader, I believe a better actor could have been chosen for this iconic character.

Anakin Skywalker, who has become a Jedi is assigned to protect Senator Padme (Natalie Portman). Their hardly any chemistry between the two actors and hence the attempt to portray a romance between them fails miserably.

There are a lot of unnecessary characters like Jar Jar Binks, who is a constant source of disturbance. A tighter plot would have served the movie better. John Williams is the composer and gives us a moving score.

Even though both this movie is decent, it still lacks in quality when compared to the original trilogy. I would say that this is certainly a movie that is worth your time if you don't focus too much on the minor distractions that are present throughout the movie.
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8/10
An Inspired Story that Pulls the Rug from the audience's feet
24 July 2015
Talaash starts out as a typical murder mystery and for the majority of the movie, we are lead to believe that there will be a proper conclusion that explains the deaths of various people.

It seems like the writers of this film have copied ideas from movies like The Sixth Sense, Shutter Island, and Fight Club to make this film. Even though it is impressive that such movies are being made, a little more originality would be appreciated.

We have a cast of talented actors like Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherji and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The acting was decent though not particularly great. Aamir Khan plays a troubled police officer who is perpetually morose due to the untimely death of his 8 year old son.

The songs of this movie were unimpressive when listened in isolation. However, it blends in with the tone of the movie and the haunting background score is well composed.

The movie's greatest flaw is its inability to explain the cause of the death. Also, the ending contradicts the overall tone of the movie due to the supernatural elements that are presented to us.

Talaash is an above average thriller that manages to engage the viewer but does not give a satisfactory ending which dampens the otherwise good effort.
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Jurassic Park (1993)
10/10
A Classic that has stood the test of time!!
23 July 2015
Jurassic Park is an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Michael Crichton. Even though the movie cuts various parts of the novel, it manages to capture the essence upon which the story is built.

This movie combines elements of science fiction, horror, and suspense which makes this film a singular achievement in the realm of cinema. Despite the ubiquity of CGI in today's big budget blockbusters, no other movie has utilized visual effects more effectively to tell a story than Jurassic Park.

The casting is so good that there is no element that can be criticized. Both the child actors do a wonderful job as they have as much screen time as their vastly experienced compatriots. John Williams, Steven Spielberg's frequent collaborator, has once again given an iconic score that has one of the most memorable tunes ever written.

There is hardly any aspect of Jurassic Park that I did not enjoy. In the beginning, there is a genuine sense of wonder at the unbelievable feat of recreating dinosaurs. At the end, we dread the sight of these creatures due to several horrific incidents during the course of this movie. It combines all these elements due to which it can be enjoyed by children and adults as well. It is a memorable movie and I cannot give you any more reasons to go out there and watch it right now.
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