Naam Shabana - Movie Review

First Day First Show : Naam Shabana - Here is the prequel to the much acclaimed Baby. In Baby, Akshay Kumar was the main lead and Tapsee Pannu played the cameo. In this movie it is reversed. Tapsee Pannu is the main lead and gets a juicier role. Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpai and  Prithviraj Sukumaran add to the cast. Akshay Kumar has an extended cameo.

This movie lacks the intensity or the tempo maintained in the screenplay continuously by Baby. The undercover operation undertaken in this movie also lacks the strategic and meticulous planning as it's prequel. Tapsee Pannu has done justice to her role but her character is shown as someone who is dependent on others for backup support and inputs. After Pink, Tapsee gets another women oriented role and does justice with her performance. But somewhere the script is not as convincing as Baby. Nevertheless, this movie makes for a great watch this weekend.


Next release : Begum Jaan, Laali ki shaadi mein Laaddoo deewana  (7th April)

Phillauri - Movie Review

First Day First Show : Phillauri - Anushka Sharma's second production venture after NH 10. Here she plays a cute, friendly and an emotional ghost. She looks very beautiful throughout. The story is divided between the current era and the pre independence period. The story in the flashback gives you the feeling of a folklore with strong patriotic feelings.

Diljit Dosanjh plays a singer and has an integral role. Suraj Sharma plays a confused young adult who is not ready to get married too early. The story along with the movie is offbeat and may not impress the regular movie goers. The historic touch given to this story brings in the memories of a mass massacre by the British. The screenplay does get a bit draggy after the interval. But overall it is a good movie.

Next Release : Naam Shabana(31st March)

Trapped - Movie Review

First Day First Show : Trapped - Anurag Kashyap comes with an interesting subject to make a movie. It is abt a person who is trapped in a high rise flat in an isolated building in Mumbai. It more of a documentary film and not your regular Bollywood types. Rajkumar Rao, an critically acclaimed actor plays the central character.

It is about a man who is locked in a flat with no one to help. The story talks about how a person locked out in solitude faces adverse conditions for days without food, water or electricity and plans his escape. The situation becomes heart wrenching as it bears its end. It is a small budget movie and should make some noise at the film festivals. Indian audience may not give it the deserved appreciation. 

Badrinath ki Dulhania - Movie Review

The Dulhania franchisee continues with the lead pair from Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania. You get to see the usual chirpy, bubbly side of Alia Bhatt. Varun Dhawan gives you the Hangover of a Govinda(actor) impersonator. It is a light hearted romantic drama made specially keeping the younger generation in mind. It is a happy go lucky movie and lays emphasis on women empowerment. 

Basically there is nothing new in this movie and you could give it a miss. The songs are well picturised.Varun Dhawan should refrain from doing such roles, lest he wants to be typecast. Alia Bhatt looks petite in such movies. But it will not be of any value addition to her career. Watch it only if you must. 

Next release : Phillauri, Anarkali of Aarah, Trapped and Machine - ( 17th March ) 

Commando 2 - Movie Review

       

First Day First Show : Commando 2 - It is Vidyut Jamwal's movie from the first shot to the last. Deven Bhojani makes his debut as a director. Adah Sharma adds an interesting angle to the cast. Eesha Gupta also has a prominent role. The first part was all abt nature and the wild jungle. The second part goes international and is based in South Asian countries. As expected it is an action packed thriller and Vidyut pulls off some really difficult stunts. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story and the plot keeps you glued to your seat. The screenplay is racy and there is not a single song sequence in the entire movie. 

Vidyut Jamwal's is the USP of this movie. He has a long way to go and definitely does justice to the character of a tough, no nonsense commando. This is the first movie that talks about demonetisation and it's after effects on the money hoarders. It makes for an exciting watch this weekend. 

Next release : Badrinath ki Dulhania ( 10th March ) 

The Ghazi Attack - Movie Review

The Ghazi Attack - It is India's first Naval war movie. This under sea thriller is very well made and has high doses of patriotism. Though in a cameo, it may probably be the last time you see Om Puri in action on the big screen. 

It is about a classified mission where the Indian submarine INS Rajput is on a mission to stop the Pakistani submarine Ghazi. That means despite fighting for the country the Brave soldiers get no recognituon. The underwater scenes are a treat to watch. The screenplay is fast paced and there is never a dull moment. Based on a true story which establishes India's prowess at sea, rides on the performances of three great actors, namely Kay Kay Menon, Rana Daggubati and Atul Kulkarni. In that order. This movie deserved to be released on 15th Aug or 26th Jan as it is full of valour, courage and nationalism that the story symbolizes. This movie will make you hate Pakistan even more. Their sympathisers based in India may want to watch it. This movie makes for an exciting watch this weekend. 

The national anthem is played twice during the final stages of the movie. Once the entire crew of the submarine sings it to boost their morale and instigate the enemy. Second when the mission is over. Do not forget to stand both the times. Jai Hind. 

Next release : Rangoon - 24th Feb. 

Jolly LLB - 2 Review

First Day First Show: " Jolly LLB 2 " - There are high expectations from this movie. Especially after the huge success of Jolly LLB, the prequel. The movie won the the National award for the best Hindi Film and the Best Supporting Actor award for Saurabh Shukla in 2014. There were apprehensions whether Akshay Kumar would fit in the shoes of the goofy lawyer played by Arshad Warsi. 

Come the sequel and Akshay Kumar one of the most dependable actors of Bollywood in recent times has latched himself into the skin of his character. He plays his role to the hilt in this courtroom drama. The story is about an inconsequential lawyer who lacks to make it big in life but throws in his everything while fighting that one case, rather a PIL. In order to get justice he fights against the system, police department as well his corrupt lawyers. Huma Qureshi brings in a whiff of freshness and is pleasing to watch. Without doubt Saurabh Shukla is adorable as a judge. Annu Kapoor has done his best while playing the role of a defence lawyer. But somewhere you feel Boman Irani could have played this role better. 

In all this movie entertaining as well as keeps you intrigued in the plot. Akshay Kumar does not disappoint you and should make for great family viewing this weekend. 

There is a interesting quote shown at the end of the movie and I would leave you with that. 

Next release : The Ghazi Attack, Irada - February 17th 2017