Paan Singh Tomar : by Tigmanshu Dhulia

Paan Singh Tomar .. A biopic on the life of seven time national steeplechase champion.

Paan Singh represented India at a national level and at the Asian Games, Tokyo.

No one but Irffan Khan could play a character of such courage , principles and conduct.

The film starts with a news reporter seeking an interview from the most feared dacoit of Chambal.

As the story unfolds in a flashback , we are given peek into the life of an army man who had only one objective to have a full diet. He picks up athletics as a means for a healthy diet & in turn excels in 3000 m steeplechase.

He wins gold medal at the national event 7 times in a row but fails to perform at Tokyo as he is not able to adjust to the new footwear in time.

Irffan is absolutely deep into the skin of Paan Singh , right from his dialect to his demeanour. Circumstances force Paan Singh to settle a feud at his village and take law in his hands.

Technically , the screenplay is taut and the seriousness of the storyline is laced with witty humour.

The scenes between Paan Singh and his wife played by Mahie Gill are sweet and romantic bringing the humour side of the feared dacoit.

Paan Singh without Irrfan would not have been a film so admirable. Mr Dhulia , the director is slowly and steadily getting his due with his filmography boasting of Haasil , Sahib , Bibi aur Gangster too.

Irffan as an actor in my viewpoint is virtuoso! Period.

”Beehad mein to baaghi rehte hain, Parliament mein daaku.”


Rating : 4.0/5.0

Hugo : by Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese , this name rings a series of hard hiting , gut wrenching dramas and thrillers. He has been in the Jake LaMotta (Raging Bull) of the Hollywood fraternity.

Hugo is a masterclass in film making!

As introduced in my opening lines , film of this stature  from Scorsese is mind boggling.

A simple fairy tale of a young boy who lives alone at the Paris railway station maintaining the clocks , stealing food and working on his father's ambitious piece of art  - a automaton - a mechnical man who writes with a pen upon wound up.

The film's pace is easy and unfolds layer by layer flowing like a river.

Hugo , one fine day is caught by a sho owner stealing his spare parts.

There in starts Hugo's journey , an adventure of a lifetime where he unearths the truths.

Hugo played by Asa Butterfiled is believable and affable.

Ben Kingsley plays the Georges Melies , a renowned illusionist and filmmaker who has not got his due.

The supporting cast is able in particular the station inspector who is a hard-boiled man cleaning up the station

of the orphan kids.

3-D is a technology which pushes all boundaries , and Scorses had to use it to pay rich tributes of the pioneers of illusion and special effects.

The panoramic beauty depicted of Paris is breathtaking . The joy of seeing the camera move like silk from the cityscape and right in to the busy platform ending at the clock tower , Hugo peeking out.

Awwww... Bliss! 

 

Golden Globe for best director and 5 oscars including Best Cinematography speaks volumes of the splendor in front of the cinegoers.

Mesmerising Grandeur in 3D

Rating : 4.5/5.0

No Man's Land : by Danis Tanović

This 2001 war epic is set in the midst of Bosnian war.

2 wounded soldiers - a Serb & a Bosnian

are caught between the lines in a NO MAN'S LAND

Survival is the only option!

A land mine under a third soldier in the bunker becomes the point of conflict!

United Nations , Media Glare , News Reports , Bosnian troops , Serb troops

The circus is palpable , irony of a war zone

Exceptional writing , poignant climax

Proud Bosnia - Small country , big heart

Well deserved , best foreign language film Oscar

Rating : 3.5/5.0

The Descendants : by Alexander Payne

The Descendants is a drama film set in Kauai , a Hawaiian island.

This film traces the journey of a land baron , Matt King played by quintessential George Clooney. He owns a trust with a 25,000 acres land in his name.

The King family decides to sell it off to a Kauai inhabitant , Don Holitzer.

A sudden turn of events - Matt's wife suffers a major accident on a boating trip forcing her into a coma. Matt is left with the guardianship of his 2 daughters Alex and Scottie.

George Clooney plays the dad to perfection , considering himself as a 'back up parent' , being not very close to his daughters.

His anxiety and helplessness is executed brilliantly and forms the crux of the storyline. Matt accidentally comes to know about his wife's secret affair and all hell breaks loose.

Matt's inner strength and anger management is all there to see as he sets out in his pursuit of confronting the other man.

The Descendants is truly a rippling comedy with layers of relationship unifying at different moments of the film. George Clooney excels big time as a unaided parent in trying circumstances

The screenplay is superior and well adapted by Payne and his team. It is treat to watch a comedy yet have an emotional connect with the characters.

'A true vintage comedy with a pinch of salt'

Rating: 4.5/5.0

The Avengers : by Joss Whedon

Every fanboy's fantasy is to revere their superheroes , be in awe of them , worship them.

Superman , Batman , Spiderman , The Hulk , Iron Man, Wolverine , He Man ..

The list is endless in every child book tucked away in time!

The Avengers affirms this fact.

Iron Man - Tony Stark

The Hulk - Dr. Bruce Banner

Captain America - Steve Rogers

Black Widow - Natasha Romanoff

Thor - Thor

Hawkeye - Clint Barton

Team Avengers is activated by Nick Fury to stop the Norse god Loki from destroying the Earth

by opening up a portal using Teserract

The storyline is predictable yet humour is the surprise element in this super action adventure.

The constant banter and onemanship amongst the heroes is the USP of the film

The finale act of the film , with Manhattan burning in rage of the alien attack

is an absolute stopper for 3D awesomeness!

My personal favourite adrenaline moment from the movie ..

Captain asks Dr. Bruce seeing the Leviathan break out of the building, 
now is the time to get angry 

 Doctor : That's my secret, Captain. I'm always angry!

Oh my ! Smashing!

High-octane  , exhilarating spectacle with a tinge of humour 

Every comic fans dream come true

Rating : 4.5/5.0