Hollywood – Page 4

Movie Review: ‘Crimson Peak’ is entertaingly enjoyable albeit not so scary

October 19, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Callum Greene, Jon Jashni, Thomas Tull & Guillermo Del Toro
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Star Cast: Mia Wasikowaka, Jessika Chastian, Tom Hiddleston, Jim Beaver & Charlie Hunnam,
Genre: Horror
Verdict: AVERAGE

The most famous works of director Guillermo Del Toro were The Hobbit series, The Orphanage, Hell Boy series, The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Blade series et al all which falls into the Horror oriented category. In short Guillermo Del Toro happens to be one director who has hardly deviated his film making attention from one particular genre.

Plot: When her heart is stolen by a seductive stranger, a young woman is swept away to a house atop a mountain of blood – red clay: a place ﬁlled with secrets that will haunt her forever. Between desire & darkness, between mystery & madness, lies the truth behind Crimson Peak. So from the imagination of director Guillermo Del Toro comes a supernatural mystery starring Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska & Charlie Hunnam.

Aces: The only redeeming factor of Crimson Peak are the par excellence performance of its male brigade of actors like Tom Hiddleton, Jim Beaver & above all Charlie Hunnan who is simply superb.

Minuses: Wonder why a master of the horror genre like Guillermo Del Toro has seriously failed to live up to audiences expectations.

Last Word: Tom tomed as the most scary fare Crimson Peak fails to catch your most scary fancy.

Movie Review: ‘Sicario’ is a riveting edge of the seat thriller movie

October 9, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Basil Iwanyk, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill, Edward McDonell & Molly Smith
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Star Cast: Emily Blunt, Benecio Del Toro, Josh Brolin & Victor Garber
Genre: Thriller
Verdict: Good

Plot: In the lawless border area stretching between US & Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite Government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past (Benicio Del Toro), the team sets out on a clandestine journey forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive.

Aces: Director Denis Villeneuve has crafted a perfect thriller movie aided & abetted by his entire coterie of actors & technicians.

Minuses: Certainly not a mainstream fare.

Last Word: Quite a though provoking movie especially meant for the classy cine goers.

Movie Review: ‘The Walk’ is a daringly crafted different movie

October 9, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Tom Rothman, Steve Starkey, Jack Rapke & Robert Zemeckis
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Star Cast: Joseph Gordon – Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale & Ben Schwartz
Genre: Drama
Verdict: Very Good

Robert Zemeckis is known more for his films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Forest Gump etc. In his latest offering The Walk, a real life adventure drama based on the life & memoirs of a French Live Wire artist Philippe Petit, he has gone that extra mile to craft that edge of the seat drama.

Plot: As a boy, Philippe Petit dreams of performing daring feats for dazzled crowds. As an adult (Joseph Gordon – Levitt), his life’s ambition comes true when he becomes a high – wire artist who stares death in the face with every step. Under the guidance of mentor Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), the daredevil devises a plan to walk on a tightrope attached to the north & the south towers of the World Trade Center. With help from his team and against all odds, Petit attempts the seemingly impossible stunt on 7th Aug, 1974.

Aces: The film clearly belongs to Joseph Gordon – Levitt as the main protagonist Philippe Petit who has delivered an unbelievably daring & outstanding performance. Another marvellous performance comes from Ben Schwartz. Not to forget the remarkable directional skills of Robert Zemeckis barring the fact that he has heavily depended on digitalised techniques.

Minuses: The only hindrance of the movie The Walk is its exceedingly slow space which sometimes gets on your nerves.

Last word: If you are a lover of real life adventure drama, then the movie The Walk is just up your alley.

Movie Review: ‘The Martian’ is not so interesting and strictly recommended for lovers of sci-fi cinema

October 1, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Simon Kinberg, Micheal Schaefer, Mark Huffman, Ridley Scott & Aditya Sood
Director: Ridley Scott
StarCast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastian, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels & Micheal Pena
Genre: Sci-Fi
Verdict: Average

Plot: During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meagre supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit & spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.

Aces: It’s the director Ridley Scott and the actor Matt Damon show all the way in league with the way the cameraman has captured the Mars planet and the storm that takes place out there.

Minuses: Too much of scientific mumbo jumbo and a serious lack of drama to heighten the viewers interest in the goings on.

Last Word: ‘The Martian’ is a typical sci – fi melodrama which can be strictly recommended for lovers of this genre of cinema.

Movie Review: ‘The Intern’ has hardly any comedy it sounds like more of an escapist entertainment

September 26, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: Suzanne Farewell & Nancy Meyers
Director: Nancy Meyers
Star Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathway, Rene Russo, Zack Pearlman & Adam DeVine
Genre: Comedy
Verdict: Average

Plot: Starting a new job can be a difficult challenge, especially if you’re already retired. Looking to get back into the game, 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) seizes the opportunity to become a senior intern at an online fashion site. Ben quickly becomes popular with his younger co-workers, including Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), the boss and founder of the company. Whittaker’s charm, wisdom and sense of humour help him develop a special bond and growing friendship with Jules.

Aces: The rock solid performances of not only Robert De Niro and Anne Hathway but also of Rene Russo, Zack Pearlman & Adam DeVine

Minuses: The directional skills of Nancy Meyers leaves much to be desired.

Last Word: The only saving grace of the film is that it comes off as a form of escapist entertainment.

Movie Review: ‘Pawn Sacrifice’ keeps you spell bound from the beginning till the end

September 21, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: Gail Katz, Toby Maguire & Edward Zwick
Director: Edward Zwick
Star Cast: Toby Maguire, Peter Saargaard, Liev Schrieber, Micheal Stulbarg, Lily Rabe & Robin Weigert
Genre: Thriller
Verdict: GOOD

Plot: In a gripping true story set during the height of Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire) finds himself caught between two superpowers when he challenges the Soviet Empire. Also starring Liev Schreiber & Peter Sarsgaard, Pawn Sacrifice chronicles Fischer’s terrifying struggles with genius & madness, and the rise & fall of a kid from Brooklyn who captured the imagination of the world.

Aces: Toby Maguire’s superlative performance topped a riveting screenplay and excellent direction of Edward Zwick.

Minuses: The sexual content and profanity deviates one from the main core of the story.

Last Word: The gripping suspense of this thriller hooks you till you leave the darkened auditorium.

Movie Review: ‘Everest’ happens to be a spectacular movie

September 21, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Nicky Kentish Barnes, Tyler Thompson, Brian Oliver & Baltasar Kormakur
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Star Cast: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, Micheral Kelly, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington & Jake Gyllenhaal
Genre: Docu Drama
Verdict: Good

Plot: On the morning of May 10, 1996, climbers (Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin) from two expeditions start their final ascent toward the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. With little warning, a violent storm strikes the mountain, engulfing the adventurers in one of the fiercest blizzards ever encountered by man. Challenged by the harshest conditions imaginable, the teams must endure blistering winds and freezing temperatures in an epic battle to survive against nearly impossible odds.

Aces: The dare devil act of all the principal actors who were part of the expedition to scale the mountainous peaks of the Everest.

Minuses: The slowest pace of the movie gives you a feeling of watching a documentary film.

Last Word: An interesting fare but with very limited footsteps as this may not be enjoyed by the family audiences.

Movie Review: ‘Black Mass’ is an highly engaging film

September 19, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: John Lesher, Patrick McCormick, Brian Oliver, Tyler Thompson & Scott Cooper
Director: Scott Copper
Star Cast: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Beacon, Jesse Plemons, Corey Stoll & Peter Saarsgard
Genre: Crime
Verdict: Good

Plot: In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiralled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless & powerful gangsters in Boston history.

Aces: The most noteworthy performance comes from the extremely talented actor Johnny Depp and of course, the rest of the actors too. Director Scott Cooper too deserves full credit for making such a spell binding crime drama.

Minuses: Too much use of sex, violence & Profanity.

Last Word: A not to be missed gangster movie that had rocked the Boston city in the 70s.

Movie Review: ‘We Are Your Friends’ is a disappointing fare

September 12, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner & Liza Chasin
Director: Max Joseph
Star Cast: Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski, Shiloh Fernandez, Alex Shaffer, Jonny Weston, Wes Bentley etc
Genre: Drama
Verdict: Poor

Max Joseph has come up with a very disappointing fare in his debut directorial offering, We Are Your Friends, about a struggling DJ Cole (Zac Afron).

Plot: Set in the world of electronic music & Hollywood nightlife, an aspiring 23 year old DJ named Cole (Zac Afron) spends his days scheming with his childhood friends and his nights working on the one track that will set the world on fire. All of this changes when he meets a charismatic but damaged older DJ named James (Wes Bentley), who takes him under his wings. Things get complicated, however, when Cole starts falling for James’ much younger girlfriend, Sophie (Emily Ratajkowski). With Cole’s forbidden relationship intensifying and his friendships unraveling, he must choose between love, loyalty, and the future he is destined for.

Aces: Zac Afron’s riveting performance as a DJ and of course the original sound tracks (OST).

Minuses: The constant beeps and most of the scenes mercilessly mutilated by the Censors scissors.

Last Word: We Are Your Friends is strictly recommended for Zac Afrons die hard fans and others just stay away.

Movie Review: ‘She’s Funny That Way’ is not so funny after all

September 5, 2015 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach, George Drakoulis, Logan Levy & Holly Wiersma
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Star Cast: Owen Wilson, Imogen Poots, Kathryn Hahn, Will Forte, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Aniston et al
Genre: Comedy
Verdict: Average

The latest offering by Peter Bagdanovich’s latest offering She Is Funny That way traces the experience of an ex – call girl cum escort in a Broadway play albeit in a funny & satirical way. But the way he has tackled the subject is hardly convincing.

Plot: The film depicts the interconnected personal lives of the cast & crew of a Broadway production. When established director Arnold Albertson (Owen Wilson) casts his call girl – turned – actress Isabella “Izzy” Patterson (Imogen Poots) in a new play to star alongside his wife Delta (Kathryn Hahn) & her ex – lover Seth Gilbert (Rhys Ifans), a zany love tangle forms with hilarious twists. Jennifer Aniston plays Izzy’s therapist Jane, who is consumed with her own failing relationship with Arnold’s playwright Joshua Fleet (Will Forte), who is also developing a crush on Izzy.

Aces: It’s really the performances of the principal actor’s that are noteworthy and keeps the viewers interest in the proceedings alive.

Minuses: The fault lies mainly with the script & the directorial treatment.

Last Word: Go watch it if you have nothing better to do on this weekend.