Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2012) - Hindi - Political Satire

I usually do not read reviews before watching a movie that I am looking forward to but in MKBKM’s case it was different – I read a lot of reviews and was shocked / surprised to see the mixed response it was getting – finally get to see it today. WOW – What a movie – Vishal Bhardwaj does it again and that too in style, starting from the weird warning at the very start – you get its meaning by the time movie ends. And kudos to him for putting such an important message in such simple way, totally loved it. Special mention should be made of the theory given by him in the movie – how money goes in the market and again they take it back in the form of shopping malls, multiplexes etc.

The biggest treat for me and for other movie lovers is awesome Pankaj Kapoor with damn good Shabana Azmi at their best. Their scenes together were a total treat – made me smile from ear to ear. Also, one moment you hate Pankaj and right next you love him, what transformation, like in the very first scene he takes the whole village to his own house and how it all changes by him taking a dip in the pool, only he could have pulled that scene and this movie the way he has done. Everything about him and how he takes up the whole idea with him is totally fundoo. My expectations went down quite a bit after disheartening reviews and I guess that’s why I end up loving it more. 20 minutes into the movie – I knew it I am going to love it. It’s a must watch for every one cause VB has made in such a way that even if you don’t get the message – you will like it as a commercial time pass movie at least, it will rock you on your seat with fun, and if you get the message – you will certainly agree and praise him. I will not spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet – go ahead – watch it! You will love it.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012) - Drama in real life

Here comes another fantastic movie by Kathryn Bigelow right after the grand success of “The Hurt Locker”, expectations as usual were way too high for her next outing and she satisfies her fans / critiques – big time. The story of History’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man – Osama Bin Laden. I have seen enough thrillers which actually made me skip a couple of heart beats but none gave me a heart attack till I got hold of this one. This gave me multiple heart attacks in 150 odd minutes run time – hats off to the Writer, Director, Cast and the whole team to put up such a fantastic movie giving us – how it all happened in great details, excellent is the word. I really wondered – how could they get all those details, those secret meetings, decisions, results etc – fantastic is the way they execute the whole plan. This was one of the most important lessons of history that got made in front of our eyes and our generation will never be able to get over the shock of 9/11 terrorist attack and its final outcome. The way world changed after that, other bombings and attacks after that. For someone who’ve been following the news since the 9/11 – a lot of it in the movie is predictable but the good part is – you don’t know the timing hence it shocks you.

The last 45 or so minutes of the movie were indeed the best shocking and thrilling part of the whole ride – outstandingly shot and presented. It kept me totally hooked and connected to the narrative as well as those news flashes and lines kept flashing in my memory – what we had read during (9/11), after and while Osama was killed - amazing attention to detail and a fantastic watch. If you like thrillers – you are going to love this one as this is straight out of the real life and a totally trust worthy account. I am sure Jessica is definitely picking up the best actor trophy and so will Kathryn be picking up a couple I guess. It’s a must must watch for all movie lovers.

Flight (2012) - Drama

A good movie was long due for Denzel Washington and this does just that to him, at least I loved it totally and I am sure – nobody and I mean nobody could have played this role the way he does with style and conviction. The first half hour you will be hooked to the action and rest of the movie – you will be sitting with clasped hands to see how it all ends and by the time it ends – you start loving his character so much so that you wish it had ended on a better note. That’s when you praise Robert Zemeckis (One of my favorite Directors – Forrest Gump / Castaway / Polar Express etc) and Denzel Washington – this looks like a cake walk for him. The way his character is written and played by him – it makes you debate the happenings in his favor, I saw it with a friend and we actually paused it – discussed it and replayed it. Fantastic story of a very experienced pilot, high on coke and alcohol who saves a screwed plane by crash landing it and saves 96/102 souls in it. What happens next is something you shouldn’t miss. I will give it a good two thumbs up and at least a minimum of 3 good stars. Seeing Denzel Washington coming back with a bang – straight an Academy Nomination is too good. Hope he recovers from here and signs up some more good ones than the crappy one’s we’d been watching for last one decade or so. This one shouldn’t be missed by anyone loving thrillers especially Denzy fans. You will love it, don’t miss it.

Cloud Atlas (2012) - Science Fiction

Another movie which reminded me of Chris Nolan to start with but derailed right in the first half hour itself with so much going on at a break neck speed that its too tough keeping the stock of the situation and six different stories spawning almost 500+ years with half a dozen Actors playing their own past, present and future. Trust me – it’s as confusing as that sentence sounds and to top it all – it’s almost three hours long with a very little that you will praise on Cinematography or Action front. Cloud Atlas became another of those rare movies which made me seek “Wiki’s” help to understand as what was actually going on. Unfortunately – it doesn’t connects in any form even after having a couple of my all time favorite actors like Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant. Although I was glad for one thing that I missed it on big screen – I am sure it wud’ve been a bigger torture otherwise. It doesn’t have nothing which will make me review it again, let me know if you’ve seen it, understood and liked it. No ways, I will recommend it to anyone. Skip it – if haven’t seen it yet.

The Impossible (2012) - Drama in real life.

Another based on a true story – disaster movie – something that we all witnessed not so long ago. Nothing exceptional here but a true story told in heart touching way. It really connects very well with the audience and you actually get shocked, surprised and elated with the ending. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor definitely play their characters too well but I guess nominative Naomi for Academy is a little too much – a definite No from me but otherwise movie is too good. Right from the very start till the very end – it keeps you glued to the screen. Check it out – if you haven’t seen it.