pappujasani Reviews

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Well Worth the wait.

[9/10 · 20 December 2015]

A much awaited movie for all the "Star Wars" fans. Not since "The Return of the Jedi" has there been a Star Wars movie that has been worth watching. The movie marks the return of Harrison Ford as "Han Solo." Carrie Fisher as "Princess Leia" and Mark Hamil as "Luke Skywalker." The other well-known characters that also make a return are "Chewbacca," "R2D2" and "C3PO." Added onto this are some new characters who bring the "Star Wars" story sequence up to date, who give a solid powerful performance in their roles - Daisy Ridley as "Rey," John Boyega as "Finn" and Adam Driver as the evil "Kylo Ren." It has been thirty years since the evil Galactic Empire was destroyed and a new threat has arisen and attempts are made to rule the Galaxy. However, the forces that attempt to do this face a challenge from a group of people and it is they who get assistance from the Resistance. But they need to find Luke Skywalker.

Harrison Ford as "Han Solo" makes a good and clear impact in his role along with "Chewbacca" and the two characters' light up the movie and the story as does Carrie Fisher in her role as "Princess Leia." The "chemistry" between Han Solo and Princess Leia can still be felt and seen – even though it has been a long time. There is also some "chemistry" between "Rey" and "Finn" as well and Adam Driver conveys pure evil feeling in his acting. An excellent Direction as well and the special effects are good. The music by John Williams is another good score. Directed by J.J. Abrams, "Star Wars – The Force Awakens" will rock the Box Office and ring the tills and especially if you are a die-hard fan.

The Internship (2013)

Excellent Comedy

[9/10 · 5 July 2013]

Two old men, working as sales reps, find out that the company that they are working for has closed and are out of a job. Determined not to be a part of not to become obsolete and a figure in the unemployed figure, one of them finds a job with a multinational IT company and also manages to persuade his sales partner to join him along with some college students.

Starring Vince Vaughan, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Aasif Mandvi, Dylan O'Brien, Tiya Sircar, Tobit Raphael, Max Minghella and Josh Brener. The movie is Directed by Shaun Levy and is written by Vince Vaughan and Jarred Stern.

Once again, Vince Vaughan and Owen Wilson, whose love interest in this movie is Rose Byrne a top executive, are at their best – providing some excellent comedy and are nicely supported by the other cast – Dylan O' Brien, Tiya Sircar and the others. There are some scenes that need to be watched out for as they are quite hilarious and may even remind the viewers of a certain "Mr Bean" and one in particular scene is that of being in a certain strip club. It also, does have its seriousness under all the comedy, of one is to see it from another point of view as the movie does, somewhat, portray, what it is like working fir such a well known, multinational IT company. But more than that, its the comedy that makes it worth to watch this movie.

Those hoping to have good laughs, through and through, however, may be a bit disappointed – that is if they compare this to the other movies that starred Vince Vaughan and Owen Wilson as they may find that some jokes and dialogues aren't upto it. But overall, it is a complete entertainment from the beginning till the end and is definitely worth watching – in particular if you like watching comedy and Vince Vaughan and Owen Wilson.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

Worth Watching.

[10/10 · 21 November 2012]

Ever since the late Yash Chopra, released "Veer Zaara" in 2004, I was waiting for him to Direct another movie but had to wait for eight years. Then in 2011, it was announced that he was Directing a movie with Shah Rukh Khan, Anoushka Sharma and Katrina Keif. There was no mention of the title and when this was announced, the release date was also mentioned. A fearless officer in the Bomb Squad, saves a young, female Journalist / Reporter who finds a diary of the officer who had saved her and decides to make a programme of his life before he joined the Armed Forces and in particular the romance side of it.

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Keif, Anoushka Sharma, Kris Somerville, Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. Music By: A R Rahman. Lyrics: Gulzar.Produced By: Aditya Chopra. Directed By (late) Yash Chopra.

Shah Rukh Khan, is convincing as the fearless officer in the Bomb Squad as he portrays facial expressions that make the audience think whether he will be able to defuse a bomb or not. His role and character show what the men in the Bomb Squads go through. As always he is good.

Katrina Keif. Well I was not really impressed with her acting until this movie - with the exception of "New York," in which she appeared alongside with Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham. As a daughter of a rich businessman, who is due to get married but then has second thoughts,she is very convincing and the role is most appropriate and suits her.Her dancing steps and moves are also very impressive.

Anoushka Sharma,who last appeared in "Ladies Vs Ricky Behl," as a young Journalist /Reporter, is also excellent. She is young and represents the current youth and it is through her that the audience sees the earlier life of the Officer who saves her life. From "Rab Na Bana Di Jodi," "Band Baja Baraat," and "Ladies Vs Ricky Behl," her character in this movie, is completely opposite to the roles in the films that I have mentioned. Her character is the type that is young, fearless and energetic and will do anything to achieve her goal – in this case the story of the Army Officer.

Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, make a very brief appearance in the movie, but yet their characters punch an impact in the story and perhaps that is where the mastery of the story writers – Devika Bhagat and Aditya Chopra, really is at the best. For they have created characters, who, though have a small part in the story, but they make an impact.

For the first time, since "Slumdog Millionaire" was released, Music Director A R Rahman and the Lyricist, Gulzar, have come together and have, again composed some excellent and memorable songs and music – "Ishq Shava" and "Saans" being the two most memorable numbers along with the "Chala" song.

Directed by the late Yash Chopra,this movie does bring some memories in some scenes, of the previous movies that he Directed – "Kabhi Kabhie," "Silsila" and "Veer Zaara." His "signature" of mountains and snow falling and romance, is written and can be seen very clearly on the screen and yet this can be considered as not a typical "Yash Chopra" movie. The scenes between Shah Rukh Khan and Katina Keif are the ones to watch out for.

Conclusions: Though the movie has some flaws, it is one that is worth watching, even though many may feel that it may not be so. This is a Yash Chopra movie and he will be remembered for it.

Anna Karenina (I) (2012)

Worth Watching if you like Reading Tolstoy

[7/10 · 8 September 2012]

Based on the novel by the Russian author, Leo Tolstoy, the story is set in the 19th century Russia where an aristocratic, married woman, has an affair and becomes the talk of the high society which she is so much use to. Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaroon Taylor – Johnson, Emily Watson and Mathew Macfadyen, the movie is Directed by Joe Wright and Written by Tom Stoppard, while the music score is by Dario Marianelli.

Keira Knightley, who is probably remembered for her character, "Elizabeth Swann ," in the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the football playing girl, Juliette Paxton in "Bend it Like Beckham," has well played as the titled character and the aristocratic woman while Jude Law as "Alexei Karenin" is also very convincing as is Aaron Taylor – Johnson as " Count Vronsky." Joe Wright, mostly known for Directing TV series such as "Bob and Rose" and films such as "Pride and Prejudice," "Atonement" and "The Soloist," has managed, not just to recreate 19th century Russia on the celluloid but also where atmosphere is concerned and above all, he manages to keep the audience glued. Writer, Tom Stoppard, known for writing scripts for movies such as, "Shakespeare in Love," "Brazil," "The Russia House" and "Empire of the Sun." has written the script of this which depicts the story as a stage drama – scenes being shown as if they were on a stage and this may be a downfall in this and somehow, with this, he manages to keep the audience glued to screen and seats. Dario Marianelli's music score is a strength to this screen version of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel.

Some, and in particular, those who are not familiar with Tolstoy's stories, may find it difficult to know what is happening as like most of his novels, concentration is a must and others may get irritated by the way the story is told – stage drama. This is a movie that may make you wish that you had brought a packet of tissues as there is a lot of emotions involved.

A worth while watching movie if you like reading Leo Tolstoy.