Njkinny Reviews

The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)

A silly, laugh-out-loud, fun movie that is way better than the first one! Hindi dub is excellent too!

[9/10 · 4 September 2019]

I enjoyed the first Angry Birds movie but not so much that I was anticipating the second one. However, on my son's demand, we went to watch the second Angry Birds movie and voila! I loved every second of it!

Piggy Island and Bird Island are threatened by a new villainess, Zeta who dreams of ruling and expanding her empire. It is upto Red and friends along with King Leonard to save their home from her evil plans.

We watched the Hindi dubbed version of Angry Birds 2 that has the voices of Kiku Sharma, Archana Puran Singh and Kapil Sharma as King Leonard, Zeta and Red respectively and it is a fun ride all through. They successfully manage to carry forward the silly yet utterly loveable laugh-out-loud vein of the movie.

Archana Puran Singh as the villainess Zeta is so perfect. She is not only a versatile actress but also a golden voice that she proves in this film. Zeta became memorable because of her. She made us laugh, go teary eyed and then feel the righteous disgust always saved for villains all so seamlessly and fluidly.

Angry Birds 2 is completely different in approach from other animation movies like Up and Kung Fu Panda. It is a light, humorous, leave-all-serious-thoughts-and-enjoy kind of movie that guarantees laughs all through. We were entertained all the way to the end and came out with goofy smiles on our faces.

I loved this one better than the first one. The Hindi version is so much superior than some of the recent Hindi dubs I have seen of the English movies where the essence of the dialogues get lost in translation.

4 stars out of 5 to Angry Birds 2 and Njkinny recommends it to kids and adults alike looking for a goofy, light hearted laughter filled movie. Angry Birds 2 has ridiculous characters with thick eye brows or ones that blow up at the slightest excitement but which still manage to endear themselves to us. So go and watch this one with your kids!

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

An epic conclusion to the memorable Avengers series!

[10/10 · 29 April 2019]

Avengers: Endgame is probably the most hyped and the most anticipated release of 2019. Marvel's Avengers that has continued to entertain and wow us for so many years has finally come to a conclusion that has all the World held in its thrall.

In the previous movie, Avengers: Infinity War, we saw Thanos erasing half the population including many of our favorite Avengers from the planet and in this film, the world is still trying to grapple with the loss. I will not reveal the plot but suffice to say that the story while a bit slow in the first half had me glued to my seat throughout. The twists and turns are so well planned that nowhere did they seem predictable and lest you breathe or break concentration, you will find yourself missing the many memorable moments in Avengers: Endgame.

Everyone right from the Avengers to the supporting characters from previous movies of the Avengers franchise make an appearance here and what an appearance it is! You will feel like reuniting with family after many years of separation and left with a heart full of a myriad of emotions- happiness at meeting them again, sadness at knowing that this will be the last time we meet them and satisfaction that many of our beloved characters get their happily-ever-after.

Avengers: Endgame is a movie well planned and expertly executed. The joy of having all my beloved heroes and heroines at one place is beyond words and the feeling of loss knowing I will never see them again together is heart-wrenchingly real. Stan Lee's last cameo of his life and the last in an Avenger's movie was so beautiful that it brought a smile to my face as well as sadness to my heart.

I stayed off social media lest I accidentally read a spoiler until I watched the movie! A movie that not only wraps up the Avengers chapter beautifully but also justifies each second of the three hour-long story, Njkinny recommends Avengers: Endgame to everyone. Go watch with friends, family or alone. Don't miss out on the unforgettable feeling of seeing an exceptional saga of heroism, friendship, love, and sacrifice come to a memorable conclusion in this film.

Super shiny 5 stars to it from me and this is a movie that I can watch again.

The Jungle Book (2016)

The Jungle Book ~Stellar graphics, crisp story and engaging throughout!

[8/10 · 21 April 2016]

Disney's The Jungle Book brings back the childhood memories of watching the animated Jungle Book cartoon series and the animated movie of the same name that had us all enthralled and which still rules our hearts. Be it the commanding and goosebumps inducing Sher Khan or the bubbly and kind Baloo or Bagheera who is hard on the outside and a softy on the inside, this classic tale by Rudyard Kipling of an Indian man child living among animals in a jungle is poignant, adventurous and memorable.

In this latest adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic, we get exemplary graphics, a tight story line and beautifully constructed characters with voices lent by some very famous actors and actresses. The whole environment in the movie is CGI and so realistic that not even for one second do we feel like anything is computer constructed and make believe. It is as if we are venturing in the wild with talking animals and a child who not only understands them but also considers them his family!

The movie follows the story in the book but doesn't go into much detail. The Director Jon Favreau sticks to the story but also adds a few twists and surprises of his own. The movie basically deals with Mowgli's encounter and battle with Sher Khan. While I would have loved a more in-depth experience into Mowgli's life in the jungle, I do understand the Director's dilemma of wrapping up the story in a decent run time. The movie's run time is 105 minutes.

I enjoyed the movie and loved revisiting my childhood favourite characters and can re-watch it again. The actors and actresses lending their voices to the characters have done a stellar job and their voices suit the characters from the book. The child actor, Neel Sethi does justice to Mowgli's character and has acted like a pro.

The graphics are most realistic but in some scenes in the later part which happen in the dark or at night, the scenes got a bit too dark at places and I had to strain my eyes to make out what was happening.

I watched the movie in 3D but not many 3D scenes are there. So you can easily watch it in 2D.

All in all, Disney's The Jungle Book movie is a lovely adaptation of the book, The Jungle Book and a movie that had me enthralled throughout. I would recommend this movie to everyone and give it 4 stars out of 5. It will be enjoyed not only by children but adults too. So go watch it with your family and friends and have fun following Mowgli as he tackles Sher Khan!

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Po is back with his gang and he is awesome and funny as always!

[9/10 · 2 April 2016]

Po, our beloved Panda is back with his antics and underdog heroism in his latest adventure in Kung Fu Panda 3. I have to admit, I have been an avid fan of the Kung Fu Panda franchise movies and dedicatedly watched and re-watched each movie, enjoying it every time and am so happy to say that the third installment is again an entertainer.

In this movie, Po is challenged by Kai, a Yak warrior from the spirit world who has come back to our world to rule and the only obstacle in his path is Po, the Dragon Warrior. While strong, Po is no match against Kai's strength and will have to train himself and evoke new hidden powers inside him to battle this new villain.

We meet Po's long lost father in this movie and while the movie could have been serious, the makers have succeeded in making this one a funny, entertaining, sometimes emotional, sometimes adorably cute and totally action packed.

The movie is not your usual serious superhero flick but made with children in mind so it's never very serious and any somber mood is instantly lightened with a comic event or a cute antic from the characters who are all so memorable that I had them in my mind long after watching the movie.

The narrative is strong, the plot well executed and the voices rendered to the characters flawless. Dreamworks have employed their very impressive skills in bringing to us spellbindingly realistic imagery and effects that are memorable and whether you are kid or an adult, you are sure to fall in love with the images. This movie has some impressive 3D effects so I would suggest that you watch it in 3D to get the full impact.

All in all, Kung Fu Panda 3 is full of entertainment, fun and promises a time well spent. Suited to both kids and adults, this one is a slightly goofy, sometimes emotional and other times inspiring but always entertaining story of Po, the beloved fat Panda who became the Dragon Warrior but still cant climb steps without panting! 4 out of 5 to it from me. Go watch and enjoy this movie with your family.

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! ~ Not the best adaptation of the evergreen book Detective Byomkesh but still a promising one!

[8/10 · 13 August 2015]

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! directed by Dibaker Banerjee is based on the famous Detective character, Byomkesh Bakshi created by Saradindu Bandopadhyay. Starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Divya Menon and Anand Tiwari, I was very excited ever since I heard about this movie.

You see, I am a big fan of Byomkesh Bakshi who can also be called the Indian Sherlock Holmes. Possessing great deductive powers and extensive knowledge in various fields, Byomkesh was able to solve even the most impossible looking cases with ease. Ajit is his friend or his Dr. Watson. With this new movie, I had great expectations but while I loved some things about the flick, I also was disappointed in some areas.

The story was publicized as being the first case (called Satyanveshi) of Byomkesh Bakshi whereas in reality, the movie's story is a mix and match of several of Byomkesh's cases like Satyanveshi, Chidiyaghar etc. The characters are also taken from various cases and used in the movie with liberty. The story has its moments of speculation, excitement, intrigue and danger but if you see it from the book's perspective the story lacks the quality that is present in the cases created by Saradindu Bandopadhyay in his books.

Sushant Singh Rajput's acting is admirable and he tries his best to shine as Byomkesh but maybe the character in the movie is written different or the director just wants it to be different from the real Byomkesh, he is nothing like Rajit Kapoor who played Byomkesh Bakshi for a TV series and is still remembered as the best Byomkesh ever to grace the screen. Sushant is sometimes ridiculous, even seeming mad, excitable and too casanova style as compared to the real Byomkesh. If I have to compare this adaptation to another movie adaptation then I would say, the director has done everything that the director of Sherlock Holmes movie did when he adapted the legendary character for his movies.

Just like Robert Downey was too playfully ridiculous to be Sherlock, Sushant is also too bubbly to be Byomkesh. Anand Tiwari as Ajit is again just like Jude Law. Sometimes he overpowers Byomkesh both literally and in terms of his acting. He is strong, a great actor and while not like our Ajit from the TV series or the books, he still had me smiling and sympathizing with him with his confusion, bewilderment and then irritation with Byomkesh.

The villain is also portrayed similar to the infamous Professor Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes and we can be sure to see him again in the future. He is a man most powerful and so devious that despite knowing his identity and his crimes, there is no proof against him. Feared by all, people even speculate him to be immortal. No such character is sketched in the real Byomkesh Bakshi books and so this is simply an old character from a case given a Moriarty spin in the movie.

The best part of the movie is the art and the photography. The sets are so exquisite that they brought the 1940s Calcutta alive in the movie. I felt like I was there, walking and feeling the shift in time and the change in the settings. The beauty, change of colours, textures and the shift in the story are so beautifully portrayed through the photography and art of the sets.

The costumes are also very beautiful and bring the old culture and beauty of daily life in Calcutta to us right here in 2015.

The music is nothing very remarkable and there wasn't a tune that I would associate uniquely with the movie. You will forget the songs and the music once you leave the theater.

All in all, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! is a one time watch and will be best loved if you don't carry any expectations of it being same as the Byomkesh Bakshi from Saradindu Bandopadhyay's books.

If you treat this movie as a new story with new characters then the attempt is noteworthy and very enjoyable. I was kept interested and engrossed right till the end with the perfect balance of humour and comedy in the story. The acting is good especially by Neeraj Kabi who plays Dr. Guha. The mystery is spine chilling and the settings most real like.

I will be sure to checkout the future Byomkesh Bakshy movies and recommend it to all lovers of mystery and suspense. :)

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Frozen Fever (2015)

Frozen Fever ~ Short and Sweet!

[9/10 · 13 August 2015]

A short movie which seems a short sequel to Disney's blockbuster hit movie Frozen is added in the beginning of the Cinderella movie. Once again we meet Elsa, Anna and Kristoff in this short movie. It's Anna's birthday and while Elsa wants a perfect celebration for her sister, the misadventures that follow will have you laughing, sighing and thoroughly enjoying!

A bit commercial but still I absolutely loved it and it came as a surprise too!

Now I am all the more eager to watch the next Frozen movie and hope it releases soon. :)

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Cinderella (I) (2015)

Cinderella ~ Old fairytale with a new twist...Loved it!

[9/10 · 13 August 2015]

Cinderella is a fairy tale romance that we all have grown up reading about or hearing the story from our parents or watching on TV. Adapted into multiple movies and TV shows, I was yet again enthralled when I watched the latest Disney presentation of this age-old fairy tale teaching hope, kindness and courage!

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the Cinderella movie is colourful, elegant and full of emotional play with an exciting touch of magic.

The star cast includes actors shown in the below picture (starting from left to right) like Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother, Lily James as Cinderella, Richard Madden as the Prince and Cate Blanchett as the evil Stepmother. Other actors include Hayley Atwell (who also plays the role of Agent Peggy Carter in Marvel's Agent Carter TV series) as Cinderella's mother, Stellan Skarsgård (who also plays the role of Erick Selvig in the Thor movies) as the grand Duke, Ben Chaplin as Cinderella's father etc.

The actors do a great job of reliving the Cinderella tale on the screen. Lily James as Ella or Cinderella is realistically kindhearted, courageous, knowledgeable and yet a naive country girl who believes in seeing the good in people and happy in her own world. Richard Madden as The Prince is handsome, just and a true fairy tale Prince.

Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother is bubbly, slightly eccentric but nevertheless totally adorable with her quirky ways and feel-good magic.

Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother is beautiful, conniving and yet very humanely portrayed in this movie. She is a woman who "too had known grief" in her life "but she wore it wonderfully well." and also experienced love once but is now determined to marry off her half wit daughters and live luxuriantly while also making beautiful Cinderella's life hell!

The screenplay is again admirable and introduces some twists and surprises throughout the movie which manage to make this already well known story feel new. Helena Bonham Carter's (also the Fairy Godmother) lovely narration makes the story more appealing and I loved her engaging narration style with just the right amount of voice modulation to elicit the right emotions from the viewers.

The dresses and costumes in the movie are absolutely gorgeous and kudos to the designer, Sandy Powell for designing such eye catching dresses which made me want to switch places with Cinderella and even the stepmother whose ball gown looked so lovely! The Prince made my heart flutter in his crisp, royal costumes in vivid colours that set him apart.

The lovely glass slippers yet again made me yearn to own one myself and hope for a fairy Godmother just like Cinderella's!

The music and sound score by Patrick Doyle is melodious, if not very memorable. It had me enchanted throughout the movie and I felt like anything was possible while I heard the melodious tunes and watched the magical love story unfold on the screen!

All in all, this movie had me feeling hopeful, courageous and hopelessly happy. "The End" on the screen left me believing in magic and completely inspired with a new enthusiasm to try and achieve anything because just like Ella, I too felt anything was possible when we had kindness and courage in our hearts!

This movie made me happy, had me entertained with never a dull moment all through the picture, brought some new twists in the story to heighten the interest with some great acting from the actors and I just loved the dresses and music. 5 super shiny stars to Cinderella from me and highly recommended that you watch it. This movie is meant for everyone whether you be young or old because a little magic and hope is all we need to live happily! :)

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Penguins of Madagascar ~ Light, fun and a zippy movie

[7/10 · 13 August 2015]

If you have watched the Madagascar movies then you are well aware of the four quirky but very resourceful penguins, Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private who endeared themselves to the viewers by their funny antics playing supporting parts in these movies. They are now here in a movie of their own!

The movie starts with a scene in Antarctica which marks the starting of the adventurous life of these penguins who think they are super- spies! Skipper is the leader, Rico eats any and everything and is the muscle, Kowalski is the brains and Private is cute! I loved Private. He is so cute but also very intelligent which he proves later on in the film. :)

These four are different from the other penguins who are unimaginative, don't think for themselves but only believe in following others blindly.

The movie narrates another one of their adventures where this time they are faced by a wicked and evil Octopus Dave who has prepared a serum which he calls the Medusa serum. This serum is deadly and Dave is preparing to unleash it on as many penguins as possible including these four who have been his target from the very start. Dave is resentful of their cuteness which led him to be shunned at every zoo that he was kept in. Now it's upto these Penguins of Madagascar tackle this evil villain and stop him before he unleashes this horror on the other penguins. I happily followed Skipper and his team all over the globe in search of Dave and enjoyed their super funny antics! :)

North Wind, a legitimate animal super spy team is also on the trail of the dangerous villain Dave and when they come face-to-face with our penguins of Madagascar, it is both funny and entertaining to watch them. The contrast is so beautifully brought to life. North Wind are professionals who plan their every move and have hi-tech gadgets while Skipper's team is spontaneous, gutsy and totally working without calculated plans. :)

While this movie has all the ingredients to make you laugh, enjoy and feel relaxed, when compared to the previous Madagascar movies, it falls short. The story is not well planned, the penguins' characters could have been fleshed out more, the villain also lacks a certain air of danger to him and North Wind are not at all given their due share of spotlight. This movie looks more aimed at small kids who will be thrilled by all the rapidly happening antics of Skipper and his team to feel the absence of a well plotted story.

I loved Private in this film who has finally come out of his shell to prove himself a valued member of Skipper's team and it was very interesting to watch Skipper's realization of his potential apart from just the cuteness that he had always associated with Private! The voices of all the characters are just perfect and well balanced. Benedict Cumberbach has lent his voice to Classified, the wolf head of NW and does his character justice. John Malkovich shines as the evil Octopus broken over his ugliness. A 90 minute movie, Penguins of Madagascar could not have been made longer but could definitely have been made more crisp, thus, doubling the already high fun and entertainment quotient of the film.

All in all, Penguins in Madagascar is funny, relaxing and a light movie that will entertain the children and even the adults but fails to leave a lasting impression on our minds. 4 out of 5 to it from me and I recommend it to all the kids. :)

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Wayward Pines (2015–2016)

Wayward Pines ~Where Paradise is Home: Loved it!

[9/10 · 13 August 2015]

A United States Secret Service Agent, Ethan Burke is assigned to find two missing agents and sent to Wayward Pines, Idaho with one of his colleagues but before reaching their destination, they meet with an accident and when Ethan regains consciousness, he realizes that he is in Wayward Pines where nothing is as it seems and from where he may never return alive!

Wayward Pines TV series is adapted from a very popular book trilogy of the same name Wayward Pines by Blake Crouch.

Whenever I am asked if I want any book adapted for TV or into a movie, like all other book lovers, I fear just one thing. "Will the story remain intact or will it be changed?"

Several book adaptations for movies have been changed so much that I felt like I was watching another story under a known and already read title!

However, with Wayward Pines, while the story is somewhat altered but the essence still remains intact and makes this such a spellbinding and engrossing watch!

The first few episodes built a base for the story and may start to seem a bit boring but just when you are starting to feel like leaving it the mystery starts getting revealed bit and bit and we are back to that nail biting entertainment we so crave.

Right from the start it is made clear that once you arrive in Wayward Pines, you can never leave. Now, this had me wondering why so many people could not just get up and leave the town. Who was to stop them? But wait a bit and you are let in on the secret and the things just start making sense!

Dark settings, a surreal feel to the atmosphere and a feeling of impending doom. Every shift of the atmosphere and the emotions of the people is captured beautifully in the show. The acting is superb and the story kept crisp. Despite having read the first book and knowing the story, I was surprised that I enjoyed every episode like it was the first time I was getting to know of the plot!

Each episode manages to hook the viewer and then leave him/her eager for the next one. I just felt like watching all the episodes at once and felt unhappy when one ended and I had to wait for the next one.

Everything is just perfect and makes this show one of the first that I have watched in 2015. The first season just ended in July and I am hopeful there will be a second season (FOX hint, hint).

4 out of 5 to it and while I read somewhere that the story has been completed in these 10 episodes comprising the first season but I have my fingers crossed that a new season will soon come. Go watch this superb series and also read the Wayward Pines books trilogy by Blake Crouch.

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Furious 7 (2015)

Fast & Furious 7 ~A memorable One Last Ride!

[8/10 · 13 August 2015]

Fast & Furious 7 was special for me because of two reasons. First, it is the last movie of the Fast & Furious series and second, it is Paul Walker's last movie. Paul died tragically in a car accident in 2013 during the movie break, leaving a huge void in the cast and in the hearts of his fans. This movie which was still in its production stage when he died, is a tribute to this great actor as seen throughout the film with its multiple references to "One Last Ride" and scenes in the graveyard where actors talk of loss, goodbyes and one last adventure together. There is a sadness and a sense of loss present all through the movie which speaks volumes about the place that Paul held in the hearts of his fellow actors who not only became his friends but also brothers. The end is a heartrending adieu to the actor and had me misty eyed and wishing Paul was still alive and well.

Director James Wan of Insidious movie fame has taken up the director's chair in this movie and does an exceptional job of piecing it together while also managing to raise the entertainment bar. Nowhere was it evident that the movie had been cleverly edited for the scenes that were done after Paul's death. The movie entertains and excites with its superbly done stunts with flying cars and dangerous larger-than-life scenes. The acting is as usual memorable and it was great watching all our beloved characters coming to a final point in their lives.

This movie is beautifully stitched with The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift and takes up from its ending. Jason Statham makes his presence felt in the role of a vengeful brother and his fights with Dom are memorable. Dwayne Johnson has a comparatively smaller role in this film but still is no less commanding and heroic. His catchy dialogues bring humour and the thrill of the breathtaking action to come. Ali Fazal of Fukrey fame also makes an appearance in the movie and manages to make us laugh in his very small role. All the actors complement each other and the acting flows fluidly with nowhere to show that all this is acting and not real!

All in all, I loved watching Fast & Furious 7 and while it was hinted several times in the movie that this may very well be the last movie of the franchise but still I hope that we will get to see another Fast & Furious movie in the future. Go watch this entertaining film which is a fitting tribute to Paul Walker.

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Drishyam (2015)

Drishyam ~ Visuals Can be Deceptive

[9/10 · 12 August 2015]

I went to watch Drishyam on Saturday and while I didn't have very high expectations from this movie, I was surprised by the whole experience. The first half of the movie is slow and the world building till the interval almost makes the movie boring and had me wishing that I should have selected some other movie to watch but if you persevere till after the Interval, you are rewarded with a sudden upping of the story with a high dose of thrill, suspense and mystery added in the till-now- boring film.

There are intense, nail biting moments with the viewers intrigued with the suspense of how the actors are going to cover the crime that they have committed. Enter the no-nonsense, strict and very shrewd Police officer, Tabu and the emotions along with the tension starts running high. There is a tug-of-war being played in our hearts all through the movie where we aren't able to decide who to side with. Should we side with Ajay Devgn's family who have committed a crime, even if they are good people or should we side with Tabu, a strict Police officer but also the grieving mother of a boy gone missing?

Ajay Devgn, Shriya and the two girls all play their parts to perfection. Their emotions, dilemmas, fears and the sense of guilt is expertly portrayed to the viewers by the director. Tabu is her awesome self and plays the part of a ruthless Police officer well and then just as easily shifts to the tear jerking character of a grieving mother. The other characters also play their part well.

The second half of the film is played out to perfection with the sequence of events so well planned that they left me stumped.

The sound score is average and I was thankful that their weren't many songs in this movie because whatever there were, aren't memorable and I would easily give them a slip.

Had the first part been more crisp and more like the fast paced second half, Drishyam would have been a super shiny 5 star rated movie from me. But currently, I give it 4 out of 5 and recommend it to all people who love suspense and a tight knitted mystery that leaves you baffled and then amazed.

This review is also available on the blog Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Ant-Man (2015)

Ant-Man : Big Entertainment in small packing ~ Loved this movie!

[9/10 · 12 August 2015]

I have to confess, I just love Superhero movies and have diligently followed all the movies till date. But when I heard about Ant-Man, I was a bit skeptical. I mean a small, ant sized hero didn't quite give me the confidence that Captain America with his eight pack abs gives me. How would such a tiny hero fight his enemies who surely wouldn't be ant sized?

Not having read the comics, I wasn't really interested in watching this movie in a theater but I am so happy that I did. Ant-Man took me by surprise with the amount of entertainment it provided me. There is an engaging plot, noteworthy acting, good comic timing which had the viewers laughing and then some amazing stunts with an ample dose of knowledge about the ants provided.

The underdog hero whose lucrative career with a respectable standing in life goes in the dump, the day he robs his own company which is engaged in shady business, is expertly played by Paul Rudd. He is funny, seemingly good-for-nothing but a very slippery and capable cat burglar, a caring father who is determined to turn his life around for his daughter and then suddenly the superhero we love so much!

Michael Douglas with his smooth and captivating voice plays the role of Dr. Hank Pym well while Evangeline Lilly plays the role of his estranged daughter to perfection. She is strong, independent, skilled and in every way as formidable as any superhero with her great ant skills, pro martial arts skills and a sharp brain.

Corey Stoll as the evil and very unhinged Darren managed to frighten and instill fear in me.

But the character that takes the cake, in my opinion, is Michael Pena as Luis, Scott (Paul Rudd)'s silly and comedian comrade in crimes and his cellmate in jail. His comedy had us laughing every now and then and his acting made me a fan of his. He is calculatedly funny, silly, then loyal and finally shifting seamlessly to daring. His facial expressions, voice modulation and overall dialogue delivery brought out the 'laugh-out-loud' laughs all through the movie.

This movie is different from the other Marvel movies in terms of the action. This one is not as action packed as the Avengers. It has a balance of comedy, story, emotional play, daring situations, shocking scientific inventions and then a final fight which despite the action was also comic and had the viewers laughing along with feeling scared and gasping.

The Ant-Man's transitions from tiny to normal are fluid and the graphics here noteworthy. Nothing seems artificial. It all looks real and very possible right from the ants to the tiny Ant-Man to the other realm. The 3D effects are few but well timed.

Overall, Ant-Man is a unique and entertaining Superhero flick that is total paisa vasool (worth every penny spent). Go watch it and enjoy! :)

I loved every second of the movie and can't wait for the next part to release.

PS: Stay till the end of the movie so you don't miss the secret ending! :)

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Minions (2015)

Minions ~Fun, innocent and quite unique!

[9/10 · 12 August 2015]

We saw Minions for the first time in Despicable Me and the world fell in love with them including me. They are yellow, banana lovers and innocent like children. Seeking and taking happiness in even the smallest of gestures, their primary aim in life to serve a villainous boss but their luck is such that every time they think they have found their boss, something bad happens to him/her/it to leave them adrift again. They have had bosses ranging from T-Rex to the Egyptians to even the Yeti but still here they are adrift and still searching for a Villain to serve.

Here in the Minions movie, we are told their story of evolution and their journey of finding their final master, Gru who we saw in Despicable Me.

The plot of the movie is simple and yet it coaxed laughs, smiles and then huge sighs from me because I was bowled over by the minions and wished I could just take them home! The movie is loaded with the minion cuteness and their antics had me laughing every other second throughout the film.

Kevin is the serious one and the leader. Stuart just wants to be a famous musician and Bob is a baby who wants to get applauded and noticed. It was fun watching these three go out in search of a villain to serve. Their adventures as they come across Scarlet Overkill, the best villain of the time and then when she goes against them, how they save each other and also tackle Scarlet's cunning and deadly scientific devices was super fun to watch.

The 3D effects are few and mainly the movie has depth so I think there is little to no difference between the 2D and 3D versions.

All in all, Minions are adorable, funny, childishly innocent and super entertaining and so is the movie featuring them. It's laugh out loud fun, innocent in its scenarios and an entertaining watch. However, if you are looking for complex plots, breathtaking action and a mature movie then this one is not for you. It is made keeping children in mind and to really enjoy it you have to just go simple like you were as kids and soon, you'll find yourself living an adventure with the minions away from your life's problems and feeling like a kid again.

I absolutely loved Kevin, Stuart and Bob in the Minions movie and can re-watch this film again. I hope they make another one soon. Can't wait to meet them again!

After the movie, I just had to go and buy myself a "Happy Meal" with the guitar strumming Stuart as the complimentary toy, so I could at least take one minion home, if only in the form of a toy. :)

Go watch this movie, even if you don't have kids and enjoy a comedy very different and quite unique from the other movies. Minions movie gets two thumbs up from me!

This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

The Villain (2014)

Lacked proper plotting and the thrill~ A one time watch

[7/10 · 10 July 2014]

We are told that there is one villain in "Ek Villain" but alas, there are not one but two- two villains running amok here. Guru is our hero or the main villain whose love story we are to witness in the movie. Then there is Aisha who is fatally ill but still so radiant that she can give any healthy person a run for his money. Her skin sparkles, she is forever running from one place to another, helping strangers and ticking off her bucket list. The viewers don't know what has happened to her and then she is cured but still killed by another villain Rakesh (Riteish Deskmukh) leaving Guru crazed with grief and hell bent on revenge.

While I loved the music and the beautiful shooting locations, the story left me confused. What is Mohit trying to show exactly? He talks about a villains love story which happens mostly in songs and in flashback but the major portion is just a silly hide and seek with another villain who is killing women all over the city and although both the police and Guru know about him, they are letting him go free just to taunt one another! Just before the interval you start feeling like the director has lost track of what he wants to show in the movie. There is a mental asylum kidnapping that just happens with no repercussions, a disease that is killing the heroine but just gets cured miraculously, a hero who just grunts and even though he has no job experience, gets a job so easily that it is laughable etc.

The item song is just pushed in all the chaos already going on. There is no logic here except the desperate need to try anything to get the movie success even if it means adding an unwanted song! Riteish's acting is A- class and a notch above the rest of the cast. He proves that he is a versatile actor who can play any kind of role with finesse. Sidhart Malhotra has also evolved as an actor and he justifies his role of a gangster turned good. Shraddha Kapoor still needs acting lessons but manages to touch our hearts in some scenes like when she tells Guru about her illness. I was very entertained in the first half where I cried and then laughed too along with the love birds but the second half is a drag where the story just goes off track. Its like a cocktails gone wrong. Mohit takes up many issues like the domestic abuse in families, the struggles of middle class families, the problems created when one partner is dominating the other to the extent of trauma and the rehabilitation of gangsters but no clear solution is given in any of them.

The trailers showed this movie to be a romantic thriller and left the fans with the notion of an intense love story with a thrilling chase after an elusive criminal but instead we get a criminal found so easily that it is almost laughable and then a play of hide-and-seek that leaves the police's role in question while the ending leaves us questioning the justice system. Is this how the general public is protected? People just walk in, kill and then move on with no fear of any kind of punishment!

All in all, I liked the first part, loved the music, enjoyed the beautiful locations but didn't agree with the story and the execution. 3 out of 5 to Ek Villain only because of the songs, acting and locations. It's a one time watch for people who have not seen the original uber fine and madly thrilling Korean film I Saw The Devil, a crackling 2010 horror-thriller.

This review is also available on my blog Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

A movie worth spending money on..Go watch it! :)

[9/10 · 15 June 2014]

X-Men is a franchise that has earned the trust of the fans to always entertain and this time too it fulfills its promise. A dark, thrilling start with coffin like spaceships shooting bodies in the air towards the land, the viewers are left aghast at the devastation left behind by these bodies which are apparently a sort of robots called the Sentinels made to destroy all mutants. The world has been left in ruins with the human as well as the mutant race on the brink of extinction. The only solution to save the humans and the mutants is to send Logan (Wolverine) back in time to the year 1973 and stop the sequence of events that led to their present situation!

Out of the box thinking, terrific acting, A- class star cast and exciting action sequences make this movie worth every penny spent. Jennifer Lawrence is a terrific actress and if she did a admirable job in the previous movies as mystique then just wait and watch her in this movie. She is completely awesome! A vulnerable, confused girl as Raven and a dangerous, unbalanced mutant as Mystique; she plays her role to perfection. Hugh Jackman is his usual splendid self and plays Wolverine with ease. The variations in his character are flawlessly portrayed by him and as always one is left totally thrilled watching him on the big screen. The older Professor X, Patrick Stewart; and Magneto, Ian McKellan have limited roles here but their performance is perfectly A- class. Their younger selves, McAvoy as Charles Xavier and Fassbender as Eric enchant the fans with their power pack performances. The actors playing Kitty, Beast, Iceman etc. also do justice to their parts and each is able snag the attention of the fans irrespective of the length of their part in the movie. However, worth noting here is the new entries, Peter Dinklage as Dr. Trask and Evan Peters as Quicksilver. The perfect villain who creates the Sentinels, Dr. Trask is a genius with a twisted admiration for the mutants. He has created the perfect weapon to end the mutant race. Quicksilver is quick and the scenes where he gets Magneto out of prison are totally magical and thrilling. Peter and Evan are sure to get a huge fan following after this movie.

The 3D portion is okay but a bit disbalanced with the major portion in the first part and almost no effects in the second part. The climax is entertaining but the sense of urgency that should have been present is lacking. The Direction and editing is admirable. The scenes flow fluidly from one event to another. Make-up, sets, special effects and photography is as usual done by expert people who make everything believable. Several story lines are opened in the movie and a base set for the upcoming movies.

All in all, a movie worth spending money on. Go watch it and enjoy. :)

This review is also available on my blog Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The mighty Captain America is here again!

[15 June 2014]

When you go to see a Marvel movie you expect to see some pretty awesome stunts, God like superheroes with swoon worthy bodily attributes, dangerous villains, terror inducing and awe inspiring weapons and a thrilling experience which stays with you for days or even months after you have seen the movie making you go back and watch it any number of times with no loss in its appeal!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier takes the audience on a yet another dangerous, thrilling, goosebumps inducing ride in present day Washington D.C where The United States, although free is now threatened by a covert and deeply rooted society called the Hydra. Meanwhile SHIELD's Director, Alexander Pierce played by Robert Redford, is planning on launching weapons which will eliminate any threat even before it itself realizes its potential! :)

Add a Nazi era villain to the mix, The Winter Soldier, who will destroy anyone and anything in his path to get the ultimate power over the world for Hydra and a super secretive and somewhat shady, Director Fury ( played by Samuel L. Jackson) and you have a spicy mix of secrets, grey situations and a suspicious outlook towards everyone.

Captain America is restless and undecided on his ideals in the present day world. Struggling to adjust to the present day situations and adapt to his changed responsibilities which often conflict with his ingrained morality, it is very interesting to see how he will face the ruthless, unemotional and his complete opposite opponent, The Winter Soldier.

"Trust no one." Fury tells him and so starts a battle where no one is to be trusted and anyone can be Hydra!

Will Captain America be able to save the world from the Winter Soldier and will he survive after this? Who is the Winter Soldier and why is he out to get Captain America specifically?

I loved Chris Evans as Steve Rogers or Captain America yet again with his classic good boy innocence, kind and beseeching eyes and his beautiful transformation into the super warrior Captain America without losing his very appealing innocence and idealistic morality. Only some actors can pull off this very difficult mix of innocence, fragility and strength at once and Chris Evans plays his part to perfection. He often seems almost naive and even frail very unlike the hardened fighter that he is and this is an appeal only present with him.Samuel Jackson as Fury is his usual splendid self and even when he is venturing in the grey, we know that ultimately he is the good guy. His presence is strong and his acting perfect as Nick Fury. Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce is amazing and makes his presence felt in the movie with his classically great acting and throws the audience some very interesting but very shocking twists. Scarlett Johansson is the only woman character given so much limelight and she proves that she is one great actor by her flawless acting and dangerous stunts as Natasha or The Black Widow. Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier inspires fear and a chill in the hearts of the viewers with his picture perfect acting and even the lack of dialogues does nothing to diminish his presence. Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson or Falcon is funny, vivacious and daring. His presence makes the otherwise very dark movie, so much fun. His acting is great, his stage presence strong and he is funny. :) Last but not the least, Toby Jones as Dr. Zola inspires fear, hate and anger with his classic acting and even though he has a very short role but still he makes the viewers remember him from among a hoard of characters. :)

The direction is crisp and the editing first class. As soon as you start feeling that a scene is stretching, the flow changes and you are thrown head first in another intensely satisfying scene connected beautifully with the previous and the subsequent one. The photography is skillful and vividly captures the surroundings, making all events and actions so real as if we are there. All aspects of the movie are beautifully handled to give us a story which is both captivating and thrilling.

Intense action, great editing, expert photography, elaborate sets, great makeup and costumes, skilled direction and great actors make this movie worth every rupee spent. A strong recommendation that you go watch the movie and do wait till after the end credits to ensure that you don't miss the secret endings. I am told that there are two of them in this movie. I seem to have missed the second one. :(

A full 4.5 out of 5 to Captain America: The Winter Soldier. So go watch, enjoy and I hope the next part releases soon. Do let me know if there really were two endings. :)

This review is also available on my blog Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

If the first movie was was good then this is simply awesome..A must watch..

[10/10 · 15 June 2014]

"This is Berk. Life here is amazing. Dragons used to be a bit of a problem. But now they've all moved in..." and with this starts the next installment in the "How to Train Your Dragon" series. Five years have elapsed since the first time Hiccup and Toothless met. Hiccup is now twenty years old and more in tune with his dragon friend, Toothless. People of Berk, the small Viking village have comfortably settled in with the Dragons who are now a vital part of their lives. Hiccup is our usual shy and unconventional Viking who spends more time exploring new lands than heeding to his father's talks of succeeding him as the chief! Trouble, however, has a way of finding our hero and this time they are against a ruthless, conscienceless villain who will not stop until he has dominated all humans and enslaved all dragons!

Can Hiccup and Toothless stop this evil man before it is too late?

The movie starts with a super entertaining and simply breath catching aerial performance by Hiccup on the back of his too cute and cuddly dragon, Toothless. If you thought the first movie was awesome, wait till you watch this one.

Definitely more darker, deeper and mature, the story presentation expertly balances wit, humor, emotions, action, adventure and a spine tingling end. The plot is beautifully adapted for the screen that doesn't follow the conventional follow up path from the first movie but takes an unexpected course which delightfully surprises and heightens the interest of the audience. The direction is as usual crisp and Dean is able to keep up the rhythm of the movie. The viewers are kept at the edge of their seats with twists and turns that shock and make you gasp while making you pray for a happy ending!

The animation is top class and the voices of Jay Baruchal, Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett etc. make the characters seem so real that it sometimes feels like we are there amidst all the action and adventure!

Hiccup is all grown up and totally cute with his innocence and individuality. Toothless is my absolute favorite with his expressive eyes, cuddly almost baby like antics and his fluid conversion from cute into a brave warrior whenever there is danger. Astrid is her usual fiery and brave Viking self who often guides Hiccup when he is confused. Stoic, Hiccup's father is endearing, boisterous and although exasperated with his son, is always ready to do anything for him.

This is the second movie which has made me go after unconventional wishes like hoping to befriend and train a dragon of my own! The first movie that ever influenced me like this was the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which made me wish for owls as pets and have floo powder for travel! :) I laughed with Hiccup and Toothless, felt proud of them like a parent, wished for an adventure like theirs, wowed over the beauty of the unexplored lands, was shocked and then frightened, cried with them and finally won along with them. All these and more experiences make this movie a must watch in my list and I know I will eagerly await the next in the series! :)

If you haven't watched the movie yet, then go watch it. This is a must watch for children and adults alike. 10 super glowing stars to "How to Train Your Dragon 2". I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and hope you do too. :)

This review is also available on my blog Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff