Destined to Doom Movies of 2016, Which were Surprisingly Great or Decent or Maybe Just About Average
Every year we predict certain films as turkeys because they simply stink in all departments right from the day they were conceived on the drawing board. But, there's no more an exhilarating felling than when these type of films shockingly end up being really good. While some just about make the cut, few others, and very few others, might ultimately achieve cult-classic status too.
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- DirectorYeon Sang-hoStarsGong YooJung Yu-miMa Dong-seokWhile a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.Train to Busan is the best zombie film since 2004's Dawn of the Dead – period; securing its spot right at the top with the very best of the sub-genre, and firmly carving a place for itself in history as a bona-fide horror classic. Its greatest achievement lies in how unique and fresh it feels despite tons of zombie fare – ranging from middling to decent to seldom good – being shoved down our throats on a quarterly basis. Where Director-writer Sang-ho Yeon excels is in giving us very real, very relatable, human characters, with layered, finely nuanced traits and diverse personalities, which stay with you as much as the pressure-cooker milieu and heart-pounding moments. Hollywood Directors looking to make a mark in the zombie sub-genre can take a cue from how Yeon underscores the spine-chilling thrills and almost-nonstop, nail-biting action – and there's plenty of both, along with sizable gore and violence – with telling yet subtle social commentary and deeply fleshed-out characters. To sum things up, Train to Busan is a horror film for the ages.
5/5 stars - DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.La La Land is probably the best tribute to old-school Hollywood since The Artist, and indubitably worth every dime. The film grows on you with every passing minute till you'll love every second of it. Not one for romance or musicals, so, if I'm recommending this so highly, imagine how delightful a film it is.
Damien Chazelle's Direction is right on the money from start to finish (proving that Whiplash was certainly no flash in the pan); Linus Sandgren's lighting is among the best you'll ever seen in a movie; Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling's performances touch every chord in spite of not evoking overwhelming emotions; and, above all, the romance is so real and so complex, yet so evident, that you'll identify with every little emotion on display and every shift in its dynamics.
Most startling is how unpredictable La La Land is for a romantic film. So much so that you're almost on the edge wondering what'll happen next. And, the songs are so beautifully integrated that not for once you'll feel they're overdone or superfluous. Also, another mention for that magical lighting – offering a paradigm of how great lighting can accentuate a scene exponentially. You'll want to sing along, you'll want to experience everything Stone and Gosling face, you'll also not want to experience everything they face, and, ultimately, you'd wish you were part of every frame of this wonderful world called 'La La Land'. Can't be missed at any cost, even if you've never liked a single romantic or musical film till now.
4.8/5 stars - DirectorTi WestStarsEthan HawkeJohn TravoltaTaissa FarmigaA mysterious stranger and a random act of violence drag a town of misfits and nitwits into the bloody crosshairs of revenge.A homage to the deliciously diabolical days of the romp-filled Spaghetti Westerns, encapsulating every subversive genre trope, haunting musical note, and no-holds-barred, anyone's fair game, deadly fun derived from them. Ethan Hawk's in top form, John Travolta's in even better form, the dog steals the show, James Ranson, too, leaves an impression, everyone has a blast, and you gleefully hop into the caravan for the ride.
4.8/5 stars - DirectorDexter FletcherStarsTaron EgertonHugh JackmanTom CostelloThe story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics.Spurred on by a goofily amiable central performance from Taron Egerton as the eponymous Eddie Edwards (proving that “Kingsman” was no flash-in-the-pan), who imbues the titular character with an offbeat charm and almost Asperger’s-esque affability, “Eddie the Eagle” is that rare sports-drama that is satisfied in celebrating the gall of participation and spirit of competition at the highest level rather than being bothered with any sort of emphasis on victory or defeat. It’s this novelty of the plot and Director Dexter Fletcher’s ability to convert us into true believers of the importance of participation that sets the film apart from scores of other sports movie or biopics of any kind, ultimately making it shine several notches above its obvious clichés. There’s genuine emotion, elevated ecstasy, laugh-out-loud moments, unabashed tear-jerking, some manipulative sentimentality, an uber-cool Hugh Jackman, and a whole lot of inspirational and triumphant stuff going on; and you lap them all gleefully because this is just one good-ol’-fashioned, balls-out, entertaining romp of a film. “Eddie the Eagle” soars to the pinnacle of sporting cinematic classics.
4.7/5 stars - DirectorShakun BatraStarsRishi KapoorRajat KapoorRatna Pathak ShahThe story about two brothers who visit their dysfunctional family for their grandfather's birthday party.A family film unlike any other family film hitherto in Bollywood. Dil Dhadakne Do is the closest that comes to mind in terms of familial dynamics, discord, and emotions that speak to you, but even that wouldn't have had as raw an impact as Kapoor & Sons will on the middle-class audience. It's just a brilliant script seeped in realism and dysfunction that any modern-day, middle-class household would have experienced at some point or another. The emotions and issues and situations that both drive these family members apart and bring them together in perpetual oscillation is something that every one who's close to their family, but also treasure their individuality, can relate to.
All this is backed by some crackerjack performances (yes, even Siddharth Malhotra comes out unscathed because of Shakun Batra's crisp direction and the seamless dialogues penned by him in conjunction with Ayesha Devitre Dhillon), not least by Rishi Kapoor, whose performance is as reconstructive as his physical transformation. Kapoor & Sons isn't for those who allow every aspect of their lives to be run by their families, becoming almost servile to the familial hierarchy. It's for all those who'll always stand by their families but, many a time, just can't stand their families.
4.7/5 stars - DirectorFede AlvarezStarsStephen LangJane LevyDylan MinnetteHoping to walk away with a massive fortune, a trio of thieves break into the house of a blind man who isn't as helpless as he seems.By ingeniously subverting its already subverted genre tropes, Don't breathe makes chilling use of its claustrophobic setting, deliciously devious, and unexpected twists plot to trap us along with its delinquents-turned-victims in a nail-biting, anything-goes fight for survival. Director-cowriter Fede Alvarez offers a succinct demonstration of what can be achieved, with a limited budget, minimal effects, and a mostly-fresh cast, if you have clarity in vision, and know exactly what you're doing. If you thought that he showed plenty of promise despite being saddled with an ill-fated Evil Dead remake three years ago, then Don't Breathe offers plenty of proof that along with James Wan and Adam Wingard, he's here to make a name for himself in the horror and thriller genres.
'Edge-of-the-seat' is an often loosely used term these days to describe thrillers. In the case of Don't Breathe though, it's very much applicable, and comparisons with such edge-of-the-seat masters as Hitchcock, Carpenter, and Craven – however lofty – are not completely unwarranted this time.
4.7/5 stars - DirectorKaryn KusamaStarsLogan Marshall-GreenEmayatzy CorinealdiMichiel HuismanWhen a man accepts an invitation to a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife, the unsettling past reopens old wounds and creates new tensions.“The Invitation” makes brilliant use of its tense premise to deliver a highly effective and unexpectedly smart slow-burning thriller. The plot is quite simple really, but it’s narrated with such a wicked eye and shrewd hand by Director Karyn Kusama that the tension seems all too real and always simmering just beneath the surface, waiting to burst out at any moment, eventually culminating to a jaw-dropping, sinister climax that’s wholly rewarding after approximately 90 minutes of buildup.
If the movie works as well as it does, it’s because Kusama adeptly elicits suspense through shadows, silences, and ricocheting looks, and, almost nonchalantly, makes us question Will’s and our own suspicions, only to pull the rug from beneath our feat when we least expect it. She ratchets up the tension masterfully, building to a finale that’s as chilling as it’s brilliant, helped in no small way by a effective cast that’s wholly committed to her vision. Besides tantalizing us with wickedly clever plot devices, the movie also takes a fractured look into people desperate to change even if that means becoming different people all together. With this instant winner of an indie flick, Ms. Kusama has more than earned her place at Hollywood’s elite table, and not inviting her to dinner would certainly make the affair less appetizing.
4.6/5 stars - DirectorDan TrachtenbergStarsJohn GoodmanMary Elizabeth WinsteadJohn Gallagher Jr.A young woman is held in an underground bunker by a man who insists that a hostile event has left the surface of the Earth uninhabitable.Smart, sly, atmospheric, crisply directed, and palpably tense, “10 Cloverfield Lane” brilliantly chews its confined setting, with the help of an exemplary three-man cast, to offer a diabolically subversive little gem of a sci-fi film in the league of indisputable classics like “A Clockwork Orange”, “Blade Runner”, and “Soylent Green”, which take wicked pleasure in bending the genre to not only make the viewer keep guessing the trajectory of the plot, but also the theme of the film itself. In doing so, it also underlines the disconcerting thought that regardless of whatever extraterrestrial terrors we think may be lurking outside, the greatest peril could come from the individuals inside. This claustrophobic sci-fi -thriller will excite you, keep you on edge, lull you into a false sense of safety, jolt you back to reality, and then evolve into a wholly different kind of beast in the finale, at which point of time you're so involved that your suspension of dis belief can handle just about anything.
4.6/5 stars - DirectorM. ManikandanStarsVidharthPooja DevariyaAishwarya RajeshA young man with a visual impairment uses his other heightened senses to unravel a murder mystery.If there ever was a new-age Indian thriller that fulfills the Alfred Hitchcock mold, then Kutrame Thandanai fits that bill perfectly. The simple, inconspicuous way in which the story begins to the sudden turn of events that make every outcome possible, every next scene unpredictable, and any character a suspect. Even the protagonist is typical unassuming, getting involuntarily thrust into the thick of things – a la James from Rear Window (not with the same charm though). And after about 30 minutes into proceedings, once the character sketches are established, there’s a perpetual subtle tension that never lets you go and gradually, sans you realizing it, builds to a crescendo during the climax – a climax that’s so good and so unexpected that it yanks the rug from beneath your feet. Not many ventured to the theater to see Kutrame Thandanai upon release due to its lack of star power or big-ticket Director, which is a downright travesty because it deserved much more love.
4.6/5 stars - DirectorMike FlanaganStarsElizabeth ReaserLulu WilsonAnnalise BassoIn 1967 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance scam business by inviting an evil presence into their home, not realizing how dangerous it is.Having absolutely no business of being as entertaining and thrilling as it is – Ouija: Origin of Evil improves on its slipshod predecessor by leaps and bounds; presenting us a ghost story that's spooky, chilling, and maintains an equilibrium between well-done jump scares and mysterious plotting. The spot-on performances, apt pacing, and utterly shocking climax are the icing on the cake. It may not be in the league of Lights Out or The Conjuring 2 among 2017's horror films, but it's a darn good horror film all by itself.
4.1/5 stars - DirectorNagraj ManjuleStarsRinku RajguruAkash ThosarArbaz ShaikhIn interior Maharashtra, a fisherman's son and a local politician's daughter fall in love against the restrictions of caste hierarchy.It may be old wine in a new bottle, but, boy, what a sparkling bottle it is. “Sairat” proves yet again that a great Director doesn't need great stories or brilliant concepts. They can breathe life into the simplest, mundane yarns, and spin a highly engaging narrative around it. It also helps if you're backed up by two central performances (Rinky Rajguru and Akash Thosar) that can portray your vision to the T by knocking it out of the park in doing nothing more than just being as realistic and as natural as they can on screen. And, that music...my, oh, my...it has the power to make a stone fall in love; touch the soul of a terrorist; and even get the dead to rise up for one last dance - take a bow Ajay-Atul, you've created one of the best OSTs in cinematic history. “Sairat” is a love story that's as uplifting as it's difficult to watch because of how innocent and yet brutal it is.
4.1/5 stars - DirectorNic MathieuStarsJames Badge DaleEmily MortimerBruce GreenwoodA sci-fi/thriller story centered on a special-ops team that is dispatched to fight supernatural beings.It won't win any points for being new or groundbreaking, but it'll certainly win you over for making the most of its generic tropes, and presenting them with flair, confidence, and, dare I say it, even some ingenuity. Spectral is first-rate entertainment borne out of vision and commitment to its plot and presentation, where writer/Director Nic Mathieu appears admirably focused and self-assured in using his limited budget and bunch of talented actors to their full potential. The result is something that looks way more high-tech and certainly more enjoyable than it has any right to be. Overall, a terrific paranormal action movie about a bunch of eclectic characters trapped in a far-off land (with due tipping of the hat to classics such as the first two Alien films, Predator, Pitch Black, and even Promethus), and a solid beginning for Mathieu. Eagerly looking forward to his sophomore effort.
4/5 stars - DirectorAtleeStarsJoseph VijaySamantha Ruth PrabhuAmy JacksonWhen his daughter's life is endangered by a local gang, Joseph Kuruvilla will do whatever it takes to stop them. However, at the same time, his dangerous past slowly resurfaces.A cop film with heart, soul, pervasive emotional connect, and an unbelievable toned-down Vijay, all of which are utter rarities almost to the point of being aberrations in Tamil cinema. Atlee Kumar is fast proving to be one of the brightest young Directors of Kollywood. Theri perhaps merits a decimal point or two lower than the rating it gets, but it's just so surprisingly engaging and smartly assembled – even the mass scenes are neatly interwoven, well-executed, and genuinely amusing – that one can't help but bestow more love on it than it deserves.
4/5 stars - DirectorJamie M. DaggStarsRossif SutherlandDouangmany SoliphanhSara BotsfordIn the south of Laos, an American volunteer doctor becomes a fugitive after he intervenes in the sexual assault of a young woman. When the assailant's body is pulled from the Mekong River, things quickly spiral out of control.An out-an-out low-key gem that flies under the radar both in terms of its canvas and the unfortunate subdued publicity it has received till now – “River” is a grittily shot and utterly riveting thriller that ratchets up the tension with each passing moment while spending appreciable time in drawing us into the plot and evoking concern for the main protagonist around which the entire plot hinges. A gracious ode to certain Hitchcockian elements are evident, and though it doesn’t come close to bearing the complexity or originality of the auteur’s myriad works, Director Jamie M. Dagg more than makes up for them by keeping us on the edge and constantly guessing the fate of his leading man, who desperately tries to traverse a land, where his ethnicity and lack of knowledge of the indigenous dialect only exacerbate his already dreadful situation. The lean streets and frantic scenarios of the film are hugely complemented by Rossif Sutherland’s lean frame, frayed countenance, and severely frantic body-language as he stops at nothing to remain free only to realize the toll it’ll take on his conscience and morality.
4/5 stars - DirectorRam MadhvaniStarsSonam KapoorShabana AzmiYogendra TikkuThe story of courageous Neerja Bhanot, who sacrificed her life while protecting the lives of 359 passengers on Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986 when it was hijacked by a terrorist organization.With Neerja, Director Ram Madhvani delivers a film that's grim, hard-hitting, real, emotional, and terrifying all at once. Neerja is not a film that you watch for entertainment, it’s a depressing watch because the real-life story, where a 23-year old flight attendant sacrifices her life to defend the passengers aboard her plane, is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. Moreover, at approximately two hours, the pacing of the film is just right, giving the audience enough time to both digest the proceedings and get involved in the narrative. As an ode to the youngest recipient of India's highest civilian honor, the Ashoka Chakra (for displaying extraordinary valor, human kindness, and self-sacrifice away from the battlefield), Neerja is a must-watch. You’ll be glued to the screen as Neerja Bhanot's intrepidity, calmness, and willingness (surprisingly well-done by Sonam Kapoor) to put other lives before her own fills you with admiration, pride, and even a sense of humility. In addition, the movie also makes a brief but telling statement about the need to raise our daughters as fearlessly as our sons, a message that the legendary Shabana Azmi nails in that last scene.
4/5 stars - DirectorTim MillerStarsRyan ReynoldsMorena BaccarinT.J. MillerA wisecracking mercenary gets experimented on and becomes immortal yet hideously scarred, and sets out to track down the man who ruined his looks.Irreverent, incorrigible, downright hilarious, and gleefully profane, “Deadpool” subverts superhero film formula with wildly entertaining and deliberately non-family-friendly results. It busts the pomposity of your average Hollywood comic book movie and also manages to totally rip apart the fourth wall with complete self-awareness, a deliciously laugh-out-loud script, and a cocky, abrasive title character played with much joie-de-vivre by a surprising likable Ryan Reynolds (perhaps he should play all his onscreen roles with a mask). It's about darn time that superhero flicks got a character as twisted, as real, as unbothered, and even a bit selfish as “Deadpool” is. Even though the bad guy and his character arc are somewhat of a letdown, this is still is about as much fun as you could ask for from an R-rated superhero movie.
3.9/5 stars - DirectorEdward ZwickStarsTom CruiseCobie SmuldersAldis HodgeJack Reacher must uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear his name while on the run as a fugitive from the law.No one plays the true-blue moviestar quite like Tom Cruise does any longer, and he proves it yet by having the confidence to infuse life into a franchise that didn't have the most auspicious of starts. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back isn't anything new, and it may not rank with the best conspiracy-theory action films out there, but it's still good solid entertainment, with a good solid script, which ably packages some known elements in a refreshing and highly entertaining manner. It's also nice to see Cruise willing to share the honors with his co-actors, giving both Cobie Smulders and Danika Yarosh ample scope to perform while also throwing up some telling feminist moments. Those who're a bit tired with all the overexposure from comic-book and other kiddie action fare out there, would love Never Go back for its old-school action, well-crafted screenplay, unpredictable moments, and an anchored performance by one of the last, genuine moviestars remaining.
3.9/5 stars - DirectorRawson Marshall ThurberStarsDwayne JohnsonKevin HartDanielle NicoletAfter he reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage.Whoever came up with the idea to cast Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Kevin Hart opposite each other in a buddy-cop action-comedy needs to be conferred with a big, shiny gold medal. Hart and Johnson make for such impeccable comic foils to each other, that their timing, crackling chemistry, and diametrically opposite but equally appealing winsome charm is enough to overcome some languid periods in the screenplay and ensure that “Central Intelligence” remains a wholly entertaining, genuinely funny, and at times rib-tickling romp. The instantly likable duo play off each other’s strengths perfectly to come up with an almost orchestra-esque symphony of brilliantly delivered one-liners and a rhythm that swings from the laidback to the hyperactive to the oddball to the ludicrous with equal gusto and charisma. Moreover, Director Rawson Marshall Thurber and his cowriters have a firm grasp of Johnson’s appeal as one of Hollywood’s biggest draws today, and exploit it to maximum effect. With plenty of good laughs, a few high-octane action scenes, and the aforementioned camaraderie between Hart and Johnson, “Central Intelligence” could signal the start of a pleasingly new buddy-cop franchise.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorAli Abbas ZafarStarsSalman KhanAnushka SharmaRandeep HoodaSultan is a classic underdog tale about a wrestler's journey, looking for a comeback by defeating all odds.Sultan is the kind of film that goes easy on you at the start, you won’t get your hopes up but you’ll also enjoy the breezy entertainment that unfolds on screen, and then gradually, steadily, it keeps growing on you till you can’t help but lap up every emotion, every dialogue, every punch, every kick, every cry of pain, and every shout of triumph with open arms. It’s the dialogues, inspiringly emotional story, Salman Khan’s inescapable onscreen charm, and Anushka Sharma’s knockout performance that are the real victors here. The narrative is something you’ll guess from miles away, but it’s the treatment and moving dialogues that completely bowl you over.
Can a 40-year old local wrestler become an MMA champ? Probably not. But, then again, stranger things happen in sports, stranger than movie scripts too. Muhammad Ali won his third championship belt when no one gave him a whimper of a chance. And while watching Sultan, you can’t help but not bother about such trivialities. You’ll laugh and cry and feel sad and exalt in joy at the character’s journey. You won’t be able to restrain yourself from clapping and cheering him on (After ages we witnessed an entire theater clapping at several points in the movie.). Sultan is a perfect commercial entertainer and a brilliantly packaged holiday treat.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorS.U. Arun KumarStarsVijay SethupathiRamya NambeeshanRaaghavan MuruganWhile conducting an investigation into the mysterious death of a fellow officer, a cop's own reputation is questioned when a suspect in his custody is shot.As far as cop films go, Sethupathi easily ranks as one of the best ever produced in Kollywood. It’s smart, tautly scripted, with a clear vision, and, above all, it perfectly unravels the actual life of a police officer – complete with the good and bad, rosy and ugly, strengths and vulnerabilities – without ever letting go of its bang-on entertainment. Another winning factor of the film is how it breaks the mold of superhuman Tamil cops, and just presents a tough-as-nails protagonist, with a shrewd mind, ample of courage, yet human enough to slip up, vent his frustration, or doubt his own abilities. Plus, there’s the ever-dependable Vijay Sethupathi breaking new ground and offering us a cool, new side to his onscreen persona.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorClay KaytisFergal ReillyStarsJason SudeikisJosh GadDanny McBrideWhen an island populated by happy, flightless birds is visited by mysterious green pigs, it's up to three unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.Kids, adults, and long-time fans of the popular mobile game will love how “The Angry Birds Movie” amplifies the gleefully destructive pleasure one derives from making these birds of all shapes and sizes smash and dash their way through umpteen obstacles. It results in a completely bonkers and over-the-top, yet ultimately hilarious and delightfully dazzling animated romp, with charming characters and enthralling gags aplenty to overcome the somewhat flimsy plot. All in all, a fun-filled cartoon flick that should appeal to almost every section of the audience.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorDave GreenStarsMegan FoxWill ArnettTyler PerryThe Turtles get into another battle with their enemy the Shredder, who has acquired new allies: the mutant thugs Bebop and Rocksteady and the alien being Krang.The best way describe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is by calling it what it is – a very, very, very entertaining movie, plain and simple. It’s offers adrenaline-pumping fun from start to end, with equal doses of action, humor, special effects, character interplay, and no-holds-barred excitement. Like the first part, TMNT 2 is just a plain ol’ good time at the movies. Hell, I liked it a tad more than Civil War, which, while good, I found to be messy in certain portions. Where Out of the Shadows succeeds big time is in bringing back fond childhood memories. (They even played a tweaked version of the original title song from the animated show at the end.) If I had to define the movie in one word, I’d say: “Cowabunga“!
3.7/5 stars - DirectorMichael BayStarsJohn KrasinskiPablo SchreiberJames Badge DaleDuring an attack on a U.S. compound in Libya, a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is Director Micahel Bay's most mature effort hitherto, and almost makes you forget his cinematic abominations in the past few years; almost, ranking with his best efforts like “The Rock” and “Armageddon”. The story of the by now well-known attack on the CIA base in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012 generally sticks to what is thought to have happened, and provides some tense action scenes while paying due reverence to the sensitivity of its subject matter. But, then again, Bay's expertise in staging elaborate and exciting fight scenarios was never in doubt, it's been his handling of other directorial aspects that have made many of his efforts almost intolerable. Thankfully, this time we get the Bay of “The Rock” rather than the man behind the misfires that were “The Transformers” movies and his other mind-numbing crapfests. “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers” of Benghazi is a gut-wrenching, tense, action-packed, yet emotionally draining war movie, and Bay can still direct if he sets his mind to it. Why doesn't he do it more often?
3.7/5 stars - DirectorSunny DeolStarsSunny DeolSoha Ali KhanOm PuriWhen a video of his mentor's murder surfaces, an investigative journalist takes action to find those responsible.“Ghayal Once Again” has copious exciting moments to overshadow a few of its disbelieving scenes, and gives Sunny Deol ample scope to prove that he can still give reigning Bollywood superstars or the younger generation of upcoming stars a good run for their money. Sunny Paaji looks years younger than his current age of 58, and convincingly performs most of the film’s action sequences himself, many of which are truly exhilarating and bring you to the edge of your seat. More than a few dialogues pump up the tempo and are bound to elicit claps and whistles at single screen theaters. Sunny has also smartly made use of the background score from the first “Ghayal” during the action scenes, punch-dialogues, and intense moments.
Technically, however, the film isn’t up to the mark. It has been shot well, but a few scenes are edited quite abruptly. Voice dubbing is shoddy and at times not in sync with the lip movement. These few higgles aside, “Ghayal Once Again” isn’t to be missed if you’re a Sunny Deol fan. There’s a lot of fun to be had with its action, chase sequences, dialogues, and, above all, Sunny’s rage and his “dhai kilo ka haath” Just don’t approach the movie expecting a film as brilliant as the original 1990 classic, and you won’t be disappointed.
3.7/5 stars - DirectorVijay KumarStarsVijay KumarChandruMime GopiFour friends studying in an engineering college unintentionally end up becoming a part of caste politics led by corrupt politicians.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorMatt RossStarsViggo MortensenGeorge MacKaySamantha IslerIn the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a father devoted to raising his six kids with a rigorous physical and intellectual education is forced to leave his paradise and enter the world, challenging his idea of what it means to be a parent.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorDennis GanselStarsJason StathamJessica AlbaTommy Lee JonesBishop's most formidable foe kidnaps the love of his life in order to make him complete three impossible assassinations and make them look like accidents.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorAbhinay DeoStarsJohn AbrahamSonakshi SinhaTahir Raj BhasinACP Yashvardhan teams up with RAW Agent KK to bring down the mole within RAW.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorA.R. MurugadossStarsSonakshi SinhaAnurag KashyapKonkona Sen SharmaA gripping action thriller about a college girl Akira, who has grown up with the ideals of being self reliant. Her life spirals out of control when she becomes unwittingly involved in a crime involving four corrupt police officers.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorCameron CairnesColin CairnesStarsMeegan WarnerIan MeadowsOlivia DeJongeA group of people run a TV show where they set up locations to scare people. Things go horribly wrong when the producer wants them to get darker as they set up an asylum to spook the new target: a creepy guy who used to work there.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorDavid AyerStarsWill SmithJared LetoMargot RobbieA secret government agency recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains to form a defensive task force. Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse.A few disjointed scenes and disorienting arcs are overcome by a plethora of wonderfully staged action set pieces, crackling camaraderie by a crackerjack team, and subversively stylish performances by Will Smith and Margot Robbie – where one's admirably restrained and the other's attractively bonkers – to offer a different kind of superhero movie that's enjoyable and even feels fresh for the most part. Do ignore the array of naysayers out there (whatever their reasons may be); Suicide Squad is one fun-filled, balls-blasting suicidal romp, and the best thing out of the DC stable since The Dark Knight Returns (though not in the same league).
3.5/5 stars - DirectorMudassar AzizStarsDiana PentyAbhay DeolJimmy ShergillAfter fleeing an arranged marriage, a feisty Indian woman finds herself stranded in Pakistan where the ex-governor's son helps reunite her with her boyfriend.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorPeter AtencioStarsKeegan-Michael KeyJordan PeeleTiffany HaddishWhen the adorable kitten of an L.A. crime kingpin unexpectedly enters the life of two cousins, they will have to go through tough gangs, pitiless hit-men, and ruthless drug dealers who all claim him, to get him back. How hard can it be?3.5/5 stars
- DirectorGarth DavisStarsDev PatelNicole KidmanRooney MaraA five-year-old Indian boy is adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost hundreds of kilometers from home. 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorAlex ProyasStarsBrenton ThwaitesNikolaj Coster-WaldauGerard ButlerMortal hero Bek teams with the god Horus in an alliance against Set, the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt's throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict.“Gods of Egypt” is one helluva exciting and engaging experience to spend a lazy afternoon with. It sets out to provide no-holds-barred entertainment, and that's what it exactly does, without ever pretending to be anything more. Yes, it's over-the-top, at times superficial, and mostly flashy, but it's also offers plenty of fun - a simple, laidback kind of fun that we can all connect to from time-to-time if we are just willing to pull our heads out of our asses. For all its clichés, plot contrivances, and neat trimmings, Gods of Egypt succeeds as an endearing, goofy gloss on the fantasy spectacles of yesteryears - something like a homage to Ray Harryhausen's best works like “Clash of the Titans” (1981), “Jason and the Argonauts”, and “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad”, but “I, Robot” twelve years ago to show off his visual eye, and he does it with aplomb and opulence, sadly, with too much opulence at times, which threatens to derail the viewing experience at certain junctures. Nevertheless, its over-indulgence and some logical loopholes aside, “Gods of Egypt” inexplicably won me over with its spectacular canvas and light, breezy entertainment.
3.5/5 stars - DirectorVictor ZarcoffStarsNeville ArchambaultSean CarriganPJ McCabeA newlywed couple, move into a new house across the country, only to find out that their marital issues are the least of their problems. Unbeknownst to them, their grim and lascivious landlord has been spying on them from day one.Victor Zarcoff’s slow-burning debut is edgy enough to get him noticed as a Director to watch out for, especially in the thriller and horror genres. That doesn’t mean “13 Cameras” is a flawless film, but it effectively weaves together more than a few ominous sequences, and slowly but surely keeps building on the tension to deliver a grim and, at times, uncomfortable thriller. But, where Zarcoff hits a whole home run is in delivering a finale that’s genuinely chilling and unnerving. And, that twist in the end there’s no way anyone can see that coming.
3.5/5 stars - DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsMahershala AliNaomie HarrisTrevante RhodesA young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorPaco CabezasStarsAnna KendrickSam RockwellTim RothA girl falls for the "perfect" guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he's a hitman on the run from the crime cartels who employ him.Breezy, ballsy, crazy, and, most importantly, entertaining, “Mr. Right” is a screwball, hit-man, action rom-com if you will, where Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis from “Some Like it Hot” meet James Bond, Jason Bourne, Ethan Hunt, and even a bit of Bruce Lee. The plot is unabashedly insane and could have done with a lot more explanation; the characters are *beep* crazy and could have had better arcs, but the film as a whole is quite funny and enjoyable, mostly due to its effervescent lead pair that make this candy-floss tale of blood and romance more charming than it has any right to be.
3.4/5 stars - DirectorSudha KongaraStarsMadhavanNassarRadha RaviThe story of a former boxer who quits boxing following a fallout with the authorities over the underlying politics but goes on to coach a fisherwoman to fulfill his dream through her.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorMark PaviaStarsBill SageMakenzie VegaDre DavisIn a small New Mexico town, teenager Hilary gets into her first fender bender and innocently exchanges her personal information with the other driver, a terrifying and bizarre serial killer who stalks the country road for his next victims.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorKarthick NarenStarsRahmanPrakash RaghavanSharathkumarA police officer retires after an accident during a case investigation. Years later, he is forced to relive the past as he narrates the story to his friend's son.3.3/5 stars
- DirectorOpie CooperStarsAinsley BaileyCameron Deane StewartMadeline TheltonA playful nod to 80's adventure films that finds a group kids spending the night in an abandoned jail for a school fundraiser. Things take a chilling turn when their chaperone vanishes just as a vicious beast attacks.3.3/5 stars
- DirectorCourtney HuntStarsKeanu ReevesRenée ZellwegerGugu Mbatha-RawA defense attorney works to get his teenage client acquitted of murdering his wealthy father.3.3/5 stars
- DirectorJeremy SaulnierStarsAnton YelchinImogen PootsAlia ShawkatA punk rock band is forced to fight for survival after witnessing a murder at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar.3.2/5 stars
- DirectorTim StoryStarsIce CubeKevin HartTika SumpterAs his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who's supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product.“Ride Along 2” wants you to relax your brain (not switch it off, whatever that nonsensical term means) and enjoy some silly jokes, simple fun, adolescent gags, and innocent banter between Ice Cube and Kevin Hart; and guess what…? It gets you to do exactly that, so it’s a success to that effect at least. Those who had a good time with the camaraderie and opposing comic styles of straight-faced Cube and motor-mouthed Hart from their first outing together, will have enough reason to smile at their second collaboration for this sequel to their hit buddy-cop venture. Though it’s more or less of the same, there’s still plenty going on here to make it feel just about different enough – from its predecessor and other numerous buddy-cop movies out there – to get the job done. And, on that note, however watchable, “Ride along 2” may be, or regardless of how much innocuous fun there’s to be had from it, Hart and Cube should pull up to the curb and bring their almost-milked ride to a stop with this sequel for fear of exhausting the formula to the point that it’s no longer fun or watchable.
3.2/5 stars - DirectorSabbir KhanStarsTiger ShroffShraddha KapoorSudheer Babu PosaniA martial arts student seeks revenge after the murder of his master.Baaghi is one of India’s most realistically choreographed action movies, and that rare Bollywood film, which not only showcases martial arts fights scenes, but does so with style, confidence, authenticity, and homage to this ancient and revered art form. (Other similar Bollywood vehicles that come to mind after watching Baaghi are Akshay Kumar’s Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and Vidyut Jammwal’s Commando.) By no means will the film offer you a unique, immersive cinematic experience, but, then again, it doesn’t pretend to do so either. What it sets out to do is take you on a pulsating, highly entertaining rollercoaster of emotions, romance, action, music, exotic locations, and, then, some more action – a feat that it accomplishes admirably well.
If you think that Baaghi is all about the action, then think again. If you’re one of those who’ve seen the terrific 2011 Indonesian film, The Raid: Redemption, and assumed from some of the rushes in the trailer that Baaghi is a version of that film, then, once again, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, Baaghi is action-packed, yes the climax has a few elements similar to The Raid, but, at the end of the day, it’s an out-an-out Bollywood potboiler done right after a long time
At the end of the day, Baaghi will satisfy people who love a good entertaining ride, it’ll satisfy those who love action films even more, and it’ll also appease those who’re looking for a sensibly made film that, though packs in a lot of commercial aspects, never goes overboard with them. It’s not without its flaws or logical loopholes, but it draws you in, entertains you to the hilt, and leaves you with your heart racing.
3.2/5 stars - DirectorSteven GomezStarsThure LindhardtVanessa KirbyDavid AjalaSet in a near future, technology-reliant society that pits man against killing machines.Writer-Director Steven Gomez’s indie sci-fi film pays as an obvious homage to all things James Cameron, but this homage knows its limitations, sticks to its strengths, and shows reverence to what it’s paying homage to without ever trying to outdo it or get too smart for its own good (a grave blunder many movie with similar intentions commit). “Kill Command” has an unmistakable retro – vibe that manages to suck you into its world – a world that somehow defies the limited budget it’s constrained with by riding on the backs of some brisk pacing, interesting plot elements, surprisingly decent effects, and all-round good performances, which come together to conceal many of the scripting flaws. What, this low-budget robot movie successfully does in the end is outscore many similarly conceived but poorly executed large-scale, big-studio, hollow Hollywood spectacles.
3.1/5 stars - DirectorPavan KirpalaniStarsRadhika ApteAmrita BagchiNivedita BhattacharyaAn agoraphobic young woman, traumatized by past events, finds herself trapped and terrorized in her own home.Director Pavan Kripalani gets a good grasp of Viki Rajani’s intricate screenplay, and moves the narrative along with the edginess and mystery it demands. He makes good on the promise he displayed in Ragini MMS and shows his skills of taking hold of your senses and scaring you when you least expect it. However, Kripalani completely loses the plot in the last 30-40 minutes, which all but derails the preceding good work. Still, if you can look past this lapse of direction (regardless how difficult it may be) leading to a wholly unsatisfying climax, then the film is still worth a watch for Radhika Apte alone, who gives the performance of a lifetime in Phobia. Her eyes convey such terror and each facial connotation expresses such fear that you’ll be overwhelmingly convinced of every affliction the Director associates her character with. With her portrayal of Mahek, Apte makes everyone from the audience to the rest of her fraternity sit up and take notice of the unexplored reserves of talent she possesses. She alone is worth the price of admission for Phobia.
3.1/5 stars - DirectorRemo D'SouzaStarsTiger ShroffJacqueline FernandezNathan JonesJatt is a reluctant superhero who fights crime and protects people. He meets his match in the evil Raka, who he must vanquish to save the day.3/5 stars
- DirectorAnthony D'SouzaStarsEmraan HashmiNargis FakhriPrachi DesaiBiographical sports drama based on the life of former Indian international cricketer, Mohammad Azharuddin3/5 stars
- DirectorRambhalaStarsSanthanamShanayaAnandrajThe film is a love story with elements of horror. The protagonist is a man who shows off his bravery and also manages to scare ghosts.Where Dhilluku Dhuddu scores is in its one-liners, with Santhanam getting to mouth some cracking and hilarious punch-lines, which should appeal to both the classes and masses. He’s also shown great improvement over his last film as a solo hero, and it’s to his credit that he carries the weak script and some of the other actors on his shoulders. His romantic interest, the debutant Shanaya is pleasing to the eye but needs considerable work on her dialogue delivery before she can be considered for more-important rolls in bigger films. The other actors (surprisingly even Saurabh Shukla) fail to leave a mark.
Dhilluku Dhuddu also benefits from Deepak Kumar Padhy’s cinematography, which evokes a chilling atmosphere and an eerie feel throughout the film’s runtime. Thaman’s background score also backs up the visuals, but his songs barely pass muster. Gopi Krishna’s editing also does the job as he manages to offer some brilliant jump scares and shock moments.
All in all, Rambala’s transition from the small to the big screen in his debut feature is mostly smooth, but the choppy parts are too distinct to ignore. He shows promise in handling the humorous scenes but falters more times than can be overlooked, when it comes to inducing scares and building the suspense, which could also be attributed to the messy script. Santhanam’s presence and the funny dialogues are what help Dhilluku Dhuddu stay afloat.
2.5/5 stars