The A Team : Start teaming up ! :D

Hi. Yes, I am kind of back. Finally doing what I love. :D The A team *ing Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper released today. And it was my responsibilty as a crazy movie "critic" to go watch it. Here goes.

THE PLOT : Hannibal Smith(Liam Neeson - what an entry!), Faceman Pack (Bradley Cooper), B A Barcus (Quinton Jackson) and HM Murdock (Sharlto Copley) are on the Alpha Team or "A TEAM" in the US army stationed at Baghdad. Fast, aggressive, determined and always with a plan, they are the best USA has got. So, when they are asked to retrieve fake US dollars leaving the country from terrorists in Baghdad by General Morrison, it is a nutjob and they do it perfectly until they realise they have been set up by Black Forest Police chief Brock Pike. Morrison is dead and they soon learn that the actual plan was not the dollars, but the dollar-making plates which were supposed to be moved. All of them are soon arrested and stripped off their military honours. With CIA Agent Lynch(Patrick Wilson) and Captain Sosa(Jessica Biel) on their back, they are now on the run. To retrieve the plates. To clear their names. To get revenge. And they have a plan ! What happens ? Who is the thief ? Do find out !!

The movie just keeps getting better and better. All the 4 members have distinct characters and awesome chemistry which keeps this action packed ride filled with comedy. :) Do catch the movie. Remember, don't make a plan B !

RATING : ***1/2

PUNCH LINE : You even want one ? Did you not read the story ? Go for it ! The A team is what you need to get you up and about ! :D

Percy Jackson and the Lightning thief - Greek mythology treat !!

Greek mythology always finds lovers, be it me or some random professor or this hyper-excited friend I went with to watch the movie. Not only was I watching the movie, I had a Greek encyclopaedia beside me giving all the info you possibly could need. :D :D

PLOT :The film opens with an exlposive argument between Zeus(Sean Bean) and Poseidon(Kevin McKidd) where Zeus accuses Poseidon's son of stealing his Lightning bolt and asks him to prepare for war in 14 days if he doesn't return it. Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman - needs acting lessons) is a dyslexic high school who has a thing for water. One day, on his visit to a Mythological museum, he is attacked by one of his teachers when another professor Mr. Bruner(Pierce Brosnan - Yeah, the james bond guy !) saves him and sends him off along with Percy's best friend Grover(Brandon T. Jackson) to a camp. Percy, like all of us is in a big confusion as to what's happening when his single mother also forces him down the camp but in process is killed. He joins this camp where he meets many demi-gods - Luke, Annabeth amongst others and also Chiron who is none other than Mr. Brunner, a centaur. All this comes with a shocking truth - Percy Jackson is also a Demi-God - he is Poseidon's son and also, accused the Lightning thief. Together, all embark on a journey that could change the world or horribly destroy it. Who stole the Bolt ? Does Percy win his mother back ? Well, like always. . . Go catch the movie !!

Chris Columbus, director of movies like Harry Potter and Night at the Museum dishes out yet another special-effects filled treat with awesome moments and cool dialogues. My only complaint is, the movie felt really short and is not what you expect from something that's so hyped up.

FAVOURITE SCENE : The iconic scene with Percy controlling water and throwing it on the Lightning thief is really cool !!

RATING : ***1/2

I guess I made my bunking day purposeful. :D :D Want my advice ? Watch it once, if not for anyone - at least for Uma Thurman as Medusa and the awesome pen-Sword!!

Karthik Calling Karthik - Go ahead, pick the call up !

I really love when they make movies like these. I closely followed everything from the poster release to the premiere and the reviews. Yes, KCK, yet another one of those hatke movies, with the factor that attracts most of us - the SPECIAL factor is here.

THE PLOT: Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) is one sad person. No friends, no life, just a 24X7 job where he just keeps getting bullied around. It's like he doesn't exist for either his colleagues or his boss or Shonali (Deepika Padukone - awesome hairstyle!) or even his neighbor ! All this enrages him and he ends up breaking his land-phone. Takes a visit, gets a totally hip one with all new features. It's his birthday and unusually, he gets a call. Something which will change everything. A call from Karthik. To Karthik. He transforms, from a sore loser to a total cool, confident high-job holder. Karthik promises Karthik everything which Karthik does eventually get; money, makeover and Shonali. All this at a price. The one thing Karthik on the phone asks Karthik not to do. The grave mistake which breaks Karthik to pieces. What is that ? What happens to Shonali and Karthik ? Where does Karthik end up ? Who is the Karthik on the phone ? Well, should I tell you everything ? Go, catch the movie !!

Vijay Lalwani does an awesome work out of the plot as he spins this tale with twists, turns and the thrills ! Farhan Akhtar rocks, simple ! If not for anything, you will sit through for him. Decent work by Deepika.

RATING : **** (4/5)

The movie is as catchy as it sounds. Actually, it is even better ! Do watch the movie. Go ahead, the phone is ringing. Pick up pick up ! :D :D

My name is Khan - Bollywood's Forrest Gump is born. \m/

MNIK rocks !! Yes, truly. If 3 idiots blew you away, this one will sway you like the wind !! Yay !! Ok, ok. I am controlling. This is my first review on an SRK's movie. As big a fan I am and as honoured as I am, I promise to be honest, fair and audience-centered. Here goes my review on MNIK.

PLOT : Rizvan Khan (SRK),(Khan from the epiglottis) the protagonist suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, an autism. The movie starts with his flashback as a kid, showing his deficiency and also his intelligience. His mom, is loving and accepts him as any other kid. But his brother, who doesn't like this tries to stay away. Zakir(Jimmy Shergill)(the brother), now grown up moves to USA and gets married. Their mother dies and Rizvan moves in with Zakir, helping him out in the business of beauty products as a salesman. He meets Mandira(Kajol), a divorced mother who has a son Sameer studying in Junior High. He falls in love, gets married and they become one happy family. Then 9/11 happens. Everything is changed. Friends become enemies. Indians are all of a sudden, hate to the Americans. Sameer gets killed. Kajol now wants to leave Rizvan and regrets having married a Khan. Rizvan is ready to do anything for her and on her order leaves. To meet the president of the USA, just to give a message. What is it ? What happens finally ? Does Rizvan meet him ? Does the world change for Indians in USA? Get ready to be amazed, thrilled and moved on a Journey that takes you all over USA along with one man. . . Khan.

Shah Rukh is ready to bag all the awards this year. What with the brilliant performance and all. Kajol, awesome as ever. Karan Johar has also hit back big, after the dud KANK.

RATING : ***** (My first 5 stars ever ! Yay !)

WATCH OR MISS : Watch or you will be sorry.

If Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump moved America, SRK as Rizvan will move the world. MNIK has lived up to it's hype. Arguably, exceeded it. I need to book tickets again !! Ciao ! (BTW, I picked up this marry me thing from SRK in the movie. So, any of my lady friends who see me doing this, please, dont be alarmed). :D :D

Striker - Awesome beginning, lost it in the end. :|

I saw this movie along with my friends. As I was coming out of the hall after the movie, one of my friends caught up with me and said "Dude ! Where was carroms in the movie ?". Sadly, yes, he was right. For the name "striker", it wasn't much about carrom or anything for that matter.

THE PLOT:The movie starts with Malvani, Mumbai in 1992 riots where Surya(Siddharth - very good!) is trying to break in to his own locality. A series of flashbacks shows young Surya getting attracted to the game and playing it. After winning the national championship at 12, he leaves the game (WHY??) and is now an aspiring young man in 1980s trying to go to Dubai. Jaleel (Aditya Pancholi) ditches Surya with his fraud agency by taking his money. Surya, whose best friend Jaid(Ankur Vikal) works for Jaleel calls Surya to win back his own money - by winning carrom. Surya does and impresses Jaleel, who keeps offering him to work for him. A party is held on Eid at jaleel's where Surya wins big but doesn't know that JAid is robbing Jaleel of his money and also informing the police. Surya who also works for a gold agency is robbed of the gold he is supposed to transport, costing him 1 1/2 lakh. He finds out that it was Jaleel who did this to bring Surya back to him. Jaleel throws a game for 2 lakh and in this game, tries to make Jaid's intentions known. Jaid is ultimately found and killed because of his treachery.Back in 92, Surya comes back to find his siter dead in the riots and avenges the death by killing Jaleel.

Throw in a bai, a dada(bro) who is beaten up for owing Jaleel, a sister and Noorie. . . and Striker is made. I don't know what the others think, I was plain disapoointed. Director, music is overall ok with Siddharth and the brilliance gluing you to the end.

Rating : **1/2 (For Siddharth and Vidya Malvade)

Watch or Miss? : Miss. Many more movies are in line. Go if you can't get a ticket for Rann.

ISHQIYA - A perfect start to bollywood 2010 !

Yes. I mean it. I mean, yeah there is Veer but let's face it. No stars on that one. Ishqiya is yet another masterpiece after Kaminey from Vishal Bharadwaj's camp. And for those of you who hate hard-hitting, gun-slinging action. There is love. Romance. :D So here you go. Ishqiya, the review.

THE PLOT : Khalujan(Naseeruddin Shah) and Babban(Arshad Warsi) are two thieves on the run, after having stolen from their own boss Mushtaq(Salman Shahid). Set in rural UP, the movie starts with these men running for their life to Gorakhpur into the shelter of another man Verma, a gun seller who is now dead. Both Babban and Khalu are in for a shock as they don't meet him but his wife ! Who is that ? No points here for guessing. Krishna Verma(Vidya Balan - with a smooch ! :D) She tells them about his death and they decide to stay. Oh, not for Verma. But for Krishna, the beautiful widow in the house. What begins here is a love triangle between people with totally different views on life. . . And also Krishna's revenge on the person who got her man killed, Khakkad. Who is Khakkad ? How do the trio mange to kidnap him ? Where is Mushtaq ? Who ultimately wins Krishna ? Who ultimately backstabs the other ? Well, go right into the movie halls. If you enjoyed Kaminey, you will love this one.

Really great acting by all the three. Yes, this is the second time I am mentioning it but I loved the kiss there. Shah with his old-bollywood love for Vidya and Warsi looking for some wild animal romance, really makes up a fun ride. Really great comic timing between between Warsi and Shah with the great one liners and situational acts. Bravo !! Awesome screenplay too, by Vishal Bharadwaj who shows us some great gasping sunsets and hilltops. The director, Abhishek Chaubey has done a great job of the movie.

BEST SCENE : The intro of Babban and Khalujan, where they are dancing by the river when Mushtaq shows up. The story Babban cooks to help them escape is really hilarious. :D

RATING : ***1/2

To watch or to miss : Like I said, watch it ! It's a fun ride, all the way to Ghorakpur. Ishqiya !

Sherlock Holmes - Elementary indeed ! :D

There was 221 B Baker Street, there was Watson, there was Sherlock Holmes and then there was MYSTERY ! Decades ago, it was born. and then forgotten. Was ! This movie gives you back all those memories and shows you Holmes. Not the neat, clever Holmes who can explain everything with a cigarette's butt. A Holmes who makes mistakes, who gets beaten up and also gets outwitted ! Sherlock who learns to become the SHERLOCK HOLMES.

THE WHOLE PLOT : Sherlock Holmes(Robert Downey Jr.) and Dr. Watson(Jude Law) are back ( What an introduction, bravo !) and are needed again when the famous Dark arts practitioner, Henry Blackwood who rises from the Dead ! But this time, it's more than money, more than prophecies. It's the whole world on stake. In the midst of all this, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), the only woman, make that the only PERSON who ever outwlawed Holmes comes along and tries joining the duo as the three battle it out. Why is she here ? Who is Mortiarty ? What is happening to the world ? Well, you certainly can find all these answers. Pure fun !!

Robert Downey Jr. has put on an excellent act after Iron Man and Jude Law, works out as always. The movie takes you back to the birth of Modern England with it's coal ships and the Unfinished London Bridge, an awesome climax ! While Rachel McAdams was good, the special credit goes to Guy Ritchie for bringing out such an age-old yet such an interesting person back to life.

BEST SCENE : Holmes, following Irene, changes into an unrecognisable beggar using objects from the street. Awesome !!

Rating : **** !

If you are even a casual fan of Holmes, don't miss it. And all those of you who are still hung up on AVATAR, wake up ! Sherlock Holmes is out. Elementary people, elementary !