date night review

MOVIE : DATE NIGHT

CAST: STEVE CARELL, TINA FEY

Plot:

Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carell and Tina Fey), a couple who have been married for several years seem to be caught in a rut. So Phil decides to spice things up, by taking his wife to a swanky new restaurant in the city. But the restaurant is full and so they impulsively jump on the opportunity, to steal someone else’s reservation. This leads to a case of mistaken identity and the couple soon find themselves in a lot more trouble than they bargained for. With angry mobsters and dirty cops chasing them, they try to find a way to get out of the huge mess, by getting the flash drive the villains believe they possess. Will they be in one piece at the end of date night? Let’s hope so.

Tickles your funny bone:

This is an action packed Romantic-comedy, so it’s guaranteed that the men will not fall asleep half way through the movie. It’s exhilarating to watch the car chase that features a very sleek silver Audi. Part of the fun resides in seeing how an ordinary couple can outsmart villains while being chased around Manhattan. This movie is not without flaws, as it tends to get a bit chaotic and frantic at times and they could have stayed away from most of the clichés. Steve Carell and Tina Fey prove to us, all is not lost when there is a ordinary script involved and that having talented performers can elevate mediocre material enough, to wring genuine laughs out of it. Their partnership proves to be a lethal combination, for their comic genius will have you laughing out loud almost throughout the movie. The solid supporting cast and cameos add to infectious energy that surrounds the movie. There is some brilliant improvisation at play here, in fact opportunities where they are cut loose and allowed to go really crazy, are some of the best parts of the film.

BottomLine:

This movie is funny, engaging and interesting and certainly worth a watch.

hmmmmm.....
Sometimes in our lives we all have painWe all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride

If I have things you need to borrowFor no one can fill those of your needs

That you don't let show
Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear

That you can't carry

I'm right up the road

I'll share your load

If you just call me
So just call on me brother, when you need a hand

We all need somebody to lean on

I just might have a problem that you'd understand

We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me when you're not strong

And I'll be your friendI'll help you carry on

For it won't be longTill I'm gonna need Somebody to lean on

Lean on me...


Thank you for letting me lean on you!! happy b'day!! Im grateful for you guys:)

movie review- how to train your dragon

MOVIE: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
CAST: JAY BARUCHEL, GERARD BUTLER
This movie is based on a novel by Cressida Cowell and comes from the studio that brought you some of the best animated films like “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda”. The story revolves around Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a gangly out-of-place kid in a town full of burly, king-sized Vikings. His father Stoick (Gerard Butler) is naturally disappointed, at not having a son who will follow in his footsteps, as the next best dragon slayer. Amidst all the chaos that surrounds the village, Hiccup befriends one of the most dangerous dragons, Night Fury after saving its life. Hiccup’s world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view. He uncovers certain secrets about the dragons, which threaten the very existence of his village. With so many lives hanging in the balance, Hiccup must rise to the occasion and find a way to make it all right.

Beauty and the beast:
If you think you’ve seen it all in Harry potter and Avatar, then wait till you see the dragons in action in ‘how to train your dragon’. This movie works on so many levels, I do not know where to begin. All aspects of the movie right from casting. Script, direction, animation and dialogue is spot on! This is a movie that will speak to audiences of all ages and that is something rare and special. This ones a keeper for sure!! This movie will remind you much of Avatar at times as the visual likeness is hard to miss. This movie manages to captivate the audience with the right mix of action, heartfelt emotion, drama and romance. It manages to be unpredictable, believable and exhilarating all at the same time.

Gerard Butler makes a menacing, proud, burly Viking look like a piece of cake. The cute Irish accent is just icing:). Jay Baruchel’s voice brings to life the character of Hiccup and makes him instantly likable. It gave me a jolt to see Snoutlout a character in the movie to bear an uncanny resemblance to Jack Black !! wat was that about??

You have dragons of all shapes and sizes, its so wonderfully creative and colorful you cannot help but be hooked onto to it. The story is based on a strong script and it shows, but it cannot take away from the fact that the performances were as bright as the sun. You could watch this movie 20 times and still want to watch it. It’s nice to see the former adversaries finally make nice, I mean the dragons and the Vikings:D:D. Who would have thought that dragons could be this much fun!! I certainly didn’t. I went in with no expectations, but I came out on the otherside with the smile on my face, because I know this film would have exceeded any expectation anyone would have had. The development of the bond between Hiccup and Toothless is conveyed virtually without dialogue, which suggests that DreamWorks Animation has absorbed a useful lesson from its rivals at Pixar.
Bottomline:
In the words of captain hadoock “Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles”, what a ride!!!

sports for ALL!!

We talk about equality of sexes almost all the time and there has been a constant battle for woman empowerment, many are fought and some are hard won. The recent passing of legislation to increase the representation of women in parliament was one such hard won battle, that bought to focus the growing desire and necessity to have the fairer sex in the forefront of developement. Nehru said ' A nations progress can be judged by the status of its women'. This made me think, if this is true, what does this say about INDIA? How will we be judged? Definitely, we will be taken more seriously if we were to indeed create some unique opportunities for women.

The movie CHAK DE gave us an insight into how the world looks at women in sports. There are huge problems: be it funding, sponsors or infrastructure, it was clear as day that they are at a serious disadvantage. Some argue that sports is more of a gentleman's game because of the amount of stamina required. But at the end of the day it is a test of endurance and skill. So why is that women in sports are not as popular as the men? Why are they not given a level playing field with the men or the same amount of recognition and support? Why is that people feel that watching men's cricket is a lot more exciting than womens cricket? I would say all this is because of the lack of exposure and awareness or maybe even ignorance on our part. Ask any ardent cricket fan, even a woman 'who the captain of the Women's Indian cricket team is'? They will definitely draw a blank.

Take the IPL for example, Underneath the corporate exploiting the event for marketing gimmicks and many other such agendas, the BCCI insists that at the heart of it, IPL was created to find some fresh talent and give them a once in a lifetime opportunity to play alongside the best. If this is their mission, shouldn't their vision also include women? Why not have one or two women players in the team. They have ceiling limits and rules on almost everything right from the number of international players. Why not give women an opportunity to prove themselves? If we are truly equals this should be no problem. Even tennis has a concept of mixed doubles and this is also a game that's not just about skill but endurance as well. Women are just as talented if not more than men and all they need is someone need to open doors for them and give them a voice. As a developing nation our voice is loud, but as we all know actions speak louder than words. By adding women to the equation you not only intrigue the audience but the anticipation of seeing how well they fair will increase your TRP. It will be a win-win situation for all involved and India will be viewed in a completely different and positive light. The BCCI should seriously consider opening up the IPL to women as well because there is incredible talent there just waiting to be discovered and show the world what they are made of

The IPL with its enormous success should pave way to newer ideas and maintain the spirit of the game in the truest sense.

the bounty hunter - review

MOVIE: THE BOUNTY HUNTER

CAST: Jenifer Aniston, Gerard Butler

The movie is directed by Andy Tennant who is well-known for some truly wonderful movies like Hitch and Sweet Home Alabama. Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler), a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly (Jenifer Aniston). Milo is hoping to cash in on an easy opportunity, embarrassing his ex-wife seems to be an added bonus. But things get a little complicated when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up. But she seems to have taken a wrong turn with the investigation and things go from bad to worse, when a hit is ordered to shut her up permanently. The exes continually one-up each other - until they find themselves on the run for their lives.

Little high and too low!

One would have high expectations because the cast and crew are known to be some of the best in the business. The only positives that are evident in the movie is Jenifer Aniston’s hot body that will make you want to eat your heart out and Gerard Butlers cute smile. The movie suffers mainly because the script is just pain horrible. There can be no other word to describe this disaster. Frankly, I love Aniston and Butler, but this movie is so wrong on so many levels I do not know where to begin. The wardrobe for Butler was so hideous! Even my fat cousin has better taste in clothes!! The comedy and romance which are essential to a ROM-COM are totally absent. There seems to be no chemistry what so ever between the two lead actors!! It is just a mindless watch I would say, If u wanna just go to the movies and neck then this would be the movie to pick.

Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Teresa the bondsman's secretary, seem to the only one who could muster up a good performance. Overall a bad script, bad acting, bad comedy, no romance, bad action sequences, some clichéd scenes all add up to a truly atrocious movie that is not worth your time,money or energy. Lots of hammy faces, hollow jokes and property damage make this movie a truly regrettable experience.

Bottomline:

Watch it at your own risk. If you blow your brains out afterward atleast I can say ‘I told you so’.

IT's Complicated Movie review

ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR!

MOVIE: It’s Complicated

CAST: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin

This Romantic-comedy was written and directed by Nancy Meyers, known for films such as The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give, and Father of the Bride. The movie revolves around Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) who have been divorced for a decade, but have learned to get along. Seems simple enough, but not for long as a steamy night between the two leads to a totally different kind of hangover! Jake is married to a woman half his age and Jane now finds herself being the other woman. Though her conscience plagues her, Jane cannot think past Jake and finds herself with conflicting emotions. But things get even more interesting when Adam (Steve Martin) enters the scene, unwittingly forming a love triangle.

Get high & low:

Jane owns a successful bakery and the onslaught of all the pastries and food is cause for all kinds of cravings. But this movie is not for the faint hearted, as seeing Alec Baldwin without clothes takes some serious courage. The cast with the exception of Lake Bell (Agnes) was well picked, as one feels an instant connection with Jane’s Children and the sense of family comes across. John Krasinski as Hurley leaves a lasting impression with his comic timing. The story is sometimes predictable and the constant giggling will get on your nerves. Steve Martin is not that great but his performance is effective to the say the least.

Age is just a number:

Anyone other than Meryl would have come off as tacky and cheap, but she looks fabulous and her acting almost flawless. And this comes as no surprise, has she ever done a bad movie?? If you’re a fan of 30 Rock, then you’ll definitely love Alec in this one, as he's blossomed into a terrific comic actor, a wickedly self-mocking satyr. Jake and Adam are hooked onto Jane, Who win finally win her over?

Bottomline:

An entertaining and fun ride which gives us a chance to escape into a world where everything is beautiful, even advancing middle age.

tHE BLIND SIDE

MOVIE: THE BLIND SIDE
CAST: Sandra Bullock, Tim Mcgraw, Quinton Aaron, Kathy Bates

The blind side is a true story which has been taken brilliantly by director John Lee Hancock. The story revolves around Micheal Oher a.k.a. Big Mike, a homeless African –American who has a troubled past filled with abuse and abandonment. Lady luck smiles on him and he finds himself admitted into a private school for his athletic potential. But his odd predicament pulls at Leigh Ann Touhy’s (Sandra Bullock) heart strings and so she takes him under her wing.

Highs and lows:
The fact that Leigh Ann’s children seem welcoming to Micheal’s arrival seems a bit unrealistic because even the most well- behaved children will feel a twinge of jealousy and resentment. SJ forms a brotherly bond with Micheal and the formers performance is commendable, as his quirky and endearing nature puts a smile on your face. Sandra Bullock’s Oscar for Best Actor was justly deserved, as she shines in her role as a bossy, pragmatic but loving mother. She tries throughout the movie to keep her emotions at bay and this struggle adds to the allure of her character. Micheal’s stay at the Touhy’s changes their lives and Leigh Ann takes it upon herself to secure his future. The hardships he faces while playing football and how even his teachers try to bring out the best in him are some of the most heart warming moments in the movie.

Refreshing Change:
The underdog theme has never gone wrong with the audience because against our better judgment, we tend to root for them. This movie is not, just another sports-drama. It gives one such a wonderful insight into the characters you cannot help but be inspired and moved by them. Will Micheal succeed?? or will he let his troubled past get the better of him?? Watch and find out!

Bottomline: There are just two reasons why this movie is a must watch
1. Heart – wrenching sports-drama moments
2. Sandra Bullock