Hollywood on Hire:- TEARS OF THE SUN

For all the Die Hard fans, this movie is one of the lesser known works of Bruce Willis. This 2003 action flick, combines the coolness of a Navy Seal lieutnant and the in-your-face beauty of an american doctor, for two hours of thrill packed rescue stunts ever pulled on reel life.

PLOT:-

Lt. Waters and his Navy Seals are sent to Nigeria to rescuse Dr. Fiore. Simple contact,secure and extract procedure right?Well, what follows is a mission re-edit when Fiore refuses to leave in favor of her patients. And then things start getting ugly.

VISUALS:-

The movie features standard action filming. Not much CGI- fest. The african jungle and its  gloomy weather has been perfectly captured on screen.

USP:-

 Bruce Willis, with his gritty look   and Monica Bellucci, with her oomph factor .. do give this film a good overall effect.The close-shave situations are well executed

HIGHLIGHTS:-

Although movies like this have been tackled in the past, this one does give a fresh look in the lives of the war-torn people

in Africa.

VERDICT:-

Decent film, Bruce-willis material.

RATING:-
3 /5

INTRODUCING A NEW SECTION

Hello readers,

          I would like to thank you all on behalf of our team for the support and feedback we got on our facebook and google+ accounts.We at review arena have decided to introduce a new section here which which have review about some must watch yesteryear's movies and music.The posts will be managed by our new author Akshay Narkar.I welcome him to this blog,and may we get the same increasing support from you as you have given me.I would also like to welcome .Reviews of new movies will be posted every saturday along with such movies in their respective genre section.Have a nice day :-).So expect some cool posts from us now.

Regards,

Viraj V. Baraskar(Admin and author)

Hollywood on Hire: TOY STORY

INTRO:-

This movie brings back good old 90's memories. This 81 minute cgi film is a product by none other than  Steve Jobs,   and the quality and the depth of emotional satisfaction is evident from the start.

PLOT:-

The story revolves around Andy's toys, which spring to life when they are alone.  Woody, the cowboy doll, gets one heck of a ride as his life is rocked by the entrance of Buzz, a super cool astronaut toy. What ensues is a fantastic adventure in a world which we can remember faintly.

VISUALS:-

The movie has excellent graphic animation for the year 1995. Complex animation efforts are evident from the rich renderings of the scene. Everything is painstakingly created and presented as is evident from this shot.

USP:-

The film's script and storyline are derived from every child's fantasy, but impact even a grown up's mind. The idea of friends and enemies, love and loss are beautifully portrayed in this Pixar production.

HIGHLIGHT:-

All in all, the movie is a far cry from the current cgi movies. The movie begins with a boy's  toy world , and ends with a man's understanding. Being unique for its time , and leaving a message across almost two decades, does show the mark of a classic for me.

VERDICT:-

This one is definitely a keeper to "Infinity and Beyond!"

RATING:-

Personally I would give this movie a 4.5 /5

AKAASH VANI

PLOT:

This year started with an eye opener with BALAK PALAK.To add to it,Akash Vani does the same.A real eye opener for parents who make their children just swallow their decisions.The films tell us a romantic story of the titular characters played by Nushrat and Kartik(both pyaar ka punchnama fame).The story is a big exaggerated(how they fall in love) for almost 1 whole hour.A twist in the tale comes when Vani agrees to her parent's decision of arrange marriage.What happens is now all that is worth watching.

TEAM AND PERFORMANCE:

The movie lacks glamour,but you will remember this one only because of the hit pair of the lead.Luv Ranjan has done a masterpiece with this one.The movie may suffer due to stiff competition from Race 2,but may not have any competition from Main Krishna hoon or Vishwaroopan that much.Overall the team stikes once again here to send a nice message.

MUSIC AND PROMOTIONS:

Both are average.Nothing new or out of the box done in both department,but the fact that the film is from the Pyaar ka... team certainly strikes us and with this film we will surely look forward for Luv's movies.Expectations have increased now!

COLLECTIONS:
(To be updated soon)

USP:

The story and the team are the USP of the film.Certainly amust watch and an eye opener.

FLAWS:

No glamourous star cast may take it down a bit,but thats fine as this one has the power to take the whole team to a new height.

Final Verdict:
Eye opener.Must watch



Rating:
4/5

RACE 2

PLOT:

Race 2 had great expectations keeping in mind the mind boggling twists in RACE(2008).Also the climax of the film kept on hopes about Akshaye Khanna returning to the sequel.But race 2 is completely different from it.Style is the main theme of the film with some 'LOL' action,this should have been vice versa(with only action in mind).The film's heart lies in Saif wanting to make quick money and John looking for some revenge.Enter supercop(you may call him so) Anil Kapoor,ul be giggling at his vulgar one liners and the seducive Ameesha.Soon you will be left experiencing some superb stunts with a LOL moment sometimes.

TEAM AND PERFORMANCE:

The casting is bitter sweet,particularly because of the characters.Saif and John are at their best in the film with Anil Kapoor in his superb performance.But the females have nowhere to go.Read this statement as you like it.But their roles lack the intensity and depth Katrina and Bipasha had in the former and being a quasi-sequel it should take the franchisee to a new height.Abbas-Mustan are typical in here.They have given us great entertainers and this MAY go on so.The only dud is the script.Too much style has eaten the plot,which would have been better than what it is.Certainly a hollywood style film minus the attitude we show to such films.

MUSIC AND PROMOTIONS:

The music will surely fade away as new albums release.The music is not what you would have expected from such a team,keeping in mind their past record.Promotions score full marks.The stylish promos shown on televisions and radio stations are upto the mark.Race(2008) also played a part in the promotions owing to its content,which lacks here.

COLLECTIONS:

A bumper start to the film.13.75 crore collection on day one surely hints us about the film collecting nearly 50 crores in the first week.But some bad word of mouth and initial reports may turn this off.

USP:

John,Saif and Anil Kapoor...Superb performance by all. Ameesha is the only female lead who has some scope to remember.The stunts are awesome.

FLAWS:

STYLE.It has ruined the plot somewhat.Too much style is like eating a dish with too much salt.We need it but too much of it... :-)

FINAL VERDICT:

Go on for it.Definitely a one time watch.

RATING:
3/5

MUMBAI MIRROR

PLOT:

This friday opens up with women centric stories...or we may atleast think so.Mumbai mirror throws light upon the abuse of women.Sort of action,sort of drama,forced humor etc is what this film is about.Its a  story about a police officer(Sachiin Joshi,with an extra 'I') who likes to sleep with women,but shows concern towards women being abused.He has a big debt with a bookie(Aditya Pancholi).Soon enters the big villain and you will all be left scratching your head as the story unfolds.Its  a one time watch for those who have nothing to do.

TEAM AND PERFORMANCE:

The casting is not upto the mark as you would expect.Even the story is lifted from hollywood movie L.A.Confidential it seems.So comparing the two,this movie might not leave a mark as far as the audience are concerned.The director Ankush Bhatt does a fairly good job, but the boring story is what will eat his talent here.Prakash Raj is what you would want from him.But Prashant Narayanan(murder 2 fame),why did he choose such a project :-) The film doesnt stand up partly due to thier team and story.

MUSIC AND PROMOTIONS:

This is where it scores a point.The music had no expectations but yet managed to stay and do well.Promotions were fair enough.Nice job by the team.

COLLECTIONS:
(TO BE UPDATED SOON)

USP:

Prakash Raj and Prashant Narayanan(this guy deserved something even better) fans may cheer

FLAWS:

Boring story.Loose plot.You will surely leave the theatre in between to buy snacks or to freshen up yourself (almost everyone in the half packed theatre did)

FINAL VERDICT:

This might be the smallest review I will ever write.Works only for some scenes.Yawn! have a nice day

RATING:
2/5

SOME CONFIRMED AND TENTATIVE RELEASES IN 2013 (QUARTER 1)

25th JANUARY:

1) Akaash Vani

*ing Kartik Tiwari and Nushrat Bharucha(both, pyaar ka puchnama fame)

2)Main Krishna hoon

*ing Juhi Chawla and Rajnessh Duggal
Directed By Rajiv Ruia(My Friend Ganesha fame)

3)Race 2:

*ing Anil Kapoor,Siaf Ali Khan,John Abraham,Amisha Patel,Deepika Padukone,Jacqueline Fernandez,Bipasha Basu(Special Appearance)

4)Vishwaroopam(Hindi Tamil And Telugu):

*ing Kamal Hassan,Pooja Kumar,Rahul Bose,Andrea Jeremiah,Jaideep Ahlawat(GoW fame)

1st FEBRUARY:
1)Listen...Amaya

*ing Faarooq Shaikh,Deepti Naval,Swara Bhaskar and others.

2)Mai..

*ing Asha Bhosle,Padmini Kolhapure,Shivani Joshi,Ram Kapoor,Navin Kaushik and Anupam Kher

8th FEBRUARY:
1)Special 26:
*ing Akshay Kumar,Kajal Agarwal,Manoj Bajpai,Jimmy Shergill and Anupam Kher

2)ABCD - Any Body Can Dance
*ing Prabhudeva,Ganesh Acharya
Directed By Remo D'souza

15th FEBRAUARY:1) Go Goa Gone

*ing Saif Ali Khan,Kunal Khemu,Vir Das,Puja Gupta

2)Jayantabhai ki love story:
*ing Vivek Oberoi and Neha Sharma(Kya Super kool.... fame)

3)Murder 3
*ing Randeep Hooda,Sara Loren,Aditi Rao Hydari

22th FEBRUARY:
1)Zila Ghaziabad
*ing Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi,Vivek Oberoi,Rajpal Yadav,Minissha Lamba

2)Kai Po Che!
*ing Sushant Singh Rajput, Raj Kumar Yadav and Amit Sadh

1st MARCH:
1)Aatma:
*ing Bipasha Basu nad Nawazuddin Siddique

2)Ankur Arora Murder Case:
*ing Kay Kay Menon,Arjun Mathur

3)I,Me aur Main
*ing John Abraham,Prachi Desai and Chitragandha Singh

4)The Attacks of 26/11
*ing Nana Patekar

5)Saare Jaha Se Mehnga
*ing Sanjay Mishra,Zakir hussain(Johny Gaddar fame) and others.

8th MARCH:
1)Gulab gang
*ing Madhuri Dixit,Juhi Chawla,Mahie Gill,Shilpa Shunkla,Tanishtha Chatterjee.

2)Saheb Biwi aur Gangster Returns
*ing Irrfan Khan,Jimmy Shergill,Soha Ali Khan,Mahir Gill.

15th MARCH:
1) 3G
*ing Neil Nitin Mukesh and Sonal Chauhan

2)Jolly L.L.B.:
*ing Arshad Warsi,Amrita Rao,Boman Irani.

3)Mere Dad Ki Maruti
*ing Ravi Kissen,RAm Kapoor and others.

4)Tara - Ek Banjaran
*ing Rekha Rana and Rohan Shroff

29th MARCH:
Himmatwala
*ing Ajay Devgn,Tamannaah

MATRU KI BIJLEE KA MANDOLA

PLOT:

The plot is very much confusing as the title.Basically its a story of a man who transforms into a specific character when drunk and an altogether different one after the hangover.The theme of the movie, on a whole, is POLITICS and the genre is comedy.The characters grow on you as the film progresses.The film goes on as we see a politician i.e. Shabana Azmi and Harry Mandola i.e. Pankaj Kapur having the same motto.They want some land for a project and what follows is worth seeing than describing here.With some imaginary characters like an unfaced man "MAO" and "GULABI BHAINS",the scene when we see the real "MAO" and the drunken scenes performed by Pankaj Kapur,the film soars high.But still the story lags behind in some parts and may make lazy people yawn.

TEAM AND PERFORMANCE:

The film is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj who has given some dark movies like omkara and kaminey.This attempt of comedy works to some extent but is only because of the veteran actors in the movie.Pankaj Kapur is the TENDULKAR of the film.Who cant imagine the movie without him.Shabana Azmi has put on a great performance who shows her true colours at the right time,which is otherwise only a smart woman.Imran Khan has some great looks coupled with the heavy haryanavi accent,still hisis role might have been cheesier.Anushka is typically what we see of her.Nothing different has been experimented with except for the fact that last time she jumped in cold waters in JTHJ and this time she emerges from somewhat dirty pond.

MUSIC AND PROMOTIONS:

The album has some nice songs and the music has an impact as much as the promotions are concerned.The film was promoted well on television and songs played a key role in its promotion on radio too.The title, especially, has been in the talks for a long time thus increasing the curiosity of the audience.

COLLECTIONS:

According to reports the film had a below average opening on the first day with 35 % average occupancy.It has collected 30 crores in the 1st week but will fail to cross the 40 crore budget mark. 

USP:

Certainly the seniors.Pankaj Kapur along with Shabana Azmi steal the show.Watch it for some humour.

FLAWS:

Some may feel the role of Anushka and Imran under-rated. Many of Imran's films have been in talks but failed to impress at the box office like Luck(2009) and Kidnap(2008).And this one shows some signs of making it to the list,though having some moments.

FINAL VERDICT:

Watch the movie only with a fresh mind.It may not freshen your mind.The role of a critic being making people aware as to WHY, I will suggest you to go on for some humour content in the movie.

RATING:

3/5

BALAK PALAK

PLOT:

The film deals with one of the less talked topic in India...You all might have gone through this and grown ups might have felt embarrassed. BUT HERE LIES THE ANSWER.the movie tells why we shoudnt feel so.The film tells us the story about four teenagers who are curious about their neighbours who has supposedly eaten cowdung (a phrase in marathi viz SHEN KHALLA) .They soon get exposed to a new world(which many still think erotic and vulgar) through their frnd and what follows is a comic story which tells us the do's and dont's of dealing with sex education.We do get a strong message in the end.Though the film is regional,it should not be limited to Maharashtra alone.

TEAM AND PERFORMANCE:

The film is directed by Ravi Jadhav who has given two classics in marathi i.e. NATARANG and BALGANDHARVA.Its the first stepping stone for Riteish Deshmukh who has done well.The cast of the film  has veteran actors along with learning ones.The performance of the kids is splendid. Their expression while seeing a film is what will surely make you grin. You will smile. They are ably supported by Kishore Kadam,Avinash Narkar etc.

MUSIC AND PROMOTIONS:

The Music has been composed by Vishal-Shekhar and may sound average as compared to their previous hits.The film has been in the talks for a long time.So thumbs up for the promotions :-)

COLLECTIONS:

Reportedly,The film has collected Rs. 1 crore(10 million) in the first weekend.It may add Rs. 1 crore more to the tally for the first week gross.

USP:

Undoubtedly, the USP of the film is the superb performance of the kids.The Topic of the film might draw teenagers towards it.

FLAWS:

No flaws as such.A bold topic in India has been nicely presented by the director and writers.Hats off to the team.

FINAL VERDICT:

Go on.Must watch.Eye Opener

RATING:

4.5/5