For the christmas 2015 during holidays without nothing to do I decided to entertain my self with christmas spirit watching some classics and this years christmas specials.

(01) A very Murray Christmas (2015)

This is a unique take on a christmas special. Giving a fun and a witty perspective on Murray's personal life it takes a simple look on a christmas eve giving a fun filled celebration of christmas with Hollywood celebrities.

Personally loved it though many critics criticised it.

Rating - 3.5/5

(02) A garfield Christmas Special (TV Short 1987)

This is a personal favourite since I watched it when I was a kid during christmas and also as a fan of "Garfield".

There is this typical funny scenes from Garfield as well as the warmth of christmas with little little incidents inside the family.

(03) A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Movie 1965)

A lovely christmas experience from unique boy's perspective and with his band of misfits. A beutiful look at life in the time of christmas.

Rating - 4/5

(04) Christmas Eve (2015)

This is a typical christmas time film but have a unique take connecting modern livelihoods of modern people in a witty manner.

Rating - 3.5/5

Christmas is a celebration for everyone. It brings people together. It's a festive season about a culture and a religion and how it perceives in the minds of the ones who celebrate it. So as a person who loves cultures and embraces them I personally follow up there artistic work for years and this is the first time I bring it to my blog.

Hope you enjoyed..!!!

Back again .....

After a long silence of 11 months the reviews for the year 2015 is here. Not all of them.

To review these films I thought to classify them as "Worthy" and "Unworthy" for a change.

Otherwise always the worthy ones get praised and I never get to kick some unworthy asses giving a bad review.

Just kidding.

:D

So shall we give the "unworthy" a beating.

Unworthy

Jurrasic World - Well though it was a hectic film with unprecedented visual effects the film lacks to grasp the originality of the "Jurrasic Park". What I want to point out is that the contribution made from the original film to the industry is not there in this film. The excessive visual effects is quite the same "trump" card the new blockbuster films have always been playing without new innovative approaches for films. Comparatively "Mad Max : Fury Road" is one of the best films I have watched with both Blockbuster and Classic fusion. We'll talk about this later with the "worthy" films.

Overall this film had so much potential and opportunity to make a blast in the industry but missed it. And kinda ruined a childhood favourite franchise.

 Hitman : Agent 47 - "Hitman" though was an amazing and unforgettable game the film franchise did'nt  pulled it off well. Though the first film was an amazing film it did'nt succeeded financially. The next film did'nt achieved in both aspects.

The film had soo many good action sequences but the story line was soo shallow it looked like that agent 47 all had was his muscle but no strategies. It kinda loses it's story on the way as well.

So overall so much funds and technology wasted for another pointless action film.

Chappie - Neil Blomkamp is losing it with each of his upcoming films. He debuted With a 'blast' - District 9. And 'Elysium' was okay. But this is a waste of time.

Seriously a mindless action flick trying to produce unneccesary philosophical assumptions on humanity and it is without any logic and the story flows without any premise.

Like I said an unworthy film of every aspect because in my personal view of trying to be a wannabe philosophical film on human nature.

 
Terminator Genysis - A destruction of a franchise trying to reboot it and failing for the third time.
If you look closer Mr. James Cameron finished the franchise in the second. And many tried to re boot it twice creating spectacular failures. The third however is another same scenario film that establishes the same loosing streak. Like I said a lot funds wasted for something useless without any premise.

The story tries to innovate bringing all the stories together but misses out the basics. Creating a good film.

Anyway the story ends with a hope of a new universe. Let's hope how it'll perform. No expectations though.

So here goes the "Unworthy".............

Welcome the "Worthy"

Overall this year had so many good films in my opinion.

Inside Out - This film was a real treat.It unlocks many perceptions about the human mind. How it grows and overall one of the best animated films ever to be produced in my opinion.

Very emotional and beutiful film.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - Since this is a Guy Ritchie film It is expected to be awesome and it lives upto the standards. Outstanding performance alround action wise as well story wise.

Awesome stuff.

Tomorrowland - Well though this film received mixed reviews, I personally loved it.

Has a beutifully woven story for any dreamer who wishes for a perfect world.

The story of nerds with wishful thinking.

Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation - The series thrives again with an amazing story line and action sequences. Loves Tom Cruise and his films.

And this keeps his track playing in a good beat.

Mad Max : Fury Road - This is one of the best films ever produced by any action film maker. This is outstanding with effects, innovations and most of all the greatest story ever to be put on screen with such grand scale (Post apocalyptic themed).

Loved it. One of my all time favourites.

So here comes an end to a review after a long time.

See you soon. Tc.

As per usual it was impossible for me to execute the plan on pulling off the Blog on required date. So now I'm taking it slow. And 5 reviews per day. Hopefully things will go as planned.

R...Rajkumar (2013)

It's the same old Hindi film formula with the new trend Masala mix style combination (Kollywood and Bollywood) by rising star director Prabhudheva. But not like his Rowdy Rathore (2012) a major hit and a real style masala mix this was a unbalanced film with over styled action with lack of substance. Though that's the case this film have some good music and songs, acceptable but over the top fighting sequences and most of all "Shahid Kapoor" with his awesome dance moves and Sonakshi Sinha!!! whom I personally like as an actress who is fun to watch.

Overall - 3/5

2 States (2014)

Though it's a love story and a Hindi film it is not your usual Hindi film. It taps into a serious issues like the inter state marriages and the issues of breaking social conventions in the end. There is a good flow and good songs for that is major requirement in marketing a Hindi film. Though it has songs it is a well structured Hindi film and a must see for any Bollywood film praiser.

Overall - 3.5/5

Divergent (2014)

With the premise of usual young adult science fictions "Divergent" doesn't make something innovative as a film and with "The Hunger Games (2012)" releasing first it prejudices the viewers perception. It was not well structured or even flowing with emotion in my perception since it was capitalizing on more establishing the base of the story among the viewers. The dream sequence of Tris is the only aspect I find innovative. Since I never read the trilogy I may not understand what the story may have for us in the future as a franchise but the initiation of the film series is very ineffective.

But it has some plus points.

1. Good visuals and well cinematographic vision (Well with that kinda budget what you should question is what you can't do on the visuals).
2. Good cast and mediocre acting.(Well the new actors are pretty famous now)
3. The hype of being a futuristic-same old - post war world sequence :-p

Overall - 3/5

Pompei (2014)

It's a bigger budget historical film which was solely made of commercial purposes and many claims it to be inaccurate but as a positive does not have the flaws the recent Paul W.S. Anderson films has. I always had to watch his films since he made such good films like AVP : Alien Vs. Predator (2004) and Resident Evil (2002) which was guilty pleasure Game-Film adaptations. But he became more weaker in his new films like "Death Race" and "Resident Evil Franchise".  Though it was the case in his new film " Pompei " he tries to do something new by changing the subject matter. And he fails to make something new. Though that is the case his new flick appears to be having at least a better script than his other new films. So it was technically a good move by the filmmaker.

Overall - 3/5

The Expendables 3 (2014)

Since I was a 90's kid I always liked old action films with the same old plot. It became a tradition of guilty pleasure and I kind of liked that style. All those Chuck Norris, Van Damme and Stallone seeing in different films was really awesome. But pulling a spin-off with all of them in a trilogy and finishing with more old and still young 80's and 90's stars is a great move. Though it had some issues like pre-released film in the internet it also pulled something in the box office.

This film is for anyone who liked all the old action stars and there arrogance,style and most of all "action". It has been a satisfying trilogy and I personally loved it. No serious stuff. Just homage for the now-expendable actors. :-p

Overall - 3.5/5

  




 

Never To Late

After a four month silence and in the end of 2014 I am in a situation "as usual" where I myself have too finish off an entire year's film reviews in three days.

So here we go.

Day - 1

Non-stop  

A non stop thrill ride from the beginning to end. Liam Neeson as usual in his style pulls off the impossible and makes a satisfying thriller. The director pulled off his usual twisted thriller like his earlier "Unknown (2011)".

Overall - 3.5/5

X-Men Days of Future Past

This is not just one of the best X men film's but one of the best super hero film adaptations up to date. With one of the greatest cast ensemble to the screen and great execution this becomes a masterpiece.The Quicksilver scene is one of the best scene's put into film this year in my view.

Overall - 4/5

300 : Rise of an Empire

Though there was a strong effect of creativity and emotions bought down by the predecessor to cinema the sequel lacks it's affect by only creating an action film with lots of blood. Only positive in this film was how the film maker connects it with the prequel. But it still lacks the innovation the last film had.

Overall - 3/5

Transcendance

Film maker tries to bring out something new with his story and cinematography, but in his execution it becomes bland and lifeless as the AI of the itself. Though I'm a big fan of Johnny Depp he doesn't do anything special with his acting he acts like a robot as expected. Have to respect the Animations and the graphics because they were well created.

Overall - 3/5

Captain America : The Winter Soldier

This year has been one of the best year's for Comic book adaptations because most of them was financially and as well as critically hailed by the audiences and critics. This is one of those films.
Captain America sequel makes the franchise more alive by creating an espionage thriller type film bringing mind meddling twists. One of the best action films of the year.

Overall - 4/5

 

Comedies to look for : From Great to worse

Comedies are essential for any moviegoer.

After some serious stuff (Amour [2012] or 21 Grams [2003], not that there bad movies, but they are serious and extremely realistic) everyone needs a break.

Everyone has an immature side that makes him or her happy. Everyone in this world has a serious need to cut off from this screw world like "Linkin Park"(guys who numbed the world by "Numb") says in their song "The Messenger"(Album - A thousand suns).

So as usual after 3 months silence I bring to you a movie list which will make you laugh till your stomach hurt and "so called" comedies to stay away from. You decide.

The ratings are as usually a personal perspective.

1. This is the end (2013) - 4/5
2. Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgandy (2004) - 4/5
3. Knocked up (2007) - 3.5/5
4.Go Goa Gone (2013) - 3.5/5
5.Anchorman : The Legend Continues (2013) - 3.5/5
6.The Heat (2013) - 3.5/5
7.Chennai Express (2013) - 3.5/5
8.Office space (1999) - 3.5/5
9.The World's End (2013) - 3.5/5
10.The Watch (2010) - 3/5
11.The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) - 3/5
12.We're the Millers (2013) - 3/5
13.The internship (2013) - 3/5
14.The Hangover Part 3 (2013) - 3/5
15.Grown ups (2010) - 2.5/5
16.Identity Thief (2013) - 2.5/5
17. 21 & over (2013) - 2.5/5
18.Last Vegas (2013) - 2.5/5
19.Grown ups 2 (2013) - 2.5/5
20. Accepted (2006) - 2.5/5  

1.This is the end (2013)

One of the last years best films for it's creativity and fun "This is the end" lives up to the reputation of Seth Rogen and his cast who drives the movie into becoming a comic masterpiece. Mainly for it's sarcastic remarks, witty acting and most of all for it's real references and it's unforgettable ending this is a real comic treat.

Overall - 4/5

2. Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

One of the most quoted movies of our time, this is Adam Mckay's and Will Farell's masterpiece. With it's funny remarks and unmatchable cast, this will live with every moviegoer as a great comic masterpiece.

Overall - 4/5

 3. Knocked up (2007)

Mentioned as the best Judd Apatow film this is funny for it's detailed and well crafted jokes and superb performance by Seth Rogen.

Overall - 3.5/5

4. Go Goa Gone (2013)

With a cast of new comers and Saif Ali khan, "Go Goa Gone" became fourth in this list because it was extremely sarcastic and truly funny. Though it's a Hindi movie not the typical movie you will expect it to be. Don't miss it.

Overall - 3.5/5

5. Anchorman : The Legend Continues (2013)

After 9 years still the legend remains funny but not as the predecessor. Great cast as usual and stunning story line which is extremely awkward but typical "Ron". So what's not to like.

Overall - 3.5/5

6. The Heat (2013)

Superb duo for the "Buddy movie + Detective / Partner" formula Bullock and Mccarthy pulls off one of the best comedies in years to come.

Overall - 3.5/5

7. Chennai Express (2013)

Best Shah rukh Khan comedy since "Main Hoon Na (2004)", this blockbuster changes the course of Hindi movies as a action-Comedy combination.

Overall - 3.5/5

8. Office space (1999)

Oldie but a goodie, this movie reflects the office life of a normal working class person. And this is not serious stuff, This is really funny. Don't miss it.

Overall - 3.5/5

9. The World's End (2013)

If you are a fan of Edgar Wright and his style of film making and waited to the conclusion of the greatest "Cornetto Trilogy" this is it.
Finest cast and a celebration of a stylish film making you are definitely going to enjoy this.

Overall - 3.5/5

10. The Watch (2010)

A fun movie with a serious story line and some of it's jokes are still lame though it grasps some of the aspects in the american culture very sarcastic. Not that bad though. Don't miss it.

Overall - 3/5

11. The incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)

Though we see The Steve Carell in it there is not much to laugh about it. He and his magician partner gives an average movie performance but not that great. but we still love him and its still is a good film.

Overall - 3/5

12. We're the millers (2013)

Can anything be more awkward than this movie. I guess not.But for many claims this to be the funniest film of the year, and I don't see it. It's not that funny but extremely painful to watch.
So rating it 3/5 might surprise you. But still it recovers from it's flaws because it has a good cast.And capitalization on that is perfectly done.

Overall - 3/5

13. The internship (2013)

The same scenario occurs in this film like "We're the Millers" but the duo makes it alive and makes it watchable. The Dr. Xavier scene is really funny.

Overall - 3/5

14. The Hangover Part 3 (2013)

This series are from good to worse.
The first was a masterpiece.
The second was okay.
The third is the worst.

So what more to say.

Overall - 3/5

Now comes the worst comedies, not that they are "unfunny" but there interpretation of the word comedy is so demeaning.

15. Grown ups (2010)

One of the worst and a typical Adam Sandler Comedy.
Sadly I Went through this and it's far screwed up Sequel.
And the problem is we will keep on watching Adam Sandler movies.

Overall - 2.5/5

16. Identity Thief (2013)

Overly dramatic and a "wannabe" comedy with a stunning duo this movie is a one to miss.

Overall - 2.5/5

17. 21 & Over (2013)

With bad conceptualized story trying to create a formula of youngsters in "The hangover Part 1" Kinda plot, and it's a grand scale misfire.Miss this. Don't waste your Time.

Overall - 2.5/5

18. Last Vegas (2013)

What can go wrong in this film?

Best cast, good story line (more of a retired Hangover movie.....)

But still unfunny jokes makes it a bad comedy with too much emotions and shallow coincidences.

But still loved the cast. So try it. 

Overall - 2.5/5

19. Grown ups 2 (2013)

As I mentioned above there is nothing worse like this.Though it has a cast it is misguided. The worst position a film can be in the genre of comedies.

Overall - 2.5/5

20. Accepted (2006)

And the worst comedy so far in this list is "Accepted". So far the most ridiculous story I ever came across, stupid remarks. Everything is out of balance. Miss this gladly.

Overall - 2.5/5

These are not the worst comedies though I comparatively criticized them. It's a personal remark that I find some comedy's very serious and stupid and some are "LOL" worthy. So this criticsm is not to be taken seriously.

Take care.

Stay strong and fit.

Dimantha   







  

2014 start-up comedies didn't lived upto it

Ride along (2014)

Besides Kevin Hart's comedic appearance the story lacks fun and even action. Ice Cube was fun in "21 Jumb Street (2012)" but not in this.

So Don't waste your time in this.

Overall - 2/5

That Awkward Moment (2014)


Not the best comedy, but the cast of the film makes it alive.

But the bad timing(execution) and the script makes it hard to watch.

Anyway not that bad.

Feel good comedy for anyone who likes awkward loves stories. : p

Overall - 3/5

Any way what i'm trying to say is the 2014 did'nt start off well.
No big blockbusters in the US or Worldwide.
Besides "Frozen(2013)" dominated.
And Lego movie(2014) and 300:Rise of an empire(2014) kept things going.
Anyway summer is to come with highly anticiapted sequels and many more.
Hope for best.

Stay strong and fit.
Dima

Rise of the guardians (2012)

This movie is every childs dream come true. Father christmas or santa (North), sand man, Jack Frost, easter bunny (Bunny) and toothfairy (Tooth) all come together to save the world from the boogeyman (Pitch). What more to expect.

With a stunning cast behind the screen, "Rise of the guardians" is a visual feast forthe season.

Overall - 3.5/5

Smokin' Aces (2006)

Visually stunning, violent and with unique characters Smokin' aces becomes a unique movie experience.

With a plot twister story line the movie becomes a great gangster film in the genre.

For many critics it was a mindless violent romp. But for me personally as fan of colorful characters it was a great experience like reading a violent comic. It was that visual.

Overall - 3.5/5

True Romance (1993)

Quentin Tarantino enters script writing business with his powerful debut script "True Romance", collabarating with Tony Scott Master of thrillers in the directors chairs.

Violent, action packed and plot twisting story line True Romance is a typical Tarantino movie (which is a good thing) which is an unforgettable experience.

Overall - 3.5 / 5

Les Miserables (2012)

One of the years best and grandest films Les Miserables lives upto the reputation of it's musical.

Great Performances by Hugh Jackman and the rest of the cast who plays the immortal roles that lived among our hearts since childhood.

A great movie experience.

Overall - 3.5/5

   

Gangster Squad (2013)

A waste of great talent Gangster squad does not live upto the reputation of the director or it's stunning cast.

May be the execution and script lacked power to make it a good movie.

Overall - 2/5

Taken 2 (2012)

A disappointment considering the predecessor.

The execution of the movie, story line everything is unbalanced.

But still Liam Neeson is a badass fighter to make things keep going and not fall apart.

Overall - 3/5