[Ratings are out of ***** - where 5 stars signify a highly acclaimed masterpiece]. In no particular order are:

HOLLYWOOD (et al.)

  1. HAPPY FEET (rating: ***1/2): George Miller’s hard efforts pay off in this crowd pleaser that has surreal looking penguins (gait and all), a manic Robin Williams and one of the most rocking soundtracks that I have heard in a long time. Parents & kids alike will be mighty pleased. Catch it on a theatre or your nearest DVD store when available.
  2. SNAKES ON A PLANE (rating: **): Major disappointment from an overhyped Internet phenomenon. It wasn’t camp enough, not foul enough and not good enough. ‘Nuff said.
  3. CASINO ROYALE (rating: ***): The critics are right, as this has to be the best bond flick ever. A stonecold Daniel Craig brings a new Bond to the screen, one that fiits the bill of a super-spy. Amazing work all round, though the climax may induce some head-scratching.
  4. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III (rating: ***): Massive improvement over its predecessors in content and style, this is the finest entry in the MI franchise, albeit one that was under-appreciated due to lead actor, Tom Cruise’s off-screen controversies. Director J.J. Abrams (of TV’s LOST & ALIAS fame), shows a lot of promise in his first directorial venture where bewildering action pieces compete with a suspense-laden storyline. Perfect popcorn entertainment.
  5. THE DEPARTED (rating: ****): Scorcese’s most accomplished work. Based on Hong Kong flick INFERNAL AFFAIRS, Scorcese’s work is superior by leaps and bounds. It moves at a lightning pace, with razor-sharp dialogues and nod-worthy performances from Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon and a scene-stealing Mark Wahlberg. Jack (Nicholson) tends to go over the top at times (DeNiro would’ve rocked), but otherwise it is one solid piece of work.
  6. THE PRESTIGE (rating: **1/2): Director Christopher Nolan re-teams with his brother after their first outing that was MEMENTO, to deliver a period thriller steeped in magic, rivalry and showmanship. For those of you willing to suspend disbelief, film is equivalent to a masterpiece. Strong performances from cast that includes Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johannssen & Michael Caine elevate this film to a highly respectable level. Tech creds & music also deserve special mention.
  7. THE DESCENT (rating: ****1/2): Director Neil Marshall’s follow up to the brilliant DOG SOLDIERS, is a masterpiece in visceral horror. Easily cementing the rising director’s reputation as a name to reckon with, THE DESCENT deals with 6 women who decide to go spelunking, but end up doing so in an undiscovered cave. Getting out is the least of their worries - they have far worse things to be paranoid about. Buy, beg, borrow or steal a copy if you have to. It is a must see for every horror-junkie.

FOREIGN FILMS (including Indian)

  1. GANGSTER (rating: ***1/2): Bollywood film that has been last year’s toast. An original screenplay is given a sensitive treatment by director Anurag Basu. The title maybe a deterrent, but in no way signifies a violent film, but in fact is a touching love story brought to life by fabulous performances from Kangana Ranaut (in her debut vehicle), Shiny Ahuja (scene stealing role) and Emraan Hashmi. Excellent music complements the proceedings with ‘Tu Hi Meri Shabh Hai’ staying with you long after the credits have finished rolling. Not to be missed.
  2. MEMORIES OF MURDER (rating: ***1/2): A critically acclaimed Korean masterpiece that is part police procedural, and part character study of a true from-the-headlines serial killings that had rocked the Korean nation in the mid-80s. Brilliant performances and taut screenplay holds viewer’s attention throughout.
  3. THE HOST (rating:***1/2): Another Korean export, but this time a flawlessly rendered sci-fi monster flick that was a massive hit back home. With 3-dimensional characters that you root for, humour that has you rolling down the aisle and tense moments that hold you spellbound, you simply cannot reject THE HOST. Plus a grotesque monster that is lithe when swinging but keeps on slipping when on foot, is one that has to be seen to be believed. Do not miss this one.
  4. GURU (rating: **1/2): From acclaimed director Mani Ratnam comes Guru, his third outing in the Hindi-speaking belt after DIL SE & YUVA. Excellent performances and production values highlight this thinly-veiled biopic on Reliance Industries founder, Dhirubhai Ambani. On the flip side, characters are not 3 dimensionally fleshed out, and the protagonist has been glorified while his gray shades quickly dispensed with. Music, though ear pleasing, obstruct the proceedings and should have been excluded from the feature. Watchable but no repeat value.
  5. TRAFFIC SIGNAL(rating: ***1/2): Prolific director Madhur Bhandarker’s follow up to CORPORATE, is a rich multi-layered slice of life that examines an entire microcosm that exists at one traffic signal in the heart of populous Mumbai. With the exception of few stilted dialogues/sequences, film is engrossing for the majority of its runtime. Highly recommended.