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

HOLLYWOOD (et al.)

  1. ALTERED (rating: ***) : Coming from one-half of the BLAIR WITCH PROJECT makers (Eduardo Sanchez), this is an ambitious project that recalls Raimi days of yore. Revolving around a sleepy southern town that is unaware of the life forms inhabiting their forests, ALTERED is funny, bloody and campy. Worth a watch.
  2. “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS” [TV Series - Season 1] (rating: ****) : Narrated by Chris Rock himself, Everybody Hates Chris is a laugh-riot from start to finish (and this coming from someone who finds Chris Rock’s routine irritating). Boasting an immensely likable and terrific cast, this comedy show is gonna make a nice little place in your heart and stay there for a while. Has repeat value.
  3. MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND (rating: ***) : I found myself warming up to the earnest performances from Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson in this lazy execution (of a clever premise) from inconsistent director, Ivan Reitman. Tacky effects bow down to the comic-romantic turns from Thurman & Wilson. Some bits are really funny.
  4. KEEPING MUM (rating: ***1/2) : From the writer of WHITE NOISE comes a witty and clever little gem with Dame Maggie Smith & Rowan Atkinson delivering endearing performances. It’s about a Pastor, his sexually frustrated wife, their wimp of a son & a daughter who’s the town tart. Enter a housekeeper (Smith) who believes in going to the extremes to keep a family from breaking apart. Do check out a lecherous Patrick Swayze as a golf instructor. Highly recommended.

FOREIGN FILMS (including Indian)

  1. RECONSTRUCTION (rating: *1/2) : Riding a critical high, this one left me scratching just not my head but also various other parts of body in sheer frustration. I like a puzzler now and then, but this babe’s just too ‘artsy’ for me. There should be a warning label for this film: May induce catatonia or narcolepsi - kindly do not view it before a major family event.
  2. KABUL EXPRESS (rating: **) : Journo-turned-filmmaker Kabir Khan has his heart in the right place, the script in the wrong. What shoud’ve been a tense nail-biter turns into a lame buddy comedy. The mix is just not right. Watch it for the crisp panoramic shots of Afghanistan’s barren landscapes (shot on location) and Arshad Warsi’s quick repartees that keeps the film from lapsing into major bore. Watchable.
  3. TOMIE (rating: ***) : A better than average cult J-horror. Based on anime manga from acclaimed master Junji Ito, it has spawned 5 sequels to date (word is that not all are that good). But this one’s allright - SFX maybe a letdown, but it adds to the overall cheesiness of the film.
  4. BANLIEU 13 aka DISTRICT 13 (rating: ***1/2) : French actioner that capitalises on the Yamakasi thrills. Action sequences are bound to keep you glued, and the loose futuristic storyline (that is a bit silly) will not deter your growing affection for the film. Recommended for action buffs.