Jagga Jasoos - Trailer Review

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif’s film Jagga Jasoos is finally set to hit the cinemas on 14th July. Earlier, the makers had given a sneak speak into the ‘World of Jagga’ and that world surely left the audience wowed.

Now the makers have released the trailer of the film and we are loving it! The trailer features Jagga taking us into his adventurous world which is beyond everyone’s imagination. The trailer looks fantastic and picture-perfect.

The almost-three-minute-long video unfolds the story bit by bit and ends on an intriguing note. The mystery sees Ranbir play a teenager in search of his missing father. A musical in its narrative, Jagga sings and tells the story of his heart due to his speaking disorder. Katrina as Shruti becomes a partner in crime for Jagga's mysterious journey.

While fans are holding their breath for a rumoured Shah Rukh Khan cameo in 'Jagga Jasoos', a still from the film has made its way to the internet, showing us a glimpse of Govinda's character in the film. The 'Hero No. 1' star reportedly finished filming his scenes in 2015.

The makers have released three songs from the film. The first song titled Ullu Ka Patha showcases the duo’s coordinated dance moves, whereas the second titled Galti Se Mistake which is now ruling the charts features Ranbir Kapoor in his goofy best. The latest song Jhumeri Talaiya which released a few days back is worth a watch for its goofy antics.

The film consists of 29 songs which are composed by Pritam. The film directed by Anurag Basu looks like an adventure fantasy film, which is rarely made in Bollywood. The makers have stressed on promoting it as a kids film. The makers have kept their fans hooked with some interesting and adorable behind-the-scenes video from the sets of the film.

Ranbir, who has essayed the role of a college boy, a rock star and more in the past, will be seen as a school boy for the first time on the big screen.

Basu said in a statement: “Ranbir has this inherent charm and innocence which he brought forth in his role. I wanted the audience to see a new and different version of Ranbir, and with ‘Jagga Jasoos’, the audience will see him as a high school boy, playing a character half his age for the very first time.”

The Ranbir-Anurag duo is set to recreate the magic woven by the blockbuster Barfii.

The Greatest Showman - Trailer Review

Hugh Jackman has spent the majority of his career known as Wolverine, but before that, he made a living on the stage in musicals. Now that he's done with superheroes, he's back in the world of musicals. The Greatest Showman is a musical biopic about the life of P.T. Barnum, and now we have our first look at the new film. Like any movie based on a circus, the idea is to create a show stopping spectacular, and for a first trailer, they may have done that.

'm not entirely sure what I was expecting with The Greatest Showman but I'm not sure this was it. Having said that, the trailer is actually quite impressive. The fact that the movie is a musical is actually a little hard to see from the trailer alone until you see one of the characters singing a few lines from the song that plays throughout the trailer. There is some dancing and obviously choreographed movement, but that's about it.

However, what we do get here is a surprisingly inspirational movie setup. We watch Hugh Jackman, as P.T. Barnum, lose his job and find himself at a crossroads, trying to provide for his family in a way that he feels is right. This leads him, through some situation not entirely clear, to get the idea of starting a circus. What's interesting is that the world of the circus doesn't exactly have the greatest reputation. What some might view as the exploitation of those not viewed as normal, the movie clearly wants you to see as Barnum giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have. It may be something of a tightrope for this movie to walk, but hey, the circus probably has somebody who can do that.

The music is also interesting because it's clearly leaning more on the pop side of things than the traditional musical show tunes sort of thing. This looks to be a bit more Moulin Rouge, and a bit less La La Land. It's another interesting choice. Not necessarily a bad decision, lots of people loved Moulin Rouge, but it's not what we were expecting. Its possible _The Greatest Showman could have more traditional musical numbers as well, or even that the song we hear is simply the "pop version" of the song that we'll hear on the radio, and a more traditional rendition will be in the movie.

At the end of the day, the purpose of a movie trailer is to get one interested in a movie, and I have to admit the trailer for The Greatest Showman has me curious. I certainly want to see more, to see how this particular idea shapes up. The new film starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Michelle Williams is set for release this Christmas.

The Foreigner - Trailer Review

Every aging action star will someday try to get their own Taken. And now, it’s Jackie Chan‘s turn. The legendary martial artist looks to be trying something very new with The Foreigner, a thriller that discards his comedic sensibilities in favor of brooding and vengeance and more “realistic” action. And on the receiving end of Chan’s violence is former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, making this movie a potentially intriguing clash of fading titans.

Directed by Martin Campbell, the New Zealand filmmaker with a track record that runs the gamut from incredible (Casino Royale) to the, uh, no-so-incredible (Green Lantern), The Foreigner looks fairly boilerplate. Then again, there is sometimes comfort to be found in a by-the-numbers movie executed well. Hopefully, this one will feature that same raw nerve Campbell brought to the first Daniel Craig 007 movie.

The Foreigner finds Chan playing a father whose daughter is killed in a London terrorist attack and Brosnan playing the government official who won’t tell him who was responsible for the violence. And of course, Chan turns out to be a retired military commando with a special set of skills who proceeds to murder everyone in his path to find some justice.

What’s really weird about this trailer is seeing Chan playing a stone-cold soldier and assassin, a role he has generally eschewed over his lengthy career. Chan rose to fame by injecting a certain amount of levity into his martial arts – the way he dispatched bad guys was always about creating joyful gasps and giggles. But the man is 63 years old now, so it’s not too surprising to see him playing the grizzled, gun-toting, Liam Neeson-esque tough guy that has become increasingly popular over the past decade. This is the kind of role that demands gravitas instead of physical prowess and I’m admittedly curious to see if Chan can pull it off.

The Foreigner opens on October 13, 2017.

20 Years Of Harry Potter !!

Believe it or not, the world almost missed out on Harry Potter.

Author J.K. Rowling has told the story of how she received "loads" of rejections before "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (known in the U.S. as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone") was finally published on June 26, 1997.

Rowling once told fans that she couldn't even get books published under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith, which she used for some thrillers she wrote.

But, as wizards everywhere now know, Rowling and her imagination eventually broke through in a major way.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary the first Potter adventure, let's take a look at how Rowling's magical writing changed the world.

With the popularity of screen time in its many forms, some experts suggested children had lost the desire to read.

Then Rowling waved her magic wand.

Children were suddenly descending to book stores en masse, libraries had waiting lists for Potter books and kids begged to stay up late to finish just one more chapter.

In 2005, The Guardian wrote about a survey that found children and teachers credited Rowling's books with boosting literacy.

According to the report, 84% of [teachers] said "that the boy wizard has had a positive impact on children's reading abilities and 73% admit that they have been surprised by some of the children that have managed to read Potter."

All that reading meant lots of money, convincing publishers that young adult and children's fiction was still a thing.

Over the years, the seven Potter novels have sold more than 450 million copies and have been translated into more than 60 languages.

An argument could be made that books like "The Hunger Games" and "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" owe a debt to Rowling and Potter for blazing the trail.

Then there's Potter movie magic.

Who knows where the careers of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint would be were it not for the Potter film franchise?

Audiences have watched the cast grow up on screen and become megastars.

Oh, and the eight films have made more than $2 billion.

In 2014, a study led by a group of researchers in Italy found that reading Potter books helped install empathy in children.

Two follow up studies found "that reading Harry Potter improved attitudes towards homosexuals in Italian high school students" and built compassion among English university students toward refugees.

In honour of the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone — the British version of the first novel in the wizarding world series — J.K. Rowling tweeted a message of thanks to fans Monday.

The author took to twitter to express her gratitude for the millions of readers who stuck with Harry throughout his magical journey, reminiscing on how this day 20 years ago changed her life. "20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others," she wrote. "It's been wonderful. Thank you."

Rowling, who was a struggling, divorced mother when she wrote the first Potter book, has conjured quite a world.

Here's one way to forget that, yes, the beloved Harry Potter series is 20 years old: go to Facebook.

The social network is offering a simple yet magical tribute to J.K. Rowling's epic tale whenever you share a status update including "Harry Potter."

It also works if you type any one of the houses in Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

All will appear with a unique colour and reveal a little surprise when a Facebook users clicks on any of the words.

Tubelight - Movie Review

CAST: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Om Puri, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Matin Rey Tangu, Zhu Zhu, Isha Talwar & Yashpal Sharma.

DIRECTION: Kabir Khan

DURATION: 2 hours 16 minutes

Salman Khan had once said, "Cinema should always be in touch with the soil of the country. My films celebrate the heartland of India." And probably with Tubelight, he tries to be true to his words. So, he has dedicated the film to the families and friends of soldiers who are left behind to fight their own battles.

The film is an adaptation of the 2015 released American war film Little Boy.

Set in Jagatpur in Kumaon district and in the backdrop of the 1962 India and China War, the film is the tale of a dim-witted boy Laxman whose brother, the only surviving member of his family, joins the Indian Army. How he survives during the interim period without his brother, forms the crux of the tale.

Visually, the film is enthralling. The wide angle lens used by Director of Photography Aseem Mishra aesthetically capture the stunning locales to perfection. The music and background score further enhance the viewing experience.

But it is the wafer-thin premise, packed with motivational messages and a tinge of patriotic notes that make the plot seem forced. The script meanders with scenes that lack gravitas. A case in point is the scene when Narayan, one of the village bullies, throws Laxman who is walking along with his new friend Guo into a stream. And, when Laxman picks up a rock in defence and asks Guo to run, the assailants just whimper off, and the scene ends abruptly.

In "Tubelight", Salman Khan does not play the dynamic hero that he used to portray with gusto. As Laxman, he fails to exude energy onscreen and hence, disappoints his fans. His mannerisms and body language are strongly reminiscent of Hrithik Roshan's in "Koi... Mil Gaya". His character is endearing but his physical demeanour is not. Initially jarring, but by the last act you are one with the character and the actor. Salman definitely grows on you.

Sohail Khan as his younger brother Bharat, has nothing much to offer, except being an emotional anchor for his elder brother, and he performs his part rather perfunctorily.

The only person who steals the show in the film is Matin Rey Tangu as the young Guo, who Laxman befriends. He is charming with his oriental looks and impish demeanour. The Chinese actress Zhu Zhu plays his mother Liling with flair.

Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo with his tattooed visage and ears studded with earrings, as a magician is dead pan and flat. He does not help to uplift the narrative or add emotionally to the film.

Om Puri as Banne Chacha - the guardian of an ashram, Isha Talwar as his daughter Maya, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub as Narayan with his knock knees and Yashpal Sharma as Major Tokras -- all brilliant actors have their moments of onscreen glory.

My readers must be wondering as to why I haven’t commented anything about Kabir Khan and his direction till now – well it is because I simply don’t see him calling the shots in Tubelight. Kabir Khan who’s made Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a film which established that Salman Khan can act! Is totally missing here. It’s very unlike Kabir to totally depend upon the Star Power and not his script, but sadly it looks like he’s done just the same here.

Overall, Tubelight has the tempered magic of cinema but it fails to ignite the emotional quotient.

My Rating: 1.5 / 5

Mumbai Mist - Trailer Review

National award winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar to represent India at BRICS film festival in China on 22nd June with his short film ‘Mumbai Mist‘ starring Annu Kapoor, master Devrath, Parvin Dabas.

The film is a story about a beautiful bond between an old man and an orphan rag picker kid.

The film will be part of “The Magnificent Five—Directors Collaboration Project for the BRICS Film Festival” where Bhandarkar is representing India, alongside globally-feted storytellers, Brazilian Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries fame), Chinese director-screenwriter Jia Zhangke, Russian storyteller Aleksey Fedorchenko and South African filmmaker Jahmil XT Qubeka.

Madhur, who is a big fan of Awara Hoon song and legendary Raj Kapoor, has used the song as a tribute to Raj Kapoor that plays in background in one of the important scenes in the film.

“Mumbai Mist” is part of a project wherein five filmmakers have been roped in to make 18-minute shorts on the theme “Where Has The Time Gone?”

Chinese director Jia Zhangke is the executive producer who has put all 5 short films on the same theme, together to make a feature film that will be premiered in Chengdu, China, while it will see theatrical release in China in September followed by other countries.

Mubarakan-Trailer Review

The trailer of Anees Bazmee’s upcoming film, Mubarakan has now been released and looks like this one’s going to be a complete family entertainer. The film starring Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz and Athiya Shetty in lead roles seems to be a fun affair.

The film stars Arjun in a double role and this is the first time he will be sharing screen space with his real-life uncle Anil Kapoor.

Karan and Charan (Arjun) are identical twins who through a twist of fate end up becoming cousins. One brought up in Chandigarh and the other in London, they are as different as brothers can be.

The fun starts when their families start searching for a bride for them, unknown to the fact that they already have girlfriends. Will their genius uncle, Kartar be able to get them out of this mess or create more confusion?

In sync with Anees Bazmee’s blockbuster entertainers like Ready, Singh is King, No Entry and Welcome, ‘Mubarakan‘ looks to be a laugh riot.

Arjun Kapoor who is seen playing a double role, is seen effortlessly portray the role of the urban Karan and the naive Charan.

The chemistry shared by Arjun and Anil in the trailer acts as the high point, with the film’s glimpses leaving one in splits. In one scene, Anil Kapoor comically says, "let's keep this matter within us, the youth" — and you laugh, not because you are doubtful of the use of the word "youth", but because Kapoor's comic timing surpasses logic.

Actresses Ileana D’cruz and Athiya Shetty who play love interests to Karan and Charan further add the glamour quotient to Anees Bazmee entertainer.

Mubarakan is produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions and Ashwin Varde & Murad Khetani’s Cine1 Studios and is slated to have its worldwide release on 28th July 2017.