"Skyfall" (2012) film review

Hello Bond fans,

The new Bond film was released here in the UK today, so you KNOW your boy had to watch it. And such a major film deserves some quality shared thoughts. So if you're ready to read on, be warned to reading the good, the bad, and the ugly. Your Martini may well end up thoroughly shaken in this relatively spoiler-free review. Enjoy!

About

Director: Sam Mendes
Main Stars: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, and Judy Dench
Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller
UK Release Date: 26 October, 2012
Running Time: 143 minutes

Brief Plot

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

[Click for the Trailer] - YouTube video

Review

Many a people I know who have seen the two previous Bond films, the reboot collection of Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), tend to find themselves loving the first, and to varying degrees disliking the latter, and so would proceed to bite their nails in a cocktail of optimism and high caution as they await watching this film. I must admit though, I had little concern - I absolutely LOVED the first Bond reboot, and saw the second as more of an extension to the first, so overall I appreciate the experience, though I do understand where people are coming from.

"The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012) film review

Hello, web-heads!

The latest Spider-Man film is out, and it's a reboot of the previous 3, which were directed by Sam Raimi. Let's see how The Amazing Spider-Man compares to the Raimi trilogy, and how the new look Spidey works in general.

Here's some film details before we get into my nitty, gritty opinions.

About

Director: Marc Webb
Main Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, Martin Sheen, andSally Field
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Superhero, Thriller
UK Release Date: 3 July, 2012
Running Time: 136 minutes

Brief Plot

Peter Parker is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today, as well as find his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy, and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers an item that belonged to his father, and he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

[Click for the Trailer] - YouTube video

Review

5 years since the last Spider-Man film, Spider-Man 3, we see the Marc Webb reboot of the greatly enjoyed Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy. So the big question: how does it differ from still such a reasonably fresh franchise (the first Spider-Man only releasing in 2002 (just 10 years ago) and remains at the forefront of thoughts of the majority. It will however be easier to appreciate The Amazing Spider-Man considering how poorly received Spider-Man 3 was.

"Horrible Bosses" (2011) QUICK film review

Hey boss-haters!

As I'm playing catch-up on a bunch of things been happening lately that I might have missed out on, I'm gonna do a series of quick reviews from recent cinema flicks, starting with Horrible Bosses. Most of us can relate, and most of us hate, does this film live up to that feeling we get? Read on to find out!...

Quick Review
A great cast for the bosses, a good choice or protagonists, and an great small role by Jamie Fox, the actors were good overall, and in their characters they grow into enjoyable people to follow throughout. Three different problems, and one solution. I like the idea, and I like that they don't shy away from the link of the idea of killing an unrelated person's 'problem' as presented in the films by Hitchcock (Strangers on a Train) and DeVito (Throw Momma from the Train) by actually mentioning it in a rather funny plot.

You see the characters pushed too far and the story rolls very well like that, it works. The dialogue is great, and perhaps has some of the funniest one liners ("You can't win a marathon without putting some bandaids on your nipples!") People laughed throughout the film at the pretty packed showing I saw. Overall a solid round of fun with a shot of madness. a worthy comedy by far, and surely the best way to laugh off overhanging problems of an existing horrible boss.

Overall Rating

8/10

"X-Men: First Class" (2011) film review

Hey reader!

Before they were growing jokes of mutant superhero films, they were amazing mutant superhero films. The fifth instalment of the X-Men franchise is here. But is that a good thing?

Check out below my views on the film, and for any other info on the film or franchise, see my pre-release post.

Brief Plot

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

Review

The thing I've loved about X-Men is the fact that it's a lack of reality (no matter how scientifically grounded it is) and being a superhero franchise which isn't faltered for not being 'real' (e.g. Nolan's Batman films, Iron Man, while films like The Incredible Hulk and Thor get that question - X-Men are simply accepted) however, what I love more about the films are the strong themes or story in them, making them particularly superb films (at times). Of course, awesome comic book characters combined with arse-kicking action helps! Let me tell you, the action is great through out, and for a surprisingly cheap CGI-heavy film (at only $120 million, compared to most at +$150 million), it pulls the punches.

"The Hangover: Part II" (2011) film review

Hey drunkards!

A wedding in Thailand, and no bachelor night? Who has the roofies?!?

Here's a lil background on the film, and my thoughts of it too.

About
Director: Todd Phillips
Main Stars: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis
Studio: Legendary Pictures, Green Hat Films
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
UK Release Date: 26 May, 2011
Running Time: 102 minutes

Brief Plot
It's Stu's turn to get married, but he opts not to have a bachelor night after what happened in the events of the previous film, The Hangover (2009). However, he's getting married in Thailand and after being convinced to have a drink by a fire on the hotel beach along with Doug, Phil, Alan, and his fiancée's 16 year old brother, Teddy... waking up to Phil, Alan, Stu, Teddy's finger, and a monkey, in an unfamiliar place with a very familiar situation.

[Click for the Trailer]

Review

I loved the last film. It was clean adult laughs (minus the credits scene) at a stage in my life when going wild is a rare option, and it was awesome fun throughout. I wouldn't call it an original idea, but it was presented in a way that managed to really capture the heart of funny predicaments which ceaselessly proceed. It was a complete laugh! Then Todd Phillips did Due Date (2010), and after all the hype I felt after The Hangover (2009), it couldn't even touch the feet of the pedestal I had placed Hangover on. It was so similarly styled, and it had Galifianakis in it, a character who worked but I grew tired of in that film, as well as the rest of the jokes in Due Date. Despite all the fun I had in Phillips' earlier work (Road Trip, Old School, and Starsky and Hutch), this concerned me for Hangover 2.

"Attack the Block" (2011) Film review

Hello reader!

So let me get this straight... there's an alien invasion... NOT in the USA? Hmmm...

About
Director: Joe Cornish
Main Stars: Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega, Nick Frost, and Luke Treadaway
Studio: Big Talk Productions
Distributor: Optimum Releasing
UK Release Date: 11 May, 2011
Running Time: 88 minutes

Brief Plot
A teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion.
[Click for the Trailer]

Review
So when I heard that there was a flick releasing around the summer about an alien invasion hitting an estate in South London, who end up in a mini-war against ghetto kids, I just put my head in my hand and tutted. "Why? ...just, why??" Then I saw the advert, and I was caught off-guard, it didn't strike me as cheesy as when I saw the trailer to Anuvahood, as good or as bad as that film might be. I was cracking smiles. Then I find out Joe Cornish is the writer and director behind it? I'm interested.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011) Film review

Ahoy, mateys!

Here's my review on what I thought of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. If you want more information on the film itself, see my pre-release post.

Brief Plot

According to Walt Disney Pictures, the story is:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love -- or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

Review
As a fan of the franchise, I was pretty excited about seeing this. The adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow must continue, and did it just! It quite literally carries on with Jack Sparrow on his quest of the Fountain of Youth, the note it was left upon in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and On Stranger Tides it takes Sparrow straight into ye olde England, where mayhem ensues as he catches word that he has been searching for a crew there, much to his surprise.

Cutting People Off

Hey reader,

Relationships and Bridges

So I put forward to my ex-gf to not contact me, even if I contact her. We had been in on and off contact since last year when she dumped me. I thought I could maintain a bond afterwards as she stated she wanted us to be friends and prior to the break-up I had made her the centre of my friends circle... so I tried, but I found it hard.

It's weird to some (particularly when a grey area of a bond hits), but I think it's healthy. Sometimes we cling on to people because they have been a huge part of a persons life. This was a complicated situation to me as their were many aspects that confused me and bothered me enough to feel the need to let it go, no matter how hard I have tried to overlook issues and move forward. I think we need to realise that because people have been close, it doesn't mean we should force a relationship out of it. I mean, I won't be doing that with people that were my best friends when I was 10.

There are many different types of relationships, ones you have with family, friends, that special someone, job, day-today ones (hair dresser, guy at the newsagent, etc) and more, and to me it's important to understand which are important/vital, and to evaluate them too.

Rising Above Negative Circumstances

Hello, readers!

Click to see the bigger picture...

So I was at mandir (Hindu temple) on Sunday, and something that's stuck with me since was the interesting topic of Tolerance.

You: "But how is that even worth my time reading, Harish?"

Tolerance is a key to blissful living. You're interested in a lifestyle liberated of the shackles of conflict, right?

Let me ask You: Have you come across a point in your life where you felt like you're going under and you can't deal with it? or how about that you're a person who when you talk, you put another person's feelings down, causing pain, but are oblivious to it/enjoy it/don't understand why it is that certain people find it hard to get along with you?

I'm not asking us to accept a fly in the soup, harassment, a beating spouse or shoddy work offered by a contractor, I'm discussing our tolerance of negative situations which should realistically be beneath us, and to handle these situations in a smart way.

This particular post will look at why it's important to be tolerant, and how. If you're ignorant of this need for a person to have such embedded character, it's actually probably more useful for you, but understandable if you choose to avoid it.

"Thor" (2011) film review

International "Thor" poster

Hello reader!

Interested in seeing Thor? See my view on the film (as well as a little info) for what it counts, hope it helps!

About
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Main Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Stellan Skarsgård

Studio: Marvel Studios

Distributor: Paramount Pictures
UK Release date: 27 April, 2011
Running time: 114 minutes


Brief Plot
Thor is a powerful, but arrogant, warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
[Click to see Trailer]

Review

What to Expect

Hello, reader!

Welcome to my blog! Curious to know what I have to offer that's different from other bloggers?

I have no idea! I don't follow any, nor have I regularly read blogs.

What I can tell you is a brief bit about me, so you get an idea of what I may post (should it interest you to know.)

I am a British-born and raised 20-something male of Asian-Indian ancestry. I love films, am fond of superhero flicks despite acknowledging that they aren't the greatest out there. I love listening to music with a great beat or very thoughtful and/or witty lyrics. A preferred genre would be hip-hop, despite being open to all. I'm into modern day-to-day technology, like smartphones, tablets, home entertainment systems etc. I also am a user of the PlayStation 3. Despite these interests, I love to be active and being out with friends to shoot some pool, go bowling, watch big football (soccer, to the Americans) games, or just to hang out. I'm a follower of the Hindu faith, pretty spiritually inclined. I like to cook in my spare time (I'm a vegetarian, so expect recipes to be shared as I find it cool trying new things) and I do hope to make time to learn instruments like the guitar, keyboard and tablas (North Indian drums) and be more literary-inclined (feel free to recommend good books!). I love travelling around, seeing new places, and just generally making the most of life.

There's a bunch more I could add, but I think you get the idea.

So why am I here? Hoping to meet people through this who are just as interesting to share experiences and learn cool stuff off. But mostly because I'm selfish and want somewhere to keep my thoughts written down or share things I find interesting online.

Hope y'all enjoy as much as I do =)

-Harish, out