Category Archives: English Movies

English Movie Reviews

Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Prisoners

Prisoners – is an American thriller released in 2013. Two young kids go missing from the neighborhood on Thanksgiving Day. The only clue is that there was an RV stationed outside their house before they went missing. What happened to the kids, did their parents able to locate them remains the plot of the movie.

The movie sets on its in main story line right from the beginning and you try to learn about the characters as it progresses. The sequences are taken on gloomy winter afternoons which make the visual convey the depressing tone of the movie. As and when the plot reaches the point of unsolvable mystery some unexpected incident happens which would keep you engaged. Director Denis Villeneuve has crafted a slow but very gripping thriller plot. Hugh Jackman had portrayed the role of a father whose daughter has gone missing very well and has performed very well. The movie is a must watch for all thriller drama lovers.

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Comedy, Crime, Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

American Hustle

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American Hustle – is a crime drama released in 2013. The movie is loosely based on the ABSCAM operation that had happened in the late 70’s in the United States. A FBI agent persuades two con artists to help him make some high profile arrests in return for not arresting them for their con. The operation leads them into a world of politicians and underworld mafias. What transcribes is the part of the story.

Director David O. Russell yet again pulls a very intriguing movie after Silver Linings Playbook. American Hustle is loaded with powerful star cast whose performance will impress you through the movie. The screenplay is witty and subtly touches on the ambiguities involved in the ABSCAM operation. Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence have performed brilliantly and are very convincing of the characters they had portrayed. The movie is high in drama value and background knowledge of the ABSCAM operation would make it more interesting. Overall it is a must watch for all crime drama lovers.

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English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Now You See Me

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Now You See Me – is a English thriller released in 2013. Four magicians are brought together by a unknown man. They perform magic shows in which they rob bank live and distribute the money to the audience. FBI and Interpol are after the magicians to catch them live. Where they able to prove the deception in their magical acts and arrest them is the plot of the movie.

The movie is made in a very stylish way as many of the famous heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven. It keeps the audience engaged and guessing the trick throughout the movie. Although there are few of the tricks you might be able to guess before hand as you had already seen movies on similar lines but still the screenplay is written very brilliantly to keep you glued to your chair. This is one of the movies which got released without many frills but would sweep you off the feet if you are a fan of heist movies. It is a must watch.

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Action, English Movies, Fantasy, Rating, Reviews, Superhero, Worth a Watch

Thor: The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World – is a Marvel Superhero movie released in 2013. Eons back Bor, grandfather of Thor defeats the dark elves and safeguards their deadly weapon Aether which has the potential to destroy the universe in a stone column. In the present time the dark elves lead by Malekith awaken with the accidental release of the weapon Aether. They now launch their assault on Asgard and are out to destroy the universe as the event of convergence of the Nine worlds nears. Thor has to save Asgard, the earth and the entire universe. Was Thor able to do it… ? is the plot of this sequel to the Thor movie.

When the dark evil forces arise and threatens to destroy the world, a superhero comes to save the world. This is a template of any superhero movie and the creators do not have much levy to change this. What they could creatively play around with is the sequence of events that would lead through the story. If they are not able to engage the audience with interesting sequences then the movie becomes a boring one. This movie is on the borderline. Parts of the movie, particularly the portions involving Loki are very engaging. Tom Hiddleston has done a very good job of playing the role of Loki and lifts the tempo of the movie. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman have done what the script has asked for. Like any of the modern day super hero flicks there is mass destruction, makes one feel gone are those days when super heroes saved innocent people from great perils while the modern day super heroes are more concerned about their loved ones. Overall the movie deserves a one time watch if you are a Thor fan. And don’t miss, there are 2 post credit sequences at the end.

What you may like: Loki’s characterization, visual effects, post credit teasers

What you may not like: Usual superhero plot, slow paced first half, Not as racy as its prequel

Watchable – for the characterization of Loki

Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Gravity (IMAX 3D)

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Gravity (IMAX 3D) – is a thriller and drama released in 2013.  Dr. Ryan Stone is on her first space shuttle mission with veteran Matt Kowalski to service the Hubble Space Telescope. They get warned by the Mission Control in Houston to abort the mission to escape from the debris of a Russian satellite, however before they escape their space craft is destroyed by debris and Ryan Stone drifts away. The rest of the movie is about did Stone find her crew back and did she reach earth safely?

When I saw the trailer of the movie I wondered how such a plot could have been developed to make an engaging movie. I had to change my opinion after seeing it. Director Alfonso Cuarón has narrated a story of hope and survival when everything seems gloomy. The movie’s plot is not merely a science fiction rather has parallel themes of self-belief, soul searching, meaning of life. Cuarón has done a brilliant work of using the silent and eerie but beautiful space as the background for the conveying the theme. The visual effects are stunning and you have a feel for space exploration and admire the beauty of earth from space. The movie is completely set in space and catches your attention right from the first frame where there is absolute silence. The film covers space exploration in great detail and accuracy barring a few sequences used for creative liberty.  Sandra Bullock has performed very well and this would be one among her best works. Steven Price’s background score takes the audience through an emotional ride in otherwise silent space. Overall, if you are a fan of movies like Cast Away, Life of Pi which is not merely an adventure tale but deals with hope, survival and soul searching then Gravity is a Must Watch. If you don’t connect to the philosophical theme of the plot then you would feel this is nothing more than a IMAX show of space exploration.

Must Watch – for lovers of space movies and survival stories!

English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Thriller, Worth a Watch

Trance

Trance – is a British thriller film released in 2013. Simon, an art auctioneer steals a painting along with his colleagues. While performing the heist he gets hit and loses his memory as of where he has kept the painting. His accomplice Frank employ a hypnotherapist help to get his memory back. Did they succeed in finding the lost painting is the rest of the plot.

The movie is directed by Danny Boyle. It is a psychological thriller that demands some serious viewing as there are dream sequences and real life time line with time line shifts. Without a serious viewing you might miss out on the plot. The screenplay is engaging right from the beginning. The director has been successful in maintaining the curiosity of the audience right from the word go. As the search for the painting continues there is a complex love triangle evolving between Simon, Elizabeth (the hypnotherapist) and Frank and the plot gets complex and unravels facts that lead to the end of the movie. If you are a fan of psychological thriller then you would love this movie, it is different and the plot is complex yet brilliant. The movie is R rated for its adult content.

Watchable – for all psychological thriller fans and those who love movies with a twist…!

Biopic, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Making of Mahatma

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Making of Mahatma –  Independence Day special! Making of Mahatma is an English movie which is a joint Indian South African film released in 1996. The movie starts with the famous train sequence where Mohandas is thrown out of the train as he is not white. The story then travels through the ups and downs of the life of Mohandas and how he transforms himself into a inspiring leader that people address him as Mahatama (the great soul!). The movie ends with his 21 years of tenure in South Africa where he had inspired millions to rise against the British rule leading by example.

The movie is directed by Shyam Benegal, Rajit Kapoor plays the role of Gandhi. As the movie travels through the life of Gandhi it just uplifts one’s spirit and the scene in which Gandhi goes on his first march and people join him as he walks is truly inspirational. Rajit Kapoor has acted very well and he has shown the maturity through the movie as he rises from a common man to a leader. You could see the inspiration from the Richard Attenborough’s 1982 movie Gandhi. This is a must watch for the inspiration it creates.

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Animation, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Worth a Watch

Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2 – A sequel to the Animation Movie Despicable Me released in 2010. Gru former villain turned father of 3 girls is occupied in family life. The Anti Villain League (AVL) organization is in search of a deadliest villain who has stolen a secret laboratory near the Arctic Circle. They convince Gru to help them find the villain. Was Gru able to leave his “happily ever after” family life to take on this adventure? Did he succeed? is the plot of the movie.

At a point of time in the movie I had my doubts if I was already watching Minions the Movie. The first part was about – what would happen if a super bad villain has to turn into a super dad?. The concept was new and the film was very interesting one. Minions, the mini creatures who work for Gru became very popular after the movie. The makers have rightly cashed in the popularity of the minions and rightly they have a significant role to play in this movie. Not only they are part of the main plot but also have helped the story move along acting as fillers. Their acts keep the audience entertained through the movie. This one may not be as good as the first one, but definitely not a bad sequel. It has its hilarious moments throughout the movie. The movie also ends with the teaser for Minions the movie during the credits. If you are a fan of Minions or have a kid who likes minions go for the movie… you will find yourself laughing throughout.

Watchable – for the Minions

 

Animation, English Movies, Fantasy, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Brave

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Brave – An animation fantasy film from Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney. A princess takes a brave step to follow her heart against the will of her mother. In an effort to change her mother’s heart the steps she takes results in unforeseen circumstances that threatens to lose her mother forever. She races against time to mend what she had done… Did she succeed? Was she able to change her Mothers heart?… is the story of Brave.

This is the first fairy tale from Pixar. The screenplay is slick and builds up to the message that you would see in many of the Pixar movies “Follow your Heart”. Although the usual message, the movie stands out of the crowd for the way it is presented. This movie won the Academy Award for the best animated feature film in the year 2012. The visuals are stunning and they have recreated the landscape of Scotland in computer generated images. The amount of complexity of the visuals had posed a challenge to the Pixar Studios and they rewrote their entire animation system. The result is a visual treat. They did not stop with the visuals but they also employed Dolby Atmos sound technology for the first time. This sound technology  is picking up very fast in the Indian film industry as well. Shivaji 3D, Vishwaroopam, Anybody Can Dance adopted this sound technology and there are many more to join this bandwagon soon. For the stunning visuals and a wonderful fairy tale this is a Must Watch

Must Watch – for Animation Fans

Crime, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Eastern Promises

Eastern Promises – is a crime thriller  released in 2007 A 14 year old girl dies in a Britain hospital after giving birth to a child. She has a diary written in Russian Language which is recovered by the hospital nurse Anna. She doesn’t understand Russian and sets out on a path to find the father of the child. The path she takes is dreadful and leads her to a Russian mafia gang. Does she succeed in her mission is the rest of the plot.

The movie is engaging right from the first shot at the barber shop. We get introduced to the mafia world through the eyes of Anna who is fearless and is very much focused on her mission irrespective of the perils associated with it. The screen play is very engaging and the dark tone of the shots suits the theme very well. Naomi Watts and Viggo Mortenson have given brilliant performances. If you are fan of mafia movies and crime thrillers this is a must watch.

Must Watch – for Crime thriller fans

Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller, War

Inglourious Basterds

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Inglourious Basterds –  A film by Tarantino released in 2009 revolves around two plots that ultimately converge with each other. The story is set in 1944 when there is a group of Jewish soldiers known as Basterds are feared by the Nazis. A jewish girl in her late teens is running a cinema in Paris and has grudge against the Nazis. There is a German film planned to be premiered in the theater and Hitler is planning to attend it. Both the girl and the Basterds in parallel come up with plan to assassinate Hitler.  Will they succeed in their plan is the rest of the movie.

This is one of my all time favorite Tarantino movie. It has been executed brilliantly and there is never a dull moment in the movie. The bar scene where the ensemble are playing games although seem to be an uninteresting narration but the tension in the plot and the anticipation of what is going to happen next makes it a brilliant scene. Typical Tarantino style of having very insignificant foreground to a tension packed background plot (remember the conversation of Samuel Jackson and Travolta about McDonalds in the movie Pulp fiction). None other than Tarantino can make such interesting sequences. Brad Pitt has acted very well. The performance that stands out is that of Christopher Waltz… the performance was simply superb and no surprise that he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2010. For brilliant performances and narration style Inglourious Basterds is a Must Watch!

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Animation, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. – A 2001 Animated film from the Pixar. The film is about two monsters Sulley and Mike who work for a company Monsters Inc. The job of the monsters is to scare children at night by using their closet doors as portal. The scream generated from children produces electricity in the Monster city. But they have a weak point, they can cannot come in contact with the children or their belongings as they are toxic for them. The company is not doing great as the children no longer are frightened as they used to be. When they are devising up a plan to overcome this crisis, a child enters the monster world by mistake. Sulley and Mike try to hide the child and return it back to the human world without knowledge of anyone.

The movie plot, although written for children makes it a interesting watch for adults as well. Pixar raised the bar of computer graphics to the next level in this movie. The fur on the monster Sulley was a notable achievement then. The adventures of Mike and Sulley are hilarious and you wish you could take them back home with you. It is a Must Watch and do watch it with your kids, nephews, nieces or the kid in you!

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After 12 years Disney Pixar is releasing “Monsters University” a prequel  to this movie.  The plot is again the adventures of Mike and Sulley when they went to college. With the success of the first movie there is a high expectation surrounding its prequel. Hope Disney Pixar is able to recreate the magic.