Tag Archives: English Movie Reviews

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel – is a English comedy film released in 2014. The movie revolves around the adventure of Mr. Gustave, concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel and Zero, the Lobby Boy.

I did not have great expectations before I watched this movie. I was in for a very pleasant surprise. The movie starts off with switching multiple time context from the present to 1968 and then to 1932 where the actual incidents of a story take place. The movie is presented in a Novel format and narrates the incidents surrounding the Grand Budapest hotel, its concierge and the lobby boy. Wes Anderson has got a very good cast ensemble and the shots covering various sequences around the Grand Budapest hotel and the fictitious town of Zubrowka. One of the things impressed me was use of fantastic visuals for the establishing shots to cover the context of movie. You would have the satisfaction of finishing a novel by the end of it.

Must Watch

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier – is an English superhero action movie released in 2014. Marvel’s next edition of Captain America sees him fight against a deadly assassin known by the name Winter Soldier. The assassin attacks S.H.I.E.L.D agents, his motive is unknown. Was Steve Rogers (Captain America) able to stop him, did he find out the reason behind his attack? –  is the plot of the movie.

The movie jumps into action right from the first scene and keeps the audience very connected to the movie. The action sequences are done well. Directors Russo brothers (Anthony Russo and Joe Russo) have built a very compelling plot and have managed to unfold the suspense at appropriate time. Atleast this time around the One of the big plus for the movie is that it is not just a Captain America’s show. It also contains equal importance for the characters Nick Fury, Black Widow and War veteran Sam Wilson. Overall Marvel’s third outing with Captain America is a very enjoyable commercial package. If you are fan of superhero movies this is a must watch, all Marvel fans you would enjoy this even better. Don’t miss the two post credit sequences one which is building up for the next Avenger movie and the other for the next Captain America movie.

Must Watch – for all Marvel fans

 

Gravity (IMAX 3D)

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!

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…!