Trolls

After a long time, a movie seen with the daughter. Enjoyed just as much. These animation movies are all classic - touching the right inspiration points in their musicals. This one is a lot musical especially because the trolls are characterized as too much into singing! Great animation, nice little story, just a touch of romance here and there - and great songs. Just perfect for kids and parents.
Rating: Good

Mubarakan

Saw a Wodehousian plot after a long time. Nice story with enough romantic & family complexities. Story revolves mostly in London and a few shots in Punjab. Fresh cast, dazzling wedding scenes, good Punjabi dancing songs. The look-alike-twins are not used - thankfully - to confuse the already-complicated storyline. Good watch on TV for a weekend.
Rating: Good

Me Before You

An interesting story about the care taker falling in love with the paralyzed patient. The ending makes the heart sore though. Set in beautiful countryside of UK, the movie graces through picture postcard scenery and the main protagonists' conversations about life in general. Good acting and direction and dialog. A romantic drama filled with crests and troughs of emotions. Good watch on a lazy day.
Rating: Good 

Ek Tha Tiger

Saw this movie in passing. Salman and Katrina make a great screen presence. It kinda resembled the Jason Bourne-ish but the romance was completely Bollywoody. Songs are nice, so are location settings. Watchable.
Rating: Good

Upendra

After having watched Uppi 2, I always wanted to see Upendra. This movie, though, was not as captivating as the sequel. True, it has some great insights, truths and dialog that only the actor-director Upendra can think of and deliver but some of the scenes are so gory, gut-wrenching, blood-oozing and face-contorting that it is better left unseen. Surely there could have been a much simpler way of conveying the message. Ah yes, the film has an interesting message too for which alone the movie is bearable.
Rating: Average

The Adventures of Tintin

Having read the book as a teenager, it was a great fun to see the movie after more than 2 decades. And enjoyed just as much! The animation is super cool - almost real but not really. The fight scenes and the chase scenes are exceptionally carried out. It is a real treat to watch Morocco especially. The story, as Tintin's stories are always famous for, has continuous twists and turns. It was a great introduction of Tintin to my daughter! 
Rating: Good

The Three Musketeers

An adventure movie comparable to the likes of The Mask of Zorro and Indiana Jones. From the very first scene till the very last, there is action. No scene is wasted. Hence, I guess excellent editing and direction. Portrayal of all characters is sublime. Wonderful entertainer in all aspects.
Rating: Good

Hindi Medium

I somehow get to like most of Irrfan Khan's movies - or rather he gets the best scripts! This one is quirky too, just like Piku. The portrayal of the lives of the rich and the poor is heart-rending and makes this almost a must-see. But I felt it just stopped short of it. Nevertheless, a great watch - and good screenplay.
Rating: Good

Half Girlfriend

Slow-moving, long-faced acting by the hero and overall quite a drag of a movie. Got very boring in the midst of some unwanted romantic feelings and ups and downs. After an hour, was checking how long for 'The End'. Same feeling after second hour! Hardly anything in the movie to watch - story, acting, songs, cinematography. Totally avoidable without any regrets.
Rating: Pathetic

Malaya Maarutha

My second time. The last time I saw this was maybe 3 decades ago but I still remembered it very well. The first 2 hours is very nicely set. With complete Carnatic classical music as main theme, the story is well laid. But the last one hour becomes a big bore and torture. Too many songs and same songs get repeated. Vishnuvardhan has done good acting.
Rating: Average

Ondu Motteya Kathe

Excited that it is a Pawan Kumar movie, I had high expectations. But the moment I saw that it is only produced by PK but not directed by him, my excitement level came down. Nevertheless, the movie seemed interesting at first - about bald bachelors trying hard to find brides. The initial half hour was humorous to a slight extent but then the movie became very slow in progress. Hardly anything seemed to be happening. It got boring midway and then I was just waiting for the movie to end. Nothing great in the movie to write about - acting is just fine, dialog is nice to hear since it is Mangalore Kannada and the frustration of the bride and groom is depicted well.
Rating: Average

Wild Child

Saw this movie as a by-product of random changing of channels on the TV. Quite amusing at first - especially the American vs Brit feud amongst the teen girls and their accents. Some nice scenes especially rural UK, some expected ups and downs, and a pretty normal-ish ending. Yet, nice and simple watch. No complaints. Time-pass.
Rating: Good

Mom

Tangentially bordering Nirbhaya 2012 case, Mom in this case veers off in the direction of revenge instead of waiting for Law to take up action. It is gruesome in the beginning of the narration but evens out later. Excellent acting by Sridevi and all her family members. Tight storyline but at times I felt it was quite far-fetched. Worth a watch.
Rating: Good

Uppi 2

Without seeing the prequel Upendra, I embarked upon seeing this movie since it was being aired on TV. I am a big fan of Upendra's unique style of direction and thought-process since I saw his movies Om & Ssssshhh...!. This movie started off super-duper with Naanu Vs Neenu (selfishness vs selflessness). Apparently it continues where the prequel left off. Screenplay and dialog is awesome, direction is good too. The first hour of the movie is really worth a watch as it is more like a self-help book giving valuable advice. But story gets too confusing and it gets harder and harder to follow as the movie ends. After reading the wiki, I finally got to know some of it but I feel it could have been made easier to understand the message that was being conveyed! 
Rating: Good

Sully

A very simple movie about the happenings of Jan 15th 2009 and the after-effects it had on the pilot Sully due to NTSB investigation on whether the landing on the Hudson river was actually needed or not. Tom Hanks has done a neat controlled acting. Another great direction by Clint Eastwood. Worth the watch for whatever happened in those 24 minutes in NY.
Rating: Good 

Bangaara s/o Bangaarada Manushya

Very nicely conceptualized with reel-life actors being real-life persona. Dr Raj's role - even after his death - is honored as best as it could ever be as Bangaarada Manushya! But the first hour of the movie is pretty much pathetic, just like Rajakumaara (another movie that had tangential reference to Dr Raj's movie and role). The first hour is forgettable, avoidable and very less significance. The next two-thirds of the movie takes turn towards interesting concept of farmers committing suicide and Government's apathy towards them - which is good. But many scenes in the movie could have been edited as it seemed irrelevant and unwanted, especially the improbable fight scenes. Even the slight twist in the ending was rather dramatically unwanted. Anyways - a great movie for Dr Raj fans, me being one of them!
Rating: Average

Guest Iin London

A romcom that is tangentially similar to Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge. The 'unwanted guest' even in this movie is Paresh Rawal. He is exemplary in his role. Dialog is catchy. Actors are fresh. Storyline moves from comedy to seriousness pretty late - almost two thirds of the movie is humorous. So, definitely worth a watch.
Rating: Good

When in Rome

A nice rom com for the Sunday! Its kinda fanciful yet the romance and the comedy is in nice dosage to not make it a bore. Plus, there is Rome and Spanish accent! The dialog and screenplay is good, acting is fresh, NY and Central Park refreshes memories! Worth one watch.
Rating: Good

MS Dhoni - The Untold Story

While the Sachin one was a documentary, this one is made like a movie - and it is very well done. Dhoni's story is very much like a Bollywood story indeed. The interesting bits, of course, is about how he met his girlfriend, his wife, about his parents and his early childhood and how he got into cricket. The romantic scenes could have been edited though and unnecessarily elongated the already long saga. Or, could have been replaced by his famous hits - like the 183* that he hit against Sri Lanka. Anyways, coming back to the movie - Sushanth has portrayed the role very well. The actresses are eye-catching and giggly most of the time. The movie doesn't look like a true story and yet it is - hence it is very inspiring. Enjoyed the biopic completely, while musing sadly about the sad events that has occurred in his life; and also how he could have served the Indian cricket about 3-4 years earlier than when he actually started. For once, instead of saying 'What a movie', I will say 'What a man!' :-)
Rating: Good   

What to expect when you are expecting

A romcom. Good enough dose of romance and comedy. Not too much, but just enough to pass off as a good watch. Nothing more, nothing less. As the title says - it is all about the arrival of the new one in the family; multiple couples' stories portrayed one after the other - and their tales doesn't get intertwined, nor are they all related at any one point of time like in 11:14. They all just live tangentially. It is like an anthology of different couples' tales. 
Rating: Average

Rajakumaara

This one is just perfect for Dr Rajkumar's role. This is exactly the kind of movie that script-writers used to write for Dr Raj - a parents'-loving, elders'-loving, people-loving role. Since Dr Raj is not there, who better than his own son?! The first half of the movie turned me off, though. It is hardly worth a watch but the remaining 2 hours more than makes up for it. The story goes topsy-turvy and thats when the creamy side of the movie starts. Excellent dialog, good humor, good casting & acting (especially of the elderly) makes this one watchable and even enjoyable, to an extent. The fight scenes were completely avoidable but I guess they are included to bring in the masses and the youth. A good watch.
Rating: Good

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya

Run-of-the-mill. Engaged girl meets boy, falls in love and rest is history. Some light twists here, some 30 degree turns there just to fill up the 2.5 hrs. Nothing great to write about. Slight humor. 
Rating: Average

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

This one happened to be my first-time-ever third-movie-of-the-day! And boy, am I glad, this movie turned out to be the way it was. 

A simple yet powerful storyline about connecting a separated dumb daughter to her mother across the ever-turbulent Indo-Pak border. Salman's role portrayal is excellent. The kid's acting is superb albeit being dumb. Kashmir is taken breathtakingly beautiful. The oodles of love that flows across India and Pakistan is wonderful. The whole movie is filled with 'feel-good' factors. Even though the storyline can be predicted, it still is almost an edge-of-the-seat with enough twists and turns. A must-watch.
Rating: Must-see

I Don't Know How She Does It

This has 'uber' written from minute 1. A classy style of film-making. Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Brosnan are my favs anyways - and their casting adds charm. Casting, story, narration, acting, direction, screenplay, cinematography, dialog - everything tops the chart. Wholesome entertainer.
Rating: Good

Bridget Jones's Diary

Avoided this movie for a very long time since I thought - for some reason - it was an over-hyped romcom. Gotto see it today and my intuition turned true. Pretty averagish triangle love story. Not much of comedy nor much of romance. Not much significance to the diary either. Time pass.
Rating: Average

Singh is Bliing

Wholesome entertainer only if you keep your brains away - just like the kinng movie! Just see to enjoy! Total time pass movie. Watchable only for Amy Jackson, Punjabi colorful scenes and some light humor especially with the translator. How an absolute goof-up-guy suddenly starts fighting a dozen people single-handedly is something that the brain should not think! Editing not so great - the scenes with the translator sleepwalking could have been avoided - not much laughter. Anyways.
Rating: Good

Toilet - Ek Prem Katha

A true-events-inspired movie that is made very nicely on the delicate topic of open defecation rampant widely in rural India more due to falsely followed ritual of not having a loo in the house due to 'impurity concepts'. Dialog, setting, acting, directing, casting, story - all has come out very well in this dry-humor albeit a serious-topic movie. Definitely worth a watch.
Rating: Must-see 

Jab Harry Met Sejal

Pathetic written all over it from start to finish. I rate very few movies as Pathetic and unfortunately this one is very much so. Maybe I didn't like the characterization of the cast in the story, or maybe it was the too-thin finding-needle-in-haystack plot. Either ways, this one was too difficult to digest with songs coming suddenly of nowhere, cries, potential fight scenes with no fight - seemed like director wanted to make it comical at times but I am not sure. Anyways, avoidable at all costs. Ending is known anyways - even before you start watching the movie!
Rating: Pathetic

Great Grand Masti

Just like the prequel, only one thing is talked-, portrayed-, sung- and danced-about in the movie. Amazing double-meaning-ed humor in pretty much most scenes that maybe doesn't make you ROFL but still tickles. Worth a watch with no expectations.

Rating: Average

Dilwale (SRK)

A movie for 'Company to wifey'! Nothing much to write about. Just another Bollywood masala movie with enough romance, songs, humor, dance, action - and add SRK and Kajol to make it extra special. Total time-pass.
Rating: Average

Tubelight

A relatively nice movie set in 1960s Sino-Indian war period. Granted, this is based on Little Boy American movie, yet I felt it was a nicely made movie that doesn't bore much and kinda instills more of Gandhian principles. Also the setting is nice - a small mountain-top town that overlooks the Himalayas. Also the stuff about having firm faith and belief was kinda inspirational. Not too bad a watch, I must say.
Rating: Good

Kung Fu Yoga

Watched Jackie Chan movie after a really long time and it was typical. Some interesting plots, some great fights, some humour but overall an average movie. Nevertheless, it was nice to see - especially because there were some scenes from India in it & some interesting points on Yoga. The scene of the lion having a car-sickness was hilarious!! And the scene of the hyenas was edgy...
Rating: Average

Jagga Jasoos

Another Anurag Basu movie. Had too many likeness to Barfi - like Ranbir's unique character/role, music by Pritam, Western India setting, etc. The movie started out good but tapered out in the end. A totally different style of narration - much like The Sound of music but not really sure if that helped it or marred it. Without it, maybe it could have been a better movie. Reminded me of Indiana Jones movies with high-octane adventure. Editing seemed very poor in the end, with too many things happening too rapidly, as if narrator had a time limit within which the movie had to end. Some of the adventures are far too filmy and too-good-to-be-true-ish. 
Rating: Average

Friends with Benefits

An English romcom after a longish time. This one was relatively good. Good dialog & screenplay, some really great scenes & thoughts, great casting and acting - and anyways, totally enjoyed it - although the story had an expected wave of highs and lows and the finale.
Rating: Good

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry met Lloyd

Pretty much the similar type of goof balls. Didn't get as much laugh as the original one - maybe because it was not as good or I have become older.
Rating: Average

Gabbar is back

A socio-conscious movie about 'If you take bribe, Gabbar will come!' Although, the name Gabbar is a slight twist in this remake of the Tamil 2002 original Ramanaa. Reminded me of movies like Shool, Nayak, etc. A good watch due to a relatively good storyline, direction, acting, etc. Hits hard to those who are corrupt in this world.
Rating: Good

Nadiya Ke Paar

Felt nice watching an old movie, soon realized that this is the movie that the famous hit Hum Aapke Hain Kaun was based on! This original movie is refreshingly fresh, without any glamour and depicts romance in a typical country life. Even if one has seen HAHK, this movie is watchable!
Rating: Good

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

Oh, God, why did I see this movie?!! If I knew it is a Karan Johar movie, I would have shied away from it, but a lazy Saturday in front of the TV and with wifey wanting to watch it, gave company and got a headache at the middle of the movie. Only saw at the very end, that it is a KJ movie :-( Too many 'satellite' relationships rotating around one main no-love-just-friend relationship - moving from London to Paris to Lucknow to Vienna to London. Wanted the movie to end but it kept going on and on...
Rating: Pathetic

Meri Pyaari Bindu

The movie seemed nice while browsing through TV channels. It seemed like a blend of The Girl Next Door and Runaway Bride. Nice interesting and innovative scenes, very picturesque and fresh with the romance going up and down, far and near, past and present - all intertwined. The ending seemed to kinda fall flat though. Characterization is good, Parineeti is super good in her role.
Rating: Average

Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu

Good characterization, casting, acting and an interesting story that intertwines middle class families with the underground, thanks to Alzheimers! In the middle, it gets kind of yawny. Songs are not too catchy but nice locations. Definitely worth a watch.
Rating: Good

Sultan

Not sure why I watch such movies, but company for wifey I guess :-) Thin story line which is pretty much predictable for next 10-20 minutes in future at any point in time. At times, felt like watching Dangal as this too is a wrestling based movie except that this has some romance built in it with a hero and a heroine. Some typical Salman Khan's light hearted comedy. Ok-dokey, watchable only if there is pretty much nothing else to do.
Rating: Average

Kirik Party

Rave reviews led me to see this movie. Resembled Premam - but only very slightly. Dialog is super, humour is very raw and innocent, acting is fresh and not at all overdone. First half sails through with flying colors but the second half kinda slows down the momentum, and the humor reduces, so does the smiles. Songs and music are taken differently - those seem fresh too. Not standard nor typical. Watchable.
Rating: Good

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

True story of what happened in Libya - on the night of the assassination of US Ambassador. A commendable effort from few US Army contractors to save American lives - but hardly any recognition. On the contrary, recognition given to under-performers of US army. A movie to be seen to understood. Nice, gripping that takes us all through that dreaded night of 13 hours. Too much of gunfire - which is to be expected. Heart goes out to the 2 fatalities.

Rating: Good

Sachin: A Billion Dreams

A Sachin fan all my life, always wanted to watch this biographical movie as soon as it was announced. Much of the movie is from the autobiography which I had already read. So there were very few surprises in the movie that I wasn't already aware. Yet, it is a nice collection of 2 decades of Sachin's prowess. There were parts of the movie which I felt could have been better made - like giving some more time to the two Sharjah matches vs Australia in 1998, the one over against Abdul Qadir in 1989, how he got to open the innings vs New Zealand, etc and etc. Well, I guess I can keep going on and on - and director would have had to create 2 parts of the movie! This movie is for those Sachin fans who want to re-live those 2.5 wonderful decades in 2.5 hours...who wouldn't, huh?
Rating: Good

Guri

After a long time, watched a Dr Raj Kumar movie. A typical 1980 Dr Raj Kannada movie - some deaths, some fights, some miracles, some unwanted songs, some unwanted emotional drama, light humor and yet it doesn't bore. 
Rating: Average

Dombivali Fast

Inspiration to see this movie came after watching Mumbai Meri Jaan. (Director's first movie is DF). Inspiration fulfilled. Just as good a movie. Powerful concept of a highly-principled man stuck in a world filled with unprincipled population. The tension of the clash is palpable. An edge-of-the-seat all through the movie.
Rating: Must-see

Bride Wars

Another bridal romcom movie - but it is more comedy than romance. Nice 'revenge' tactics throughout the movie! Enjoyed watching it, with wifey who especially likes such movies. 
Rating: Good

Bodyguard

Total time pass, typical Bollywood romance movie. Salman Khan as a bodyguard is just like the binding of the book, rest of the pages are all predictable and same. Some small twist at the ending but totally unnecessary. Little bit of comedy but that didnt make me laugh. Action scenes were total bakwaas.
Rating: Average

Baahubali 2

Now that I knew what kind of movie Part 1 was, I had very less expectation. Although again had no intention to see, got to see this movie somehow. It didn't seem all that bad this time. The visual effects portrayed to showcase the strength of Baahubali seemed necessary - although the violence was just as much. Some of the scenes were gripping and excellently depicted. Once again, to sum up the movie in one word - Extravagant! If the movie is really a true story (I am not sure), then it is a pity that such a great person had little or no time to rule the kingdom. Some of the ideas depicted is really innovative - although at times extremely dubious. Extravagant time-pass.
Rating: Good

PS: After watching part 2, I wanted to see part 1 since I hadn't understood some scenes, some characters in 1. Now, it made a whole lot of sense. Part 1 is actually part 2 and vice versa. So much confusion! My views on 1 still remain same - much of the direction seemed dubious although the story is good. War tactics are nice too. 

Baahubali 1

Never felt like watching this movie, yet decided to see when it was aired on TV. Quite extravagant in all aspects. The climbing of the waterfalls seemed unrealistic at first - then understood that the whole persona of Baahubali was unrealistic indeed! Since it was on TV, got diverted for some time and didn't get to see the whole movie - but saw bits and pieces. Didn't understand a whole lot, but didn't miss it either since it didn't seem my kinda movie - with so much of visual effects completely camouflaging the reality as well as too much violence. 
Rating: Average

PS: Got to see this movie again later. See update in 2.

Rustom

Wow, this is like straight-out of an Alistair MacLean novel! When I was seeing this movie, I felt I was back in my teens reading one of Mr MacLean's novel once more! Better still was this, since it borders a true story. In fact, 80% of what is depicted seems to be true story. It has everything - extra-marital affair, murder, suspense, adventure, mystery and - best of all - court scenes with a fair share of arguments and counter-arguments.
Rating: Must-see

Udta Punjab

Resembled many of the movies that I had seen during my bachelor days in US - like Cidade de deus, Pineapple Express, Crash, etc. Just like those good ole movies, here too 3-4 lives get intertwined - and in this case, it is all in the name of drugs in Punjab. Pretty much an edge-of-seat thriller as well as depicting pretty much what's happening in that state.
Rating: Must-see

Mohenjadaro

Saw this movie in passing although saw the beginning and ending in entirety. Good movie in most aspects - setting of the pre-historic era, casting, costume and general acting. The storyline is ok-dokey. Romance could have been a side-thing but becomes the main-thing for some time in the movie. Anyways, good time pass.
Rating: Good

Kahaani 2

A good storyline, well directed and acted. Not as good as the prequel, I felt, but that could be just me. It might indeed be just as good. Edge-of-seat thriller: yes. Some complicated twists and turns: yes. Last few minutes will make you see movie again? Hmm, not really.

Rating: Good

PS: After a really really long time, saw 2 movies on the same day!

Pyaar Ratan Dhan Payo

A lazy Sunday for a lazy movie. Total time-pass. Old wine in new bottle. Not edge-of-seat, totally back-of-seat with complete storyline visible to the naked eye within 30 minutes of start. Expensive and colorful settings though. Dialog is just ok-dokey.
Rating: Average

Dangal

Wanted to watch this movie since the time it got released. But for some reason or the other, it never happened. Finally got to see the movie today. It was just as good as I had hoped. I couldn't understand much of the Haryani Hindi but could make out the gist. Powerful acting by all concerned. Great direction, story, screenplay, cinematography and acting to make the audience on the edge of the seat. Not as fantabulustic as Lagaan but still just as good.
Rating: Must-see

U-Turn

Watched a movie after almost 2 months. Was waiting for a long time to see this movie considering it is a Pavan Kumar movie. True to expectations, this one was a classic. A very simple concept of people taking short-cuts woven into a gripping movie. Nice characterization, casting, background score and acting. At times, felt like the movie was more of a lesson in moral science class which is actually good that a movie has some important information to convey. It borders Talaash but latter is one notch better. Overall, a well made movie that is worth a watch. No non-sense thriller.
Rating: Good

Jason Bourne

The same pitch, the same thrill, the same background music and a similar theme. Loved it thoroughly, as much as I loved the previous three in the series. Non-stop action. Fantastic acting by Matt Damon and great direction too.
Rating: Must-see

War Dogs

A superb true story of behind-the-scenes war 'industry' and one man's successful business. Excellently narrated, beautifully directed, great casting and acting. Thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Not to mention jaw-dropping considering it is based on true events.
Rating: Must-see