Teen Thay Bhai Movie Review

Teen Thay Bhai has been called a 'desi comedy' by the people behind it and even if you don't really fathom just what they mean by this, you might laugh a couple of times while watching it. There is nothing wrong in giving loud characters louder lines and comic situations senseless jokes but then you can only force your viewer so much to enjoy a comedy in which the writer and the actors seem to get most of the jokes.

Teen Thay Bhai Plot

As the title suggests Teen Thay Bhai is about three brothers--Chixie Gill (Om Puri), Happy Gill (Deepak Dobriyal) and Fancy Gill (Shreyas Talpade) and how they have to behave and tolerate each other for three years after the death of their authoritarian grandfather (Yograj Singh) in order to get their share of his property. Elder Gill doesn't like the idea of anyone thinking for themselves and his is the final word. Tired of the grandfather's rigid ways, Chixie walks out on his younger brothers to make a life in the city; years later a freak accident forces Happy to leave the village and his love Gurleen (Ragini Khanna) behind forever. The grandfather's death gets the three brothers together and while fulfilling the clauses in the will the three discover the love they had for one another.

Ups and Downs in Teen Thay Bhai

What's good about Teen Thay Bhai has got precious little to do with the film--the setting, the production design and a pretty decent Deepak Dobriyal. The drama unfolds in a remote hill cottage adding some character to the film just like the great detailing in the production design which makes the locations come alive but the screenplay is pretty lackluster. There are many scenes in the film that take too long in playing out; the set up takes forever and one ends up guessing the punch line as most of the jokes are predictable. Dobriyal and his nuanced performance makes his small town Happy very real and completely believable but Puri is mostly loud without the payoff. Talpade's English bungling Fancy is passable at places but on the whole is too cheesy. Then there are the supporting characters like Inspector Gabru Bawra whose fascination for nonsensical tools of trade would put Inspector Gadget to shame and the two constables that he moves around with who just snigger on cue and an earthmover that gets more relevant screen time than Ragini Khanna!

Final Words on Teen Thay Bhai

Teen Thay Bhai is predictable, loud and often tries too hard to be funny; how many fart jokes do you need in order to make people laugh? Do they still work? It might work if the stars are aligned, it's that kind of a day and you are in that kind of mood... difficult to get the correct setting but then anything's possible, right?

Teen Thay Bhai Rating: 1 1/2 out of 5

Teen Thay Bhai Cast: Om Puri, Deepak Dobriyal, Shreyas Talpade, Ragini Khanna and Yograj Singh

Teen Thay Bhai Written by: Mehul Suri and Gautam Mehra

Teen Thay Bhai Directed by: Mrighdeep Singh Lamba

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Reviewed: Tangled (2010)

PG - 100mins - Animation/Comedy/Family - 28th January 2011

It has been well over 10 years since the Walt Disney Animation Studios branch of Disney has had anything to shout home about as they have struggled to live up to their past successes (Lion King, Aladdin all the way back to Snow White in 1937) and compete with the modern animations of it's sister company Disney Pixar.

Tangled is based on the Brothers Grimm story of Rapunzel (the film's title was only changed from Rapunzel shortly prior to its release) who as traditional tales go was locked away in a tower with only her long flowing hair as a chance of rescue. As a baby, Princess Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) is kidnapped by Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) from the palace for her magical healing powers that have been passed onto her. Locked away in a tall tower and believing she's Gothel's daughter, she longs only for one thing- to get out into the world and see the floating lights that appear every year on her birthday.

As luck would have it Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi), a thief, finds his way into her tower when hiding from the palace guard and Rapunzel fearing he is one of the evil monsters her mother has warned her about knocks him out. When he comes to she strikes up a deal that in exchange for him escorting her to see the lights and keep her safe, she will let him go and return his stolen loot.

The best thing about this film is the characters and their mannerisms. Gothel is vanity personified with snide remarks aimed at Rapunzel, Ryder the perfect amount of cockiness and all of the token extras play their part well. My two favourite though say absolutely nothing and easily steal the show. Both the chameleon (Rapunzel's best friend) and a guard's horse, Maximus are fantastic. Seeing a horse which acts more like a dog got me going but this was topped by the chameleon who seemed to have an expression that summed up the mood perfectly every time. A little legend!

In terms of graphics, they are some of the best I have seen in an animation with the detail in her hair in particular being most impressive. But then this should be expected as Tangled does now hold the record for most expensive animation and second most expensive film ever made coming in at a noteworthy ?157.5 ($260) million.

As with all Disney, there was a couple of sing-a-longs thrown in for good measure and although they will not live long into the memory in the way that others have, (hakuna matata anyone?) they were still catchy and you will find yourself tapping along or humming a tune or two for a while after the movie has finished.

This movie got me laughing and even having watched it a second time I was still giggling away throughout. It works for both adults and children and the witty way in which it was written appealed to me greatly. I will happily be watching this again so it has most definitely worked its Disney magic on me. Disney might well be back!!!

Rating: 7.9/10

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Valkyrie Movie Review: Cruise Shines in Hitler Assassination Plot

Every time there is a new film themed around some odd story from the Second World War, one can't help but wonder how many tales can there really be about the event.

If you had imagined Valkyrie to be a regular Hollywood war film thanks to the larger than life presence of Tom Cruise then you are in for a surprise. Based on the true story of a group of dedicated soldiers, businessmen and politicians who realise that Hitler is doing more harm than good to their motherland, Valkyrie is a well-crafted and superbly executed film.

Valkyrie Plot

Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is convinced that rather than fighting the Allies in Africa, German troops should return to protect Berlin from the imminent assault by the Allied Forces but the top brass has other ideas. Losing his hand and eye in an air attack, Stauffenberg is reassigned to the Head Quarters in Berlin where he comes in contact with a group of people who are dedicated in getting rid of Hitler by any means necessary.

Staufeenberg argues that killing Hitler isn't the logical way out of the mess that Germany would find itself post the leader's death. Rather he believes in using Operation Valkyrie to their advantage, which would enable Reserve Army to keep order in case something happens to Hitler.

Stauffenberg tinkers the draft around to excuse Hitler's SS from taking control and giving General Fromm, the Head of the Reserve Army, full control. The General decides to fence sit and observe before deciding. Stauffenberg and his aides forge ahead and attempt to assassinate Hitler but things don't go exactly as planned.

Good Points in Valkyrie

Tom Cruise is more than merely convincing as the 40's something Stauffenberg. The viewer is in for a rare treat where a star uses his muscle power to galvanise a project but not really take over everything.

Cruise allows the supporting cast their space and tries to match-up to their prowess rather than aimlessly wander like a super star that he is. Blessed with a script based on a true event, Valkyrie's strength lies in the fact that it doesn't resort to the usual gimmickry by means of weird camera angles or going overboard with the background score.

Rather the film works itself out beautifully by pacing the narrative very tautly and manages its cast very well.

Director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie come together after The Usual Suspects to weave an intricate drama of high human drama that never becomes too theatrical.

Final Words about Valkyrie

Singer's stint at helming films like the X-Men series have given him excellent understanding of utilising a collection of actors. Tom Wilkinson shines as General Fromm, the head of the Reserve Army.

Even if you aren't the one for war film or tales from the Great War, Valkyrie is a must watch for the simple reason that it's an engaging tale.

Valkyrie Rating: 4/5

Valkyrie Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Carice van Houten, Christian Berkel, Eddie Izzard, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Tom Wilkinson

Valkyrie Genre: Drama

Valkyrie Director: Bryan Singer

Valkyrie Certification: U/A

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Kareena Kapoor in Hindi Movie Jab We Met

Jab We Met is a Hindi movie released in 2007. It is written and directed by Imtiaz Ali. The story is about coming across of a girl and a boy during train journey. Jab We Met can stands among classic due to its subject, characterization and plot. A coincidental meeting changes the destiny of both. When two strangers meet, transition starts between them while they were ignorant of the fact that this could lead to next level of understanding. This transition at a point makes them realize that their frequencies are same and they are for one another.

The story begins at a railway station where a young desolated guy, a successful businessman Aditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor) boards a train without knowing the destination. In fact he is in devastated condition after the death of his father. Another factor of his distress was the hastily marriage of his mother with her boyfriend; biggest cause of his shame among his circle of friends. Aditya's girlfriend faithlessness added flavor to his condition and he decided to run away from his life There a girl named Geet Kaur Dhillon (Kareena Kapoor) starts talking to him as a compartment mate to avoid boredom. She was a non-stop talking machine and when she observes that the boy is not paying any attention to her as he was not listening to the ticket checker. She pays for his ticket and again starts talking. He feels very irritated and decides to leave the train at an unknown station. Geet who is very concerned about the condition of Aditya, starts looking for him and trying to bring him on board again. While trying to bring him back she misses the train as well.

Geet blames Aditya for missing her train and becomes liability to Aditya and reluctantly he starts journey with her to leave her securely to her parents. As we all know the rule of nature, when two strangers spend some time together they get familiar with each other and some sort of affection develops. Geet shares her plan of elopement after reaching house. Here the important point is that his girl friend betrays him but Geet is ready to do anything for her lover. After sometimes innocence, naturalness, and playful behavior of Geet bring out liveliness of Aditya. He finds in himself a determination, hope for life and plans to change his views towards life. At last they reach Geet's house where they are welcomed and considered lovers. However situation resolves when Aditya introduces himself as a musician and friend of Geet.

Later on, same night when Aditya is silently leaving the house, Geet comes out and elope with him. Hence after this incident the entire family was sure that they were lover however reality was different. Aditya leaves Geet to Anshuman's (boyfriend of Geet) and goes back to his business and life. Everyone in office finds a new Aditya in him a transformed personality. He reaches the height of success by keeping Geet as his role model and introduces his calling card in the market with the name of Geet. Geet's family sees him on TV and rushes towards him to meet with Geet. Both parties were surprised as Geet was disappeared from the scene. Aditya becomes upset and starts finding her. To his utmost surprise, she is in the same condition after betrayal from her boyfriend as once he himself was. He starts her counseling and convinces her to take revenge from Anshuman. She yells at him and feels better but the story shows a twist when ashamed Anshuman asks her to marry him now. Aditya becomes happy and brings them back to the family. The story turns the table upward down and Geet expresses her love to Aditya. He find immense happiness as he admires her a lot and in love with her as well.

No doubt story is so convincing and appealing that I can't help stop myself to jot down it again. While writing I enjoy it as I am seeing the movie once again. Story is excellent, plot is foolproof and characterization is the most powerful object of this movie. Kareen Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor are in full form and they perform so realistically and naturally that movie becomes a hit. Kareena Kapoor is a talented artist and there are so many movies that make her actress profile very good. "Jab We Met" proves to be her one of the finest works. Noticeably without any intimation scenes and unlike traditional love story this movie provides full amusement.

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Hanna - Starring Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett

Directed by Joe Wright, Ardustry Pictures, 2011. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, and Cate Blanchett.

Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller.

Question: When you think "Action" movie, you picture large biceped, balding men with ridiculous one-liners, don't you? Now try imagining a 14 year-old, bleach-blonde girl with piercing blue eyes as the action "hero." Yep, doesn't work, but if you give Hanna a chance this young hero will knock Stallone, Willis and, Schwarzenegger off their thrones.

Now to be honest with you, I just watched Hanna in the theaters with my first D-BOX experience. What is D-BOX? Well, it is a theater seat with motion effects that is specifically programmed for each movie that will help intensify your movie-going experience. It shakes, leans, vibrates with each punch, shot, and some extreme camera angles to make you feel like you are right there in the story. It was so cool!

Hanna is a movie about a young girl on the run from the government and that's all I am going to say about the plot. Yes, this kind of tale has been told before, but the way the filmmakers approached Hanna made it different and extremely enjoyable. I am glad to say that they could have easily gone down the path of 3D - like so many other movies today but chose not to - whew! Instead, the filmmakers took close-ups to the extreme to visually draw you into the story. Thank you!!

To bring you in even further into the story, all the audio effects during all the fights scenes weren't just sounds of fists and bodies colliding. Sure there was some of that, but The Chemical Brothers scored Hanna with music that mimicked the emotions of each sequence. The score intensified and legitimized the scenes. And all this, mixed in the seat's movements, allowed the escapism experience to truly take over. This is the way to see a movie!!

Soarise Ronan played Hanna and she pulled off a believable action hero. How, you ask? Because nothing was too over-the-top. The acting, the fighting or even the emotions this young talent produced were all choreographed to be something a 14 year-old could actually do - albeit one that was trained from a young age.

Eric Bana also did a good job but when has he not. It was actually Cate Blanchett's character, the antagonist in Hanna, that really helped balance the story. She plays the government agent who tries to find Hanna. Her slim figure, extreme Southern drawl and cold, but terrified demeanor allowed even more believability to the film. Great casting!!

I could go on and on about how much I liked this movie but I will shut up and let you all see for yourselves. And do try to see it in a D-BOX seat - totally worth it!

My favorite thing: How they began and ended the movie.

My least favorite thing: There were a few minor things not fully answered but I think that means it is open to a sequel.

Did the previews show too much? No, not really. Most of it shows just the beginning parts. Good job on these previews.

Rating: PG-13
Length: 111 minutes
Review: 8 out of 10

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Casino Jack

The most unfortunate thing about this film isn't that it degrades the importance of Jack Abramoff's crimes down to a heist flick along the lines of 21 (2008), nor is it that its screenplay has all of the emotional depth and latitude of Shrink (2009). It's that this is the late, yet formidable as ever, Maury Chaykin's last film. Thankfully, his role let him go out in style, and with this film, style is just about all there is. Director George Hickenlooper passed on after filming this project as well.

Where the film's complete failure begins is with its screenplay, though writer Norman Snider got a couple of things right. Everything he wrote about is ridiculous and, from an outsider's perspective, kind of funny, if not incomprehensible. What he left out, though, was the weight of Abramoff's actions, and just how important and destructive they were. He creates one-sided characters and injects them into a 3D labyrinth of movie quotes, political disdain, and Kevin Spacey doing impressions. So. Many. Damn. Impressions. I felt like I was watching another one of Kevin Costner's movies that "just happened to involve baseball." It got tiresome, and it wasn't amusing the first time.

The film's failure is exponentially furthered by the performances. Spacey, who always manages to be completely magnetic, is the only one who survives the proceedings. Everyone else, with the stated exception of Maury Chaykin, who has never failed at anything, sinks into Snider's textual abyss. Barry Pepper channels his inner frat boy in his portrayal of Mike Scanlon, Abramoff's right-hand padawan apprentice, and sprinkles his performance with an abundance of annoying and overly whiny tics. Kelly Preston and the rest of the wasted cast are there for reactionary moments and have nothing to work with in order to further their characters. Even Graham Greene's talent is snuffed. It's almost as if Snider wanted this to strictly be Jack Abramoff's film.

Hickenlooper, a director I've found to be enormously gifted (especially in the field of character pieces), if working with a better screenplay, would have been able to employ his documentary background to make a film that cracks; unfortunately, based on one of the worst screenplays I've run across in years, everything he and Spacey try to do just fizzles. It's rare that a film is completely undermined and literally ruined by the screenplay, but that is the case with this one. It's almost too disrespectful to Abramoff, if that's possible, though I'm not sure it is.

By turning a corporate sleazebag into the guy you want to have a beer with and just give a great big hug, the film loses its power from the first frame. At the introduction of the film, Spacey stands in front of a mirror and does his best to deliver a frighteningly weak monologue, a la Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull (1980). He's Jack Abramoff, and yes, he works out every day. Why we need to know that is far beyond me, but he does, and he reminds us. A lot.

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'United' Filmmakers Avert a Disaster

The film 'United' is primarily about bravery in adversity, and the decision by the production team to present the very first screening to the surviving relatives of the victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster was literally following the thread of the entire piece with conviction. I was privileged to be the guest of my father in law Mike Jackson, whose journalist father Tom was on board the fateful flight that sadly took his life away from his eleven year old son.

Upon arriving at Manchester's 'Corner House' theatre there was a scent of uneasiness in the air as the foyer was full of people with a close connection to the disaster that fuelled the fire that would make Manchester United the force that it is today. The way in which director James Strong and producer Julia Stannard, sheepishly, introduced themselves only added to the presumption that this was going to be uncomfortable viewing. After the formalities had been addressed everyone concerned settled down into the stiflingly tense atmosphere that engulfed the small cinema house. My self awkwardness was at its peak as the lights dimmed and the movie opened with a sequence of a blood trail bleeding through the snow to the sight of a young Bobby Charlton and the horrific scene of the fresh crash site - thank the lord it was dark as the sniffling sound of tissues was about as much as my stomach could take.

Away from the obvious personal emotion that was present I began to focus in on the film itself and the objectives it was trying to achieve. It was clear from the outset it wasn't going to pull any punches and for this, 'Dr Who' director James Strong and 'Dr Who' writer Chris Chibnall should be commended. 'United' is not some watered down Saturday afternoon television special, it's gritty stuff and should be respected for its bravery if nothing else. Producer Julia Stannard seems to have a passion for the sensationalism of famous tragedies, as this film shortly follows her take on Princess Diana's final journey, strong and courageous choices that in retrospect lack imagination and artistic originality. Original is something this BBC film is not. Cut away the pieces and the usual template for a disaster movie unfolds, with the build up and peak moment hitting their marks at the predictable times.

The 'baddie' of the piece being Mr Harold Hardaker of the football league and the 'goodie' being Matt Busby himself only add to the usual curves that narratives of this nature usually tread. With the thespian attempt at sporting scenes avoided with clever admission of any real football footage the movie flows and ebbs with good effect and what it lacks in originality it makes up with in heart, as the casting of David Tennant in the role of Jimmy Murphy is a subtle stroke of brilliance. I have never been Mr Tennant's biggest fan and the whole 'Dr Who' phenomenon makes me question whether the human race has any right to rule this or any other time on our planet. So with all this riddled 'Dr Who' influence I was utterly taken aback by how well Tennant portrays the passion and desire that is needed to successfully imprint 'Wales' pride' Jimmy Murphy onto the big screen.

The supporting cast is headed by Dougray Scott as the legendary Matt Busby and on first viewing the cosmetics indicate that the cardinal sin to miscast a big name for commercial reasons is in evidence, however the ageing leading man finds the darker side of Busby with intense ease that results in a growing performance that has you convinced of its credibility. Sam Caflin as Duncan Edwards is a fine piece of casting and the young actor shows maturity beyond his years. Away from the supporting actors brings me to the other leading character within this story, Jack O Connell, of the intolerable 'Skins' fame, portrays a young Bobby Charlton with distinction. Sweet, quiet and poised, he carries the screen on several occasions, the only problem with this is the choice of Charlton as the lynch pin to the whole story. Britain's most famous footballer doesn't engage any intrigue from the audience, whether his charisma was taken away by the horrors he saw after the crash or not it is very hard to eradicate the fact that when taken away from the football field, that he so magically graced, his character is unfortunately lacking any interesting dimensions.

This failing can't be aimed at O Connell's performance therefore it must rest squarely on the writers' shoulders, Chibnall's choice of the obvious 'Rocky' style cliche to propel this most important story is where the film falls short. It would have been far more interesting to delve into Murphy's character more deeply or Harry Greggs journey as the forgotten hero, maybe even attempt to tell the story of the young baby on board? Anything than the 'Charlton fest' that we have all heard a million times before. Charlton's familiar starring role aside 'United' is beautifully shot with a sepia feel that ignites the red shirts of the mighty football team that was cruelly taken away from its adoring fans, Christopher Ross's cinematography deserves more than the small screen treatment that it will be presented in to the masses. This film tells the story of the crash extremely well with horrific scenes blasting home the harsh truth of what happened to Britain's most promising football team and its accompanying journalists. The horror of it all is here for everyone to see, some found it too much, others, including United representatives Wilf McGuiness and Nobby Stiles, appreciated the honesty of it all. This is a drama that has you gripped for ninety minutes by its story rather than its character study. It is harsh and uncomfortable watching that should be appreciated by the red and blue of every city. 'United' isn't amazing film making by any means, however a cinematic disaster it is not and on that point alone the aim of the piece has been achieved.

'United' is due to be aired on BBC2 during the Easter period.

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