Lakshmi Govindrajan Javeri
Deccan Chronicle
Most Divergent Takes
- Dishkiyaoon (2014)1.0 vs TRM 3.6-2.6
- The Expendables 3 (2014)2.0 vs TRM 4.2-2.2
- 22 Jump Street (2014)8.0 vs TRM 6.1+1.9
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)5.0 vs TRM 6.9-1.9
- The Maze Runner (2014)4.0 vs TRM 5.8-1.8
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Dec 2014
...is more engaging than I expected it to be. The fight sequences and Jackson's mastery over the cinematography department has meant that we've gotten to see a fair bit of New Zealand but obviously in a made up way. It is a good finale film of a trilogy, but there a lot better ones.
Exodus: Gods and Kings
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Dec 2014
The film is certainly worth a watch but the two and a half hours of it seem as long as it took Moses to rescue them Hebrews.
Horrible Bosses 2
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Nov 2014
Granted there are a few good instances — one fantasy-like sequence is actually quite hilarious — and a few good lines. It really looks like the actors had a good time making the film. Unfortunately, barring a few stunted chuckles, there's very little the audience can benefit from their off-screen camaraderie.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Nov 2014
The beauty of the film lies in the fact that as part of a blockbuster, massive hit series, it is rather unassuming of its importance. There's a Lawrence-ish nonchalance of its effect on people and as much as it is very serious in nature, it doesn't take its own success seriously. You are shocked and you're forced to think, but you certainly get out of the theatre thinking that you're glad you watched it.
Boyhood
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Nov 2014
Boyhood is long; it dawdles and somehow ends up fine and independent.
Interstellar
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Nov 2014
The movie has some superb visual effects, making it a must-watch on an IMAX screen. It won't blow you away like Gravity but it'll certainly make you feel like a part of the intergalactic adventure. With Hans Zimmer's background score giving it the typical grandiose that he's known for, the film takes you on a ride through the vast, infinite space making you face the unknown. Somewhere in that journey is also one of a father and daughter who go on a ride at different times and face a hitherto unknown part of their lives. The project is ambitious and Nolan gives it his all. He reached for the stars and in a long, slowly paced way got as close to it as possible cinematically.
Nightcrawler
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Nov 2014
The film ends on a strange but wholly believable note though it seems like it could stick out as the only sore point in an otherwise pulsating film. That said, Nightcrawler is one of the best films to have come out this year and despite all the big budget entertainers and A-list directors coming out with films that make more noise before release and leave you feeling underwhelmed, Nightcrawler is a sleeper hit. Forget everything else that's on in the theatres right now and watch this masterpiece of a film.
Fury
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Oct 2014
I would recommend that the movie be watched because it is a good watch undoubtedly. But it's not a Saving Private Ryan or any other war classic that it is feverishly being made out to be.
Gone Girl
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Oct 2014
It's engaging and twisted in ways you wouldn't imagine but leaves you wishing that there were so much more to it. Gone Girl is conceptually a combination of a lot of marriages around but let it not deter you from the institution. That doesn't mean you shouldn't check under the pillow at night.
Two Night Stand
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Sep 2014
The film disappoints because it could've been so much more.
The Maze Runner
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Sep 2014
...the film trudges along and leaves one feeling a deep sense of disappointment for having invested time in a flick that is neither entirely entertaining nor pathbreaking. Recommended only if you have absolutely nothing else to do.
The Expendables 3
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Aug 2014
Expendables 3 reminds you of the mindless Bollywood films of the 90s that were rigid in formula and high on star power that combined delivered something in the sub zero range. Such a waste of time. Expended for no reason at all.
Guardians of the Galaxy
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Aug 2014
For someone who has grown up on Star Wars and Star Trek, this 2014 space odyssey is like a new, updated space opera replete with unknown characters and unfamiliar plotlines. It's definitely worth a watch if space operas are your thing. Don't judge it against epics but give it a fair chance to woo you. You will not be disappointed.
The Hundred-Foot Journey
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Aug 2014
The landscape shots are beautiful but nothing out of the ordinary. All this said, watch the movie for Puri, Mirren and some super food shots. It's feel-good with not much of a soul. Much like cooking without dirtying your hands.
22 Jump Street
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Aug 2014
Watch this film for the honesty with which a mindless buddy flick is made and hopefully one would realise that it takes a lot of intelligence to play dumb.
Planes: Fire & Rescue
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Jul 2014
There's actually nothing wrong with the film but it does very little that feels right either. Go for it if you want to hide from torrential rains or if the power cut at home is driving you nuts.
Million Dollar Arm
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · May 2014
Million Dollar Arm is a Million Dollar Farce. It is a very Disney film. So there is insinuation of sex off screen and all of two kisses, but it is clean, feel good and unfortunately, also very predictable. They may as well have made this an animated flick and they would've gotten the same results.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Apr 2014
With the script no different from the dime a dozen superhero sagas and a host of mediocre lines, the film is a big budget entertainer with almost no recall value. It's worth a watch, especially since it lets the viewer know that there is more to come, in terms of sequels. Will it hold on its own? Unless you're a big Captain America fan, that's a big No.
Dishkiyaoon
2014 · Deccan Chronicle · Mar 2014
Bollywood has two types of films: the intelligent ones and those clichéd "leave-brains-at-home" ones. Dishkiyaaon is a pathbreaker. For we life-loving people, it's the "bring a noose to the theatre" variety. There are some well-shot action scenes and a plethora of clichés but the film largely entertains. Sadly, not in the way it intended to.