Top critic
IBNLive, Masand's Verdict, News18
Reviewing since 2012 · Last review Dec 2019
Rajeev Masand is an Indian film critic and entertainment reporter for CNN-IBN and the host of To Catch a Star. Masand started his career as an entertainment correspondent at the young age of 16. In January 2003, he joined STAR News as a special correspondent and as the host of Masand ki Pasand.
Films
Scoring fingerprint
620 scored reviews · 0–10
Most given: 4 (150 reviews)2% of reviews not scored
In step with the room
Within a point of the Monk Score on 74% of 610 films
Closest peer
Agrees with Rajeev on 93% of 210 shared films
Divergence
From the archive
Panipat ultimately is overlong and unwieldly. It may have its heart in the right place but its other organs are all over the place. Gowariker, who kept us engaged and invested through 3 hours and 40 minutes of Lagaan, or even through the genteel romance of Jodhaa Akbar, can't seem to recreate the magic of his finest films. I'm going with a generous two out of five for Panipat. You come out feeling like you've survived war…just about.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
Joaquin Phoenix-starrer Joker is solid in both its craft and storytelling but the violence is unsettling and leans dangerously close to being irresponsible.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
Both Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff fully commit to the action, bringing swag to the big stylish sequences and a visceral energy to the one-on-one punch-ups in the movie.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−0.4
Through all its hiccups if there's one thing that glues the film's bits together, it's Ayushmann Khurrana's uninhibited, confident performance as Karam aka Pooja. He brings grace and dignity to the kind of role that has been reduced to a drag cliché on so many of television's reality and comedy shows. He makes the film work even when the script fails it repeatedly. Go in with modest expectations and you may not be disappointed.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
The film is all about its characters, frankly, and the hoops they're made to jump. In them you'll likely find traces and memories of your own youth. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for Chhichhore; it's good, harmless fun. I had a big smile plastered on my face throughout, and I think you will too.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
The impressively staged but ultimately exhausting action sequences take up the bulk of screen time, but they can't salvage this soulless film that has all the depth and emotional wallop of a video game.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8−0.8
Super 30 comes with an important message but the overwrought treatment weighs it down ultimately.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
Game Over has some genuinely suspenseful moments, one terrific jump scare, but also a ridiculous sentimental track that sticks out like a sore thumb in a brisk thriller. The makers have some interesting things to say about violence towards women and the residue it can leave. There's a lot going on, but barring its leading lady's impressive performance, it's simply hit and miss.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−1.0
In the end Bharat is exhausting and pointless. It exists only to add to the legend of Salman Khan as the selfless provider, the man who has a heart as big as his biceps. In Bharat, Salman Khan plays Bhai.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−1.8
Ultimately, watching De De Pyaar De is a frustrating experience because while there are things to admire, including the unconventional ending, there is no escape from the lazy stereotypes, the simplistic moralizing, and the episodic, sitcom-style screenplay. Yes I laughed, and it made me think. Some bits crackle too, but the film needed more of that.
Full review ↗TRM 5.00.0
And when it's time to bid farewell to old friends, you'll be fighting back tears. What more do you want from a film? Watch it on the largest screen you can find.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8+0.2
The writing doesn't pack the emotional urgency of The Lunchbox, and the characters aren't as compelling. There is a delicate quality to the central relationship but it never takes flight. Batra keeps the story on slow-burn; how you wish he'd stirred things up from time to time. In the end Photograph feels oddly out of focus.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−1.1
Just shy of three hours Kalank is ultimately tiring and heartbreaking even. You can see the talent on screen. If only there was a sharper script to harness it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
Badla is handsomely mounted, unfolding for the most part in atmospheric, gloomy, wintertime Glasgow. The film doesn't pack the wallop that Kahaani delivered, but it's a respectable enough thriller that seldom loses grip of its pace or your attention.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Without overtly drawing attention to it, she makes a strong feminist statement in Safeena's character, some sharp observations about minorities, and also about the world we live in and the place in it for those with lesser means. That's a lot to pack into a film that works on surface level as a highly entertaining musical drama. I came away with an appreciation for Indian hip-hop, which frankly I knew nothing about until now. I loved this film from inside my bones.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is a respectable directing debut from Dhar, and a film with its heart in the right place. The writing ought to have been braver. That would've made this film something worth crowing about; a film as memorable as the one whose iconic romantic song inspired this title.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−1.1
That unforgettable line and the image of a female warrior on horseback, a sword raised in one hand, a baby strapped to her back, is, for many, the first thing that comes to mind when one mentions Rani Lakshmibai. As it turns out, this film, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and Kangana herself, doesn't expand your understanding of the iconic warrior queen much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
Alas that's not enough to keep you engaged in this nearly-two-hour film whose agenda and very reason to exist is transparent from the word go.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9−0.9
TRM 6.00.0
If the old Mary Poppins means a lot to you, I suspect the new one might come up short. The uplifting tone gets suffocating at some point, the messaging hammered into your head throughout.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
TRM 5.7−0.7
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is a bold and ultimately rewarding attempt to expand our favourite web-slinger's movie universe. It's a real blast of originality and creativity, and I recommend that you don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5+0.5
he storytelling may not have the operatic quality of Queen's music or the unforgettable notes of Freddie's voice, but as a film, this is easy come, easy go.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
Aamir Khan's latest film Thugs of Hindostan had a big budget, a stellar star-cast and a huge promotional drive, but none of it culminated in a good movie. The film, directed by Vikay Krishna Acharya, fails to give the audience an engaging plot and thrilling action scenes. Here's our movie review.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1
This is one of those mainstream movies that delivers its message coated with a thick layer of melodrama. And it works.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0+1.0
It's got a tired, recycled feel to it, and fails to hold up to Dutta's better films.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
Stree is especially entertaining, packed with laugh aloud moments and a cast that's on top of their game. It's one of the most original films this year, and I recommend that you make the time for it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3+0.7
The only character that genuinely flies in this overlong, overstuffed sequel is Jimmy Shergill's Bagga, who comes out on top as the toughie who never gets the girl – he's fast cornering the market on that role. Sonakshi Sinha plays Happy as a loud, irritable, one-note protagonist whose eyes seem to light up only when she has to say: "Chup kar varna ek chappet doongi", which she says about a dozen times in this film. It's such a dull, uninvolving performance that in response to the film's title, Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, you can only say – Toh bhaagne de yaar! ((pause))
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
TRM 4.4−0.4
It's a shame then that Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 never hits the higher notes of Dhulia's earlier films. It's a good reminder that a bigger budget and bigger scale don't necessarily make for a better film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8+0.2
Prepare to be thrilled. And just remember, 56 has never looked this good.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
It's a consistently enjoyable film that's more surefooted than its predecessor, and while it's never groundbreaking, you will break into plenty laughs.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
If the film sometimes bites off more than it can chew, getting too clever for its own good, then perhaps you'll be forgiving – after all it's got its heart is in the right place.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
It's a consistently engaging film that makes its way to your heart even though the head frequently resists.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
Hereditary is ultimately a satisfying horror movie that falls short of true greatness, even as its leading lady delivers a level of acting rarely witnessed in the genre.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
You might argue that Incredibles 2 doesn't break any new ground or deliver the high notes of classic Pixar sequels like Toy Story 3 or Finding Dory. That may be true. But it's still consistently enjoyable, and a notch above so many live action superhero films today.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
To add insult to injury, the film has also been released in 3D so you could, for an extra hundred bucks or so, suffer the sheer pointlessness of this movie in an extra, bonus dimension. Go on, you must. It's over two-and-a-half hours of complete drivel.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4−1.4
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom ends with Planet of the Apes-prophecies as it sets up the third film in the planned trilogy reboot. The film delivers spectacle and scares, but never more. It's not a complete waste of time, but go in with tempered expectations.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
Kaala is a polished production with slick set pieces, including an action scene built around an umbrella as the only choice of weapon. Then there is the powerful climax with an imaginative use of color.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
...a two-hour film that frequently feels like a fashion spread sprung to life. I had faint memories of Veere Di Wedding just hours after watching the film because it's largely contrived and forgettable. I'm going with a generous two out of five. It's an opportunity missed.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
Solo: A Star Wars Story never skimps on spectacle, yet fails to genuinely surprise you with anything bold or original. At 2 hours and 15 minutes it's a trudge at best, not the exhilarating flight worthy of the best pilot in the galaxy.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9−1.9
You might see it as the other side of the same coin that is Shahid. The making of a man deeply affected by similar incidents, but one who chooses a different path.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
It is overstuffed and overlong, but there's so much going on you'll barely notice. Best enjoyed with a big tub of popcorn.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
Ultimately the film offers comfort in the familiar…for those that seek it. It's Majid Majidi-lite at best; a bittersweet, inoffensive drama that runs, but never flies. I'm going with a generous three out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
Unlike the case with Shoojit and Juhi's previous collaborations Vicky Donor and Piku, the mood in October is decidedly somber; there's very little to laugh about. Be warned the overwhelming sadness will take a piece out of you. If you allow it though it has the power to change the way you look at love and life.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
It's the film's unique brand of humor – some of it pitch black and Coen-esque – that makes Blackmail worth your time, despite its shortcomings. Be warned that it's too long by at least 20 minutes, and requires patience. But give it a chance. A lot of it flies.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+0.3
But any and all promise is ultimately short-lived, as the script comes undone in the end with a twist that is underdeveloped and underwhelming to say the least. It's so lazy, in fact, that it's not even true to the film's own logic. It's got its moments, but that's all there is.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
TRM 4.5+1.5
Hichki is inconsistent but well-intentioned. More than once I found myself tearing up during the film. That kind of manipulation, I'm willing to live with.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+0.3
...it's fresh, and thought-provoking, and provocative in the way that few films are. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for The Square. At over two hours and thirty minutes it demands patience. But stick with it and you'll be rewarded.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+0.8
In the end Raid left me very frustrated. It's promising and delivers many rousing moments, but it runs out of steam well before the finish line.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−1.1
At less than two hours though, the film is never a slog. There was potential here to create a compelling drama about the dark secrets that ordinary folk bury out of sight. But at best it's a half-baked experiment with a few shining moments.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
The key to becoming invested in the film – despite its overall familiarity and lack of any genuine surprise or originality – is Vikander's natural performance, and her commitment to the physical requirements of the role. She's the reason Tomb Raider isn't a complete waste of time.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−0.1
Pari doesn't come together in a coherent, satisfying way. There's a lot going on in the film, including references to true historical events from the subcontinent, and an over-dependence on old wives' tales about spirits and 'ifrits' and 'jinns'. What starts out interestingly, ends in a mess.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
In Gerwig it marks the arrival of a fresh new storytelling voice. The Oscar love is deserving.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, some complicated racial politics notwithstanding, is a clever, gripping film that you do not want to miss.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8+1.2
It's hard to define The Shape of Water -- after all, does it really have a shape? del Toro uses it as an allegory to love. It isn't something that can be contained within a shape. Instead allow love, and this film, to envelop you like water. I'm going with four out of five for this incredible film.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
PadMan is admirable and has its heart in the right place, but it might have benefited from a less sermonizing tone.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−1.4
It's many things at once. Sit back and let the film work its unique charm...
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
...the film belongs to Ranveer Singh whose delicious performance is its biggest strength. The actor keeps you invested in the film even when it plods on for over two-and-a-half hours. I'm going with three out of five for the film and another half for his extraordinary performance, making it three-and-a-half out of five for Padmaavat.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+0.8
Wrapping up its business in a brisk 95 minutes, My Birthday Song kept me guessing until the end. It's not a perfect film, but there's enough to merit a single watch.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6+0.4
If you do decide to watch the film, you'd do well to take a cue from the film's title and go in comfortably inebriated to get through the brain scramble that it is.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−1.0
Clocking in at a crisp 100 minutes, The Commuter is a well-executed old-fashioned thriller that doesn't skimp on suspense or visceral action. Just don't expect anything more. I'm going with three out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9+1.1
At 2 hours and 35 minutes, Mukkabaaz overstays its welcome by at least 20 minutes, its narrative stretched by way too many background songs, and an inevitable sense of repetition and wallowing in the protagonist's misery. Yet it might be Kashyap's most accessible film since Gangs of Wasseypur, and his only crime here may be one of overreaching.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
Layered and consistently compelling, The Post is a celebration of a woman's rise to her full potential, and a tribute to the power of fearless journalism. You'll find that in these times of "fake news" and "paid news" and political leaders trying to muzzle the media, it's an inspiring reminder of the need for a free and fair press.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
The humor is hysterical but never consistent. And sadly there's not a lot more to it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
On the surface the film feels like a relatively lightweight entry in Scott's canon of masterpieces given that its overarching theme – the corrupting influence of enormous wealth – is not exactly new. But the veteran filmmaker gives it the pace and the rhythm of an action thriller.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+0.8
Easy and breezy, it's worth your time on a Sunday, or just about any given day.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
A Death in the Gunj benefits from Konkona Sen Sharma's perceptive, assured direction. It's one of the best films of the year, and one that you'll find hard to shake off in a hurry. I'm going with four out of five and a strong recommendation not to miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2+0.8
Johnson, whose previous writing/directing credits include smart indies like Brick and Looper, makes the transition to Blockbusterland with the ease of a pro. It's hardly surprising that he's been entrusted with creating a new trilogy in the Star Wars universe. The galaxy is safe on his watch.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
Tiger Zinda Hai is way too long at 2 hours and 41 minutes, but it packs some thrilling action and a beloved leading man presented in just the manner that the fans seem to want to see him.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
Ajji is a tough watch. Deliberately so. It took me a long time to get the film out of my head, and while it's potent and rattling, it's not for the faint-hearted.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−0.4
...the film's beautiful ideas of death and beyond will linger with you, long after you've left the cinema.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2−0.2
It's a bloated but underwhelming adaptation that feels as creaky as the train's wheels. Such a shame.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2
...aside from some inspired portions, "A Bad Moms Christmas" feels formulaic and safe, and never as over-the-top as this kind of sequel needs to be. These moms may be bad, but they needed to be 'badder' for this film to truly fly.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0+1.0
The film employs honesty and humor to make important observations about letting go of the past and about making a real connection with someone. Yogi and Jaya won my heart, and I wouldn't have minded spending more time in their company.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
Ittefaq is crisp at 107 minutes, but not particularly brisk. It's well shot and skillfully executed, but the big climactic twist is entirely unconvincing.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
The unavoidable trappings of the genre notwithstanding, Thor: Ragnarok is a whole barrel of fun.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
Despite the overwhelming heaviness, and frankly a cop-out ending, the film is powered by its performances.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
Like in most films of this genre, the road-trip in Jia aur Jia is a metaphor for a journey of self-discovery. Prejudices are overcome, dark secrets are revealed, and life lessons are learnt, but there isn't an iota of freshness in the way that the narrative unfolds.
Full review ↗TRM 2.9+0.1
Logic indeed is in short supply here, and frankly the real magic the filmmakers conjure up is the ability to keep this franchise on the road for all these years with such minimal creative investment. Golmaal 5..? Wanna bet it's on the way?
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−1.2
Secret Superstar belongs to its incredible cast that glosses over many of the film's minor lapses. Advait Chandan makes an assured directing debut, delivering a film that is ultimately heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Chef isn't perfect; it lags in places, offers quick-fix solutions to characters' problems, and feels wholly familiar. But at a little over two hours, it doesn't ask much of you, and offers some pleasure in Saif Ali Khan's return to form as an actor hard to look away from.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
There's no question that if there had to be a remake of Judwaa, it had to have Varun Dhawan. The more important question is – did there really have to be a remake of Judwaa in the first place? I'm going with two out of five. I laughed a few times.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
Newton is relevant and timely without being boring or inaccessible. You could say it lays on its message too thick in the end, or that the pace occasionally slips. But these are minor nigglings that never dent the impact of its thrust. I'm going with four out of five. It's easily one of, if not the best Hindi film you'll see this year. Make sure you make the time for it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
There's ample meat in the story, yet the writing itself is weak. The film's second half feels particularly sloppy, and don't even get me started on the caricaturish villains. But it's a testament to Kangana's full-blooded performance that Simran works despite these complaints. She's in excellent form, an artiste at the top of her game, as she gives us another indelible character in the perplexing Praful Patel. Come to think of it, the movie's no slog. Mehta keeps the pace going, and delivers some terrific moments that'll make you smile.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
A better title for Lucknow Central might have been Boredom Central. At nearly 2 hours and 30 minutes, it's far too long and far too dull to inspire any other response.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
In the end, there's a lot to appreciate in Daddy, yet sadly it's not enough. The craft is admirable and the big denouement is thought provoking, but pacing issues cripple the film to the extent that you're exhausted by the time the lights come back on.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−0.1
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan rises above its minor problems to deliver plenty laughs. It's one of the year's most enjoyable films. I recommend that you make the time for it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0+1.0
TRM 4.7−1.7
My problem with this kind of film is the desensitizing effect it tends to have on us with regards to crime and killings. So many shootouts, such scant regard for consequence.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8+0.2
There is a lot to enjoy here but the script contrivances rankle. This is a movie that works on account of the trimmings: the acting, the clap-trap dialogues, and the authentic texture of the world that it's set in. If only there was more meat to the main dish. Nevertheless, Bareilly Ki Barfi is appropriately sweet and not a bad way at all to spend two hours.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
TRM 5.5−0.5
It's clear the film has its heart in the right place but the blatant pandering gets tiresome. Akshay Kumar brings just the right amount of levity and Bhumi Pednekar shines. It's the sloppy writing that is the culprit here. Toilet Ek Prem Katha had potential but it's only sporadically entertaining.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
Shah Rukh Khan breathes life into a character that could so easily have been a turn-off. His performance is one of the film's few strengths. Despite the baffling, contradictory nature of Sejal, Anushka Sharma works hard to imbue her with genuine feeling. The two actors deserved a better film, and so did we.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
In the end the film is the same old comedy of errors that we've seen so many times before. Anil Kapoor is the secret sauce of Mubarakan whose incredible timing uplifts many a dull patch. But the film is unmistakably indulgent and over-long and could've done with some serious pruning. Right now it works only in fits and starts. You'll laugh, but not throughout. Let's just say it falls somewhere in the middle on a scale of Ready to No Entry.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
Indu Sarkar is at best an average movie. It's the cinematic equivalent to one of those training manuals…think The Emergency for Dummies.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
It's accessible and entertaining; that rare film about empowerment that delivers plenty laughs. Make sure not to miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Dunkirk is robust filmmaking, and sits nicely with Nolan's impressive body of work. It's a riveting, overwhelming piece of cinema, and another reminder of how skilfully he marries affecting character drama with sheer spectacle. It's one of the year's best films.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8+1.2
It's a disappointment, no question about it, from a team capable of so much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−1.5
It's a rock solid thriller with a big beating heart at its center. Definitely worth your time.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
Mom is a far from perfect film, but it's never boring. Sridevi's terrific turn makes up for many of the script problems. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−1.4
TRM 7.1+0.9
This is a film that raises the bar for romantic comedies hereon. It's a film I know I'm going to watch again soon, to savor the company of its characters. Don't miss The Big Sick. It's a real gem.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0+1.0
TRM 4.7−1.7
...the laughs are aplenty, including cheeky nods to "Finding Nemo", "Star Wars", and a "Pink Panther"-inspired closing credits sequence. The secret sauce of the film remains grumpy Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and his permanent state of impatience and irritation, which powers the franchise.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
TRM 6.3−0.3
TRM 4.1−2.1
Wonder Woman doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's a hugely entertaining film that packages the familiar with a lot of flairs.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2−0.2
Mohit Suri, who knows how to whip up drama and create moments, is woefully off his game here. "Half Girlfriend" is a misfire of epic proportions. Blame it on the book, or the script that it spawned, but this movie is excruciating to endure. It's the cinematic equivalent of an ulcer.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−2.0
Despite its shortcomings, the film is never unwatchable and benefits enormously from a winning performance by Irrfan Khan who makes his every moment on screen count. From his hilarious wooing of a mother-daughter pair of potential customers at his shop in the film's first half to his earnest amends on discovering his conscience late into the final act, he has you eating out of his palm. For Irrfan alone, Hindi Medium may be worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−1.5
Sarkar 3 is an improvement on many of Varma's recent films, which, quite frankly, were unwatchable to say the least. Yet it's steeped in familiarity and an overwhelming sense of repetition and pointlessness. Did we really need another Sarkar film? Sadly, the answer is no.
Full review ↗TRM 4.00.0
There are moments and sequences in the film that are moving and funny and quietly heartbreaking. But those are few in an overlong film that never quite finds its groove. I'm going with two out of five for Meri Pyaari Bindu. It's an opportunity lost.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
The characters are still fun to be around, the one-liners are still sharp, and some of the action scenes are cut like glossy MTV-style music videos. But the scrappy, raggle-taggle charm of the core team of heroes has worn off this time around. It's satisfying, but it never flies.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
The last film felt more organic, this one throws everything at the screen, and it's hard not to submit.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
Although handsomely mounted and evocatively shot, Noor lacks a sense of genuine urgency. The protagonist's journey from flaky to fully reformed is never convincing, and in the end you're left feeling that she could learn some empathy in addition to responsible reporting.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
Beautifully shot and although languidly paced, Bhutiani delivers an evocative drama that has surely got to be one the best films you'll see this year. I'm going with four out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+0.9
This film gets tiring very quickly. Sadly, it feels as pointless as a demonetized 500-rupee note.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
This is a rock solid character-driven comic book movie, the best in recent years. Hugh Jackman gets under the skin of Logan and he's so good, it's almost a shame he's giving up the part just as he's hitting it out of the park. But it's a fitting send off, and rest assured you will choke up.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
The only time I had a good laugh was watching his expressions fly as he sportingly shook a leg in the film's big Bollywood-style dance number. Kung Fu Yoga is a disappointment for Jackie Chan fans. The actor deserves better, and so do we. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−1.1
As a throwback to those thrilling gangster films from the 70s, many starring Amitabh Bachchan and scripted by Salim-Javed, Raees delivers ample bang for your buck.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
TRM 5.0−1.0
TRM 5.9+0.1
Dangal is not a perfect film, but then few films are. It's overlong at 2 hours and 41 minutes, and it's both simple and simplistic in places. But it's a solid and satisfying watch, a well crafted look at what went into the creation of two sporting champions. It's a film that makes the heart swell… when it isn't pounding from all the excitement of the bouts.
Full review ↗TRM 8.00.0
Clocking in at just under two hours, Arrival is that rare film that you don't want to miss even a moment of. You literally don't want to blink or look at your phone in the fear of missing out something small, something important. It's an intelligent film and that's not a bad thing. Don't read anything more about it. The joy of discovery is beyond everything else.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
What the film lacks is genuine feeling. Yes, even the frothiest of rom-coms need something real to keep you invested in its characters. Aditya Chopra may have made one of Hindi cinema's most enduring love stories, but this is a soufflé that sinks like a stone.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−2.0
Although it possesses many of the hallmarks of a classic Disney adventure, the film's real achievement is in delivering a heroine for our times – smart, brave, independent, opinionated, and one who doesn't need a romantic interest to feel complete. In doing that, it succeeds where so many other films spectacularly fail.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0−1.0
...admirable thing about the film is its attempt to root out the stigma attached to mental health and the shame associated with therapy. But these are small gifts in an overlong, disappointing film that misses its mark. Honestly, it's a slog.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
Unlike the early Potter adventures, Fantastic Beasts, the first film in an intended five-part series, is darker, and more suited for older viewers who can grasp the film's themes of segregation and xenophobia. A subplot involving a religious crazy (Samantha Morton) who mistreats kids and hunts witches might be especially disturbing for young kids.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
Force 2 isn't unwatchable, and it won't give you a migraine either. But it is a wildly inconsistent film that fills up the gaps between its many action sequences with ridiculous attempts at humor and drama. Hopefully this franchise ends here.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−1.2
The performances are adequate at best, and the picture-postcard photography of Meghalaya is refreshing. But as you leave the cinema in the end, you can't help missing the distinct sense of fun that the earlier film delivered…and yes, those infectious tunes. It's an opportunity lost.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5−0.5
Doctor Strange is entertaining despite its formulaic plot, but will need more than just good humor and snazzy CGI to justify a sequel.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+1.3
What Ajay Devgan the star deserved, was a sharper director and a better script. In the end, there's little else to Shivaay than the eye-watering locations (both in the Himalayas and in Bulgaria), and occasionally poignant moments between Devgan and the little girl who plays his daughter. Everything else is noise. Way too much noise.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
Despite the occasionally mawkish undertones and the blatant attempt at emotional manipulation in its final act, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil gives you a hero that makes you care. I suspect you'll be a slobbering mess at the end of the film, a puddle of tears when the lights come back on. Johar knows how to do that. It's a skill that's stayed with him even if his grammar has changed.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
The blatant sports-movie clichés aside, this is a genuinely moving film with winning performances.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
In the end Mirzya is a misfire, despite its staggering ambition and its remarkable technical achievements.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
So even though your head knows this is far from a no-holds-barred, warts-and-all biopic, your heart is happy to settle. Much of the credit for that must go to the finely executed cricket scenes, and to the film's terrific ensemble of actors led by Sushant Singh Rajput who does some of his best work here.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
In the end, the notion of a film about an undervalued genre of musicians is more compelling than "Banjo" itself. It starts out from a promising place, but fails to make any leaps or strides.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
...it's an entertaining ride. The three friends, parched both emotionally and sexually, will have you rooting for them and cheering as they find their feet and their freedom in the end.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−0.4
I left the cinema, my mouth dry at the end of Pink. This isn't just an important film, but also excellently made. It's a giant leap for Hindi cinema, and easily the best film this year.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8+1.2
For a film about romance and love, Baar Baar Dekho is curiously lacking the messiness of real relationships, and trades in quick-fix solutions to complex personal issues. At 2 hours and 21 minutes it's way too long, and never once succeeded in making me care if Jai and Diya would end up happily ever after.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−1.8
The film benefits greatly from the casting of Hanks, who slips easily into the part of a man who expects no special acknowledgement for doing what he considers his job. The 60-year-old star holds the film together even when it's clear there just isn't enough plot here to make for a compelling film. The other starring attraction is the crash scene itself, filmed in IMAX, and suitably tense.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
Kashyap's performance, in fact, may be the best thing in Akira, which is no doubt a brave attempt to recast the mould. But built on a weak script that's sorely lacking in subtlety and nuance, the film is ultimately a bore.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
I recommend that you do not miss Thithi. Raam Reddy's debut is searingly honest, and yet so charming that its characters stay with you long after the lights come back on.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3
When all's done and dusted, there's little to recommend in A Flying Jatt. Remo D'souza fails to infuse the film with a consistent lightheartedness, and as a result the fun dries up too soon. Tiger Shroff is both agile in the action scenes and flexible in the dance numbers, but no if no but, this Jatt is stuck in a rut.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3−1.3
Clocking in at a little over two hours, Happy Bhag Jayegi is mostly fun despite its shortcomings, because the humor is earned. The jokes are mined from the characters and the scenarios they find themselves in; they're never merely slapped onto the narrative like in so many films. It's far from perfect, but it's unlikely you'll be bored.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
Alternately funny, sad, and exciting, Pete's Dragon leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy in the end. Those of you that don't have a pet will more than likely be pleading with your parents to let you get one.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
They are the sole bright spots in Rustom, which is too long, wholly disappointing, and feels like an opportunity lost.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
It's dull and depressing and a reminder of everything that's wrong with modern blockbusters.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
When all is done and dusted, Jason Bourne never feels like a waste of time, but it's unlikely you'll pick this one as your favorite Bourne film. If thrills are all you seek, you won't be disappointed.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
It's predictably told but heartfelt…and thought-provoking to boot. Not a bad way to spend two hours.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
You won't remember Dishoom for its plot or for its performances. It's like junk food that's meant to be savored in the moment, but cannot be counted on for nutrition. At two hours flat it's that rare masala film that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
There's no denying that The BFG is brimming with earnestness, but while it's visually impressive and occasionally gripping it leaves you feeling a bit cold in the end. I came out feeling that an opportunity had been lost. It's far from one of Spielberg's unmissable gems.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−2.3
Alas, the key problem here is that none of it is particularly original or inventive. One doesn't expect a sex comedy to be smart or tasteful, but "Great Grand Masti" isn't even as outrageous and offensive as the recent Sunny Leone starrer "Mastizaade". It settles for plain, dull and boring.
Full review ↗TRM 2.5−2.5
Sultan is predictable, no two questions about it. But it's powered by a riveting central performance that makes you overlook so many of its problems.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5+0.5
This is a pale, watered-down take on the iconic hero. Perhaps Tarzan was best left in the jungle.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
It's consistently engaging, but doesn't get under your skin like some of Kashyap's other films, particularly Black Friday,Gangs of Wasseypur, and the criminally overlooked Ugly.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
Ellen DeGeneres is once again the heart of the film as Dory. Her scatterbrained ramblings sound a little old when the film opens, but she flies (literally!) as the story progresses. As for Hank, the moody octopus, he deserves his own spin-off movie – somebody make that happen! It's sweet and consistently funny, but never breaks new ground.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
It's a crowd-pleaser that drives the point home about seeing with your heart instead of your eyes. Shrewd message for a film that's not perfect, but is all heart.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
The censor furore dragged it into controversy for the wrong reasons, but I recommend that you watch it for the right ones. This is uncompromised cinema – the film has its highs and lows, but delivers a solid kick.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Even if you do end up predicting the climax, it's an engaging journey following all the clues and dodging the red herrings. Dasgupta's efficient direction and an inherently riveting plot (thank you Korean film Montage, whose official remake this is!) ensure that you're consistently invested in the outcome of the investigation. The film is as much about old age, guilt, redemption, and the morality of revenge.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
Varma takes frequent liberties with the truth in this remake of his own Kannada film Killing Veerappan, but what you leave the cinema with at the end are shattered eardrums from the incessant background music.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
I found myself chuckling at the end of the film, which is not usually the response one tends to have to a thriller. But Phobia is no standard thriller. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
Despite its problems – and there are a few – Waiting is well worth your time. It sags post intermission, and the plotting is weak. But it raises important questions about life, love, and letting go. Plus there are those two splendid performances. That's plenty to merit a viewing.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
The X-Men movies were about more than just their action scenes. They were smart films that always put character and story above spectacle. They even offered commentary on issues that felt recognizable in the real world. Such a shame the architect of this universe appears to have gone the Zack Snyder way.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
In many ways Sarbjit feels half-baked and wanting. But the performances – particularly Randeep Hooda's – keeps you invested in what's on the screen. It's not a perfect film, but there is enough to appreciate here.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1+0.9
Translated literally, the phrase means zero multiplied by anything equals zero. It's commonly used to imply blankness, or the notion of knowing nothing. Ironic, considering the film leaves you feeling rewarded and just a little bit wiser.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0−1.0
As I left the cinema having watched the film, I found myself conflicted about my feelings. There is so much to admire here, but it's evident the filmmakers think they've made a smarter film than they actually have. Still, Fan works for the most part. And anyone who – like me – had grown tired and disappointed with Shah Rukh's unwillingness to step out of his comfort zone will have reason to be a fan again.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8−0.8
It's a stunning visual achievement, and one that reminds you why you fell in love with these characters all those years ago. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5+0.5
It feels longer than its two hours running time, and you won't be able to shake off the feeling that it delivers very little in the end.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
Jack Black continues to own his role as the bumbling but eternally optimistic Po, and the animation is gorgeous, blending influences from traditional Chinese art with a stunning palette of colors that make the images pop in nicely rendered 3D. The story may be slight – it's never as inventive as some of Pixar's best work – but this is a charming film with plenty laughs for both the young and the young at heart.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+0.4
The slugfest between the two big guys is engaging but never exhilarating, and then it quickly segues into a longer, seemingly never-ending battle with an entirely CGI villain that reminded me of the big blob that Ryan Reynolds had to fight in Green Lantern.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
ohn Abraham performs these portions convincingly. He's in beast mode for the bulk of the film, and there's a strange thrill in watching him dispatch the bad guys systematically. He's sincere even in the quieter bits with the little girl next door, but eventually let down by the corny dialogue and a script that's steeped in cliché, right down to the assassin's tragic back-story.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2−0.2
Dark and moody and mildly engaging despite its inconsistencies, Triple 9 benefits from a solid cast – including Woody Harrelson as an eccentric detective investigating the gang. It's not the best crime thriller you'll see, but there are some powerful moments here.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−0.4
It's an average film at best, one that merely skims the surface of one of sport's biggest scandals.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−0.8
Neither suspenseful in its execution of the escape, nor in the big reveal of the mastermind behind Raghu's problems, the film seems to exist for no other purpose than to showcase Himesh and his limited talent.
Full review ↗TRM 3.5−1.5
I first watched 45 Years at the Berlin Film Festival in February last year, and I wasn't able to shake it off for weeks. Having re-watched it again this week for the purpose of this review, I'm happy to report it hasn't lost any of its incredible power. The film creeps upon you slowly and just doesn't let go.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+3.4
Jai Gangaajal doesn't offer anything you haven't seen before, especially in the director's own previous films. It's also interminably long at nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes. Priyanka Chopra and Prakash Jha's performances keep you engaged and invested despite the familiar narrative, but by the end you're overcome by the unmistakable feeling of exhaustion.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8+0.2
Iñárritu's muscular filmmaking must be applauded, even if the film itself is as exhausting as it is thrilling.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−1.1
Aligarh is an important film, and it's powered by sensitive writing, nuanced direction, and masterful performances from its central players.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3−0.3
TRM 7.6−0.6
At times the film feels overstuffed from too much history being condensed into 2 hours. But it's consistently engaging, primarily on the strength of Cranston's riveting, heartfelt performance, which has deservedly earned him an Oscar nomination this year.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
Far more daring, outrageous, and smart, compared to all those typical 'the-world-is-going-to-end' comic book movies, Deadpool is the most fun I've had at the cinema in a long time. It'll bring out the 15-year-old in you.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
Kapoor ditches many of the overarching social themes of Great Expectations to focus on what is primarily the story of star-crossed lovers and a complex romance. Fitoor isn't perfect, but it's a skillfully made film that's easy on both the eye and the ear. In these times of fast-paced, hyperactive storytelling, you can appreciate the film's dreamy, moody pace.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0+1.0
Ghayal Returns isn't unwatchable – far from it. But it's old-fashioned and evokes a distinct sense of déjà vu.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
It's not the most pleasant story to watch, but it's a powerful, unsettling experience that you won't forget anytime soon.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
Saala Khadoos sticks to familiar ground as far as a sports film goes, although the climatic bout is genuinely thrilling. Amidst all the faux sentimentality, we still get a protagonist that we can't help rooting for. That is the film's real success.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
For some, the promise of two Sunny Leones for the price of one may be enough to invest in a ticket of Mastizaade. But believe me, there is such a thing as too much heaving bosom and jiggling backside. I found myself cringing more than laughing at the film's idea of outrageous, adult humor.
Full review ↗TRM 2.3−0.3
The half star is strictly for those poor animals who shouldn't have to suffer in vain.
Full review ↗TRM 3.1−2.1
Joy is a misfire, no questions asked. A crushing bore of a film from a director who has shown he's capable of so much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−1.7
The occasional speed bumps aside, there are many moments that soar. Raja Menon turns an important story into a compelling film. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
The incredible performances alone demand that you make time for this film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3+0.7
...was ready to sprint for the exit just so I didn't have to endure another minute of this sloppy, misguided movie. Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla's charming presence and sincere performances aside, this could well turn out to be one of the year's most forgettable films.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2−1.2
In the end Wazir is moody and atmospheric, and gripping for a large part. What it needed was a tighter script with fewer holes.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
Ultimately you can't help being overwhelmed by Sudeep Chatterjee's eye-watering frames, and the elegant production design. Bhansali delivers a film that's artistic but exhausting.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
Doesn't help either that the film clocks in at a butt-numbing 155 minutes. I got up to leave at three different points that I imagined were the climax, only to discover that there was still more to come. Never a good sign when you're looking at your watch instead of the screen.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
At a time when most animated films tend to be loud and noisy, and cheery to a fault, The Peanuts Movie maintains the melancholy spirit of Schulz's comic strip. While reiterating that kindness and honesty will always matter, it also makes a case for the importance of failure and disappointment in shaping one's life.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
Although less surefooted when the drama moves to land, the film benefits from brisk pacing, and from Howard's skill at finding stories of human conflict in big spectacle productions. It's a horror story of a different kind.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
Using humor and pathos, it raises pertinent questions. You'll be happy to spend two hours in the company of these ladies.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Never as rich and complex as some of the studio's best films, The Good Dinosaur stands out nevertheless for its beautiful rendering of the natural world. Make sure you reach the theatre on time so you don't miss the terrific animated short Sanjay's Super Team, based on a "mostly true story" about how a little Indian boy came to discover and love the Hindu superhero gods that his father worshipped.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
Silver Linings Playbook, under its bittersweet exterior, explores themes of family, second chances, and notions of what is "normal" in the world. Relying on humor – often dark humor – to tell what is eventually an upbeat, feel-good story, the film quickly finds a place in your heart and stays with you long after you've left the cinema.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2+0.8
In the end, of course, Bachna Ae Haseeno is a showreel for the sheer talent of Ranbir Kapoor who blazes across the screen like a blinding light. He's got that indescribable star quality, and what's more he can act. At comedy, in the emotional scenes, and yes of course when he's dancing — your eyes are transfixed on the screen when he's up there even in a passing shot. Despite its strengths, the film isn't terribly good, and that's a pity because it most definitely could have been. Ultimately, it's an average film, at best time-pass viewing.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
Easily her best performance since her debut in Socha Na Tha, Ayesha stands up and delivers. The film itself is noble and well-intended and for that alone it deserves a viewing. True Nagesh Kukunoor's Dor is a film that's far from perfect, but it's one that at least tries to achieve greatness. It's nowhere as magnificent an achievement as Iqbal, but it's certainly way above the ordinary.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
Tamasha doesn't come together satisfactorily, but it's not for a lack of trying. There's a lot to appreciate here, and more than a few moments that'll break your heart.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−1.2
Like a satisfying masala Bollywood film, Spectre is strictly escapist fun. Nothing wrong with that. It's just that you know what they could've pulled off had they tried harder.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
Aside from a few moments of great power – Jess walks into an elevator and straight into her daughter's murderer, who's just been let go – the film feels surprisingly generic. It neither raises the 'creepy' factor to Zodiac levels, nor does it leave you pondering its moral dilemmas the way Prisoners did.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8
In setting the film in the 70s, Luthria borrows much of that period's cinematic style. Every line is a punch line, every dialogue a clap-trap. The nostalgia is enjoyable initially, and the film successfully evokes the spirit of those Amitabh Bachchan starrers of the 70s. But you become numb to the impact of the dialogues when even supporting characters and bit players speak in clever quips.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−0.6
It's pointless and it lacks focus, it's meandering and it makes very little sense. So that's one out of five and a thumbs down for Apurva Lakhia's Shootout At Lokhandwala.It tries to be a boy's picture with guns and gore, but it lacks both style and substance. Because the film has no soul, it leaves you cold and unaffected.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−2.7
Hrithik is one of those rare actors who's not only abundantly talented, but he's also blessed with a presence that's electrifying. With the grace of a dove he throws himself into the film's many challenging stunt scenes – skydiving, sand-surfing, scuba-diving, roller-blading, bungee-jumping – and he does it all so well.Whether it's in the action scenes, or the songs, whether he's romancing Aishwarya or jumping off a cliff, it's hard to take your eyes off him.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−0.4
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's recent films have famously existed in a world of his own creation, a world cut off from the one we inhabit, a world where logic is often a hindrance. Guzaarish, his latest offering, may be less esoteric than his last film, Saawariya, but it's still an unsatisfying effort because the filmmaker continues to invest more in the appearance of every frame than in the emotional truth of his characters.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
...the predictable plotting and the lazy characterization never really allow you to be invested in any of the film's characters or to even care for them. Make no mistake, Salman Khan is the sole draw of this film, and he works hard for his top billing. The actor is in good form - terrific in the comic scenes, and earnest in the emotional ones - turning on the charm to help you survive, and even enjoy, this nearly 3 hour film that's crammed with songs, and over-styled to a fault.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1+0.9
TRM 5.0+1.0
Watching the film earlier this week, a whole year after I'd last watched it, the violence still felt stomach churning, and I still came away impressed by the unexpected moments of humor that Behl had managed to sneak into this intense drama. Titli is relentlessly grim and yet unmistakably powerful and moving. It may not be everyone's cup of tea – it's especially not for the squeamish – but it's an unflinching study of family in the way that the movies rarely provide.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5+0.5
There's nothing path-breaking about Goosebumps, but it never bores. There's an old-fashioned playfulness to the 'horror' scenes, and frankly I thought there were more laughs than scares. It's one of those films that the family can watch together. Not a bad way to spend two hours.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+0.3
These are small mercies in a wildly inconsistent film that seesaws unevenly between charming and WTF! It's especially disappointing coming from the very writers and director that gave us last year's terrific Queen. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
The film is funnier and slightly less misogynistic than 2011's Pyaar Ka Punchnama...Someday we'll get a smart film on the battle of the sexes. Until then, perhaps cheap laughs will have to do..?
Full review ↗TRM 5.2+0.8
The film itself, which suggests that it may be too late to expect that the war on drugs can be won using 'fair means', seldom shies from the pessimistic view that there is no triumph and no redemption here. Villeneuve communicates those thoughts compellingly in this relentless film that never lets up. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+1.4
Petit's extraordinary story was also the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire, whose slick blend of archival footage, still photographs, dramatic re-enactments and interviews made it an incredibly compelling watch. The only thing missing in that film was video footage of the actual walk itself. Although recreated, it's the piece de resistance of Zemeckis' film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Frankly it delivers more than its awful trailer promised. But good luck protecting your eyes and ears from this sensory overload.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
Bubbling with cheeky dialogue and propelled by its 'can-do' spirit, The Martian is an optimistic survival tale with a leading man who owns the screen. Scott puts a nice spin on the modern sci-fi, and a gives us a film that warms the heart.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
TRM 7.2−0.2
...with all its faults, Singh is Bliing isn't entirely unwatchable also because Akshay Kumar is in great form. He brings a manic energy to the comedy, infusing Raftaar Singh with goofiness and sheer likeability that stays till the end, long after the film has stopped being fun.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3+0.7
...a film that otherwise left me feeling all warm and fuzzy, and also hopeful that more writers would similarly reinvent the traditional rom-com format. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+0.8
In the end though, while Everest'' is testing brutal and spectacular in portions, there's never enough tension to keep you consistently invested in the drama. The thrills too are fewer than you'd expect from what's essentially a disaster film, and we never get one compelling central character to root for. It works despite its problems and that may just be because of the magnificence of the beast.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3
'Katti Batti' has some nice tracks (by Shankar Ehsaan Loy), slick production design, and stray moments of wit. But its merits are far outweighed by its numerous contrivances, and by its hollow writing that only appears modern on paper. The film's inventive 4-minute opening scene shot on a handicam offers promise, but little that follows lives up to it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.00.0
Cole claims to know how to manipulate the music in a way that it'll seize your body and shut your mind off to everything else around you. You wait and wait, but alas, that never happens.
Full review ↗TRM 4.00.0
This is lazy, indifferent filmmaking, and a colossal bore for most of its running time. A video featuring Salman Khan singing the terrific title track at the end is too little too late.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9+0.1
The Transporter Refueled smells like a hack job at best, a lazy attempt to cash in on a successful brand. Leading man Ed Skrein can act and looks the part too, but he's got very little personality. I'm going with two out of five. Bring Statham back. Or inject something fresh into these movies.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
TRM 4.5+0.5
There are some things even Meryl Streep can't do. Rescuing this flaccid film is one of them.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
The jingoistic dialogue and the film's questionable message aside, this is boring, inert stuff. The director's last film 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' feels like Citizen Kane in comparison.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−1.2
Make time for Gour Hari Dastaan. It's an important story that must be heard.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5
Brothers, despite its contrivances, leaves you choked more than once. How can it not, with all that unabashed emotional manipulation? Throwing in an item song, repeated flashbacks, and too many cutaways of an anguished wife (Jacqueline Fernandez), Malhotra lays it on thick to a premise already inherently melodramatic. He's further Bollywood-izing a plot that's already 'too Bollywood' to begin with. The result is a film that's trying a little too hard.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7+0.3
Film critic-turned-filmmaker Karan Anshuman shows flashes of wit and potential in his occasionally clever nods to classic films. But saddled with a script that's neither funny nor biting enough, he delivers a film that barely takes off.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9+0.1
It's an improvement on most of Sandler's recent comedies. But that's faint praise.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9+0.1
Director Antoine Fuqua shoots the boxing scenes in long takes and gives us full body shots that look painfully real. What a shame that it's all in service of a plot that's utterly predictable from start to finish. Melodramatic and manipulative, this is no Raging Bull.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−1.0
When was the last time you enjoyed a film for its gripping plot, its compelling story? Drishyam, with its refreshingly original screenplay and its many moments of tension, is just that. Kamat's Hindi version pales in comparison to both the original Malayalam film and the Tamil remake, but the plot nevertheless keeps you hooked till the end.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5+0.5
... two big thumbs up for director Dibakar Banerjee's Love, Sex aur Dhokha. It's the kind of film you'll be talking about for weeks.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
It's a charming little film that'll leave you wiser and happier. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5+0.5
There are multiple layers to this well-observed drama; kudos to the filmmakers for putting it on screen.
Full review ↗TRM 7.7−0.7
There's plenty laughs and some neat special effects. But what the movie needed was real edge, and a willingness to take bold risks.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
Bajrangi Bhaijaan is way too long at 2 hours and 35 minutes, and could have done with some serious pruning, especially in its first half. Nevertheless, it's more engaging than such typical Salman Khan blockbusters as Bodyguard and Ready, if only because it has a sliver of a story, and its heart in the right place. Don't forget to take your handkerchief along.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6−0.6
Like the director's terrific previous documentary Senna, on the life of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, Amy humanizes a fascinating figure that deserved a more thoughtful study than the headlines provided. This is, in fact, an even stronger film – a carefully observed portrait of an abundantly talented but potentially fragile woman singed by the unforgiving glare of the spotlight.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3
The plot's serviceable at best, never as smart as a Pixar offering, or even a Despicable Me film. But it's consistently goofy, and coasts along on the strength of its frenetic action and slapstick humor. Directors Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin recognize that it's these banana-loving, gibberish-spouting Minions themselves that are the biggest draw of this film, and they mine laughs from their nonsensical singing and childish shenanigans.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+0.3
It's exactly what a blockbuster should be. Hugely entertaining, without ever being dumb. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Bahubali given that I watched a Hindi dubbed version of the original Telugu film. Rajamouli is indeed a visual storyteller, and he brings the curtains down on this first part of his two-film saga with a curious cliffhanger. I can't wait for Part 2, which comes next year.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2+0.8
Guddu Rangeela has flashes of the originality we saw in Kapoor's earlier films Jolly LLB and particularly Phas Gaye Re Obama. But it's weighed down by a lousy script that squanders all potential.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
This fifth chapter in the saga is all sound and fury, with none of the character depth or emotional impact of Cameron's terrific first two films.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
I can't think of another film I saw recently that stayed with me like Killa has. This incredible Marathi film by debutant Avinash Arun tells the simple coming-of-age story of an 11-year-old boy in rural Maharashtra, but there's such emotional truth to his experiences and his journey that it'll feel real and familiar even to those raised in very different circumstances.
Full review ↗TRM 7.7+2.3
In the pantheon of great Pixar films, Inside Out, the studio's latest, ranks right up there alongside its best with the Toy Story movies, Wall-E, and Up. It's also easily the most audacious...While there is no question at all that you will laugh out loud several times, be prepared to tear up occasionally. Don't say I didn't tell you – adults will likely enjoy this film much more than kids.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5+0.5
If only director Remo D'Souza had curbed his enthusiasm and trimmed this film by a good half hour, it wouldn't feel like such a slog. Despite all the high-energy up on screen, you feel drained after 155 minutes of non-stop song and dance. Sure anybody can dance, but it takes more work to keep an audience consistently engaged.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−0.4
As a fan of the show, 'Entourage' offered me comfort in the familiar. It was a bit like catching up with old friends who you haven't seen in years. Everyone's older, but a few drinks in and you realize nothing has changed.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0+1.0
Never a spoof in the vein of Johnny English or the Austin Powers movies, Spy is funny without being campy or foolish. It's smartly written, and deliciously performed by an A-list cast led by the ridiculously talented McCarthy who never ceases to surprise.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+1.4
Culminating in an overlong, bloated climax of mass destruction, not unlike the 'Transformers' movies, 'Jurassic World' frankly delivers enough bang for your buck. Sure, I'd have liked to see more 'implied danger'. Remember that scene from 'Jurassic Park' of a door handle being pushed down, suggesting that the raptors could open doors? But hey, 1993 is a long time gone and perhaps there's little room for subtlety today. It's bigger and louder, and pretty good fun.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
Like all of Bhansali's previous pictures, Saawariya too is a visual spectacle. Few filmmakers' can match his attention to detail, his magnificent use of lighting and colour, and his sharp ear for music. But in the end, it's not about the sweeping scale or the lilting melodies, Saawariya fails to touch your heart, it's an exercise in excess. I'm going with one out of five for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya, a fall from grace for the country's most celebrated filmmaker.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5−2.5
It's easy and breezy, and packed with terrific actors who appear to be enjoying themselves.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Unpretentious and completely transparent in its intentions, Om Shanti Om is an entertainer in the true sense of the word, mixing up genre elements like comedy, drama, action and emotion to create a heady broth of Manmohan Desai-style exaggerated entertainment. With tongue firmly in cheek, the writers make light of everyone and everything in sight, packing the first half with so many in-jokes and movie references that it turns out to be every trivia collector's wet dream.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
...rests on the broad shoulders of Dwayne Johnson, who works hard to try to keep the film afloat despite the awful script. It's him, and the more-than-decent VFX that save the film from becoming a complete disaster.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
The film drags on incessantly, a bunch of unimpressive songs stretching out the running time. When the lights come back on in the end, you'll want to run for the exit. It's a big fat bore.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9−0.9
While it's true this film is somewhat entertaining and much of the humour is derived from its rock-solid script, let me be the party-pooper here by revealing that Bheja Fry is a scene-by-scene, dialogue-by-dialogue remake of the superhit French farce The Dinner Game. You see, Bheja Fry isn't 'inspired' or 'borrowed' or 'influenced' from the original film, it's an out-and-out remake. One can only hope that remake rights were bought from the makers of the French film, although I didn't see any acknowledgement of the same in the film's credits, and in fact I saw this film's screenplay credited to two persons, which if you ask me is shocking, considering the only real work on the script would be in the form of translation.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
...flat-out delightful 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns'. I haven't laughed this hard during any film recently. Watch it for Kangana Ranaut, who's at the top of her game.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+0.9
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. It's brutal and relentless, and delivers a surefire adrenalin rush.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4−0.4
TRM 5.5−0.5
It's a charming, unpredictable comedy. Despite being obsessed with all the wrong body parts, it's a film that's full of heart.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
Never a lofty biopic that romanticizes Phalke's struggle, Mokashi's film in fact is a humorous, light-hearted take on a challenging adventure filled with impossible hurdles. From raising money by selling his furniture, and casting men in female roles because no women agreed to act in the film, Harishchandrachi Factory looks for irony and laughs even in the darkest places. A portion in the story when Phalke combats near blindness is recounted evenly, without any trace of over-sentimentality or heavy-handed direction.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
From the clumsy plotting and a manipulative back-story featuring a visibly disinterested Kareena Kapoor, to the been-there-seen-that action scenes and the uninspired score, there's little to recommend in this movie. At best, Akshay Kumar lays on the charm in a few well-timed sequences. But it's too small a reward in exchange for sitting through this boring film. Not surprisingly, your migraine's back too!
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−1.8
Anyone feeling wistful about their youth will likely relate to the many truths this film holds a mirror to, more than once cutting too close to the bone. I came out feeling wiser and enriched. I think you will too.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
To be fair, Avengers: Age of Ultron is a perfectly watchable film, and possibly better than a lot of action movies. The problem is, it doesn't feel like a game-changer, or even particularly memorable in the manner that so many Marvel films tend to be. More importantly, it's missing that sense of irreverent fun that oozed out of every pore of that other superhero ensemble - last year's flat out brilliant Guardians of the Galaxy, which raised the bar pretty high. Go in with modest expectations, and you won't be too disappointed.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
The film is unafraid to explore touchy themes like female desire and sexual drive of disabled people...Don't miss the film, or you'll miss what is likely one of the year's strongest performances by a female actor.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
They were optimistic enough to leave the film open for a possible sequel. That one-star rating then is for courage alone.
Full review ↗TRM 3.2−1.2
Tamhane's film excels in revealing these terrific vignettes of life, and in the process it ends up moving you. The film allows us to judge, and yet, suggests that we don't judge too much - after all, this is life with all its complexities and everyone is human.
Full review ↗TRM 8.1
Give it a chance, prepare to be patient, and chances are that it'll stay with you.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
Like trusted comfort food, you're happy to tuck into it knowing full well it has no nutritional value.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
It attempts to blend social conscience with a revenge-themed plot feels muddled...
Full review ↗TRM 4.2−0.2
...it's an immensely satisfying movie experience, I'm going to go with four out of five and two thumbs up for director Shimit Amin's Chak De India. It's got a predictable premise and you know exactly which way the story's going to go, but sometimes, when the characters win over your heart and you're rooting for them to win, that's all that really matters.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2+0.8
...the film rests largely on the able shoulders of Gulshan Devaiah, who succeeds in making you care for a character that's not always likeable. Devaiah brings an everyman earnestness to Mandar, which protects him from coming off as a deviant. Too bad the film itself is promising but ultimately disappointing. A film, that in the end, delivers little else but cheap laughs.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
Director John Madden offers another affectionate portrait of ageing and second chances in this sentimental but always charming comedy that deserves a watch if only for its terrific A-list cast. It's the kind of film you'll want to take your mum to.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
The film too is unlikely to appeal to anyone older than 12, or to anyone seeking more than just a straightforward, literal adaptation. I was incredibly bored.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−2.1
It's derivative and not particularly fun. Hardly the best way to spend two hours on a lazy weekend.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
Will Smith seems to be having a good time, and for a large part of the film you do too.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
It's often terrifying on this highway, but you'll be glad you were there for the ride...
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Warrier sets up an interesting premise, but cripples it with a deathly slow pace. 'Coffee Bloom' has a silly turning point involving a marauding elephant and a gunshot that make way for a farcical, half-baked investigation. The emotional outbursts between Dev and Anika, and their touching final scene, fare better in holding your interest.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
TRM 3.4−0.4
Simple and breezy, while at the same time evocative of life in small-town India, Dum Laga Ke Haisha is a charming film that you really shouldn't miss.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Despite all its strengths, 'Badlapur' isn't a perfect film. The pace slackens post-intermission, plot contrivances are many, and you might say the film is misogynistic in its treatment of women. These are relatively small problems in the larger picture, though. For the most part, the film keeps you on your toes, curious to see where its twists and turns will lead.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
Both the cinematography and the background score are nicely moody and leave you with a sense of foreboding. 'Qissa' is in the tradition of a compelling folktale that you can't shake off once you've heard it. I'm going with three out of five. I recommend that you watch the film for its unique voice.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−1.1
In the end, 'Wild' proves to be that rare movie about an epic life-changing journey that leaves you impressed by its scale and ambition, but largely unmoved by the person at the heart of it.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−0.8
It's tense, consistently compelling, and a dazzlingly original piece of work that you cannot miss.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
The unintentionally funny dialogues aside, it's unlikely that you'll be smiling through this misery.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−2.1
Brimming with smart ideas and powered by the performances of its two principals, it's a shame this promising film comes undone by the Curse of the Second Half. Watch it though for bravely treading new ground.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
It's a very watchable thriller, inconsistent but never dull. A compelling account inspired by an oddly fascinating case.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3+0.7
Hawaizaada is jingoistic, melodramatic, naïve, and often illogical. It might have worked as a quirky flight of fancy, but Puri and his characters take things way too seriously, robbing the film of that very sense of awe and wonder that it so badly needed. It's an interesting idea that never takes flight.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3−0.3
It's an entirely different beast from his previous gems Amores Perros and Babel, but it's a film so smart, it'll leave you giddy with pleasure.
Full review ↗TRM 7.7+1.3
Enjoy it for the brisk action thriller that it is, and try not to think about how much better it could've been.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Never overstaying its welcome, the film is short and a lot of fun. It's worth watching for Rajkummar Rao's excellent performance alone.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2+0.8
American Sniper is blunt, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking. At 84, Eastwood can still play a young man's game. Don't miss this film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+1.2
For their performances alone, The Theory of Everything might be worth a watch. Evidently, this true-life story has been Hollywood-ized for awards recognition and mass appeal.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−1.5
There's a lesson in I for makers of masala movies everywhere: Big-budget commercial films don't have to be lazy, mindless enterprises; you can bring big ideas and apply craft. I may be far from perfect, but for the most part it's pretty entertaining stuff.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6+0.4
Bipasha Basu, despite playing a double role here, offers fewer expressions than Neena Gupta who's paralyzed for most of the film. The perfunctory 'hot scenes' between Bipasha and her muscled co-star can't seriously be reason enough to invest in a ticket.. You'll wish you'd stayed home instead.
Full review ↗TRM 3.6−0.6
Adults will no doubt spot themes of inclusion, and a message against all the fuss over immigrants. But for the little ones this is pure unapologetic fun. It's warm and full of affection; a film you shouldn't miss.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
'Taken 3' doesn't work, not even as a guilty pleasure, because the cheap thrill of watching an ageing Neeson deliver visceral blows to the bad guys has lost its novelty now. Don't waste your time or your money.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−1.0
The only thing worse than the fact that Tevar is so long is that you've seen all of this many times before. I came away with a throbbing headache.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
It's not a film with grand ambitions, but one that keeps you riveted through its drama. It's also an indicator of Burton's wide range.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
Unbroken is a perfectly respectable film, competently directed and performed. What's missing is real emotion; I never felt genuinely moved.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9−0.9
PK sticks faithfully to Hirani's well-oiled formula, and yet there is no question that it's a courageous film. Packed with sharp dialogue and genuinely funny moments that offset the lack of subtlety, it is easily one of the year's better films. The director's best since Lage Raho Munnabhai.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4−0.4
...at the heart of this film are its delightful leads. The ambitious but straightforward Shruti Kakkar, played with a zeal we haven't seen before in Anushka Sharma's previous roles. And Ranveer Singh as the unpolished but lovable Bittoo Sharma, who steals the film with a confident, uninhibited performance that is the best thing about this film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
There's awe and spectacle and some nice light-hearted moments too, but it still pales in comparison to Jackson's original LOTR trilogy. For Tolkien nuts though, understandably it marks the end of an era.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
The film coasts along smoothly for the most part of its 90-minute running time, except for the flabby, repetitive middle portion in which Dulal and Ruma engage in profound conversations each time they meet. Slickly shot, capturing a real, lived-in feel of the city, this is a charming little indie that manages to say something important, while never forgetting to make you laugh. Give it a chance.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
TRM 2.6−0.6
There is a sense of drama in the final moments, in the manner that the gas leak is shot: the chaos at the general hospital, the bodies strewn in the slums, on the hospital steps, in the streets. It's commendable that the film relives the terrible tragedy of the gas leak, but sadly, it has few moments that are extraordinary or even genuinely moving.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−1.7
Expectedly, it's Malkovich and Cumberbatch who get the best lines and ample opportunity to have fun with their (voice) parts. But for the latest installment of a much-loved franchise, The Penguins of Madagascar feels surprisingly underwhelming.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−1.8
The only bits that do work in Ungli are the seemingly unscripted lighter moments between the friends, and of course the scenes in which everyone from political bullies to sadistic auto-rickshaw drivers are brought to task in imaginative ways. The film's overarching theme - of making offenders accountable - will no doubt resonate, but there had to be a more intelligent way to tackle the same idea.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
Not very much happens in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. The studio's decision to make two films from the final book in Suzanne Collins' bestselling trilogy may have made sense from a business point of view - hey, it worked for Harry Potter and Twilight! - but dramatically, it's a bad move. The filmmakers take roughly half an hour's worth of plot and thinly spread it over two long hours, giving us a movie that feels half-baked and wanting.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−0.2
Stripped to its bone, Rensil D'silva's Kurbaan is an edge-of-the-seat thriller that seldom loses its grip on your attention. Credible performances from its leads, and a nail-biting screenplay make up for the plot holes that threaten to eat into this otherwise engaging film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6+0.4
This is a film that wants to be many things all at once - a rom-com between a fading star and the next big thing, also a clever satire on Bollywood. It's overlong at 135 minutes, and on occasion dreadfully boring. Saif Ali Khan can still pull off goofy humor better than most others, but how many times does he have to play the same part before we can all agree that he's too old for this schtick?
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
There's not a lot of praise one can heap on 'Kill Dil' except to say that it's not an unwatchable film. The first hour goes by briskly, and you'll even find yourself smiling along. If that's enough for you, give it a shot. I'm going with two stars for the film, and additional half star for Ranveer Singh's terrific performance, which makes it two-and-a-half out of five for 'Kill Dil'.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4+0.6
'Boyhood' then is a true gem, and a bold, brave experiment that's as intimate as it is expansive. It's an emotionally affecting film with a big beating heart, and Linklater shows us that indeed life is in the little details. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.9+0.1
Leading man Ali Zafar has an endearing presence, and Pradhuman Singh as the chicken farmer scores with his comic timing. But in the end the film is only moderately entertaining. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for first-time director Abhishek Sharma's Tere Bin Laden. The kind of film to watch on a day you have nothing better to do.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−1.2
TRM 7.5−0.5
'Interstellar' is a sweeping, audacious effort by a filmmaker whose reach inevitably exceeds his grasp. But how can you not applaud its sheer sense of scale, drama, and fearlessness? Now forget everything you've read and heard and go experience it for yourself!
Full review ↗TRM 7.4−0.4
It's virtually impossible to resist the charm of 'Big Hero 6', the new film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, at whose center is the touching relationship between a young boy and an oversized inflatable robot...You'll be chuckling throughout, and 95 minutes will fly by.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
There are the odd moments of inspired humor - all crude - between the three senior actors, but for the most part they're wasted.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
Despite having read and thoroughly enjoyed the book already, I found Fincher's film gripping and handsomely mounted, and still packing a few nice surprises. Gone Girl doesn't have the enduring appeal of one of my favorite Fincher films, 'The Social Network', but it's a bloody good way to spend two and a half hours of your time. I'm going with four out of five. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
Sadly the film squanders the talent of its very watchable leading lady who deserves so much better than this drivel.
Full review ↗TRM 3.00.0
If its indulgences were trimmed, this might have been a more enjoyable film. For a film in which dance is so integral to its plot, I didn't think the musical set-pieces here stood out particularly. The focus isn't so much on the moves, as it is on the scale of the dance numbers. And that's a shame.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−0.4
From the man behind those decade-defining Munnabhai films, however, it is far from his best work. I'm going with three out of five for director Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots, an earnest but calculated effort that runs, but never flies. Watch it anyway, because it's the season to be jolly, and good laughs are guaranteed.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6−0.6
What If isn't particularly memorable; this isn't a film that'll stay with you long after you've left the cinema. But it's a pleasing enough watch with plenty charming moments. You'll even forgive the predictable plotting because the actors steal your heart. Give it a chance, you won't regret it.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
The problem with Sex Tape is that it's neither particularly funny nor raunchy enough to satisfy anyone seeking any of these things. What it is, unfortunately, is a shameless and relentless promotional reel for Apple products. After a while you lose count of how just many times they reference the iPad, the iCloud, and Siri.
Full review ↗TRM 3.7−1.7
Sitting there witnessing the film unfold over 2 hours and 20 minutes, it's clear there is a crisper, better movie in there somewhere, but director David Dobkin (Shanghai Knights, Wedding Crashers) never stops piling on the clichés, ultimately reducing The Judge to a kind of hokey made-for-television movie. Watch it for Duvall and Downey who breathe life into a mediocre script.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
Leading lady Rhea Chakraborty is uninhibited but inconsistent, her bumpy Marathi accent never quite convincing. Between her and a script that sadly feels half-baked, Sonali Cable is weighed down, unable to take flight. It's got its moments, but they're few and far between.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8+0.2
Much of the second half is evidently inspired from Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, but there is none of that film's sparkling wit at display here. The final scenes are unabashedly schmaltzy, and while the message itself is important, it is conveyed with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Promising but doesn't quite take flight.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−1.8
Annabelle isn't perfect - hell, it isn't even as good as The Conjuring - but despite its unconvincing climax, it's got moments of spine-tingling horror that do the trick.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2+0.8
The film then isn't unwatchable, but at 2 hours and 35 minutes, it certainly tests your patience. How many times have you ordered a dish that looks terrific photographed in a menu, but disappoints when it shows up on the table? Bang Bang is that kind of meal.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3−0.3
A few such hiccups aside, Haider is an elegant, thrilling film that casts a brave, unflinching eye on the Kashmir struggle. In deviating from the original ending of Hamlet, it also makes a necessary point about the cyclical nature of revenge and violence. Its deliberate pacing may not work for all, but this is a solid, well-acted movie that deserves your time.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
It's an assured, confident debut and one hell of a rollicking ride. A textured, compelling drama that's unlike anything you've seen lately.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
There are some interesting themes at play, but sadly they aren't explored with much inventiveness.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
Aside from a few sharply written scenes - including one in which they give each other tips on how to be better in the sack - the film feels tired and over-familiar, and never breaks new ground.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
TRM 5.0−1.0
It may not be for everyone, but for those who seek comfort in the familiar, it's a pretty satisfying watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
Alas the film doesn't spook you, or deliver so much as a few cheap thrills despite the pop-out 3D effects. This is standard B-movie material that plods on for a full 2 hours and 15 minutes. Still, I'm going with a generous 2 out of five for Creature 3D. It's an ambitious attempt, weighed down by pedestrian storytelling.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9+0.1
Set in a world that feels entirely authentic, Finding Fanny is a charming film that starts off slowly but draws you into its drama. At a crisp 105 minutes, it's a perfectly satisfying watch unlike so many disposable comedies today.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8−0.8
TRM 6.1−1.1
TRM 6.8−1.8
Neither as entertaining as your average Emraan Hashmi thriller, nor clever enough to engage anyone seeking a deliciously complex caper, Raja Natwarlal is the kind of film that leaves you bored out of your mind. It won't give you a migraine, but it's so banal, you would probably have more fun doing your laundry instead.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5−0.5
... has a few moments of genuine awe and wonder, but there's too much plot and relatively lesser dancing this time round, which defeats the very purpose of watching these movies. This franchise is in urgent need of some new moves.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1
Bland, unimaginative, and entirely pointless, this is one film that needn't have been made. Stay home and take a nap instead.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−2.0
...a disappointing film that might have benefitted from investing more in script rewrites than star salaries. Its nostalgia value aside, this is one noisy bore.
Full review ↗TRM 4.00.0
Riveting as it is, there is a tinge of sadness attached to the film. You don't want to miss it; it's a slice of life that will resonate with you.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+0.9
Mardaani is not a perfect film, but it's better than many of the blockbusters Bollywood churns out regularly. It's a well-made commercial Hindi film - reasonably short and minus songs - that's trying to say something. Whatever else, you won't be bored.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
At 2 hours and 22 minutes, 'Singham Returns' feels long and occasionally plodding. There are some nice scenes that inspire police pride, but the predictable story tires you out eventually.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
The film's success is the result of both Amole Gupte's tremendous script, and Aamir Khan's nurturing supervision. Neither could have achieved this without the other. Be prepared to shed tears, not because it's always a sad story, but because it's such an overwhelming experience.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3+0.7
This could be hazardous to your health; doesn't matter if you're a movie critic or a movie buff, so go in prepared.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−3.0
This is comfort food for those who like their movies all warm and fuzzy.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
Guardians of the Galaxy feels fresh and zany, and impossibly hard to resist. As superhero movies go, this one's unique and original. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
The movie is wildly entertaining, hilarious and cleverly written...you'll have a blast.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+1.8
Packed with not-too-bad 3D effects - arrows whizzing out of the screen, dangerous creatures lunging at you - and unapologetically embracing its B-movie ambitions, Hercules is watchable and occasionally good fun too. Just don't go in with Gladiator-level expectations.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−0.1
At best it's a guilty pleasure, with a convincing performance from Johansson who convincingly goes from victim to warrior with the ease of a pro.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
I didn't hate it. If that's enough encouragement, sure, go watch it. But you were going to anyway, right?
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
Go in with modest expectations and perhaps you won't be disappointed. The climax plays on interminably, and the film suffers on account of way too many songs. But there are little pleasures to be had - the consistently witty dialogue, Amit's too-cool-to-be-true mom who speaks almost exclusively in abbreviations and emoticons, and his childhood pal who takes great pleasure in his sufferings.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−0.2
Despite the 3D, none of this is particularly eerie; the film fails to deliver even a few good ol' fashioned cheap thrills. And the acting by everyone involved is so abysmal it's hard to muster up much sympathy. A twist in the end never feels well-earned, raising even more questions about plausibility. This 'Pizza' is stale.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−2.7
Begin Again is like a light frothy soufflé - enjoyable while it lasts but not memorable enough to seek out for repeats.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9−0.9
...is consistently engaging, and a film to be enjoyed on the big screen. It is a blockbuster in every sense of the word, offering big thrills and moments of great awe and wonder, yet it's smart and full of feeling too.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2−0.2
...comes peppered with smart dialogue, and filled with genuine affection for a cinematic blockbuster that it repeatedly references...but with flair. Watch it for Varun and Alia, who're crackling in it!
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
...isn't even a satisfying rom-com about squabbling lovers. The humor is consistently juvenile, the climax so obvious you've guessed it long before it arrives, and the dialogue phoney despite being peppered with modern-day slang. You'll be bored out of your mind.
Full review ↗TRM 3.7−0.7
Smart, caustic, funny, this love story will bring you to tears...Take along some tissues and prepare to be manipulated.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
Whether goofing off with her motley bunch of accomplices, or making an impassioned plea to her stubborn father, Vidya is consistently watchable without ever hogging your attention away from the story. It's a shame then that she's let down by the very script itself, which -- despite raising important questions about gender equality, financial independence of women, and parental obsession with marriage - fizzles out post-intermission. It needed more humor and more meat, but Vidya Balan comes out tops again.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
Like the previous films, this fourth installment is beset with script holes, clunky dialogue, hammy acting, and the overconfidence of a director who doesn't know when to stop. But for fans of the same noisy but vacuous spectacle that these films have come to represent, 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' is actually a step up from the last film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.00.0
It's a shame then that despite the uniformly impressive performances, and Suri's nifty directing skills, the film is only moderately fulfilling. If you're still wondering, the real villain here is the lousy script.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9+0.1
TRM 6.7−0.7
... essentially a tasteless, overblown affair that plods on for 159 brain-numbing minutes. I'm going with half out of five, yes just half out of five, for Sajid Khan's 'Humshakals'. I've never had one, but I imagine a ruptured appendix would hurt less.
Full review ↗TRM 2.5−1.5
TRM 3.4−0.4
If you're having trouble sleeping lately, this is just the cure you needed!
Full review ↗TRM 3.9−0.9
This is that rare sequel that does't just deliver more of what worked the last time, but forges ahead with brave new ideas.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
Pahuja communicates how two kinds of women blindly seek empowerment in their own ways. And yet, they are waylaid by a feudal system. 'The World Before Her' is a powerful documentary and I strongly recommend that you see it - this is the kind of cinema that will leave you shaken and stirred.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
Akshay Kumar livens up the proceedings now and then, but a lot of it is just thookpatti in this Thuppaki remake. That this film is still not as awful as most typical Akshay Kumar starrers, despite several such harebrained sequences, is to the credit of director AR Murgadoss, who doesn't let something as insignificant as common sense come in the way of telling a convenient story. In Holiday, Murgadoss remakes his own Tamil hit Thuppaki and he doesn't tinker with the blueprint at all.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
Despite borrowing bits and bobs from many films including Moon director Duncan Jones' grossly underrated Source Code, Liman still succeeds in delivering a film that skillfully melds a high-concept premise with thrilling action and even spurts of unexpected black humor. For a film about repetition, it never feels tired.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
'Filmistaan' works best as a movie about the magic of movies. It's a celebration of India's song-and-dance film culture and heightened emotions... one that unites fans in their shared love for this unique art-form. For its sheer inventiveness and for some terrific comic moments, this film is worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2−1.2
Where 'Citylights' succeeds is in telling the story of ordinary people living below the poverty line people we seldom cast a second glance at people who sometimes have to resort to desperate measures just so they can keep their children alive. It's a good film, but not without its flaws.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8−1.8
TRM 6.00.0
When the lights come back on in the end, it's unlikely that much will stay with you, apart from Jolie's scorching presence. She deserved better, and so did we.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−0.8
Culminating in a Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge-inspired climax, the film's conflict is quickly resolved, but not before someone conveniently rips the shirt off Tiger's back for a glimpse of his rock-hard abs. Subtlety is not this film's strength. Newcomer Kriti Sanon looks lovely and makes an impression despite her harebrained role. We'll just have to see both these kids in better films to give them a fair chance.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2−0.2
Whatever one makes of it, one must give both Rajinikanth and Soundarya props for effort. If the film doesn't work, it's not for lack of trying. I'm going with two out of five for Kochadaiiyaan. This one's strictly for fans.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
In the end, Singer succeeds in infusing a kind of popcorn blockbuster quality to a drama rich in emotion. Blessed with a solid cast, he gives us characters we actually care for.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+0.4
The stereotypes notwithstanding, 'Million Dollar Arm' is solidly staged, and inhabited with richly-drawn characters. AR Rahman's soundtrack fits in nicely with the narrative, making this a pleasing enough watch for the weekend. I'm going with three out of five. If you seek comfort in the familiar, this film won't disappoint.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
A slim story told with heart, Hawaa Hawaai is among those rare films about the hard lives of impoverished kids that's never patronizing. Gupte deftly captures the innocence of children, and gives us some terrific moments that are genuinely moving. The occasional false notes notwithstanding, this is a movie that should be watched. I'm going with three out of five for Hawaa Hawaai. Strap up and zoom.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
...a well-intentioned film that wears its message brazenly. It's an important story that deserves to be heard.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
This is that rare love story disguised as a big-budget superhero film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+1.1
Pfister, best known as Christopher Nolan's director of photography, may be drawn to a similar kind of thinking-man's blockbuster, but 'Transcendence', unlike Inception or The Dark Knight Rises, remains simplistic and predictable. The film looks good, but it's never as smart as it should be.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
Parental opposition is one of the oldest conflicts as far as love stories go. Sure, the culture clash here gives us some genuine laughs. But at 2 hours and 30 minutes, this is a long, indulgent film that wears you out. I've never rooted so hard for a couple to get married. If only so I could go home.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−1.0
Despite the uneven writing, the film works because it has heart. I will also say that depicting violence against children to appeal to one's emotions is wrong on so many levels. Still, "Bhoothnath Returns" is anchored by terrific performances from its central players: Boman Irani, Amitabh Bachchan, and the surprise packet that is Parth Bhalerao.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
Blessed with a natural presence and lots of charisma, Woodley makes for a worthy leading lady, while Theo James broods and smolders in all the right ways as her trainer and love interest. But the film's bland execution and its muddled message make it hard for you to connect with it.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−1.0
Predictable yet undeniably entertaining, "Rio 2" is not a bad way at all to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
Watch it if you must for its catchy songs, a few good laughs, and a leading man who really tries.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−1.5
It delivers enough bang for your buck, and then some. In keeping with Marvel tradition, there's a steady stream of clever one-liners and witticisms, including Black Widow's repeated teasing of our earnest superhero. But the film's real strength is Chris Evans' robust performance as Captain America, who finally emerges a fully realized character, worthy of his place in the Marvel universe.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2+0.8
Too shrill, too convoluted and too dumb, O Teri is an excruciating test of your patience. The first thing I did on leaving the cinema was pop a pill for my throbbing headache. Even Salman Khan's item song in the end can't soften the blow.
Full review ↗TRM 2.8−0.8
By the end, Youngistaan spirals into an abyss of predictable plotting, as Abhimanyu learns the tricks of how to succeed in politics. It's all unnecessarily stretched out, and co-writer/director Syed Ahmad Afzal brings nothing by way of original treatment or even radical resolution. There was potential here, but it's wasted.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
It's a pointless, boring film. Watch it if you have 200 bucks to waste!
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
Although unsettling and horrific, the film is weighed down by its 'standard-issue' treatment. Lakshmi addresses a serious issue and forces us to confront a bitter reality, even offering hope in the end through the protagonist's courageous fight for justice. But let's not confuse the issue with the film, which is well-intentioned yet typical.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−1.0
It's a flight of fancy that I recommend you do not miss. The family drama plays out before the entire neighborhood, and it's through scenes like these that Kapoor skillfully offers you an India that you recognize and love.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
The film, whose title means thirty minutes past midnight, is masterfully directed by a filmmaker who refuses to take any political stance, but nevertheless offers her viewers endless material to debate. I'm going with four out of five for Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty. This is no jingoistic flag-waving revenge saga, but a thought-provoking and realistic account of the dark side of the war on terror. Don't miss it!
Full review ↗TRM 6.5+1.5
It's a smart film with thrills – now how often do you get to see one of those?
TRM 7.1+0.9
Despite three likeable actors in principal roles, 'Bewakoofiyaan' feels lightweight instead of lighthearted. Asthana directs with an easy hand, but she's saddled with a dead duck of a script that simply can't be saved.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
It's not all bad, there are a handful of inspired moments. But there's no excuse why it isn't more fun.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4+0.6
Despite the giddy pace, it soon becomes clear that there's not enough of a story here, merely a string of gags. The thin plot is stretched out until it collapses under the weight of its contrivances, squandering a good cast, particularly Kirron Kher as the shrill Mummyji. Such a shame that the film's central conflict evaporates conveniently and unconvincingly in a hurried, all-too-neat finale. Funny, but in a pedestrian sort of way.
Full review ↗TRM 3.6+0.4
If you must watch this film, watch it for Juhi Chawla's inspired performance; it's the only bright spot in Gulaab Gang. Muddled and forgettable.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5−1.5
It' an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, and Rani stays in your heart. Ultimately, it's Kangana Ranaut who makes you root for Rani from the word go. The best way to describe her fabulous performance is by confessing that I forgot I was watching Kangana. It's a raw, nuanced, delicately comical performance, and Bahl rightfully builds his film around his fearless, quirky heroine.
Full review ↗TRM 7.8+0.2
The film then is easy and breezy, although too long at nearly two-and-a-half hours. Predictable and occasionally misguided, but also hopelessly fun.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6+0.4
It's a quietly moving film that'll stay with you. I couldn't shake it off for days.
Full review ↗TRM 7.9+0.1
...a poignant yet inspiring film that unfolds like your standard biopic. Yet it's riveting each time McConaughey is on screen.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2−0.2
The film, which I strongly recommend that you watch, is a testament to their courageous work and the difference they have made. Jain's film is a deeply affecting work that reminds us of the vulnerability of women in rural India, and shines a light on the efforts of this group to protect, educate, and empower their gender against cruel husbands, corrupt politicians, and an orthodox, regressive mindset.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9
It's evident from the repeated speeches Clooney makes about the value of art and culture that he remains committed to directing popular films that still manage to say something important about the world. But while The Monuments Men has a noble message at its heart, it's just not very satisfying as a whole. A crushing disappointment.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−1.1
The film - a brave experiment on Ali's part, who uses long stretches of silence, improv dialogues, and characters over plot to drive the narrative - doesn't necessarily work. It's meandering and indulgent in many parts, tiring you out well before it's over. A beautiful mess, but a mess nonetheless.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−2.3
Gunday isn't unwatchable, but it's certainly a case of potential squandered. The film has an authentic look and feel of 70s Calcutta, some robust cinematography, and a few good tunes. It's also got two live-wire leading men whose on-screen chemistry sadly isn't mined for enough laughs. Watching it is a lot like eating the same thing for dinner four times in a week.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
Crisply shot in bright hues, and hinting at a technologically-infused future, this is ultimately a deeply moving film about a romance that feels painfully authentic. Love, after all, is love...whether your partner is made of flesh and blood, or coding, or rubber like that doll in the Ryan Gosling film.
Full review ↗TRM 7.7+0.3
"Lone Survivor" is a well-constructed 'gory war porn' that camouflages an error of judgment on moralistic grounds and glorifies American patriotism. It's a realistic, gruesome depiction of war that'll stay with you long after the lights come back on.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
Despite its problems, it's pretty good fun. Brimming with witty dialogue and some genuinely heartfelt moments, the film doesn't snap even under the weight of its clichéd climax. At 2 hours and 21 minutes, it's a tad long and repetitive, yet saved by some solid acting. Parineeti Chopra, in particular, deserves every accolade that'll come her way; this is her fourth film release and once again she's the best thing in it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
The film's sheer genius lies in its ability to deliver witty jokes at a rat-a-tat speed. It's also possibly the only film that allows everyone from Michaelangelo and Wonder Woman, to Abraham Lincoln, Gandalf and Dumbledore to show up in the same place. To borrow the very theme song of this film, everything is awesome!
Full review ↗TRM 7.5+0.5
Like all Disney films, this one too is doused in a vat of good-natured sweetness and sprinkled with a helping of schmaltz. Yet the film is eminently watchable whenever Thompson is on screen. As the forever snapping Mrs Travers - she refuses to be addressed with even the slightest hint of familiarity, no Pam or Pamela will do, thank you very much - she nevertheless brings wit and charm to a film that could've done with a little less sugar to make the medicine go down.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0−1.0
There are enough scenes of brutal violence in 12 Years a Slave to make your skin crawl...Nicely shot and paced, the film works because it breathes with reality. McQueen drives every scene to the core of its emotions, and their cumulative emotional effect is devastating. It'll leave you shocked, ashamed, angry and overwhelmed.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
The story of Frankenstein's monster has had many incarnations on screen, but perhaps none as clunky as I, Frankenstein, in which the stitched-up soulless creature is presented as a superhero of sorts...It's silly beyond belief; doesn't deserve your time.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9−0.9
One By Two tries hard to break the mold of Bollywood rom-coms, but seldom offers scenarios or characters that are refreshingly original... To quote a song from this very film: I'm just pakaoed!
Full review ↗TRM 3.5−0.5
...offers a one-dimensional, vanilla portrait of one of history's most relevant figures. It's a perfectly adequate summing up of Mandela's life. Unfortunately, this real-life hero deserved so much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−0.8
It might have its heart in the right place, but the brain appears to be missing. For all the references to the aam aadmi and the solutions it offers to inspire change, this film ultimately is about the victory of a man who lets his fists do the talking. Muddled message there.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−1.2
It's possibly the most fun I've had at the movies in a long, long time, and like the perfect restaurant meal it leaves you keen to make a second visit soon.
Full review ↗TRM 7.6+0.4
Selected to play in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes film festival in 2012, it's an unconventional watch, yes, but it's also refreshing to see a different kind of Indian cinema make its place in the world.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Dedh Ishqiya gives the UP badlands a light cloak of humor and, to the viewer - we're happy to note - a bold reveal that is more suggested than emphasized. The twist in the tale is one you can spot from a mile away, but it's nicely done. I'm going with four out of five for director Abhishek Chaubey's Dedh Ishqiya. Like heady wine, it delivers a welcome kick.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
...is consistently engaging, but is it meant to celebrate this reckless pursuit of wealth, or serve as a cautionary tale against it? That's for each one of us to decide. To give credit to Scorsese, he's made a film that works on more than one level, and a film that inspires debate. In their fifth collaboration, Scorsese and DiCaprio once again do their best work together.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+0.9
At the point when Arshad got into a punching match with an unborn baby in its mother's tummy, I decided nothing can save this movie.
Full review ↗TRM 2.5−0.5
...doesn't have the lightness of touch you associate with a whimsical Wes Anderson picture. It does have a few cheeky moments - like one in which Mitty shows off some killer skateboarding moves, that Cheryl unfortunately misses - but not enough to make it a genuinely enjoyable watch. In the end it comes off as an indulgent vanity project for a misguided star who thinks two hours of his adventure-holiday videos would make for charming cinema viewing.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
Sholay on the big screen is an exhilarating 3 hour 24 minute-movie event, with or without 3D glasses. It is wildly entertaining, unforgettable cinema, and I'm willing to bet that it'll probably be the best film you'll see in the theatres this year. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 8.4
It's got its moments, but I'd say wait for this one to come to DVD.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−0.1
Dhoom 3 is a sloppily scripted sandwich of hammy acting and cheesy dialogue. Which wouldn't have mattered if it was at least as much fun as the previous two films, because this franchise has never promised much more than cool men on fast bikes, and hot women in short skirts. But the new movie lacks the required adrenaline rush of a Fast and Furious-type thriller, instead falling prey to the kind of melodrama and over-plotting that doesn't belong here.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−1.0
Like our very own Sanjay Gupta's desi remake Zinda, this one too is all style over any real substance.
Full review ↗TRM 3.7+0.3
The big question you're left pondering as you race for the exit in the end, is how exactly did this movie get made? Did nobody read the script? Was there one to begin with? My rating, you ask? You've got to be kidding...WTF???
Full review ↗TRM 3.5−3.5
Despite its butt-numbing length - a solid 2 hours and 41 minutes -The Desolation of Smaug has a pace and a cohesiveness that the previous film, An Unexpected Journey, lacked. By the time the film ends, in a rather abrupt climax, you've forgiven its faults, and you'll be eager to see how it all ends. Until next year then...
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
To dismiss 'R... Rajkumar' merely as a throwback to those cheerfully low-IQ 80s potboilers would mean letting off the makers too easily, for this is cinema of the most exhausting kind. The climax alone carries on for over 15 minutes, in which Shahid is repeatedly stabbed, and then whacked around with everything from iron rods to wooden planks. He survives, but you almost don't.
Full review ↗TRM 3.1−2.1
Unfortunately writer-director Sanjay Tripathy can't lift this script from its quicksand of predictability, and can't avoid the mawkish melodrama that stories like these inevitably slip into. That, along with a clumsy, overlong climax, makes 'Club 60' a rather dull affair in the end. I'm going with two out of five - it's a sincere film, but one that could've benefited from smarter writing and slicker treatment.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−1.5
'Catching Fire' has more than a few gripping set-pieces, but its strength is its solid cast and the lasting impression they make. This sequel ends on a promising note, leaving you hungry for the next instalment.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
'BA Pass' exposes a cold, dark, and bleak universe that is in equal measure grotesque and intriguing. Bahl creates the right mood, but doesn't leave you with much to think about when it's all over. Still I'm going with three out of five. Not perfect, but nicely done.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Disney's new animated fairytale Frozen has endearing characters, some good-natured comedy, a bunch of show-stopping musical numbers, and gorgeous visuals. It's a throwback to the studio's classic musical adventures from pre-Pixar times, and yet it feels modern because the writing is so fresh and the humor so irreverent.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
Up until the halfway mark, Bullett Raja is rollicking entertainment. Our gangster protagonists kill, maim, kidnap, and intimidate their rivals, all the while bickering and joking, in Dhulia's direct nod to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Sadly the film's screenplay comes undone post intermission, its second half disintegrating into a bloody revenge saga.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−0.1
We'd have cared more about this mismatched couple had the makers invested in a sharper script. It's as enjoyable as drinking a cup of tea that's been left out in the cold.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
Good actors can improve mediocre material; this film is evidence of that. Watch it to unwind after a long day at work.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−0.2
The film, however, is doomed. There's plenty hilarity but no hope for this tragic prostitute's story.
Full review ↗TRM 2.7+0.3
In the end it is Bhansali - credited for screenplay, editing, music, and direction - who leaves his stamp all over the film. He brings great style and aesthetic to an unapologetically commercial film, which I'm happy to say is far more engaging than the lazy blockbusters we've seen lately. It's great fun - not the word you'd normally associate with a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
...not so much an engaging film as it is an interesting idea that Varma squanders away with a hackneyed script, and an ensemble of over-actors. We've been waiting for a film that gives us a fresh take on crime in the city. Sadly, this is not that film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.1−0.1
As superhero movies go, this is underwhelming stuff. ...Only enjoyable in spurts.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−2.0
The film is ambitious but flawed. It is, however, consistently watchable for its terrific lead star who you can't take your eyes off, even for a moment.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+0.3
Handsomely mounted, but ultimately too safe in its reconstruction of deeply complex events, this film runs but never flies. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for The Fifth Estate. Watch it for Cumberbatch's appropriately creepy performance as Assange.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−0.2
Mickey Virus isn't unwatchable, but at 2 hours and 15 minutes, it certainly overstays its welcome, offering little by way of laughs or thrills. I'm going with two out of five. Walking out of the cinema, you've forgotten it already.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
It's brutal, edge-of-the-seat filmmaking that you cannot afford to miss.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0+1.0
I'm going with two out of five for Escape Plan. Stallone and Schwarznegger deserve better. And so do we.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
The film itself is brave and unflinching, and oozes the kind of sincerity that you long for in most Hindi films. I'm going with four out of five for Hansal Mehta's 'Shahid'. Well made, and gripping till the very end.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
TRM 4.9−1.9
It's a nice, original rom-com with a sci-fi twist. How often do you come across something like that?
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
War Chhod Na Yaar succeeds in treating a grim subject with a light hand. Sharman Joshi and Javed Jaffrey are in good form, but the script loses steam well before the finish line. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five. It's not extraordinary, but it's got some clever ideas.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6+0.4
Don't miss Fire in the Blood. It tells you how YOU can help save lives.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6
It's the sort of film best enjoyed on DVD. If you have to take a call during the film, don't worry; chances are you'd have missed nothing.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6
Like the cheap tabloids that routinely peddled salacious tidbits of her alleged private life, this film too is a hack job.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−1.1
For all its slick technical wizardry, Gravity is about hope and courage and the will to come out alive. To best enjoy it, go in with patience and an open mind. I'm going with four-and-a-half out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 8.3+0.7
...the look and feel of the film tacky, and the scatological humor mostly off-putting. I'm going with one out of five for Besharam. A major misfire in every way.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−2.0
Despite an overlong final act, Prisoners is a remarkable exploration of characters under pressure. Packed with surprising twists, it keeps you guessing until the end. I'm going with four out of five. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
The only thing truly baffling is that this film is supposedly based on true events. Which means morons like these actually existed!
Full review ↗TRM 3.8−1.8
The budget's bigger and the special effects are slicker, but this is a blockbuster with a brain. Best enjoyed with a big helping of popcorn.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3+0.7
The film's early half is a little too schmaltzy, crammed as it is with too many scenes that point to Oscar's kind heart and potential that sadly couldn't be fully realized. It's meant to make the gut punch of the film's climax that much harder. But it doesn't matter, because the first-rate acting, and the knowledge that this actually happened makes this a deeply moving film. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for 'Fruitvale Station'. It's a story that deserved to be told, because it's an issue that refuses to go away.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
It loses steam at the halfway mark when the laughs suddenly dry up.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
I'm going with five out of five for The Lunchbox. The greatest love stories are the ones that make you root for the protagonists to come together, despite their destinies. This film illustrates how love transforms the unlikeliest of people; it breaks down Saajan's walls and gives Ila the courage to fly. Treat yourself to The Lunchbox – it'll leave you with a craving to seek your own little happiness. Best film I've seen in a long time.
Full review ↗TRM 8.4+1.6
TRM 7.3−0.3
TRM 3.5−1.5
The sad truth is that 'Grand Masti' revels in making you cringe, not laugh. Adult humor tends to work best when some things are left to your imagination. But the makers of this film force-feed the audience images and dialogues and references so discomfiting, the only laughs you'll hear are nervous chuckles. It's vulgar, but too silly to qualify as an 'adult comedy'.
Full review ↗TRM 2.7+0.3
The film then is sloppy and contrived; it's an unoriginal and uninspiring thriller that's let down by flabby writing.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2−1.2
I'm going with zero out of five, for the new 'Zanjeer'. Without belittling their year-long battle with the film's makers to be compensated for remaking their script, one has to wonder if screenwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar might consider donating some part of their settlement towards admitting these guys in film school.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9−3.9
To a large extent, Shuddh Desi Romance reinvents the wheel as far as Bollywood rom-coms go. It's aggressively non-formulaic, and gives us characters who refuse to conform. The minor hiccups notwithstanding, this is a charming little film. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five. You'll enjoy it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+0.8
We're The Millers is a crude road-trip comedy that alternates between outrageously funny and plain silly. I didn't think I could laugh at a situation where an adult practically pimps a teenage boy to a homosexual police officer, but that scene is written and performed so competently, you'll be on the floor guffawing uncontrollably. Alas, not every joke sticks; inconsistency is this film's biggest crime.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
TRM 5.2−1.2
Steve Jobs deserved a 360-degree portrait. You won't find that here. I'm going with two out of five for 'Jobs'. Kutcher is earnest. But the film is a snore.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
Solidly directed by Sircar, who steers clear of typical Bollywood machismo and avoids oversimplifying characters or their motives, the film - at a little over two hours - is a compelling watch. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for 'Madras Café'. Until the climate is more conducive for filmmakers to boldly make real-life stories without fear of controversy or censorship, this may be the best way to approach important stories that must be told.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8+0.2
The film does have a few strong bits, including an inspired cameo by Sonali Bendre, and a clever scene in which Shoaib walks into a police station intending to surrender himself. But these are small mercies in a major misfire as this. Too long at over 150 minutes, and way too predictable to ever surprise you, Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara is the equivalent of getting a root canal. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five. Call me cynical, call me a spoilt-sport, but don't call me if they decide to make Once Upon A Time in Mumbai 3!
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−1.6
How to put this politely? It's a big, fat bore. A bloated vanity project for an actor capable of so much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
Best suited for the little ones; parents must just endure it for their sake.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6+0.4
It's a nice throwback to the moody horror films of the 70s. Wear long sleeves when you go to the cinema, or you risk your date digging her nails into your arm.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
Don't forget to stay in your seat for an exciting post-credits sequence that sets up next year's 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' that'll likely give die-hard fans more of the stuff they expect from an X-Men movie...the stuff that's missing here.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6−0.6
I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for 'Issaq'. Shakespeare won't be thrilled. And neither will you.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4−0.4
'Bajatey Raho' isn't particularly clever; in fact it reeks of lazy writing. But given the poor standard of recent Bollywood comedies, it's far from unwatchable. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five. Alas, it could've been so much better.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8+0.2
It stimulates the one organ that popular Hindi cinema consistently ignores - the brain! Give it a chance and prepare to be dazzled.
Full review ↗TRM 8.0+1.0
'D-Day' is far from perfect, but as pulpy Bollywood action films go, it's very watchable and works its strengths. The film's ending, controversial and melodramatic to say the least, nevertheless sits comfortably with the wish-fulfilment fantasy that Advani's milking. I'm going with three out of five. It's worth a watch; you won't be bored.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
Nicely shot, much of it against the neon streets of Hong Kong where the film's latter portions are staged, Pacific Rim is the kind of film that combines the Hollywood blockbuster aesthetic with a real love for Asian monster mythology. I'm going with four out of five. It's more enjoyable than everything else Hollywood has thrown our way this summer.
Full review ↗TRM 6.8
The film itself is well intentioned and shines a light on an important figure. But it's too long and too unfocused to leave a lasting impression. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Watch it for Farhan Akhtar's sincere performance.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6−1.6
TRM 7.1+0.9
There's nothing wildly original here in terms of set ups or plot points, but Carell and Wiig have a winning chemistry, and the Minions - like the penguins in the 'Madagascar' movies, and Scrat in the 'Ice Age' films - steal the film from right under the nose of its protagonists.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4
These inspired moments then are few and far between in this lazily scripted film that leaves you bored and searching for the nearest exit. I'm going with two out of five for 'Ghanchakkar'. The money is found in the end, but that's 2 hours and 17 minutes of your life that you'll never see again!
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
'Man of Steel' leans more towards Nolan's angsty 'Dark Knight' movies than Marvel's playful 'Avengers'. Yet it doesn't have the great ideas of that Batman trilogy. What it does have - despite all its shortcomings - is genuine awe and wonder in the bits where Superman takes flight. For those portions, for the charming new leading man, and some solid special effects, it's worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
The familiar premise gets a fresh coat of paint in 'Fukrey', with a new spin on some old clichés. While individual scenes inspire laughs, the film doesn't quite fly because there are too many gags and not enough plot.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
With all its shortcomings, you have to admit 'The Hangover Part III' contains more of a plot than the earlier films. There may be fewer surprises and not so many laugh-out-loud moments, but its twist-filled storyline ensures that you're seldom bored.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7+0.3
The image of Dharmendra and an orangutan riding a scooter, swaying joyously to the tune of 'Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge', is a fair representation of the standard of comedy in 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2'
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
How much you enjoy 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' depends entirely on how much you've missed the typical Karan Johar formula. 'Wake Up Sid' director Ayan Mukerji takes us on a familiar journey through holiday romances, family conundrums, and big fat Indian weddings.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+0.1
'Ishkq in Paris' is a misguided, overwrought affair that feels way longer than its 96 minutes. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five. Watch it if you can muster the courage.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5−1.5
If you're willing to suspend disbelief, and even embrace the illogical, you'll be rewarded with a film that doesn't bore you even for a minute.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5+0.5
Ultimately, this could have been a sweet, unusual tale about the triumph of a nerd, yet it's let down by its affected tone. I'm going with two out of five for Gippi. Alas, many of the film's better ideas are lost in execution.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−1.5
Simplistic, yet funny in generous doses and even occasionally moving, 'The Croods' has enough to entertain young audiences. I'm going with three out of five and a recommendation to take the kids.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−0.4
'Shootout at Wadala' revels in its violence, yet sadly all the bloodshed leaves you unaffected and cold. I'm going with two out of five.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
There's no denying that 'Bombay Talkies' is a breath of fresh air - a wonderful gift to audiences on the 100th birthday of Indian cinema. I'm going with three and half out of five for 'Bombay Talkies'. Through four consummate storytellers, we're reminded just how much the movies mean to us.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
The movie opens with a disco song featuring Sonakshi Sinha that goes: "Thank God, it's Friday!"Not this Friday, believe me.
Full review ↗TRM 3.6−1.6
TRM 5.7−1.7
Like junk food, it has no nutritional value. But an occasional bite doesn't hurt.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−0.2
Sippy never brings the lightness of touch needed to pull off this kind of film. Like the title suggests, it's all empty theatrics. And wait, the film also has the unique distinction of capturing one of the longest on-screen smooches in a long time.. shot in such excruciating close-up that you might throw up your lunch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
It's light and easy, and not hard to like. Just don't expect much more.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
Its heart unquestionably in the right place, 'Jolly LLB' is very watchable, even if it does paint in broad strokes. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five. Not a bad way to spend an evening.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9−0.9
TRM 4.6−1.6
Its shortcomings notwithstanding, it's a good example of an entertaining commercial film that didn't need to be lazy or senseless. Don't miss it; easily one of the better films this year.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+0.4
I'm going with a generous two out of five for 'Khiladi 786'. Akshay Kumar fans may not complain. The rest might prefer the company of an aspirin.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
What this film needed was personality and character; what it's left with is sameness. But that's probably enough for Salman Khan fans.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
I'm going with a generous half out of five, yes half out of five for Ghost. There's even a seductive song filmed on a wooden-faced junior artiste wearing enough eye make-up to scare you in your sleep. It's a miracle films like this get made!
Full review ↗TRM 2.4−1.4
It's a chapter in Mumbai's history that we'll never forget, so a movie on the attacks should have left you more than just comfortably numb.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−2.3
Despite its many indulgences 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns' is ultimately an engaging watch. I'm going with three out of five for this fascinating tale of ambition and emotions that might have further benefited from tighter writing.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
The film, ultimately, rushes towards its hasty, unpredictable resolution that feels unconventional merely for the sake of it. I'm going with two out of five for 'I, Me Aur Main'. At less than two hours, it's hardly a slog. But you can't help feeling like real potential was squandered.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
TRM 7.4+0.6
Murder 3 is a more or less faithful copy of the Colombian thriller The Hidden Face, whose remake rights the Bhatts legally acquired. That, you see, is a big improvement from all those years of cheerfully ripping off Hollywood and Asian films without so much as a by your leave.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9−0.9
At 2 hours and 20 minutes, 'ABCD' is too long. There's some genuinely original choreography up there, but it's lost in a plodding film with characters you couldn't care about.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
Infusing humor into tense scenes, he gives us a delicious thriller that you don't want to miss.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
It's a good cure for insomnia. Queue up for a ticket, those of you having trouble sleeping.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−2.8
A lot of it is unabashedly entertaining, although you'll wish the film was shorter and smarter.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9−0.9
There's much to appreciate here, but you can't help feeling it could have been so much more.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−0.6
It's not a film you'll remember years from now, but you won't be moaning and groaning through it either. The film has no intellectual pretentions; its only ambition is to offer a good time. In that, it mostly succeeds.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7+0.3
I'm going with two out of five for director Aditya Datt's Table No 21. Even dependable actors like Paresh Rawal and Rajeev Khandelwal sleepwalk through their roles.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
This is a half watchable film despite all that melodrama flying around. Sadly, if it had kept its head, this thriller could have gone places.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
Vishal Bhardwaj gives us a film that's enjoyable and relevant in equal measure. I'm going with four out of five for Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. The year's first gem has arrived - don't miss it!
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+2.3
It may not touch your heart, but it's a feast for the eyes. Watch it for its sheer visual brilliance.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
Make sure you don't miss it; it's the most fun you'll have had at the cinema in a long time!
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+0.9
In these times of instant gratification, here's a film that makes you think. Not a perfect film, but one that stays with you long after the lights have come back on.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
TRM 4.7−0.7
It's an average film made eminently watchable by its courageous star. Go on, give her the awards already!
Full review ↗TRM 7.0−1.0
Don 2 is nicely shot, and there are moments where Shah Rukh Khan is riveting. But that's not enough to hold your interest for well over two hours...even the actor's most loyal fans will find themselves yawning. Although packed with fast cars and bikes, this is one slow ride.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
'Jo Hum Chahein' endeavors to strike a fresh note, but alas, it's let down by the weight of its trite dialogues. It's a decent first effort, even though it smacks of sameness.
Full review ↗TRM 3.6+0.4
It's an easily watchable film with much to smile about. Pity it could've been so much more fun.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−0.4
Like the spaghetti and curds concoction that Shah Rukh digs into in an early scene, 'Ra.One' is clearly an acquired taste.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−0.6
The film is a waste of time and money on the part of those who made it and those who're brave enough to watch it. It's the kind of film that critics must suffer so you don't have to!
Full review ↗TRM 3.7−0.7
My favourite scene is one in which Mahaakshay's character goes next door to demand that a noisy neighbor turn down his blaring speakers. In reply, the neighbor pours his glass of beer on Mahaakshay's head. If only the audience could do the same to the perpetrators of this lousy comedy.
Full review ↗TRM 2.7−0.7
What could've been a sweet, simple love story turns into a confused film that never justifies its spirited title.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3−0.3
Plodding on for what seems like eternity, this is an earnest but exhausting film.
Full review ↗TRM 3.00.0
Like the demographic it represents, the film makes for good company, and isn't meant to be taken too seriously. An enjoyable one-time watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+0.5
It's a tiring retread of a once popular formula that's wearing thin now.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
TRM 3.6−1.6
Carry cotton to protect your eardrums from the shrieking, shouting, and incessant arguing.
Full review ↗TRM 3.5−1.5
it's inspired by a classic, but let down by its own triteness. Not a perfect film, but one that has its moments.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−1.2
As you leave the hall exhausted from the sheer length of this misguided enterprise, you cannot help but note that despite its many flaws, this is a noble failure. The film doesn't work, but not for lack of trying.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−0.7
No question it's going to make a lot of money at the box-office, but you have to be a die-hard fan to forgive this film its many flaws. The rest must resign themselves to the fact that there's truth in that dialogue Aditya Pancholi's character says about our hero in the film: "Iska time accha chal raha hai".
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−1.6
TRM 4.5−0.5
TRM 4.9−0.9
Aside from a few enjoyable moments, this film recycles so much that you've already seen before.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−1.0
Even if the story itself leaves you wanting more, the storytelling makes you go the distance.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
'Singham' isn't an unwatchable film, but how many times can you watch bad guys being whipped with a belt? Or heads being pummeled by a bare fist? There is such a thing as overkill, after all. I suspect it's going to make a load of money; I only wish it was a better film. Ajay Devgn fans won't be disappointed.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−1.7
It proves that Zoya Akhtar has a unique, compelling voice and unlike many of her contemporaries, she actually respects that a cinema audience can be both intelligent and mature.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3+0.7
It isn't half bad, but the party pooper here is a script that has no direction home.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−1.0
This is a film with the perfect ingredients; made with honesty and a touch of innocence. No wonder it leaves you feeling very rewarded.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0+1.0
The movie benefits from an inspired performance by Raj Kumar Yadav as the short-fused, profanity-spouting cad who's desperate to exploit his shy but eager-to-please girlfriend. Borrowing visual references generously from previous hits like 'Paranormal Activity', 'The Blair Witch Project' and so many Ramgopal Varma offerings, 'Ragini MMS' delivers very little in terms of novelty. Still, in constructing a story around sex and scares, the makers of this film adopt Hollywood's foolproof B-movie formula and come up with a watchable but ultimately over-long adult movie.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
For the most part Bhatt exploits the 3D to make things jump out at you, and while it's not as much as fun as the last 'Final Destination' movie, there are moments that will make you leap in your seat.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
Save for a few moments of inspired lunacy provided by Vinay Pathak, this is one bumpy ride you don't need to take. I'm going with two out of five for director Shashant Shah's 'Chalo Dilli'. After some 36 hours on Rajasthan's dusty roads, Lara Dutta doesn't have one hair out of place or even a slight lipstick smudge. This is that kind of movie!
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
A living, breathing slice of busy Mumbai, this film has dark humor running through its veins: whether it's the opening scene in which Tusshar and his partners rob a prominent author, or the scene in a restaurant's toilet where Pitobash gets even with a former acquaintance. There is comedy even in the film's dark climax, which for me was the only baffling portion of this film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5+0.5
Director Satyajit Bhatkal draws out an earnest performance from Darsheel Safary, but there is little in this film that children in the audience are likely to embrace. Missing any fun or visual inventiveness even, 'Zokkomon' is a dull film that's difficult to endure.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−1.1
The original film, although entirely plagiarized, had a charming innocence to complement its outrageous humor. This one is dead dull, and a total waste of two precious hours.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8−0.8
It isn't as daring as Anurag Kashyap's debut 'Paanch' whose themes it clearly mirrors, but it's got many moments that'll surprise you.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
To describe this film as paisa vasool or time pass is to confess that you really don't have a life. Because apart from two energetically filmed songs - 'Character dheela hai' and 'Dhinka chika' - this film offers little by way of entertainment. Salman Khan fans, I assure you that reruns of his 'Dus Ka Dum' episodes on Youtube are more likely to make you smile than this agonisingly boring film that wastes the charm of its immensely charismatic star.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−2.2
TRM 4.2−1.2
It's an inoffensive but lazy film that barely scratches the surface of this big, bright shining star.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0−2.0
Uninhibited and naughty, 'Delhi Belly' is an enjoyable comedy that has enough frenzied moments to keep you in your seats. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for director Abhinay Deo's Delhi Belly. A good laugh is guaranteed.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1−0.1
TRM 6.0−1.0
I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Roshan Abbas' 'Always Kabhi Kabhi'. Watching this film is like attending a concert put up by ten-year-olds. It's amateurish, and tedious to sit through, and the only thing you can appreciate in the end is the earnestness behind the effort.
Full review ↗TRM 3.6−0.6
This film may work for those who miss old-fashioned melodramatic entertainers, but I was bored. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Nikhil Advani's 'Patiala House'. Decide for yourself if it's your cup of tea.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−2.2
Dil To Baccha Hai Ji is too long for a light-hearted comedy, and the dialogue is pedestrian. Still it's not a complete waste of time; there are some laughs to be had. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Madhur Bhandarkar's Dil To Baccha Hai Ji. Don't go in expecting too much, and perhaps you won't be too disappointed.
Full review ↗TRM 5.00.0
The film takes a promising premise and fails to realize its potential because it's trying too hard to be cool. I'm going with two out of five for writer-director Alankrita Shrivastava's Turning 30. I think I can safely say I wouldn't want to meet a girl like Naina when she's nearing 40!
Full review ↗TRM 4.00.0
It's fun in parts but tires you out by the time it finally comes to an end. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for Yamla Pagla Deewana. If you're a fan of the Deols and you enjoy old-fashioned masala entertainers, give it a chance. But the Deols can do better than this!
Full review ↗TRM 5.00.0
'No One Killed Jessica' isn't a bad film; it's just a disappointing one from a filmmaker who showed such promise with his debut film 'Aamir'. This one falls short. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Rajkumar Gupta's 'No One Killed Jessica'. It reminded me of a Madhur Bhandarkar film. If you're a fan of simplistic storytelling, you won't complain.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−1.4
An average drugs-drama to a smart and entertaining action thriller. It's got its moments, but they're few and far between.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
Yeh Saali Zindagi takes its time to unfold, but it's a delicious little treat if you muster the patience for it. Under its rough exterior of criminals and gunshots, is a tale of slow-burning passion and unconditional love.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
Using tools like newspaper headlines, radio announcements and television bulletins to root this mostly surreal film in reality, Vishal Bhardwaj delivers his oddest film yet, that is also sadly his weakest.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
What you take back with you as you leave the cinema in the end, is the repugnant image of these four male actors - each well into his 40s - slobbering over blondes half their age. They're dirty old men, and 'Thank You' is a dirty little picture.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−2.0
If 'Teen Thay Bhai' was merely slapstick, you'd settle into it after a while. But the film never finds its tone. Apart from a few inspired moments of lunacy, this movie is schizophrenic to say the least, going from spoofy to bizarre to sentimental, and yet remaining consistently dull throughout.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4−0.4
It doesn't help that the singularly unattractive cast doesn't have one acting bone between them, and that the film feels much longer than its roughly two hours running time.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−2.1
The only respite in Game is some eye-watering photography, a thrilling foot chase sequence in Istanbul, and a surprisingly understated romantic track involving Abhishek Bachchan's character. Unfortunately that's not enough to save this mess of a thriller.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8+0.2
'Tanu Weds Manu' isn't all bad. There are portions in the first half that enjoyable. But held together by a fractured script, they fail to take good shape.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−1.4
In the end, this is an irresponsible, amateurishly made film that could have been so much better. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Sagar Bellary's 'Kaccha Limboo'. Feel free to miss this one completely!
Full review ↗TRM 3.7−0.7
Beautifully shot and aided by an evocative background score, 'Dhobi Ghat' is occasionally indulgent and moves at a glacial pace. Yet Rao creates some endearing characters, and embraces Mumbai despite its dichotomies. The result is a film that slowly grows on you.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3+0.7
Despite these quibbles, the film works on account of its charming characters and some hilarious dialogue. I'm going with three out of five for director Nikhil Advani's Delhi Safari. Take your kids for this one, chances are both of you will come out smiling.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
A remake of the Telugu hit Maryaada Ramanna directed by SS Rajamouli, who himself whacked the premise from a 1920s Buster Keaton hit, Son of Sardaar is only sporadically entertaining, and peddles the same tired stereotypes of Punjab and Sikhs. A cameo by Salman Khan, sadly, doesn't make up for the film's many flaws.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
In the end, Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana is a warm and fuzzy comedy that benefits from the insider's eye that the director casts on this garrulous community, and their love of food and family. At 2 hours and 15 minutes, the film feels bloated and over-long, but stay with it and you won't regret it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1−0.1
Too long by about twenty minutes, the film could've done with some tightening – perhaps the clunky treasure hunt sequence could go? Nitpickings aside, this is a breezy, enjoyable film by a director who knows his craft.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
Bhoot Returns is no Paranormal Activity, although it does borrow at least three key moments from that popular horror franchise. Its not entirely a waste of time either, because Varma does deliver a few good scares. Im going with two out of five for Bhoot Returns. Its the kind of film that the phrase time-pass entertainment was invented to describe.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
Shot ever so beautifully, Chittagong is a textured film, but too many songs and an overlong narrative causes your attention to dither towards the end. Pain, an ex-NASA scientist, makes a confident debut with this moving drama. I'm going with three out of five for Chittagong. It's a significant film that's worthy of your time.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3−1.3
Making an assured debut with a light, frothy film that still has something important to say, Gauri Shinde delivers one the year's most pleasing films, and Amit Trivedi lends some of his best compositions to the soundtrack. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for 'English Vinglish'. It's warm and fuzzy, and leaves you with a big smile on your face.
Full review ↗TRM 7.00.0
I'm going with three out of five for the late Yash Chopra's Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Despite its many script problems, it's a consistently watchable film that oozes with feeling and real emotion. A fitting swan song.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
If Wasseypur II has one fatal flaw, it's the indulgence of its director, so in love with his baby that he doesn't stop introducing pointless subplots and characters until the very end. Where the earlier film benefitted from the delicious machinations of its players and an overall sense of intrigue, the sequel never goes beyond a typical vendetta story.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
Sadly, Basu's film goes on too long and drags its feet in the end. Barfi had the potential to be great cinema, but as it stands it's a respectable film that's still better than a lot else you're likely to see. I'm going with three out of five for director Anurag Basu's Barfi. It's a treat like the mithai it takes its name from. Go on, indulge your sweet tooth.
Full review ↗TRM 7.0−1.0
In a sea of dumb Bollywood comedies (many starring Akshay Kumar himself), this one at least starts off a debate. For that alone, it's not entirely a write-off. I'm going with two out of five for Oh My God!. Carry cotton for your ears to drown out all the shouting!
Full review ↗TRM 5.9−1.9
Despite an entertaining first half, thanks to all the unintentional laughs, Heroine slips into a slush of melodrama post interval. By this point, it feels interminably long and boring. Bhandarkar loses his grip on the script, and it's evident that his storytelling now desperately needs reinventing.
Full review ↗TRM 4.6−0.6
It doesn't help that the acting is laughable, particularly by the two ladies, while Emraan Hashmi just tries to keep a straight face through this nonsense. 'Raaz 3', unlike the director's last film, 'Dangerous Ishq', isn't even so bad that it makes you laugh... this is just dull, lazy filmmaking.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
Joker unfolds briskly and predictably. Alas, just as you're confronted with an unpredictable twist in the tale, the film comes to a screeching halt. Once again, an opportunity wasted.
Full review ↗TRM 3.4−0.4
It's a good thing the film's merits far outnumber its flaws. Beneath its cheeky wit and some of those slapstick gags, Shirin Farhad subtly touches upon issues like pride in one's profession, embracing one's physicality, and no expiry date on love. Bela steers clear of caricaturing the Parsi community, at best allowing Parsi characters themselves to take affectionate jibes at each others' tics.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3+0.7
Despite its obvious flaws, 'Ek Tha Tiger' is far from unwatchable. It's a welcome change from the harebrained films we've seen Salman Khan in lately, and for what it's worth he's playing a character and not himself for a change. The question you have to ask is – Is that enough?
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−1.3
Produced by the Children's Film Society of India, Gattu won a special mention at the Berlin International Film Festival in February this year. It's the kind of charming film that'll feature on critics' year-end lists of movies you should have watched but probably didn't. Do yourself a favor – don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2−0.2
With the right ingredients in the right proportions, this might have made for a smooth concoction. But Cocktail is a mostly flat romance; one that could've done with more heart.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
Unlike the earlier Jism that Pooja Bhatt produced but didn't direct, this sequel has little of consequence to say about relationships based on lust. The previous film was a well-acted, adult thriller that had rare sexual frankness. In comparison, Jism 2 feels hollow and exploitative…a film in search of a story. Despite some terrific music and Pooja Bhatt's neat production design, it's let down by laughable dialogue and a pace slower than my 90-year-old grandmother on a race track.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−2.1
Unfortunately these are only a few shining moments in what is otherwise a crass, unfunny film. The comedy here is puerile, and likely to be enjoyed strictly by teenagers who've never watched 'American Pie'. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for 'Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum'. It's not that the humor's adult that is the issue here, it's that it doesn't make you laugh!
Full review ↗TRM 4.7−1.7
Bol Bachchan offers a few genuine laughs, but it's too long and too labored to describe as a pleasing film. Shetty, who came up with some clever comic sketches particularly in his first and third Golmaal films, appears to be cashing in on past glory with this dull rehash of his successful work.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−1.0
The film is a blur of plans being hatched, accomplices switching sides, and information being compromised. But it's hard to stay awake when it's all unfolding so slowly… Many bullets are showered in the film's climatic confrontation at a railway bridge, but by then you're counting down to the end credits.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−1.1
Bolstered by its riveting performances and its thrilling plot dynamics, this is a gripping film that seizes your full attention. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur. Despite its occasionally indulgent narrative, this bullet-ridden saga is worthy of a repeat viewing, if only to catch all its nuances. Don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
Teri Meri Kahaani doesn't work despite potential in the premise. It feels soulless and superficial, and is unlikely to find many fans.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3−0.3
Like the Munnabhai movies and 3 Idiots with which it shares its DNA, Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a well-intentioned film with its heart positioned firmly in the right place. And yet, this simple-minded tale about an ordinary family chasing an extraordinary dream never quite soars.I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Rajesh Mapuskar's Ferrari Ki Sawaari. A little shorter, a little more subtle, this one could've zoomed.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−0.8
Shanghai is consistently watchable despite these lapses. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for Dibakar Banerjee's 'Shanghai'. It's a good film from one of Hindi cinema's most exciting filmmakers, just not great.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4−0.4
The premise is a familiar one: a small-time crook, Shiva (Akshay Kumar), feels obliged to step into the shoes of his doppelganger, a lookalike cop named Vikram Rathore, when the fearless officer dies trying to rescue a village from its despotic gang-lord.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−3.1
The film is not without its weaknesses - some characters, like that of the scheming Shakuni mama, are too caricaturish and could have done with a more subtle touch, while the Pandavas' exile portion feels overly stretched and dull. For the most part, the movie works when it concentrates on its protagonist and his evil cousin Duryodhan.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4−0.4
Just shy of two hours and thirty minutes, 'Department' is tedious and boring and doesn't have any of the originality of 'Satya' and 'Company', or even the occasional tension of 'Sarkar'. Dutt delivers his lines like he's reading out the phone book, and Bachchan hams it up no end as the gangster-turned-minister. It's only Rana Dagubatti who approaches the film with any earnestness whatsoever.
Full review ↗TRM 4.2−1.2
'Ishaqzaade' benefits considerably from Amit Trivedi's excellent soundtrack and Hemant Chaturvedi's sharp cinematography. Faisal creates a believable world with charming characters, and his leads have crackling chemistry. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Habib Faisal's 'Ishaqzaade'. It's far from perfect, but you won't be bored.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4−0.4
Ambitious but seriously flawed, the film smacks of laziness in virtually all departments, and even Karisma Kapoor's earnest performance can't save the day. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Vikram Bhatt's 'Dangerous Ishq'. Plodding on for close to two hours and thirty minutes, this film will make you wish you'd knocked back a stiff one before taking your seat.
Full review ↗TRM 3.3−0.3
In the end, Fatso never exploits its full potential, and opts for a far-too-convenient resolution. I'm going with two out of five for director Rajat Kapoor's Fatso. Enjoyable only in bits.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
Jannat 2 isn't all bad; in fact there are portions that are eminently watchable. Hashmi and Hooda play off nicely against each other, and their scenes together are particularly strong, occasionally laced with humor. The film also has at least two thrilling foot chase scenes, including one in the first half between two sets of cops and criminals that's almost comical. The second chase, filmed in the crowded lanes of a dargah has an urgent breathless feel to it.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7+0.3
Tezz has many of the ingredients for an engaging, fast-paced thriller. What it needed was a director to assemble its parts and make them work. Alas, Priyadarshan is content with merely filming.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−2.0
Dumb, offensive, and unfunny in equal measure, 'Chaar Din Ki Chandni' has no merits whatsoever, including its singularly unappealing cast, some of whom (Anita Raaj, Chandrachur Singh, Mukul Dev) seem to have been pulled out of cold-storage to make fools of themselves here. Particularly insensitive to Sikhs and gays, this exhausting film saps you of your energy, and your will to visit the cinema again anytime soon.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8−3.8
'Bittoo Boss' is an enjoyable enough ride until it goes off-track. Of the cast, it's Ashok Pathak in the role of scrawny Shimla cab-driver Bikki who steals the film with his manic energy. Pulkit Samrat gives a confident turn as Bittoo, despite the Ranvir Singh-Band Baaja Baarat hangover that you can't shake off. Samrat balances the character's vulnerability and cockiness competently.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5+0.5
Housefull 2 is for four-year-olds who don't know any better. For anyone with taste, or anyone seeking genuine laughs, there's nothing here. I'm going with one out of five for director Sajid Khan's Housefull 2. I'd rather watch reruns of his TV shows instead; they were pure gold compared to this drivel!
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−2.8
Like the character played by Tom Cruise in the 1993 thriller 'The Firm', from which 'Blood Money' is so clearly inspired, our hero is seduced by the lure of the new lifestyle that his job affords him. But when he stumbles upon the truth that his bosses are engaged in sinister businesses involving illegal trading, mafia funding, and murder, he must ask himself if he's comfortable living off such ill-gotten gains.
Full review ↗TRM 4.3−1.3
I'm going with a generous two out of five for 'Ekk Deewana Tha'. Even A R Ramhan's score offers only sporadic relief. The only real discovery you make through this film is Prateik Babbar's immense likeability. Now if only the kid could act!
Full review ↗TRM 3.7+0.3
Despite an interesting premise, the film doesn't work because its characters inspire no affection. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Ashwini Chaudhary's 'Jodi Breakers'. Feast your eyes on the stunning Greece locales; it's the only pleasure this film provides.
Full review ↗TRM 4.0−1.0
The film itself cruises along inoffensively despite the potholes, clocking in at a crisp 100 minutes, and is aided by some snazzy camerawork and hummable songs. I'm going with three out of five for writer-director Anu Menon's 'London Paris New York'. The charismatic actors rise above the flawed script to deliver an easy, enjoyable evening at the movies. Watch it for its freshness; you won't be bored.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2+0.8
Most gobsmacking brilliant portion of Agent Vinod is a roughly 3-minute shootout scene set in a seedy East European motel. Even as bullets fly in the lobby between RAW-agent Vinod (Saif Ali Khan) and deadly assassins hot on his trail, a love ballad drowns out the gunshots. The action is captured almost poetically, as Vinod and his accomplice run in and out of corridors and motel rooms, dodging the firing. Now imagine all this in a single tracking shot!
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−1.8
In the end, 'Kahaani' feels longer than its 115 minutes running time, partly because there is no escape from its gritty tone. Yet the suspense remains consistently tight, and the story well-executed. A word also for the haunting background score that only adds to the mood of the film. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for director Sujoy Ghosh's 'Kahaani'. The film delivers on its promise, and keeps you guessing until the end. It's a delicious thriller – don't miss it.
Full review ↗TRM 7.3−0.3
Directed competently by Dhulia, who's familiar and comfortable even with the dusty terrain, 'Paan Singh Tomar' is made with great attention to detail, and paints an honest, realistic picture of an India few of us can claim to know. Although repetitive occasionally and a tad long, the film raises two important questions: What could possibly drive a patriotic soldier into crossing over to the dark side? And although we call them sporting heroes, do we really care about our athletes once their careers are over?
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
It is in the end, an old-fashioned revenge drama treated in that melodramatic, over-the-top style. You're not likely to be bored by the intense action and the solid performances, but prepare to be exhausted by just how long this film plays on.
Full review ↗TRM 6.7−0.7
Setting up the sort of premise that's usually treated with a much lighter hand in the popular television sitcom Office Office, the makers of 'Gali Gali Chor Hai' construct a well-intentioned but labored tale of the common man's vulnerability against day-to-day corruption in society.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
There's an uncomfortable truth about Abbas-Mustan's latest film 'Players' that few critics will admit to – it's not all bad! This fast-paced khichdi of two previous 'Italian Job' movies and the director duo's own last film 'Race' has so much going on all at once that you're left with little time to dwell on the gaping plot holes, the laughable dialogue, and the wooden performances.
Full review ↗TRM 5.1−0.1
Aiyyaa, with its bright visual palette, its strong female perspective, and its intentionally peculiar humor, is evocative of Almodovar's quirky cinema, but the plot here is wafer thin, and while some elements work, it never all comes together as a satisfying whole.It certainly doesn't help that the film unfolds over two hours and thirty minutes…an excruciatingly long running time for what's essentially a slim story of a one-sided crush. In the end — the impressive camerawork and Amit Trivedi's winning tunes aside — Aiyyaa is at best an original and promising experiment let down by its many indulgences. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Sachin Kundalkar's Aiyyaa; an unusual film that could've been so much more.
TRM 4.6+0.4
