With a simple plot, the build up is pretty strong but you do get the sense mid way that the final revelation may not live up to the expectation because the hole that is dug is too deep. Nevertheless, if you can ignore the last lap, this flight has sufficient tension to keep you hooked.

There are films that get you hooked right from the start and then there are those like Dallas Buyers Club that start off slowly off the blocks and then sink you in deeper and deeper as it progresses. By the end, you are deeply submerged in it…This is Matthew McConaughey’s best performance and his transformation reminds of Christian Bale, in The Machinist as well as The Fighter. When you walk out of the theatre after watching the film, you are left with so much to admire and ponder about.

Vidya Balan is sincere in her act but it is Farhan Akhtar who carries the film through. His comic timing and his portrayal of emotions elevates the film considerably. Shaadi Ke Side Effects is like a meal which has a promising appetizer, bland main course with the odd tasty chutney.

You don’t go to a movie with a lot of expectations from the director of the Mortal Kombat and Resident Evil franchise. It helps because Pompeii is one of those run of mill films that involves slaves, kings, Romans, special effects and a natural disaster. The story is lackluster and to add to it, the performances are no great shakes either.

The film drags its feet for too long and like the characters, you want the ordeal to end soon. Thankfully, there is no religious mumbo-jumbo attached to it, as is usually in such films. Unless you are a dire hard fan of this genre, Darr at the whatever is avoidable.

The Train (1964) starring Burt Lancaster had a similar story where the Resistance had to stop and salvage a train carrying precious art to Germany. While that film was an absolute edge of the seat thriller, the flaw with Monuments Men lies with the script which has a bit of action, buddy bonding and the occasional bout of thrill without really digging deep in to any of them.

Director Imtiaz Ali steps out of his comfort zone to make a film that attempts to stray away from the weekly Bollywood fare. The result is mixed, while you appreciate the attempt, the script doesn’t have enough fire-power to push it in to the big league. Nevertheless, here is a film that either you might love or ‘not like it so much’. There will be a few reservations but chances of detesting it are slim and not many films fall in that bracket these days.

You lose interest in the plot right from the beginning; it starts off on a rather dull note and continues in the same vein. All the fantasy and mysticism is even less credible than a fake preacher. The only reason the film is bearable is because it is beautifully shot and the cast is earnest. Pity, the story leaves you stone cold.

It will be wonderful to have this film as an audio to listen to over and over again. But while it is showing at a theatre near you, do go and watch it.

Since there is a bankruptcy of ideas in Hollywood, there are remakes galore. This time we have Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop (1987) which is rehashed and to be fair they haven’t done a bad job but the question to be asked is, what was the need in the first place?