Like always, those few worth-a-watch flicks have had to compete with the much-hyped, star-studded and controversy-mired releases. To make sure you don’t miss out on the real sparklers, we bring you the best picks of the year.
Hollywood’s hottest:
Hangover
This is one R-rated movie that struck the right balance of crass humour and situational comedy. A Las Vegas bachelor party gone wrong, its shock value lies in the unfolding of the boys’ misadventures as they try to track the missing groom. In the process, there’s a baby in the closet, Mike Tyson’s pet tiger strolling in the suite bathroom, a stripper turning wife overnight and an Asian gangster thirsty for their blood among other insane proceedings. Add to this the drastically different characters of the groomsmen – a smooth talker, a sober dentist and a sentimental yet social outcast – it provides enough and more to make you ROFL.
Inglourious Basterds
A war movie set in German-occupied France, this one tracks down two plots to counter the Nazis – one of a Jewish theatre proprietress and the other of a troupe of Jewish commandos headed by Brad Pitt. In true Tarantino style, there’s blood and gore followed by fierce dialogues sprinkled with heavy dose of Italian and French as this spaghetti western unfolds multiple tracks. For the not-so-brave hearted, well, watch out for Christopher Waltz aka the Jew Hunter’s performance which won him the Best Actor Award at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.
District 9
A super blend of sci-fi and social satire, it takes inspiration from the apartheid era. The Neil Blomkamp movie set in South Africa sees refugee camps being set up for extraterrestrial beings on the outskirts of Johannesburg as their crime rate goes up. Even as the alien community chief heads back to find a cure for a human operative who gets infected with alien appendage in the re-shuffling process, the citizens term it as a plot to launch war on humans. On the other hand, they celebrate the re-settling of the dangerous alien community to the new District 10.
Up!
The ultimate animation flick of the year that presses for family viewing, Up! Is celebrates the spirit of life. A 70-year old grouchy widower Carl Fredickson sets out to fulfill his dead wife’s dream of having a home on Paradise Falls, a giant mountain. As he prepares to set his home flying with the help of halogen-filled balloons and eight-year old scout Russell, he takes us on an adventure trip filled with humour, wit, wisdom and spectacular visual delights.
Transformers: The Revenge Of The Fallen
The action-packed sequel to the 2007 hit, it sees director Michael Bay unleashing robotic power on a much larger, bolder canvas. Sam (Shia LaBeouf) who is leading a normal life with Mikaela (Megan Fox) finds himself being drawn into the robots’ civil war after he runs into a secret that holds the potential to a massive power source for Transfomers lost centuries ago on earth. With giant robot crashes, crazy swirling and twirling resulting into massive destruction that acknowledges 7,000 on-screen deaths, it is escapist cinema at its peak.
17 Again
An ordinary plot executed extra-ordinarily is what works for this Zac Efron and Leslie Mann flick. A regular middle aged guy frustrated with life, Mike O’Donnell gets a second chance to re-live his life right through his college days as he mysteriously ages back. But unlike what he planned to do if he could re-live his days, he is surprised as he realises his priorities have changed and slowly, begins to take pride in them. Adding to the movie’s adds to the charm is Efron’s sizzling hot college kid appeal.
I Love You Man
The tragedy of a bridegroom turned comic, I Love You Man cashes on the crisis situation of Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) who has no male friends to be part of his wedding. In his search, he ends up throwing on his bride’s best friend’s husband and even getting kissed by a guy over dinner. Things only get funnier when he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) who unlike Klaven is a stereotyped fun-loving guy. As the two get along like a house on fire, watch out for all those fun and free-spirited boy talks.
Public Enemies
An enthralling thriller set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, it depicts the cat and mouse chase of John Dillinger, the notorious bank robber and Melvin Puris, the FBI agent responsible for his downfall. If not for modern history, watch this one for Johnny Depp, who adds much charm to Dillinger’s character – the hero with a heart of gold. The Batman actor, Christian Bale too is impressive as the ambitious young FBI agent.
The Informant!
A true-life tale spruced up with dramatic dialogues and characters, this Steven Soderbergh movie deals with corporate crime. Matt Demon plays the role of a biochemist who ends up becoming an FBI informant by sharing his company’s price-fixing scam to maintain the cost of his luxurious lifestyle. While its light-hearted treatment of an intense issue may not be the film’s best appeal, watch this one for the investigation circus.
The Proposal
A rom-com featuring Sandra Bullock as the editor from hell and Ryan Reynolds as her assistant, the very ‘impossible’ premise makes this one exciting. And that unimaginable happens as Bullock’s work visa expires and she is forced to pretend as Reynolds’ fiancée to stay back in New York. Many a laugh inducing incidents, awkward situations and bitter word battles between the two make it a watch-worthy proposal.
Avatar
James Cameron’s much-awaited sci-fi drama, there’s three reasons why you should watch this flick – First, the brilliant visual effects; Next, the breathtaking visuals; And ultimately, the mesmerizing world of Pandora created via animation. Yes, you got it. Though the movie’s storyline leaves much to aspire for, the beautiful world on an extra-terrestrial moon (Pandora) more than makes up for it. With flying beasts, human-like Avatars and a much appreciated network of natural abundance, this one is a visual delight.
Bollywood’s best:
Dev. D
Love it or hate it, but you can’t ignore it. Anurag Kashyap’s modern adaptation of Devdas, Dev. D makes it to the list of revolutionary movies in Indian cinema. From presenting Paro as a 21st century woman well-aware of her sexuality to getting the porn-bashing Indian audience to connect (though not sympathise) with MMS scandal victim Chanda, Kashyap pulls it off with aplomb. Abhay Deol’s portrayal of a self-obsessed spoilt rich brat, non-linear camera moves, intense colour palates and electrifying music make this one a class apart.
Kaminey
With some Dhan Te Nan music and Shahid Kapoor’s contrasting twin act as a shy stammering lover boy and a rugged small-time horse race fixer, Kaminey does more than entertain. Basing its roots in the 70s Bollywood formula of estranged brothers, the movie’s narrative expands its canvas to accommodate Tarantino’s edgy school of thought. Add to this an underdog community’s web of emotions set in the streets of Mumbai and you have a heady cocktail.
Wanted
Salman Khan’s flashback treat, Wanted pays a tribute to the 90s’ hero. In an age where heroes are turning out to be career-confused, commitment-phobic and worse, even terrorists, Khan’s multi-faceted heroism serves as paisa vasool entertainment. From fighting a dozen men to wooing plain Jane (Ayesha Takia Azmi) and from matching steps with Prabhudeva and Govinda to cracking corny one-liners, this one sees Salman as the hero of the masses.
Quick Gun Murugan
India’s very own cow boy from the rice fields of Tamil Nadu, Quick Gun Murugan’s zeal to save a dosa recipe from Rice Plate Reddy results in a crazy comedy. As Rajendra Prasad (Murugan) and Naseer (Reddy) battle it out in a tiny Tamil village and move on to Swarg Lok and eventually to the cosmopolitan Mumbai, the film impresses with its vast and colourful canvas. With this one, director Shashanka Ghosh achieved a long unfulfilled dream of Indian filmmakers to create a local superhero, albeit a comic one.
Little Zizou
A humorous take on the influential elements of the Parsi community, the aspirations and dreams of its characters (Soccer fan Little Zizou aka Xerxes and his older brother Ataxerxes, a brilliant artist) hold a universal appeal. Sooni Taraporewala has brilliantly characterized Cyrus II Khodaji (Sohrab Ardeshir) – a rich Parsi who takes upon himself the task of purifying the community and in turn, their donations and attention. While the film is packed with powerful performances, it is Boman Irani’s act as Boman Pressvala – the crusader for rationality that makes this one of the unforgettable releases of the year.
13 B
A refreshing break from those thrillers set in spooky bungalows or haunted palaces, 13 B thrives on regular urban fare to send a spine down your chill. A series of subsequent events on his television gets R Madhavan realising that they bear strong resemblance to the proceedings in his own family. Though not the spookiest movie in town, the concept’s uniqueness and the ever-so-cute Madhavan caught in a dangerous situation make 13 B a fun watch.
Red Alert – The War Within
Even as the year saw filmmakers commercialising terrorism by setting it against the backdrop of the Big A, the human side of those caught in the conflict back home has been captured in Red Alert. Based on the true life story of Narsimha (Suneil Shetty), a farm labourer who finds himself lured to Naxalite establishments to fund his children’s education, it uses nothing but the pathos of rural India to establish a direct correlation between personal and societal crisis. While Anant Mahadevan has gone to on to receive the Director’s Vision Award at the Stuttgart Film Festival, the South Asia International Film Festival saw Shetty being honoured with the Best Actor Award.
Paa
With Amitabh Bachchan in an avatar as rare as the condition his character suffers from, Paa is an unusual take on progeria. Rather than harping on the rarity of the genetic condition which sees Auro physically ageing four times faster than his actual age, it celebrates the imperfections of life. The icing on the cake is of course the fact that this one sees Bachchan playing son to his son in real life, Abhishek.
Three Idiots
Aamir Khan repeats his annual feat with Three Idiots. As the engineering student Ranchoddas Shyamaldas Chanchod aka Rancho, he defies the rat race and reminds us to slow down and have some fun. Along with his classmates Farhan Qureshi (Madhavan) and Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi) and not to forget the ever-so-gorgeous Kareena Kapoor (Pia), Rancho makes us laugh, cry and sometimes, stare back at our robotic lives in sheer surprise. Last but not the least; watch this one for contemporary Hindi cinema’s coolest comedian, Boman Irani.
While these are definitely the best picks of the year, the coming Fridays may hold some hidden gems before the year draws to a close. So yes, we will update you with those sparklers, if any, as they happen.
Tweet This
