Inception
Christopher Nolan | USA | 2010
148 min

Inception is a clever film that combines summer’s core ingredients of big-budget, star actors, spectacular action sequences and believable effects with the panache of avant-garde cinema. Director Christopher Nolan’s movie gate crashes through the crowded 2010 movie calendar, over populated by sequels, prequels, remakes and adaptations, with a display of sheer originality that has by now become rare in mainstream Hollywood. Constructed atop an intricate plot device that can perhaps only be completely explained with elaborate hand gestures or diagrams, Nolan delivers a sophisticated film that adds yet another title to his impressive film repertoire. continue reading »»

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Grown ups

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris rock, and Salma Hayek
Director: Dennis Dugan
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 102 min

Synopsis: After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.

What We Think: Despite being totally dismissed by critics, the film was a big hit in the States. It is yet another Adam Sandler/Dennis Dugan collaboration, a collaboration that started with Happy Gilmore and went on for three more films before this one. All of them had one thing in common; they were low brow comedies that  made a lot of money. So we are not talking you out of it, if it is your cup of tea, knock yourself out, but you have been warned! continue reading »»

The Last Airbender
M. Night Shyamalan | USA | 2010
103 min

To say that M Night Shyamalan has failed with The Last Airbender is a gross understatement. This once great director has completely lost his craft; this latest movie by Shyamalan looks like a bad work of an amateur filmmaker. The incoherent high-budget mess he makes out of The Last Airbender does not even contain the short bursts of brilliance that his last dud The Happening had. continue reading »»

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The Last Airbinder

Starring: Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, and Jackson Rathbone
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Running Time: 103 Min

Synopsis: The story follows the adventures of Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, who must put his childhood ways aside and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.

What We Think: We are fortunate that this film opened earlier in the month in the USA and we now already know that it has been unanimously proclaimed a disaster. It seems that Shyamalan has finally, finally lost his mojo, thus we strongly advise against wasting your time and money. continue reading »»

Salt
Phillip Noyce | USA | 2010
99 min

Angelina Jolie teams up with Philip Noyce 11 years after their first film together The Bone Collector (probably the film to blame for all those CSI shows), and I can comfortably say that it is a rather successful reunion. Noyce, the son of an Australian WWII era spy himself, has always been fascinated by the world of espionage and the stories he heard from his father. This influenced his artistic choices and so far he has made several good films in the spy genre. He directed two very successful adaptations of Tom Clancy’s novels with Harrison Ford playing CIA agent Jack Ryan: 1992′s Patriot Games and  1994′s Clear and Present Danger.  He also made the highly acclaimed The Quiet American in 2002. continue reading »»

We list’em, you pick’em.

Salt

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreibe, and Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director: Phillip Noyce
Genre: Action, Thriller
Running Time: 99 Min

Synopsis: CIA officer Evelyn Salt’s loyalty is tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?

What We Think: Phillip Noyce brought to us in the past some excellent spy movies with Harrison Ford as CIA Agent Jack Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Now he teams up with Angelina Jolie, THE femme fatale of our times, and hopefully this match will make for a great summer film. We say if you are into spy and chase movies, you should check it out.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Monica Belluci, Jay Baruchel, and Alfred Molina
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Genre: Action, Adventure
Running Time: 111 Min

Synopsis: Master sorcerer Balthazar Blake recruits a seemingly everyday guy in his mission to defend New York City from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath.

What We Think: This movie is from the same team (star Nicholas Cage, director Jon Turteltaub, and mega producer Jerry Bruckheimer) who brought you the National Treasure films. So if you like films with a convoluted plot yet a forgettable story and cool special effects, then this film is for you. Otherwise stay away.

Splice

Starring: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley and Delphine Chanéac
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Running Time: 104 Min

Synopsis: Superstar genetic engineers Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast achieve fame by successfully splicing together the DNA of different animals to create incredible new hybrid animals. But they perhaps push the envelope too far when they use human DNA in a hybrid that could revolutionize science and medicine.

What We Think: Critics have been generally favorable to the film, which is always a plus point in the horror genre. Expect the censors to have snipped quite a few scenes off the screening, owing to the amount of sex & nudity this movie contains. Watch it if you are a fan of horror, or wait for the DVD if you are a purist and want an unadulterated experience. continue reading »»

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Dakota Fanning
Director: David Slade
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Thriller
Running Time: 124 Min

Synopsis: In the third film in the Twilight Series, torn between the love she feels for Edward and the strong friendship between her and Jacob, Bella tries to make peace between the two “men” in her life. Meanwhile, there are new dangers lurking around the corners: Seattle is stalked by mass murderers beyond humanity. Who’s behind this, and what connection does it have with Bella?

What We Think: Does it really matter? Teen and tweens are going gaga over this film, currently breaking all sorts of box-office records in the US and abroad. That being said, this film has gotten better reviews than its predecessors,; which still isn’t enough for us to recommend it to anyone beyond its target audience.

The Young Victoria

Starring: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, and Miranda Richardson
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Genre: History, Drama, Romance
Running Time: 105 Min

Synopsis: A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria’s rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.

What We Think: If you like British period flicks, then certainly go for it. Also, Emily Blunt received a great deal of praise for her performance in this film. As a summer flick, it only works as counter programming.

Harry Brown

Starring: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, David Bradley, and Jack O’Connell
Director: Daniel Barber
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Running Time: 103 Min

Synopsis: An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend’s murder by doling out his own form of justice.

What We Think: Michael Caine as a bad-ass? Nuff said! If you like your aging vigilante revenge film, ala Gran Torino, then don’t miss this!

Women in Trouble

Starring: Carla Gugino, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Adrianne Palicki, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin, and Marley Shelton
Director: Sebastian Gutierrez
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 92 Min

Synopsis: A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, etc. All of them with one crucial thing in common: trouble.

What We Think: Showing only in Reel Cinema’s Picturehouse at the Dubai Mall, this is an ensemble comedy that didn’t sit well with the critics. But, if you like films with interwoven stories that  have a large cast, you might want to check it out. continue reading »»

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Toy Story 3 (3D)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Michael Keaton
Director: Lee Unkrich
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Running Time: 103 Min

Synopsis: Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, they join Barbie’s Ken, and other toys to plan their great escape.

What We Think: This is Pixar’s 11th consecutive blockbuster, which in itself is an amazing feat. It is also one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed films of 2010. A Must see for everyone, and we mean everyone! Our critic Faizan Rashid Says: “A week after having seen it, I still can’t quite place where Toy Story 3 ranks amongst the others, but what I do know is that I can’t quite stop thinking about how stellar and emotionally satisfying it was.” continue reading »»