Indian Releases

Yeh Faasley

Production Cos. – Bhawani Pictures (Debut)

Director – Yogesh Mittal (Debut)

In a nutshell….

Arunima has returned to her town to stay with her wealthy widower father, Devinder, after finishing her studies. She has a strong bond with Devinder, who raised her after the mother expired when Arunima was just an infant. One day Arunima comes across a will and a testimony written by her mother, and upon reading them realises that her parents weren’t happy together, unlike what her father insisted, and perhaps there was another shade to his personality. She also realises that her mother was completely different from what Devinder had always told. Thus Arunima embarks the journey of finding the truth about both her parents and the reason why Devinder told her things differently.

This is an extremely low budget film, riding on the back of Anupam Kher, with a few other known faces. Although, it has a gripping and suspenseful storyline, upon watching the trailer I wondered whether the execution is fitting. There is something about this one which brings hope for such small budget films but the very same thing gives a feeling of it just not being enough. I’d like to hope that the coming together of three writers hasn’t spoilt this one. From what I’ve seen and read, the effort seems to be decent but whether it stands the ultimate test of winning the audience’s hearts remains to be seen.

Runtime: Unknown

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Rated: U/A

Principal Cast

Tena Desae - Anurima Dua (Debut)

Anupam Kher - Devinder Devilal Dua (Last seen in: Nakshatra)

Pawan Malhotra – Digvijay Singh (Last seen in: Badmaash Company)

Rushad Rana – Manu (Last seen in: 8x10 Tasveer)

Principal Crew

Atul Tiwari, Rajendra Makhijani, Yogesh Mittal - Writers

Amitabh Singh – Director of Photography

Suvir Nath – Editor

Deepak Pandit – Music Directors

Film’s USP

Anupam Kher in a serious, full-fledged role.

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewVbEAcxZkQ

Anticipation Rating: 2/5

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The Way Back

Production Cos. – Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ, National Geographic Films (Previous Releases: Fair Game, Arctic Tale)
Director - Peter Weir (Previous Work: Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World)

In a nutshell....

Inspired from a real life story, The Way Back is the tale of a small group of prisoners who escaped a Siberian gulag during World War II, and walked all the way to India. Facing certain death, Janusz and Valka along with Mr. Smith trek and walk for months, battling hunger and thirst, through deserts, mountains and forests.

Six times Academy Award Nominee Peter Weir has this time got together a strong cast to depict the real life events of escape from Siberia. The film seems engaging as we are taken along on the journey against all odds. I've never read or seen anything about this escape and thus this film shall be a fresh experience. Besides, it's made on a huge scale like all Weir films. Therefore, I think it is most likely that this film might be another Oscar contender.

Runtime - 133 mins

Genre - Drama

Rated - U/A

Principal Cast

Colin Farrell – Valka (Last seen in: Ondine)

Jim Sturgess – Janusz (Last seen in: Heartless)
Ed Harris – Mr. Smith (Last seen in: What's Wrong With Virginia)
Saoirse Ronan - Irena (Last seen in: The Lovely Bones)

Principal Crew

Keith R. Clarke, Peter Weir, Slavomir Rawicz (novel - The Long Walk: The True Story Of A Trek To Freedom) - Writers

Russell Boyd - Director of Photography
Lee Smith – Editor
Bukhard Dallwitz - Music Director

Film’s USP

Peter Weir back after 7 years.

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87kezJTpyMI

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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Black Swan

Production Cos. – Protozoa Pictures, Phoenix Pictures (Previous Releases: The Wrestler, Shutter Island)
Director - Darren Aronofsky (Previous Work: The Wrestler)

In a nutshell....

Nina, a ballerina from New York City works with a ballet company, and is completely obsessed with dance like most other ballerinas. For the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, director Thomas Leroy replaces the company's prima ballerina, Beth, with Nina. Nina faces competition when a new ballerina, Lily, comes to the fore. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan with guile and sensuality. Nina is the perfect personification of the White Swan, but Lily is equally brilliant as the Black Swan. In the pursuit of exploring her dark side, Nina becomes reckless and her rivalry with Lily takes a new form. Will Nina succeed to play the Black Swan equally well?

I need not say much about this film because it's Aronofsky's brilliance that speaks for itself. He's got a fabulous list of off beat yet splendid films to his credit, and also knows exactly how to use the dark side of a human. Besides, this film's done awesome in the US, UK, including getting rave reviews from the critics and viewers. Natalie's a charmer and she's already won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for the Best Actresses for her role as Nina. Sure this film's going to be a treat to watch. Miss it, regret it.

Runtime - 108 mins

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Rated - A

Principal Cast

Natalie Portman – Nina Sayers (Last seen in: Brothers)

Mila Kunis – Lily (Last seen in: Date Night)
Vincent Cassell – Thomas Leroy (Last seen in: Eastern Promises)
Winona Ryder - Beth MacIntyre (Last seen in: Star Trek)

Principal Crew

Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin, Andres Heinz - Writers

Matthew Libatique - Director of Photography
Andrew Weisblum – Editor
Clint Mansell - Music Director

Film’s USP

Unusual storyline + Oscar winning performance by Natalie Portman

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaI1XOB-bs

Anticipation Rating - 4.5/5

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The King's Speech

Production Cos. – See Saw Films, Bedlam Productions (Previous Film: The Kings of Mykonos, Exam)

Director – Tom Hooper (Previous Film: The Damned United)

In a nutshell….

The King’s Speech is based on a real life story of the man who became King George VI. After his brother’s abdication George reluctantly assumes the throne but because of a stutter he cannot recite his speech in front of many, thus considered to be unfit. Elizabeth takes help of an unusual speech therapist to improve her husband’s situation. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, George is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.

4 Oscars and 5 BAFTAs, speaks it all. This is one of the best film's I've seen since a long time. Yeah, I was lucky to catch it before anyone could and let me tell you it's worth everything it's achieved. Marvellous British cast with splendid performances, especially Colin Firth's Oscar winning performance. It's all about hope, faith, not giving up and finding your own voice. Easily my pick of the week.

Genre: Drama/History

Runtime : 118 mins

Rated: U

Principal Cast

Colin Firth – King George VI (Last seen in: St. Trinion's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold)

Helena Bonham Carter – Queen Elizabeth (Last seen in: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1)

Geoffrey Rush – Lionel Logue (Last seen in: The Warrior’s Way)

Timothy Spall – Winston Churchill (Last seen in: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1)

Principal Crew

David Seidler - Writer

Danny Cohen – Director of Photography

Tariq Anwar – Editor

Alexandre Desplat – Music Directors

Film’s USP

4 OScars + A power packed British cast

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aS4hoOSlzo

Anticipation Rating: 5/5

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Hall Pass

Production Cos. – Conundrum Entertainment, New Line Cinema

(Previous Film: The Heartbreak Kid, The Rite),

Director - Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly (Previous Film: The Heartbreak Kid)

In a nutshell....

Rick is a married man but does often like to admire other beautiful women, sometimes even in the presence of his wife, Grace. Thus, Grace gives him a Hall Pass: A week off from marriage to do whatever you want without consequences.... As the definition suggests, Rick does get a week off to do whatever he desires. He is joined by his best pal, Fred. They set out to woo women and enjoy the week they got. But things get crazy when Grace, and Fred's wife, Maggie, also start engaging in extra marital activities.

This film's gonna be a laugh riot, no doubts about that. With super comedies like There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber to their credit, the Farrelly brothers have another funny treat for us with Owen Wilson as the icing on the dessert. A unique story, which is funny and entertaining, and some seriously funny acting, this film will definitely do wonders at the box office and sure has to be the pick of the week. Wives never make the mistake of giving a Hall Pass to your husbands. ;)

Runtime - 105 mins

Genre - Comedy

Rated - A

Principal Cast

Owen Wilson – Rick (Last seen in: Little Fockers)

Jason Sudeikis - Fred (Last seen in: Going The Distance)

Christina Applegate - Grace (Last seen in: Going The Distance)

Jenna Fischer - Maggie (Last seen in: Solitary Man)

Principal Crew

Pete Jones, Kevin Barnett, Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly - Writers

Matthew Leonetti - Directors of Photography

Sam Seig - Editor
Manish Raval, Tom Wolfe - Music Supervisors

Film’s USP

Unique story + The Farrelly brothers + Owen Wilson

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF9CPtD_UsI

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5