Films releasing before and on 12th August, 2011
Game
Studio – Excel Entertainment (Previous Film: Karthik Calling Karthik)Director - Abhinay Deo (Debut)
In a nutshell....
4 strangers, Neil, Ramsay, Tina and Vikram, are invited to a private island in Samos, Greece, by Kabir Malhotra. They don't know Malhotra, and by the next day they would regret even meeting him. Everyone of them is a suspect of a murder with good motives, and now it is upto each one of them to prove themselves innocent.
The thriller/mystery genre is my favourite which is why I was sure I'd watch this film in any case, when I heard of it. But, when I watched the first look, the trailers, and the songs, I realised we can expect it to be better than most other recent releases that belonged to the same genres. Infact, such films are barely being made in Bollywood. The reason? I think it is due to the seriousness such films bring along with them. Besides, you're expected to be at the edge of your seat without losing focus, which the audiences don't usually prefer. Whatever the reason, I'm so glad a 'my kind of' whodunit is hitting the screens this week, and it comes from the makers who've brought a refreshing change to Indian cinema. With a good cast, I think this film will have a nice time at the box office. I really hope this film works for Abhishek as he's not had a big hit since long, and am eager to know how the debutante actress, Sarah Jane-Dias's screen presence is. Hopefully, the debutant director has a fresh vision and it'd be great if it works for him, and the audience.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Action/Mystery/Thriller
Rated - U/A
Principal Cast
Abhishek Bachchan – Neil Menon (Last seen in: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey)Jimmy Shergill - Vikram Kapoor (Last seen in: Tanu Weds Manu)
Kangana Ranaut - Sia Agnihotri (Last seen in: Tanu Weds Manu)
Sarah Jane Dias - Maya (Debut)
Anupam Kher - Kabir Malhotra (Last seen in: Yeh Faasley)
Boman Irani - OP Ramsay (Last seen in: Mirch)
Shahana Goswami - Tisha Khanna (Last seen in: Mirch)
Principal Crew
Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya - Writers
Kartik Vijay - Director of Photography
Amitabh Shukla - Editor
Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonca - Music Directors
Film’s USP
Plot + Cast
Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4jvR6MiFFI
Anticipation Level - (POTW) Pick Of The Week
F.A.L.T.U.
Studio – Puja Entertainment Ltd. (Previous Film: Do Knot Disturb)Director - Remo D'Souza (Hindi Film Debut)
In a nutshell....
Ritesh, Pooja, Nanj and Vishnu are 4 careless young college going friends who always prefer to occupy the back benches and enjoy the night life going to clubs. They take pride in being who they are and are kinds who don't follow a path but create one. However, a turn in their life puts them in a situation where fates of many others like them are in their hands.
So many films based on the similar lines as F.A.L.T.U. have come and gone in the past. Some made an impact but majority didn't. Yet we come across another film that speaks about the careless, fun loving youth, learning something about life. But stories that have been told before do work even in these contemporary times because of a different vision. Not all choreographers who've turned directors have been successful but I guess with the kind of sensibility national award winner, Remo, brings with him, his vision might well be good enough for this film to succeed. Otherwise, the main quartet is as raw as the mangoes are right now, and the film can't rest on their shoulders completely. However, I'm keen to find out how Chandan Roy Sanyal acts in this completely different role than the one in Kaminey, and whether Jaccky Bhagnani lives upto the expectations of those who liked him in Kal Kissne Dekha. Also, it'd be interesting to see how Pooja Gupta and Angad Bedi fare as debutants. Besides, I'm sure Riteish Deshmukh and Arshad Warsi will be superb but their roles are smaller than one would like them to be. I hope the big name cameos of Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and others, are just not for publicity's sake. The songs have already created a massive fan base but it remains to be seen whether the same fans go on to watch the film or this film actually turns out to be faltu.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Comedy/Drama
Rated - U/A
Principal Cast
Jaccky Bhagnani – Ritesh (Last seen in: Kal Kissne Dekha)Pooja Gupta - Pooja (Debut)
Angad Bedi - Nanj (Last seen in: Kaya Taran)
Chandan Roy Sanyal - Vishnu (Last seen in: Kaminey)
Riteish Deshmukh - Baaji Rao (Last seen in: Housefull)
Arshad Warsi - Google Chand (Last seen in: Golmaal 3)
Principal Crew
Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya - Writers
Vijay Arora - Director of Photography
Amitabh Shukla - Editor
Sachin, Jigar - Music Directors
Film’s USP
Title
Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brbdc7a-AqM
Anticipation Level - Wait for the reviews
The Adjustment Bureau
Production Cos. – Universal Pictures, Media Rights Capital (Previous Film: Sanctum, Devil,)Electric Shepherd Productions (Debut), Gambit Pictures (Debut)Director - George Nolfi (Debut)
In a nutshell....
David Norris, an ambitious politician, falls for a contemporary ballet dancer, Elise Sellas. Mysterious men conspire to keep the lovers apart, and over time, David learns that those men belong to the Adjustment Bureau and are agents of Fate. Now David has to make a choice of letting Elise go or accept a pre determined path.
The trailer of this film is very engaging, which is why I believed that this could be one of the best films of the year. But the US reviews by the critics and film goers proved my wrong; not by much but by just. It's got good reviews and was considered as nice and very good, but not great and excellent. When you've got Damon at your disposal, you can be very sure of the film to be a huge success. So in that way I think The Adjustment Bureau will do a fair job at the box office. I know this is George Nolfi's debut film but as a writer he's been magnificent and people say he's done a fair job as far as the debut film is concerned.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Romance/Thriller
Rated - U/A
Principal Cast
Matt Damon – David Norris (Last seen in: True Grit)Emily Blunt - Elise Sellas (Last seen in: Gulliver's Travels)
Anthony Mackie - Harry Mitchell (Last seen in: Louis)
Principal Crew
George Nolfi, Phillip K. Dick (short story - Adjustment Team) - WritersJohn Toll - Director of Photography
Jay Rabinowitz - Editor
Thomas Newman - Music Director
Film’s USP
The duo of Matt Damon and the writer of Ocean's Twelve and Bourne Ultimatum
Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJ0TP4nTaE
Anticipation Level - Second Choice
The Lincoln Lawyer
Studio – Lionsgate Films (Previous Film: From Prada To Nada)Director - Brad Furman (Previous Film: The Take)
In a nutshell....
Mick Haller, a criminal defense lawyer from Los Angeles, operates from the back of his Lincoln car. Having spent most of his career fighting cases for all types of criminals, he gets the case of his career. Louis Roulet, a Beverly Hills playboy and the son of a major businessman, is accused of rape and attempted murder. Mick realises this straight forward case has a lot more than meets the eye.
Based on Michael Connelly's successful novel of the same name, The Lincoln Lawyer seems to have the perfect mix for a serious thriller. The trailer gives all the positive vibes that an engaging thriller should. Besides, the book has its own story of success. Brad Furman's previous and only film, The Take, had nothing exceptional to offer, but that doesn't mean that we can write The Lincoln Lawyer off. It definitely looks much more polished and interesting, and also has a nice cast. I hope this film is just as good as its source of adaptation. Besides, it fared well on the US and UK box offices, and was liked by many because it's different.
Runtime - 119 mins
Genre - Drama/Thriller
Rated - R
Principal Cast
Matthew McConaughey – Mick Haller (Last seen in: Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past)Marisa Tomei - Maggie McPherson (Last seen in: The Wrestler)
Ryan Philippe - Louis Roulet (Last seen in: MacGruber)
Josh Lucas - Ted Minton (Last seen in: Life As We Know It)
Principal Crew
John Romano, Michael Connelly (novel) - Writers
Lukas Ettlin - Director of Photography
Jeff McAvoy - Editor
Cliff Martinez - Music Director
Film’s USP
An unconventional lawyer
Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU4ReVEemN0&feature=fvst
Anticipation Level - Second Choice
Shin Chan: Bungle In The Jungle
In a nutshell....
Shin Chan and his family board a cruise for South China Sea Trip along with Action Kamen. The adults, including Kamen, are kidnapped as slaves by monkeys and taken to the king of the jungle, Paradise King. It is now upon Shin Chan and his friends to investigate the disappearance of the adults and save them by taking on crocodiles, crazy monkeys and the King himself.
Well there is not much information available about this film and it is a special release for the summer to cash in on the frenzy about Shin Chan. I'm not sure if it is the right time to release it, considering the exam season is not yet over. Whatever the business side of it may be, it hardly matters to me and several other kids and grown ups as Shin Chan has a massive fan base in India, and I'm sure they will find a way to watch this film. I'm sure Bungle In The Jungle will see a good box office collection and will make children and parents laugh out loud.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Comedy
Rated - U
Principal Cast
Shin Chan NoharaHimawari Nohara
Mitzi Nohara
Henry Nohara
Shiro
Action Kamen
Source Code
Studio – Summit Entertainment (Previous Film: Red)Director - Duncan Jones (Previous Film: Moon)
In a nutshell....
Captain Colter Stevens wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers that he is a part of the mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. He learns he is a part of a government experiment called the 'Source Code', a program that enables him to switch over into another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. Colter relives the incident again and again until he gathers all the clues that lead to the person behind the attack and prevent the second, bigger attack.
Source Code gets all the brownie points from me for such a unique concept. In the times of ever increasing numbers of experimental plots, this one is perhaps right up there with the likes of Inception. Besides, being experimental is not just enough, like in the case of Sucker Punch. Source Code also seems to have soul and that is what makes the different story much more impressive. Besides, I think Jake Gyllenhaal fits the role perfectly, and I'm eager to find out if Duncan Jones is really a director to watch out. With a worldwide release planned for it, I think Source Code will do wonders on the box office.
Runtime - 93 mins
Genre - Action/Sci-fi/Thriller
Rated - 12A
Principal Cast
Jake Gyllenhaal – Colter Stevens (Last seen in: Love And Other Drugs)Michelle Monaghan - Christina Warren (Last seen in: Due Date)
Vera Farmiga - Colleen Goodwin (Last seen in: Henry's Crime)
Principal Crew
Ben Ripley - Writer
Don Burgess - Director of Photography
Paul Hirsch - Editor
Studio – Warner Bros. Pictures (Previous Film: Red Riding Hood)Director - Zack Snyder (Previous Film: Legend Of The Guardians: Owls Of Ga'Hoole)
In a nutshell....
Baby Doll is put in a mental asylum by her stepfather where she's to go under lobotomy in 5 days' time. In her imaginary world, Baby Doll joins forces with four other female inmates to escape the facility. Reality and fantasy mix and merge as the five girls battle enormous creatures and enemies to retrieve five items they need to help them escape the clutches of the captors.
I watched this film last Sunday and loved it for several reasons. One of them being the stunning cinematography and fantastic visual effects coupled with great action sequences. The soundtrack was brilliant and so were Browning, Cornish and Isaac. I wouldn't say more because it will become a review then. But I'd like to add that this film had everything that films of this nature should have, but for the soul. It wasn't soulless but it had a weak soul and that is the reason why it was good, perhaps very good, even exceptional on certain counts but it wasn't excellent and definitely not the best. However you should watch it once for Zack Snyder's vision.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Action/Fantasy/Thriller
Rated - 12A
Principal Cast
Abbie Cornish – Sweet Pea (Last seen in: Limitless)Vanessa Anne Hudgens - Blondie (Last seen in: Beastly)
Emily Browning - Baby Doll (Last seen in: The Uninvited)
Jamie Chung - Amber (Last seen in: Grown Ups)
Jena Malone - Rocket (Last seen in: The Soloist)
Oscar Isaac - Blue Jones (Last seen in: Robin Hood)
Principal Crew
Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya - Writers
Larry Fong - Director of Photography
William Hoy - Editor
Oranges And Sunshine
Studio – Sixteen Films (Previous Film: Route Irish)Director - Jim Loach (Debut)
In a nutshell....
Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham, uncovers one of the most significant social scandals of recent time i.e. the forced migration of children from United Kingdom. She battles almost singlehandedly against all odds and reunites thousands of families without taking care of her own well being. Margaret brings worldwide attention to the government's lunacy of sending innocent children, as young as four years old, to the commonwealth nations claiming that their parents were dead, in the promise that they would get oranges and sunshine, but instead are subjected to hard labour and kept within the four walls of institutions.
Based on a true story, Oranges And Sunshine is a serious film about a serious issue and I'd not be surprised if it doesn't do well. Films based on real life issues tend to do good simply because they bring the reality into the fictional form. I'm more than keen to find out how this film fares and will definitely watch it for Emily Watson's stunning performance. Jim Loach has done a fabulous job on television over the years and I'm expecting him to deliver the same on celluloid.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Drama
Rated - Unknown
Principal Cast
Emily Watson – Margaret Humphreys (Last seen in: Cemetery Junction)David Wenham - Len (Last seen in: Public Enemies)
Hugo Weaving - Jack (Last seen in: The Wolfman)
Principal Crew
Rona Munro - Writer
Denson Baker - Director of Photography
Danny Cooper - Editor
Lisa Gerrard - Music Director
Film’s USP
Story + Emily Watson
Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvbnVXqp_8
Anticipation Level - Second Choice
Hop
Studio – Universal Pictures (Previous Film: The Adjustment Bureau)Director - Tim Hill (Previous Film: Alvin And The Chipmunks)
In a nutshell....
E.B., a teenage rabbit, takes over from his father as the Easter Bunny and leaves home for Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer of a rock 'n' roll band. He is hit by out of work Fred O'Hare, who was driving back home. E.B. manipulates Fred to take him home. As he recovers, both learn what it takes to grow up.
When a writer/director who has written one of the most successful animated television series, SpongeBob SqaurePants, and directed films like Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Garfield, which weren't the best of films but were funny enough to entertain their target audience, comes with his next venture, you expect it to be better and funnier. And Hop looks exactly like that. It has a nice story to back with some funny punchlines and situations. But, I've noticed that some comedy films in the recent times put all the good scenes in the trailer, and you go expecting something on the similar lines to happen throughout the film, and at the end you realise that all the funny scenes were put in the trailer and there was nothing else in the rest of the film. I just hope Hop is not one of those films. Russell Brand and James Marsden's chemistry is the most important thing to look out for. I think it will fare well on the box office and the kids will enjoy this film.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Animation/Comedy/Family
Rated - U
Principal Cast
Russell Brand – E.B. (Last heard in: Despicable Me)James Marsden - Fred O'Hare (Last seen in: Death At A Funeral)
Elizabeth Perkins - Bonnie O'Hare (Last seen in: Must Love Dogs)
Principal Crew
Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch - Writers
Peter Lyons Collister - Director Of Photography
Peter Elliot, Gregory Perler - Editors
Game
Studio – Excel Entertainment (Previous Film: Karthik Calling Karthik)Director - Abhinay Deo (Debut)
In a nutshell....
4 strangers, Neil, Ramsay, Tina and Vikram, are invited to a private island in Samos, Greece, by Kabir Malhotra. They don't know Malhotra, and by the next day they would regret even meeting him. Everyone of them is a suspect of a murder with good motives, and now it is upto each one of them to prove themselves innocent.
The thriller/mystery genre is my favourite which is why I was sure I'd watch this film in any case, when I heard of it. But, on analysing Game and watching the trailers, I realised we can expect it to be better than most other recent releases that belonged to the same genres. Infact, such films are rarely made in Bollywood. The reason? I think it is due to the seriousness such films bring along with them. Besides, you're expected to be at the edge of your seat without losing focus, which the audiences don't usually prefer. Whatever the reason, I'm so glad a whodunit is hitting the screens this weekend and it comes from the makers who have brought a refreshing change to Indian cinema. With a good cast, I think this film will have a nice time at the box office. I really hope the debutant director has brought fresh vision and it works for him.
Runtime - Unknown
Genre - Action/Mystery/Thriller
Rated - U/A
Principal Cast
Abhishek Bachchan – Neil Menon (Last seen in: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey)Jimmy Shergill - Vikram Kapoor (Last seen in: Tanu Weds Manu)
Kangana Ranaut - Sia Agnihotri (Last seen in: Tanu Weds Manu)
Sarah Jane Dias - Maya (Debut)
Anupam Kher - Kabir Malhotra (Last seen in: Yeh Faasley)
Boman Irani - OP Ramsay (Last seen in: Mirch)
Shahana Goswami - Tisha Khanna (Last seen in: Mirch)
Principal Crew
Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya - Writers
Kartik Vijay - Director of Photography
Amitabh Shukla - Editor
Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonca - Music Directors
Film’s USP
Plot + Cast
Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4jvR6MiFFI
Anticipation Level - Wait For The Reviews
Killing Bono
Studio – Paramount Pictures (Previous Film: Limitless)Director - Nick Hamm (Previous Film: Godsend)
In a nutshell....
Neil and Ivan McCormick are two Irish brothers who want to become successful rockstars. But life is never easy and so do they experience when their secondary school friends become the most famous and biggest rock band, U2, in the world.
Based on a novel, Killing Bono looks to be interesting and refreshing with a dependable actor, Ben Barnes, in the lead. But it comes from a director who's not had many good films to his credit. I hope Killing Bono is not one of those because it has some serious potential and looks worth a watch. I'm keen to know how Sheehan's acted in this one as he did a fine job in Cherrybomb. I think it will do well and have its share at the box office. Should watch it atleast for Pete Postlethwaite as it's his last film.
Runtime - 114 mins
Genre - Comedy
Rated - 15
Principal Cast
Ben Barnes – Neil McCormick (Last seen in: The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader)Krysten Ritter - Gloria (Last seen in: Confessions Of A Shopaholic)
Robert Sheehan - Ivan McCormick (Last seen in: Season Of The Witch)
Pete Postlethwaite - Karl (Last seen in: The Town)
Principal Crew
Ben Bond, Dick Clement, Simon Maxwell, Ian La Frenais, Neil McCormick (novel - Killing Bono: I Was Bono's Doppelganger) - Writers
Kieran McGuigan - Director of Photography
Billy Sneddon - Editor
