Indian Releases

127 Hours (Releasing on Wednesday, 26th Jan)

Studio – Various (Film 4, Cloud Eight Films, Everest Entertainment)

Director – Danny Boyle (Previous Film: Slumdog Millionaire)

In a nutshell….

Based on mountaineer Aron Ralston’s real life adventure, the film is set in the mountains of Utah. When a boulder crash traps him, Ralston’s got to find his way out of the situation and climb eight miles before he could seek some help. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident. His quest for survival is the story of the film.

Once again Boyle’s made a film based on a book (Aron Ralston’s Between A Rock And A Hard Place) and James Franco seems a perfect fit for the role. The film’s already receiving high accolades from the festival circuit and was also nominated for 3 Golden Globes in the main category. Judging from the trailers and the buzz surrounding this film, I believe this one’s a must watch, and should be the first choice in the New Year. It’s already an Oscar contender.

Genres - Biography/Drama/Adventure

Runtime - 94 mins

Rated - A

Principal Cast

James Franco – Aron Ralston (Last seen in – Eat Pray Love)

Kate Mara – Kristi (Last seen in – Iron Man 2)

Amber Tamblyn – Megan (Last seen in – Beyond A Reasonable Doubt)

Principal Crew

Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle - Writers

Enrique Chediak, Anthony Dod Mantle – Directors of Photography

John Harris – Editors

A.R. Rehman – Music Director

Film’s USP

The return of the Oscar winning quartet of Boyle, Beaufoy, Mantle and Rehman.

Trailer

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

Anticipation Rating : 4/5

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Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (Releasing on Friday, 28th Jan)

Studios – Bhandarkar Entertainment, Wide Frame Pictures (Previous Releases: Jail, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?)

Director - Madhur Bhandarkar (Previous Work: Jail)

In a nutshell....

Dil Toh Bachha Hai Ji is the story of three men trying and their encounter with real love. Naren, a divorcee, works at a multinational bank as a manager and is attracted to his new junior, June, who changes his look from nerd to nice. Nikhil, who works for a matrimonial website and is in search of true love, finds Gungun, a radio jockey, as perfect fit. Abhay, a gym trainer and Casanova, meets Nikki and falls in love with her. Thus Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji is a story with real life like characters and situations, and is about falling in love with a kid like heart.

I'm really looking forward to watching this one. Firstly, it's got a nice star cast, especially Ajay Devgn who is in top form, and his partnership with Hashmi in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai was sparkling. Sencond, it's a Madhur Bhandarkar film, which sure means that this isn't just a normal brainless comedy. Besides, this is Bhandarkar's first attempt at comedy which makes me feel even more hopeful. No other Hindi film is releasing alongside this one which also gives this film a huge chance of rocking the box office.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Comedy/Romance

Rated - A

Principal Cast

Ajay Devgn – Naren Ahuja (Last seen in: Golmaal 3)

Emraan Hashmi – Abhay (Last seen in: Crook)
Omi Vaidya – Milind Kelkar (Last seen in: 3 Idiots)

Shruti Hassan - Nikki Narang (Last seen in: Luck)

Shazahn Padamsee - June Pinto (Last seen in: Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year)

Principal Crew

Madhur Bhandarkar, Anil Pandey, Neeraj Udwani, Sanjay Chhel - Writers

Ravi Walia - Director of Photography
Devendra Murdeshwar - Editor
Pritam Chakraborty - Music Director

Film’s USP

Madhur Bhandarkar directing a comedy.

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZdpFghOYgo&feature=related

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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Burlesque (Releasing on Friday, 28th Jan)

Studios – De Line Pictures (Previous Release: Body Of Lies)

Director - Steve Antin (Debut)

In a nutshell....

Tess, a retired dancer and the owner of the Burlesque Lounge is now facing a problem to save the place from being bought by a wealthy businessman. All the current performers are either busy with the problems in their lives or have become non attractive and old. Ali, a small town girl from Iowa is appointed as a waitress at Burlesque Lounge by Tess. Ali starts enjoying the art of burlesque and backed by the newfound friends at the theatre, she starts performing on stage. Things become dramatic as her voice now becomes the main attraction at the lounge amongst others.

The trailer says it all. There's a lot of eye candy for men, and Christina looks wow! This film's directed by the debutant Steve Antin, and I don't think it's got enough to charm the cinema lovers. But then one shouldn't really care if one likes Christina and music. It's got decent reviews from the US release and whether good or not, Aguilera fans should go and watch this one.

Runtime - 119 mins

Genre - Drama/Musical/Romance

Rated - A

Principal Cast

Christina Aguilera – Ali (Debut)

Kristen Bell – Nikki (Last seen in: You Again)
Cher – Tess (Indian Debut)

Alan Cumming - Alexis (Last seen in: It's Complicated)

Diana Agron - Natalie (Indian Debut)

Principal Cast

Steve Antin - Writer

Boijan Bazelli - Director of Photography
Virginia Katz - Editor
Christophe Beck - Music Director

Film’s USP

Christina Aguilera's debut as an actress.

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMqIlAgVU9I

Anticipation Rating - 3/5