Indian Releases

Dum Maaro Dum

Studio – Fox Star Studios (Previous Film: Khichdi - The Movie)

Director - Rohan Sippy (Previous Film: Bluffmaster)

In a nutshell....

Multiple lives collide brutally at Goa airport, as Lorry, Vishnu, Joki, Zoe and Biscuta get involved in the world of drugs, in different capacities. Now it is upto Vishnu to unmask the mysterious drug lord, whose menacing ways have plagued Goa with drugs, and bring him down.

Stylish and hard hitting.... these two words define Dum Maaro Dum. Rohan Sippy was spectacular with Bluffmaster, no matter what others have got to say about it. It was a refreshing film. And with this drug tale, Sippy seems to be coming back with a better and serious idea. We may have seen many films in our Hindi film industry, based on drugs et al, but Dum Maaro Dum seems to be the real deal, perhaps the best of all attempts so far. But, I'd be highly disappointed if this does not come to be true. Especially when there's been so much of intense promotions and the controversial title track. Besides, the duo of Abhishek and Sippy is an impressive one. Also, the new comer Daggubati, and the ever promising Babbar, will be the ones to watch out for. I think this film will have a far better opening than Abhishek's previous release, Game, despite having an Adults certification.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Thriller

Rated - A

Principal Cast

Abhishek Bachchan - ACP Vishnu Kamath (Last seen in: Game)

Bipasha Basu – Zoe (Last seen in: Aakrosh)

Prateik Babbar - Lorry (Last seen in: Dhobi Ghat)

Rana Daggubati - DJ Joki (Debut)

Principal Crew

Shridhar Raghavan, Purva Naresh - Writers

Amit Roy - Director of Photography

Aarif Shaikh - Editors

Pritam Chakraborty, R.D. Burman - Music Directors

Film’s USP

Plot

Anticipation Level - POTW (Pick Of The Week)

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Zokkomon

Studio – Walt Disney Pictures (Previous Film: Tron:Legacy)

Director - Satyajit Bhatkal (Debut)

In a nutshell....

Kunal, an orphan, discovers life's cruelty when he is adopted by his heartless uncle. Left to fend for himself, Kunal discovers the hero within and sets on a journey of adventure and transformation to become Zokkomon.

When I first read about this film I thought this might be potentially the first children's super hit, since ages. But when I saw the teaser poster, the gleam of hope that I had, disappeared at once behind the dark clouds of extreme ambition. There's no harm to have an ambition, in fact it's a very good thing. But to have an ambitious vision is one thing, and to see it realise the way it should turn out to be is another. And with Zokkomon, the debutant director seems to have gone a little far. I'm sure the first half of this film will be way better than the second half when the kid becomes Zokkomon, because of the innocence, and the troublesome childhood part looks to be done well. As for the the special effects laden second half, I think the film will falter there. Besides, the outfit of the laser-eyed hero looks just like a mishmash design of several other superhero attires. Also, Anupam Kher's look just doesn't feel appropriate. I just hope I'm wrong with my views for this particular film as the Hindi film industry badly needs a successful children's venture, and I'd be more than glad if Zokkomon makes the difference. Walt Disney's backing certainly adds to the credibility, and with the only other Hindi release (Dum Maaro Dum) being an adults film, I think Zokkomon might have a fair run on the box office in this vacation season which has just started. But kids might prefer Yogi Bear.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Action/Adventure

Rated - U

Principal Cast

Darsheel Safary - Kunal/Zokkomon (Last seen in: Bumm Bumm Bole)

Anupam Kher – (Last seen in: Game)

Manjari Phadnis - (Last seen in: Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)

Principal Crew

Satyajit Bhatkal, Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Lancy Fernandes - Writers

Keshav Prakash - Director of Photography

Suresh Pai - Editor

Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonca - Music Directors

Film’s USP

Darsheel (If you consider this as a USP)

Anticipation Level - Wait For The Reviews

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Yogi Bear

Studios – Sunswept Entertainment, De Line Pictures, Marner Bros. Pictures

(Previous Film: Eclipse, Burlesque, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1)

Director - Eric Brevig (Previous Film: Journey To The Centre Of The Earth)

In a nutshell....

Everybody's in a mood for celebration as Jellystone park is completing its 100th year. However, Mayor Brown wants to close the park and sell the land as there is low public attendance. Yogi Bear now needs to do something that will bring Jellystone park back to its glory days, becuase if he fails, Boo Boo and Yogi Bear shall lose their home.

Yogi Bear's back with the cute Boo Boo. Reminds me of the old days when I used to come back home from school and watch this funny bear do things beyond imagination. When I first read about this film being made I was really glad. Later when I heard about Timberlake doing Boo Boo, I was elated. But all this anticipation went to the dumps when I read the US reviews. Forget adults, kids also hated this film. It's got pathetic ratings and has been disliked by most of all. I just hope it doesn't kill the memories of the childhood days of all those who go for it.

Runtime - 80 mins

Genre - Animation/Comedy/Adventure

Rated - U

Principal Cast

Dan Aykroyd – Yogi Bear (Last heard in: Antz)

Justin Timberlake – Boo Boo (Last heard in: Shrek The Third)
Anna Faris – Rachel (Last heard in: Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs)

Principal Crew

Jeffrey Ventimilia, Joshua Sternin, Brad Copeland - Writers

Ken Durey - Visual Effects Supervisor

Kent Beyda - Editor
John Debney - Music Director

Film’s USP

Yogi Bear and Boo Boo in 3D

Anticipation Level - Watch It On DVD

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The Roommate

Studios – Vertigo Entertainment, Screen Gems (Previous Film: How To Train Your Dragon, Country Strong)

Director - Christian E. Christiansen (US Debut)

In a nutshell....

College student Sara is excited to start a new college life, and is assigned a dorm with a new room-mate, Rebecca. Both the girls bond well and develop a nice friendship. On a trip to Rebecca's home, Sara learns about Rebecca's peculiar condition from her mother. Rebecca's feelings get stronger for Sara and she starts killing those whom she feels as a possible threat to Sara and her friendship. Thus she controls Sara's life.

The Roommate does seem to be an interesting film but I think it might just be one of those cheap films that you and I would rather feel pity for than fully enjoy, simply because such films spoil the story by having cheesy inputs. I am not trying to write it off, but on the face of it it seems so. Also, it had a sad opening at the US box office.

Runtime - Unkown

Genre - Thriller/Drama

Rated - R

Principal Cast

Minka Kelly – Sara Matthews (Last seen in: The Kingdom)

Leighton Meester – Rebecca (Last seen in: Country Strong)
Cam Gigandet – Stephen (Last seen in: Burlesque)

Principal Cast

Sonny Mallhi - Writer

Phil Parmet - Director of Photography
Randy Bricker - Editor
John Frizzell - Music Director

Film’s USP

Warns you about a scary room-mate (Couldn't think of anything else)

Anticipation Rating - 2/5