Ring Master Review from Now Running!

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Rafi plays the perfect role as a ring master(director) in his latest film Ring Master and gave seatbumps with the comedies and humping each time. With creary loop rings in his script. Any which way you look at it, you fail to unearth the enthusiasm that should have made the acrobatics easier on your muscles.

Dileep plays as a dog trainer named Prince, who is assigned with a task of caretaker of dogs at each house, when the owner is away. Prince does seem to have a way with the dogs as well as with a blind girl Karthika (Keerthi Suresh), who enter into his life.
   
There's pretty much little that merits the analysis here, and when I say the protagonist's dog and his leading lady (Honey Rose Varghese) have the same name Diana in the film, I presume it should unmistakably presume our assumption of characterisations over each dialogue.

But this doesn't mean that the film is devoid lots to laugh. It does dole out gags in abundance, and if you are the kind who would break a rib watching the antics that the man is up to, you might even think it's an wholesome entertainer.

If you are pet lover, the film left you confused. I couldn't for the life of me figure out if Prince was indeed a man whose heart bled for these delightful doggies. The reason being that in an attempt to bring in hilarity on all possible occasions, the writing makes you wonder if the man is pulling a fast one on you or if he really means business.

It's become usual for Dileep to act in films like this over a long while after CID moosa where he plays th character of CID with Dog to do this investigations of Goons, and its alarming the way these characters get moulded to cater to the supposedly existing target audience. I guess this viewer can should indeed exist, as the box office potential of films as these have proven time-by-time.

Dileep comes up with no fresh surprises in the film, as an actor. In fact, the role as has been said earlier is tailor made for the actor, and all that he has to do is to get that spiked hair intact, which he does admirably well for the ladies, I liked Honey Rose Varghese better in her character, precisely because her role is a tidbit more interesting than the one that Keerthi plays.

This is a huge cast without doubt, and there is Aju Varghese, Kalabhavan Shajon, Suraj Venjarammoodu, Ranjini and Guinness Pakru in key roles. We have been there, and seen almost every bit of it, and yet at times a smile or two does flash across your face.

There is nothing much to rave regarding the technicalities as well. Shaji does no wizardry with the camera, and Gopi Sundar comes up with a musical score that does add up a little fizz to the otherwise worn out state of affairs.

'Ring Master' clearly falls into the category of brainless potboilers, and if you have got a taste for the same, you might end up enjoying it. I for one, am definitely not looking forward to leave logic back home when I venture out to watch a film, which is why Rafi's 'Ring Master' is one silly show that I would gladly give a miss.

Rating:****
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7th Day Review from Now Running!

Syam Dhar's directorial debut in '7th Day' quite impressive and clever attempt as a initiater, for the most part of the movie keep your mind arrested on seats. Although it could have been slingshot thriller, if it had covered up some of the potholes in the script. The punches it delivers are quite powerful and the way twists and turns are very appealing and tempting.

Shan (Vinay Forrt) and Vinu (Anu Mohan), Cycle (Praveen Prem), Eby (Tovino Thomas) and Jessy (Janani Iyer) are five friends. It startoff with a series of incidents send the group scavengerred for their life, and with none to turn to, the youngsters are looking for solutions for their own problems of the mess that they are embroiled with. And on a fine Christmas eve, Shan and Vinu meets David Abraham (Prithviraj), a cop who is under suspension, and delivers him what had upturned their lives. David confirms to help them , and goes out find the elements that creates their incident. Eventually coming up with startling disclosures.

The supposedly distinct twist that should make you pop open your mouth in sheer amazement comes by at the very last minute. However, I should not add that it should not be of no surprise for the diligent ones among you, as the revelation is quite obvious, if you have been keeping an eye on things.          

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This film could have made an even more delightful thriller, had the loopholes in the script been stitched together. But there are quite a few apparent loose ends hanging in and out there, still that does let you give an unfinished feel to the film.

It's surprising that Prithviraj had agreed to do a role that does not require him to do extraordinary motions, and at times it even feels like a sober version of the role that he had played in 'Memories'. He looks incredibly dapper, and this is why he is the man who makes this film work.

The supporting cast is pretty much fine, and I would pick Tovino Thomas from among the lot as a favorite, who with his under toned performance almost saves the storyline, otherwise over the board climactic scene from being washed away.

Sujith Vasudev comes up with some brilliant visuals that has tremendously match the thriller air of the film. The art direction however does leave you puzzled at times, and at least on an occasion or two adds up a few questions other than the ones that have been devised by the script. Despite all the lingering questions that remain, '7th Day' could very well qualify as an appealing and thriller promising that keeps you guessing all for while. Here is a solid first-up effort from Syam Dhar & Co. that does deserve a loud round of applause.

'7th Day' is a film that does manages to focus your views, what with the numerous twists and turn-arounds in the plot that engage you presence consistently. There is plenty of intellectual gaming on, and the film never for a moment lets you off the hook.

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Rating:**1/2

One By Two Review from Now Running!

Hari Narayan and Ravi Narayan are twins they grew up inseparable all the time, theirs families were attempting to break the dependence on each other and wanted to grow of their own and have develop a self life. Hari becomes a reputed cardiac surgeon, while Ravi turns out to a Skilled Architect. This changes when the doctor's car crash with a truck in Highway, which eventually makes Ravi into a delirium and psychosis.

I wouldn't really blame the viewer for feeling stranded while watching Arun Kumar Aravind's '1 by Two'. What starts off as a psychological thriller with immense potential winds itself up in loops and loops of complexities until it becomes almost impossible to untangle itself from the knots that threaten to strangle the very last bit of thrill out of it.

This makes Ravi very distressed and lonely like, after the rest of the world around him are his parents and Dr. Prema (Honey Rose Varghese), a consultant surgeon at the hospital where Hari has been working, and whom he had been in love with. When Yusuf Marikar (Fahadh Fazil), an officer at the Crime Branch runs into an injured Ravi, his suspicions are roused, and he starts digging into the case with an obsessive vigor.

It takes a real long while for things to get into motion in the film, and even as the interval comes up, you realize that the plot has hardly proceeded much beyond the starting point. But it does manage to retain your interest now and then, courtesy the air of mystery that prevails all around.

For one, the suspense is revealed way beforehand, and the film tugs along for several more minutes before it draws to a close. It's a downslide all right in the second half, with the climax especially suffering daunting slope.

The narrations lets you down tremendously in '1 by Two', and while an attempt has been made to keep the story intact, it works only in parts since 1/2 is 1 in this movie. This is because the plot suffers from an taunting Disorder itself, just as the police officer in the film does, and it remains a bit too much preoccupied with its protagonist and little less everywhere.

All said and done, I would gladly watch '1 by Two' again for an unparalleled performance by Murali Gopy and team. This kind that I haven't had the opportunity to watch in Malayalam cinema in recent years. It is flawlessness that he brings into the portrayal of a man torn apart by the toes of a psychological disorder is to be seen to be believed.

I really do not think it would be unfair to focus on this one particular actor in this review, since he is the sole reason why '1 by Two' should be worth a watch. There are ample instances of his exemplary talent in the film, and yet there is a scene when he assures an ailing patient, that he would be back soon, and everything will be all right. For me, the compassion that ebbs straight out of his eyes as he utters those words, is what makes him one of the best actors we have at the moment, and without doubt for the rest of them, this is a tough act to follow in the coming year.

Honey Rose Varghese looks dazzling, and as the doctor who doesn't realize what she is actually a part of, is excellent. Fahadd Fazil is perhaps the odd one out in the circle, not because his performance any less, but on account of the way in which his character has been conceived, almost as a caricature made of mock strokes. Jomon's cinematography is top-notch, and contributes hugely to the sense of obscurity that is purposefully preserved.

The biggest letdown with regard to '1 by Two' is how unsurprising everything comes to ultimately, and the tired climax drives in the final spike in the casket. It's too jaded to be entertaining and a bit too static to cook up some excitement.

Rating:**

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Main Tera Hero Reviews from Now Running!

The movie is mixture of some slapstick comedy, drama and few times action-packed and a romantic, reminding you of the comedies that were yieled in the 90's genre like Coolie#1 Hero#1 and Biwi#1, Oops sorry all #1 sagas, trying not to be Funny.

After being restricated by his professor in college, Sreenath Prasad aka Seenu (Varun Dhawan), the very smart boy Ooty decides to take matters to hand and moves to Bangalore to purse further studies. Like a normal activity of every college starter Seenu falls for Sunaina (Illeana D'cruz) the most dreaded girl in the entire college for she has an obsessive lover Angad (Arunoday Singh) pursuing her like since forever and has threatened every boy in sight to never so much as even look at her.

As Seenu tries to tackle Angad comes another problem - Ayesha (Nargis Fakhri), daughter of a dreaded gangster (Anupam Kher), who is completely smitten by Seenu ever since he saved her from goons and wants him at any cost. How he tackles both Angad and Ayesha to work his way towards Sunaina is what follows through the rest of the plot.

David Dhawan who teamed best with Govinda and Salman Khan making audiences chuckle with funny characters, personality traits of people, situations and his famous one liners and PJs struggled in between with his comedies either being borrowed from the West or simply unfunny. However, with Main Tera Hero he redeems himself and reinstates that he still is the King of Comedy. It's as if he was saving his best for the movie with his son.

While daddy dearest puts up a movie that has all the masala for a commercial blockbuster right from romance to action to drama and above all some rib tickling comedy, son Varun too complements his father's efforts well with a performance that actually establishes him as the future superstar. Varun blends so well in David Dhawan's style of filmmaking as if he is Govinda's newage version only highly upgraded. This Govinda version 2.0 not only is extremely confident onscreen but has dancing skills and acting abilities to vie for. The young star outshines even the seasoned actors like Sourabh Shukla an d Anupam Kher who are hilarious in their own way.

What's best about Main Tera Hero is that you don't see any actor being wasted. Even the likes of Rajpal Yadav are involved in the script meticulously. Arunoday Singh, Nargis Fakhri and Illeana D'cruz too act well and play their parts convincingly but all get over shadowed by Varun Dhawan.

Music by Sajid-Wajid is frosty and foottaping especially songs like Besharmi ki height and Shanicar Rati which have already become #1 in chartbusters.

Since longtime after this has been a film with complete with all elements of a commercial caper and yet not tripe or boring. A thoroughly entertaining film, Main Tera Hero is a must watch.

Rating:***1/2

BhootNath Returns Review from NowRunning!!

This is the sequel to the 2008 BhootNath, like the predecessor it showed a lots promises to be funnier and entertaining. Since this is the second to the comedy ghost series released this year and look to working out with the general audiences in Hindi cinema. This is only to be released from Gang of Ghosts, a supposed comedy cum satire on the growing commercialization of India and this is second of horror comedy satire with the sequel BhootNath Returns.

Released in between Indian Election League(IEL) which is bigger heat that has gripped as a fever to everyone over India, BhootNath Returns is the story of a disappointed and embarrassed ghost Bhootnath (Amitabh Bachchan) who gets mocked in the Bhoot World for not being able to so much as even scare a child.

In his defense, he states that it was their flaut that the child could see him and demands another chance to redeem his lost reputation. He gets a chance to prove himself by scaring at least ten children and is sent back on Earth. However, sadly enough, he is too simple a ghost for children to be scared of him and what's sadder is that yet again, another child, Akhrot (Parth Bhalero) this time, can see him. Together they agree to help each other and their friendship sees them get involved in a cause that is bigger than they had ever imagined. To move ahead they will need to take on one of the country's most powerful and corrupt politician Bhau (Boman Irani). In a world, where a common man is afraid of politics, will a common man's ghost overcome his fear to stand up for what's right and fight against injustice?

Director Nitesh Tiwari couldn't have chosen a better time to come out with a film that revolves around Politics and urges people in its own satirical way to vote. However, what starts out as an entertaining fair turns into a drag preachy dialogue which neither caters to the young minds nor to adults.

The movie starts off interestingly. The concept of a Bhoot World and the idea to send Bhootnath back to regain the fear that's required to be a "Bhoot" is refreshing and interesting. Even the point where Bhootnath decides to contest for elections for there isn't a rule anywhere that the candidate needs to be alive and the way he works his strategy around is all very interesting. However, the filmmaker stumbles in taking it all the way. Half way into the film and you are put through enough sermons and election advertisement urging you to vote for a change. That's when not just the pace of the film slumps but also your interest in it.

Music by various composers including Yo Yo Honey Singh and Meet Bros is average at best with only a song or two standing out.

The film works primarily for the entertaining pair of Big B with the little wonder Parth Bhalero. The little actor is spot on with his mannerisms, dialogues and acting. And it wouldn't be wrong to say that he outshines even Amitabh Bachchan in a few scenes. However, needless to mention that Sr. Bachchan too is perfect in his part. Boman Irani too adds to the much needed comic relief but his portion is more evil this time than comic.

To sum it up, Bhootnath Returns is not as witty or humorous as it appears from its trailers. A film that could be entertaining all the way had it not lost its plot.

Rating:**1/2

Gangster Movie Review from Now Running!!

Akbar Ali(Mamooty) see his Family murdered and he grow through pain all through the time. The Grudge and pain can't releive him, so decides to wreaks vengeance on the men that crunched his past, he decides join them silently and he gradually he turns out to be a don of fearful repute. In the nineties, he shifts base to Mangalore from Mumbai, and forms a peace treaty with the two Parties of Mangalore - Mani Menon (Kunchan) and Uncle Sam (John Paul). Things did go well, until Anto Pandhare (Shekhar Menon), Uncle Sam's godson enters in the play.

Story revolves the same like ganster story, tale is portrayed on Mangalore port, and has zilch new to offer. This time something that changes is the focus from regular movie, and this is where director Aashiq Abu does the trick everyone and his leap in the making of gangster saga whacks into the stands. Here is something he made audience thinking and deflects the peopes taste from general audiences.

He takes off to Ajmer, and after a song, and some therapy later, lands back in Mangalore, with a single mantra chant flowing from his lips - that of revenge. Sadly though, this is the sole merit of the film that takes a while - the entire first half, in fact - to get its feet on the ground. By then, the man has had his share of losses, and the wait starts for his rejuvenation.

The extensive periods of silence with a slow, whirring background score playing through, soon start getting on your nerves, and with the action showing little progress, the film even threatens to be a mere collage of a few disjointed shots thrown together. The shallowness of the script is evident throughout, and the odd dialogues that crop up every now and then are a respite at times, and a blight at others. Quite obviously, this isn't a film that banks on its one-liners, and those of you who are on the lookout for some dhamakedaar dialogue-maari are in for a big disappointment.

With the narration starting off in full swing with some awesome animation to boot, it all looked set to be a monster of an entertainer. As minutes kept passing the thrill in this style and action gradually dissipiated and in no time, the energy burned out, and it all ends up as a shadow of a whimper. And we have seen them all, and by all, I mean pretty much all of it.

I guess a decree of sorts exists that categorize the women in gangster films into two categories - the ones that would be bumped off without a second thought, and the others who are destined to seductively adorn the villain's den. Sana Muhammed (Nyla Usha) falls into the former class, while Lily (Aparna Gopinath) almost makes it to the second group.

Here is an experiment that seems to have gone all wrong, and in effort to be realistic to the core, attempts are made to lend some flesh and bone to each one of those characters that hover around the background. The classic case is that of Vidhura, a widowed cop who has recently got married, and whose bride has a tough time managing his son, who is badly missing his mom.

Surprisingly, 'Gangster' does not come across as a visual treat either, and there is no visual wizardry on show. I wonder if this is a deliberate ploy, and the stealth and sneakiness are retained to the core, as Alby's camera looms large over the Mangalorean landscape like a mobster on the prowl. With several sequences strewn together almost haphazardly, 'Gangster' at times leaves the audience dazed, and the editing one wishes, could have been much crisper.

Mammootty looks dashing as Akbar Ali, and yet there is no missing the lost look that creeps into his eyes every now and then. Shekhar Menon is quite impactful as the stout baddie, and Kunchan, Hareesh Peradi and John Paul impress among the supporting cast. Nyla Usha and Aparna Gopinath - well, they're there.

Nothing more, nothing less. The even saga  that painfully persists throughout, the mindless gunshots and blood splatter and the sodden predictability together blow up this film beyond recognition. And in no matter of time the amount of crashing and crunching can salvage an entertainer from the massive debris that it leaves behind.

Rating:**