MOVIE REVIEW

MARY KOM

Directors: Omung Kumar
Writers:  Saiwyn Qadras, Ramendra Vasishth, Bijou Thaangjam
Stars: Priyanka Chopra, Zachary Coffin, Darshan Kumaar
Runtime: 122 minutes
Strength: Acting, story
Weakness:  Overdone melodrama
Rating: 3.5/5
Plot: A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer Mary Kom, who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream.
Review: `Mary Kom` is a tribute to the living legend MC Mary Kom, the five times world amateur boxing champion and Olympic medalist. The movie does a great deal to reveal the different sides of the athlete, and the audience sees the real Mary Kom: A Boxer, A Fighter, A Wife, A Mother and A Gentle soul. It works because it has got heart at the right place and it's the moments which makes it a 'feel- good' cinematic offering. Despite following the same structure which many sports theme based films worldwide have used and even some of the crucial parts which have literally been extended, just for the heck of generating extra emotional factor, the film at some extent, succeeds in showing the struggle, the nepotism, the red-tape and the hope in an entertaining manner which makes it worth your buck. Suraj Thapa, Rajni Basumatary , Shishir Sharma, Darrshan Kumar Singh and Lin Laishram who brilliantly add support to the protagonist, the hard-hitting dialogues penned by Karan Singh Rathore and Ramedra Vashishth with an excellent Manipuri touch by Bijou Thaangjam , then comes a canvas-like cinematography by Keiko Nakahara, editing by Rajesh G. Pandey and Sanjay Leela Bhansali is somewhere quite classy, the production design work by Vanita Omung Kumar and then the score by Rohit Kulkarni. This will be remembered as a highlight in Priyanka Chopra's acting career, who showcases the best of her energy, stamina and excellence on screen, carrying the film brilliantly on her shoulders. It's a must watch for Priyanka's fans, and of course, for those who love boxing.

Reviewed by Broti Rahman

***

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Director: James Gunn
Writers:  James Gunn, Nicole Perlman
Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista,  Lee Pace
Runtime: 121 minutes
Strength: Special effects, visual effects, stunts
Weakness: Character development
Rating: 4/5
Plot: Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after stealing an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser and Thanos.
Review: Guardians of the Galaxy marks the beginning of Marvel's Phase 2 of the Cinematic Universe, and these characters exist in the same universe as the Avengers. That alone is enough to get people to the cinema halls. But why they will love the film is quite different. Unlike the Avengers, the characters of GOTG has very little appeal on their own, and aren't even known very well – but that hasn't kept the movie from becoming one of the highest grossing films of the year! It's a hell of an achievement given the extensive movie library the company is building up and when you consider the characters aren't household names like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America. The story revolves around a group of dysfunctional but goodhearted criminals who are thrown together by chance.  The film opens in 1988, which is when Quill is abducted from Earth, and 26 years later we see he's become a crooked intergalactic outlaw with a taste for all things shiny, valuable and not his. Quill's mixtape of the 70s and 80s tracks are laced throughout the film, which brings the dazzling interstellar warfare down to earth. Gags are thrown into the unlikeliest of scenarios to lessen the tension of the story. The special effects in this film are from a different world – every scene is a delight to the eyes. The acting, direction, special effects are all well done. But most important of all, there is a story that ties all the characters together in a seamless plot that makes nothing seem forced. The two hour long film seems to be over in 20 minutes. The editing is supreme and makes each bit of dialogue super-sharp and tight. The casting choices are excellent. the Galaxy yet, what are you waiting for?

Reviewed by Mohammad Haque

***

CLASSIC REVIEW

GLORY (1989)

Director: Edward Zwick
Writers:  Kevin Jarre, Lincoln Kirstein
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman
Runtime: 122 minutes
Strength: Acting, story and screenplay
Weakness: None
Plot: Robert Gould Shaw leads the US Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.
Review: To put in a few words – Glory is what every war movie strives to be and beyond. Glory tells the story of a Civil War colonel Robert Shaw (Matthew Broderick) who leads the war's first all-black volunteer regimen into battles and discovers along the way he has to confront the moral question of racial prejudice within, and outside of, his regimen. The acting is phenomenal in this one. One can almost actually experience every ounce of conflict, prejudice, and moral questions that face the characters in the movie. What's even more, is that the characters are so easy to relate to – you find yourself becoming attached to all of the characters - every single soldier - in some strange way, so strange, that when these men fall in battle you feel a jolt of power inside of you that is converted to emotional sadness in your mind. The final scenes in Glory are mesmerizing. The final battle scene at Fort Wagner is so amazingly shot you will think you're actually there fighting along with the regimen. You're not in your seat watching the film--you feel like you're there! After watching Glory, you will find yourself truly moved in all ways possible. All of this paired with a beautiful score by James Horner, Glory is simply one of the best war movies of all time. Anyone who misses this film is missing out one of the most powerful, moving, and memorable experiences a movie can bring you. It is simply a must watch for all people around the world.

Collected from the Internet