MOVIE REVIEW

SHUNYO AWNKO ACT ZERO

Directed by: Goutam Ghose
Written by: Goutam Ghose
Cast: Priyanka Bose, Dhritiman Chatterjee, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Soumitra Chatterjee, Konkona Sen Sharma
Run time: 137 minutes
Strength: Ethical and social subject matter
Weakness:  Not technically sound
Star Showbiz rating: 3/5
Plot: A corporate high-flier is sent to a tribal hinterland to clear tribal villages for a Bauxite-mine project. Against the backdrop of growing Maoist violence, he meets an ambitious journalist working in the villages for her story.
Review: Konkona Sen again proves herself a versatile actress. The way she holds her own in Shunyo Awnko — flirting with corporate man, Agni, played by Priyanshu, mingling with the villagers, facing up to the security forces — makes her the life and soul of the film. Priyanshu, on the other hand had to play a character of several dimensions.  He brilliantly pulls off some of those roles but becomes dull in some others. Agni's wife Jhilik, played by Priyanka Bose gets a bit too melodramatic at times. Through the eyes of an old couple (Soumitra Chatterjee and Lolita Chatterjee), the director loosely tries to connect the viewers to the younger couple, Agni and Jhilik. From “Act Four” the film is shot in picturesque location of Manali, Himachal Pradesh, supplementing the below average cinematography. Verses from Gitanjali, and music from Ustad Rashid Khan, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and Kaushiki Chakrabarty gives a feeling of film of artistic elements. The tribal part in the storyline is straight to the point. We are not left with any choice about which side to take. The social and ethical questions the movie raises is vital and relevant in Bangladesh too. Overlooking a few flawed technical elements, the movie is worth watching for any socially aware audience.

Reviewed by Zia Nazmul Islam

***

LAST VEGAS

Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Written by: Dan Fogelman
Cast: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline
Run time: 105 minutes
Strength: Strong acting, feel-good ending
Weakness:  Not for all ages, especially not for those below 18
Star Showbiz rating: 3.5/5
Plot: Billy (Michael Douglas), Paddy (Robert De Niro), Archie (Morgan Freeman) and Sam (Kevin Kline) have been best friends since childhood. So when Billy, the group's sworn bachelor, finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend, the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to stop acting their age and relive their glory days. However, upon arriving, the four quickly realize that the decades have transformed Sin City and tested their friendship in ways they never imagined.
Review: Last Vegas is humorous and heartfelt. This movie celebrates friendship amongst people who have known each other for decades. Their affection and brotherhood is enviable and forms the meat of the story. They have enjoyed much and suffered much in their lives, apart and together. But, the movie doesn't dwell on the suffering, and exhibits positivity as the four try to relive their glory days. The actors are perfect for their roles, and each relishes the part he plays. The supporting actors are able to enjoy their time on screen, whether it is for five or fifty minutes. This movie is about family, too, and grown children might understand their parents better seeing this film with or without them. This is definitely a movie for mature audiences - children will not understand some of the jokes.
Reviewed by Zakir Mushtaque

***

DEDH ISHQIYA

Directed by:  Abhishek Chaubey
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Huma Qureshi
Length: 137 minutes
Strengths: Acting, Madhuri Dixit makes a scintillating comeback
Weakness:  The first part of the film develops very slowly
Showbiz Rating: 4/5
 

Plot: There are nawabs, sher-o-shairi, and a courtly old-world romance but make no mistake, this is a twisted theatre of the absurd in which the gamut of human folly - greed, decadence, deceit, stupidity - is laid out for us. Once again, Abhishek and co-writer Vishal Bhardwaj find the vein of humour in the darkest situations.
Review: Expectations were sky high from Abhishek Chaubey's second directorial venture Dedh Ishqiya (first one was Ishqiya) mainly because it marks the comeback of one of the most successful actors in Hindi cinema - Madhuri Dixit, and also because the first part of the franchise was a critically acclaimed film. Dedh Ishqiya is an absolute delight because all its parts fit beautifully. The cinematography, sets and costumes are exquisite. The editing is sharp. Most importantly Darab Farooqui's story is plotted wonderfully by Vishal Bharadwaj and Chaubey's screenplay.
Having performed tirelessly in so many platforms for four decades, it's remarkable to see an actor looking so enthusiastic in a role that makes it seem like it could well be his first. Arshad Warsi, a talented actor who can be so inconsistent under lesser directors, finds his mojo yet again as Babban.Between these two stars and a heavily twisted plot, the film exudes tremendous amounts of confidence and wit.

Reviewed by Broti Rahman