Reviews
Inferno (2016)
Fair movie
Director Ron Howard teams up yet again with Tom Hanks for bringing Dan Brown's novel to screen. Inferno is a mystery thriller which is really absorbing and mind boggling with a well crafted screenplay of David Koepp. We are shown glimpses of eccentric billionaire geneticist Bertrand Zobrist played by Ben Foster talking in seminars about increasing world population during the title sequence. Professor Langdon played by Tom Hanks wakes up in hospital with a bullet bracing injury. Dr Sienna Brooks is one of the attending doctors played by Felicity Jones offers to help when Langdon is targeted by assassin Vayenta played by Ana Ularu during his stay there. What follows after is a race against time where Langdon has to piece together all the mysterious clues and characters he comes across to find out why he is being targeted and what he should do to evade it. Stunning visuals, shot in eye catching locations like Florence, Italy, Venice, Vatican city and Istanbul, the movie belongs to Italian cinematographer Salvatore Totino. Really worth watching in theaters and can go for it if you want to watch mystery thrillers. This isn't a popcorn movie.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Watchable
Tom Cruise's latest offering is Jack Reacher 2 Never Go Back is suspense filled action thriller. Cruise gets a good build up opening sequence under director Edward Zwick. Reacher comes all the way to meet major Turner played aptly by Cobie Smulders. Major Turner has been dismissed and charged for espionage. Once Reacher dwelves deep into it he too gets framed for murders he didn't commit. Another little girl who is supposedly claimed as daughter of Reacher gets mixed up in quagmire. All three are on the run and how Reacher with the help of Major Turner and little girl uncovers the military conspiracy is transformed brilliantly from Lee Child novel to screen by director. Atmospheric cinematography by Oliver Wood adds sheen to movie. Cruise is good as Reacher. Despite mixed reviews this movie is worth watching if you prefer good suspense action thrillers.
The Accountant (2016)
Mind bending thriller
The Accountant, the third one in a string of three suspense thrillers released from Hollywood. It is quite rare these days to see thrillers getting released back to back even from Hollywood. This convoluted story of embezzlement blended with autistic characters is a treat to watch. With the original story for screen by Bill Dubuque and fine direction by Gavin O'Connor and Ben Affleck as the central character is deliciously puzzling to watch as the movie unfolds it's multilayered storyline. Affleck as Christian Wolff is a CPA who runs a Zzz Accounting firm. Every assignment is given to him by The Voice which he will get over phone and he proceeds from there. His paths cross with Lamar Blackburn who runs Living Robotics along with sister Rita and we have Dana played by Anna Kendrick and we have Raymond King played by J K Simmons who is tailing Wolff along with his assistant Medina. Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey has offered the necessary support. Piece together all the clues and puzzles which will end in a juicy solid thriller named The Accountant. Just go for it if you are interested in solving the characters' obscurity.
Salute (2022)
Slow absorbing investigation thriller
Salute is the latest crime investigation Malayalam thriller starring Dulquer Salmaan, Manoj K Jayan and Diana Penty. This unusual crime thriller stars Dulquer as SI Aravind, Manoj K Jayan plays his brother and DSP Ajith. Diana Penty plays Dulquer's love interest. The movie opens with Dulquer rushing into a police station asking for one of the closed case details. People in police station look confused and then he tells that he had been the SI in that same station and currently on a long leave. This absorbing crime thriller deals with a double murder which had been supposedly solved and closed and how Dulquer follows back the trails of the crime and brings to light the real alias culprit in a rather unusual way. Written by Bobby and Sanjay. Directed effectively by Roshan Andrews and produced by Dulquer Salmaan himself under Wayfarer Films is a real treat for people who love investigative crime thrillers.
Deep Water (2022)
Slow watchable psychological thriller
Deep Water is a new erotic psychological thriller from veteran filmmaker Adrian Lyne starring Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas. This is Adrian Lyne's latest since Unfaithful (2002) 20 years ago. Ben and Ana play the couple, Victor and Melinda caught in a loveless marriage. They have a daughter Trixie. Both are held together by an unpredictable arrangement which allows Melinda to explore her privacy with multiple lovers in order to evade divorce. This slow paced, complex and intriguing psychological thriller turns into a real thriller when Melinda's lovers vanish and turn up dead mysteriously. Ben Affleck puts up a controlled and effective show as a possessive husband caught in between and holding back jealousy while Ana De Armas plays the flirting Melinda effectively. Director Adrian Lyne is known for his works, namely Flashdance, Fatal Attraction, 9-1/2 weeks, Indecent proposal, Lolita (1997 version) and Unfaithful. This movie deals with open marriage concept effectively based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. Recommended for serious movie lovers who prefer to watch complex psychological thrillers. Title Deep Water is meaningful.
Blacklight (2022)
BETTER CLIMAX NEEDED!
Blacklight is a new action thriller released in February 2022. Liam Neeson plays the main protagonist Travis. He is an ex-Vietnam veteran who works for FBI director Gabriel Robinson as a fixer, saving and protecting agents from unconventional situations. Aidan Quinn plays FBI director Gabriel Robinson. The film begins with political activist Sofia speaking in a Washington rally and after that, she gets killed in a unique hit and run accident. Travis wants to retire and spend time with his daughter Amanda and granddaughter but he could not get out. Travis has to bring back agent Crane but Crane has reached a journalist Mira Jones played by Emmy Raver-Lampman to reveal about Sofia's accidental death. Travis is able to track down Crane but what happens afterward leads to some unexpected revelation on who is pulling the strings. Shelly Johnson has captured the raw action in its galore. Director Mark Williams has made the movie pretty decently but it's marred by its okish climax. The movie is recommended for action thriller lovers.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
WORTH WATCHING
Mission Impossible 6 Fallout is the sixth installment of Mission Impossible series. Oscar winning writer Christopher McQuarrie helms as director for second time after Mission Impossible 5 Rogue Nation. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt for the sixth time and it is his playground and he has done it with elan. Be it bike chase or truck chase or running on foot or hanging precariously on cliffs is really unmatched for the actor at his age. He fractured his leg while doing the giant leap in London across buildings and shooting was stalled for a period. The plotline is complex akin to Mission Impossible first installment. The film opens with Ethan Hunt dreaming and wakes up from sleep in Belfast and hears the doorbell and a messenger delivers his assignment. From here action shifts to Berlin and the mission goes awry as Hunt takes split second decision to save one of his team members and loses out on the three plutonium cores which he is supposed to retrieve ands it ultimately falls into wrong hands that plan to use it for water contamination. CIA chief played by Angela Bassett wants to take over the mission from IMF headed by Hunley played by Alec Baldwin and Ethan Hunt team. So CIA chief sends one of his special operatives assassin August walker played by Henry Cavill to oversee and also somehow claim the credits for the mission by recovering the stolen plutonium. Both of these jump from air to Paris. From this moment it is almost nonstop action. We have arms dealer John Lark and arms broker played by svelte Vanessa Kirby nicknamed white widow who is the daughter of Max from Mission Impossible first part, Solomon Lane, mastermind anarchist played from Sean Harris from Rogue Nation and also Ilsa Faust, a former MI6 played by Rebecca Ferguson with vigor also from Rogue Nation with a mission of her own and Julia, Hunt's ex-wife played by Michelle Monaghan. Hunt is supported by his usual Benji played by Simon Pegg and Stickell played by Ving Rhames. It takes a while to understand and identify the real antagonist of the movie which is revealed with the stabbing of IMF chief. Technically brilliant with excellent visual effects support along with taut story and screenplay as it will enthrall many movie lovers which is rare in the current technology driven days of movie making. Lorne Balfe does justice as composer aided by charismatic Lalo Schifrin theme. Cinematographer Rob Hardy needs special mention for capturing all the aspects in alluring galore which is an asset to this action espionage thriller. Definitely movie lovers who are also lover of sound effects can very well go in for IMAX version. Worth watching hard hitting action thriller in recent times.
Jason Bourne (2016)
decent outing
Matt Damon returns again as Jason Bourne in the newly released JASON BOURNE. Story unfolds with Nicky Parsons(Julia Stiles) stumbling upon the new CIA blackops Project named Iron Hand which has Bourne's father's hand in it. She wants to alert Bourne on the same which in turn activates CIA director (Tommy Lee Jones) and CIA cyber wing director (Alicia Vikander). Both want to get hold of him again. Will they succeed in doing this? forms the plot line for the intriguing action thriller. Paul Greengrass is back at the helm as director while John Powell is in charge of music. Vincent Cassel plays the nemesis to Bourne with elan. Spectacular action sequences were shot atmospherically by Barry Ackroyd but the SWAT vehicle ploughing through many parked cars in the climax is Las Vegas is bit too much. On the whole, this is a tense action filled thriller. Serious viewers are welcome to take it a shot.
Kammatti Paadam (2016)
Worthy
Kammatipaadam is a new Malayalam movie premiered on May 20, 2016. Kammatipaadam is not a movie but brutal, hard and sheer realistic depiction of buried secrets behind the transformation of Ernakulam currently a concrete jungle from lush green serene in the past. Director Rajeev Pillai and script writer Balachandran had worked hard to pull off a movie of toughness with naturalness. The story unfolds through the eyes of Krishnan played brilliantly by Dulquer Salmaan who returns to Kochi in search of his friend Ganga played effectively by Vinayakan from his childhood days. Dulquer Salmaan needs to be lauded for the choice of roles whether it is Bangalore days or Charlie or Kali and now it is Kammatipaadam. Keep up the good work always Dulquer. Story goes back and front and depicts the friendship between Krishnan, Ganga and Balan, Ganga's elder brother and his gang. Newcomer Manikandan was perfect as balan. The movie depicts through events the transformation of each and every character into a fully developed outlaw. Kindly watch it out as what really happened to his friend Ganga. Strictly worthy movie for serious viewers irrespective of language.
End Game (2006)
gritty
End Game is a gritty conspiracy action thriller from 2006 with Cuba Gooding, Jr. playing secret service agent Alex Thomas. Film starts with the preparation for a meeting which will be attended by the US president. Alex unsuccessfully attempts to protect the President from an assassin's bullet but he gets his hand injured. The assassin is gunned down by Alex and other agents. Unfortunately the President succumbs to the bullet injuries and dies in the hospital. Kate Crawford an investigative journalist played by Angie Harmon who was also present during the incident starts questioning people and whoever she questions ends up dead. What transpires is an elaborate conspiracy that is unravelled in a thrilling way. Alex and Kate dwell deep into it and try to find the true conspirators in the assassination of the president. Did they find it out and if they found, were they exposed? are some of the talking points of the movie. Director Andy Cheng's tight and gripping storytelling and action set pieces were nicely choreographed and conceived in great style by Cinematographer Charles Cohen. Worth watching.
Falcon Rising (2014)
Entertaining
Falcon Rising is an action thriller from 2014 starring Michael Jai White in the title role, John 'Falcon' Chapman. Falcon is US Marine veteran and suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Film picks up momentum when Falcon receives a call from his old buddy Ridley who works in US Consulate in Brazil that Falcon's Sister Cindy is beaten badly and left for dead in the Brazilian Favela. Falcon travels to Brazil and visits his sister in the hospital. He also meets up with Santo and Carlo who are in-charge of investigating his sister's case. Something goes wrong right in front of Falcon in the hospital and from then on he wants to conduct his own investigation. What did Falcon's sister Cindy find and who was responsible for her state and what is actually happening in Brazilian Favela is told in an interesting mode which keeps the viewers engrossed to the screen. Director Ernie Barbarash needs to be complimented for pulling off an action yarn of this standard. Cinematographer Yaron Levy had captured the action and Brazilian favela nicely. Falcon Rising is an entertaining, thrilling and unsentimental action movie where you will be seeing good old-fashioned fight choreography done brilliantly. Good treat for action lovers.
Money Monster (2016)
Money monster
Academy award winning actress Jodie Foster's directorial venture Money Monster premiered in India and US yesterday. This movie features George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jack O'Connell. This is a crime thriller which deals with stock market investments. George Clooney plays Lee Gates, a financial reporter who hosts the live TV show Money Monster while Julia Roberts plays Patty Fenn, the show's director. Movie starts off with the preparation for one of those live shows by Gates and few minutes into the movie, we see that Gates is suddenly taken hostage by Kyle Budwell played by Jack O'Connell who comes in posing as delivery man. Actually Kyle holds Gates responsible for his loss in stock market and he wants an explanation from Gates as what really happened. What is the reason for the loss and who is responsible or is it really a loss to the investors or it is some kind of hushed up scandal is told in an interesting and understandable fashion. Generally movies dealing with stock market will be difficult to understand for audiences but this movie seems to be quite straight for which we need to thank the screen writers and director Jodie Foster. Cinematographer Matthew Libatique provides the necessary support to director Foster's vision. Serious movie lovers will definitely enjoy this hostage thriller.
Manithan (2016)
Good remake
Director Ahmed's third offering Manithan is a powerful courtroom drama laced with comedy which deals with monopolistic nature of the rich and judicial corruption. This is an official remake of Hindi movie Jolly LLB which was inspired by the sensational Sanjeev Nanda's hit and run case of 1999. Udayanithi Stalin steps into Arshad Warsi's role while Prakashraj steps into Booman Irani's role. Film opens with Land cruiser accident where it runs over people sleeping in pavements. Initially handling petty cases in his native place Pollachi moves to Chennai and plans to make it big and starts to try his hand in bigger cases. How he really overcomes all hurdles and obstacles to sustain a name is told in the same original fashion. Udayanithi's role is a departure from his earlier role and fits the bill and playing the acid-tongued, corrupted antagonist lawyer is Prakashraj who goes overboard in acting mostly. Radha Ravi plays the judge distinctly. Hansika Motwani plays Udayanithi's love interest and she just does what is needed. Music Director Santhosh Narayanan provides ample support while Cinematographer Madhie has some good montage to his credit. Just go for it if you prefer drama with laughs but underneath the humour, we see the angry critics of the system, which is easily manipulated by the rich and very difficult to penetrate for the poor.
I Am Wrath (2016)
Good thriller to watch
I am Wrath is an action thriller of 2016 from Director Chuck Russell, the man who made Arnold action vehicle Eraser and the famous Jim Carrey movie The Mask. Playing the protagonist is John Travolta who looks really good for his age of 62, and is a treat of watch in action. Film starts off with television clippings of violence, atrocities and crime happening daily in and around USA and Ohio State Governor addressing a crowd regarding pipeline water issue which is viewed by Travolta's family along with titles. Next scene we have Travolta arriving at airport and received by his wife and they move to parking lot to go home in the car. Unexpected things happen which leaves his wife killed by a bunch of hooligans and he moves to police station for legal proceedings and what happens from then on is uncovering of conspiracy which leads to the higher echelons of government. Playing a man with mysterious past Travolta holds the viewer's attention as he delivers his own brand of justice to people responsible for his wife's death. Special mention needs to be given to veteran Polish Cinematographer Andrzej Sekuła for providing apt atmosphere. Worth watching action thriller among the today's bunch of movies that routinely deals with fantasy, horror etc .
Misconduct (2016)
my view
Misconduct (2016) is a new intriguing,complex and intellectual legal thriller. Even though the main protagonist is Josh Duhamel, the movie belongs to two Hollywood legends Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino who have not shared the screen space together. Josh Duhamel plays the young ambitious lawyer who takes on the corrupt and manipulative pharmaceutical giant played menacingly by Hopkins. Al Pacino as the law firm boss is at his best. Hats off and Kudos to the new filmmaker Shintaro Shimosawa for making this taut thriller. Unusual angles and dim-lit cinematography of Michael Fimognari along with Federico Jusid score adds sheen and class to the movie. Twisted ending is the real surprise for viewers. A must watch thriller who prefers real mind bending thrillers.
Spotlight (2015)
slow paced
Best picture winner and Best original screenplay winner in Oscar 2016 Spotlight is the story on investigative journalism. Spotlight is a team of four in The Boston Globe newspaper working on investigative articles. This leisurely paced movie based on true events set in 2001 has Mark Ruffalo playing Mike Rezendes (the real Mike was present in Oscars ceremony) along with Michael Keaton as editor of Spotlight and Rachel McAdams and two others as members of Spotlight. When new editor Marty Baron played Liev Schreiber asks the Spotlight team to work on the left over case of Priest Geoghan case which is investigating a church cover-up of child abuse by Catholic priests. Spotlight team piece together the missing pieces, which turn out to be a global case which takes them against Cardinal law of the church. Director Tom McCarthy who wrote along with Josh Singer has given impeccable work in writing the screenplay with powerful dialogues aided by adequate cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi. This movie is recommended for serious movie lovers only.
Seeking Justice (2011)
Review
Director Roger Donaldson's 2011 mystery thriller-Seeking Justice is woven around High School teacher played by Nicholas Cage and his musician wife played by January Jones. British Cinematographer David Tattersall keeps the viewers on the edge with pan and zoom mode when needed. Film starts off with a man plunging to death when his car was pushed from a multi-level car parking by another SUV. Cage and his wife watch this on television while they are celebrating their marriage anniversary at a club. The couple's normal life is turned upside down when the wife is brutally attacked, raped and maimed by a maniac. Out of the blue a man, who calls himself as Simon played by Guy Pearce, comes to Cage while he was waiting in hospital to get update on his wife's condition and offers to take care of the person who was behind this brutal act. Though initially hesitant about this, Cage finally gives in as his vendetta takes over his consciousness. Who is Simon actually and what he actually does and what he wants in return for eliminating his wife's assailant and what does the code "hungry rabbit jumps" mean is told in an interesting way filled with mystery, thrills and action. Despite its reviews, this movie is really worth watching if you prefer mystery filled thriller.
Charlie (2015)
Poetic
Dulquer Salmaan starer Charlie is a Malayalam movie with Parvathy and Aparna Gopinath as female leads. Charlie is a poetic travelogue of a hippie kind of artist and vagabond who enters and exits many people's life only to be branded as lunatic or madman. This is a story of a selfless human being who lives life for the sake of others and does what he feels and spreads positive vibes. Parvathy searches for Charlie throughout the movie. Dulquer plays Charlie with effortless ease which lends an unique grace to the character aided by the brilliant portrayal of both female leads. Director Martin Prakkat weaves the story like a painting with great visuals of Jamon John and lilting and alluring score by Gopi Sunder takes movie to next level. This movie comes with a rare panache. This movie, winner of 8 Kerala State awards, is an expression with wings which flies high. A real and rare treat.
Backtrack (2015)
Review
Director Michael Petroni's 2015 film Backtrack is a spine chilling supernatural thriller. Protagonist Adrien Brody is a psychiatrist who encounters many patients with psychological problems. Brody in turn suffers with haunting memories of his daughter who was killed in an accident in front of his eyes. His wife's status is even more pathetic as she mongers in psychological repressions. After a while all the patients that he had counseled turn up unbeknownst at different places and locations. Do these patients have anything to do with his daughter's death in accident and does Brody's character himself is holding the key to their existence is told in a breathtaking manner. Cinematographer Stefan Duscio builds the momentum aided by the eerie music of Dale Cornelius. This gripping movie is definitely worth watching and will be appreciated by thriller fans.
24 (2016)
24 review
Director Vikram Kumar's brain child movie 24 starring Surya in three different roles deals with time travel. Intellectual and meticulous screenplay of Vikram Kumar, aesthetic cinematography of Thiru and Surya playing three roles with the evil paraplegic Athreya being the standout among the three are some of the commendable aspects of this sci-fi thriller. Scientist Sethuraman invents a watch specialized for time travel which his evil twin brother Athreya wants to possess it is the main crux of the plot. What exactly happens is told in an interesting and riveting mode of storytelling that leaves you gasping with curiosity. Samantha and Nithya Menon play the female leads and they excel in their parts while ARR provides the necessary support in terms of music. Technical finesse is evident in VFX work. Definitely an encouraging move from Surya as producer for supporting the director in this brilliant attempt. This movie definitely deviates from the weather beaten track and is strictly for movie lovers who like variety with brilliance and technological excellence.