Hercules - Kerala Release Paper ad with Theaters List - Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

Godzilla 2014 - Exclusive Movie Review - Monster of a Movie

Crew

 Directed by     Gareth Edwards
Produced by   Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Mary Parent, Brian Rogers
Screenplay by     Max Borenstein
Story by     David Callaham
Based on     Godzilla by Toho
Music by     Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography     Seamus McGarvey
Editing by     Bob Ducsay
Studio     Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributed by    Warner Bros. Pictures (International), Toho (Japan)
Release dates   May 16, 2014 

Running time     123 minutes

Country     United States
Language     English
Budget     $160 million

Cast

Bryan Cranston as Joe Brody
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Lieutenant Ford Brody
Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa
Elizabeth Olsen as Elle Brody
Juliette Binoche as Sandra "Sandy" Brody
Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham
David Strathairn as Admiral William Stenz
   

 Godzilla is a pop cultural icon in Japanese and the worldwide audience got a glimpse of it in the infamous Roland Emmerich's 1998 version. Even though I liked it, the film is universally hated for just being a Jurassic Park, making the iconic Monster an iguana faced evil villain who gets killed in the end. So hopes were high on this project to get a 'Godzilla' flick set in the modern world, more grounded to the CGI reality of current movies and one that doesn't treat the 'Icon' as just another monster. The posters the teasing trailers have done their trick and this is undoubtedly one of the most awaited movie this season.

Joe  and his wife has been working in a Japanese nuclear plant till one day a seismic activity leaves him alone in the world with his child. Studying the unusual readings of the day Ford came to conclusions, that it wasn't an earth quake or at least ain't normal one, which were ignored by everyone. Cut to 15 years later, his son has grown up but Ford is still living on the memories of that day, wanting to find the reason his Wife died. slowly starts believing in his father's conspiracy theories. As they go to the site of the plant to recover any possible evidence they come to know about secret scientific studies and the classified Government facility where they have kept an unidentified organism locked up for research. The beast  escapes captivity and wrecks havoc in the city and that's when our Hero/Villain makes his entry. What happens next in the war of the villains? who ever wins we loose......

Godzilla is a kind of Kaiju (collective names for such monsters) and Last year's 'Pacific Rim' also dealt with 'Kaiju's', and both film have similar story lines, but the way the movies have presented they look diametrically opposite. While PR was more a color ful, swash buckling mass masala kind of a monster movie Godzilla is rooted more to reality, emotions and keeping in check with the original mythology. The movie has a call against the harms humans do to Mother Nature, as each and every exploitation will have an impact and in the war with the Nature humans can't win they only can adapt to whats left. 'Godzilla' being a heroic villain represents the force of Mother Nature, the term 'God' is not just for the sake of it as the myth treats it that way (The very reason why 'God' was dropped from the Iguana shaped creature featured in 98 movie).
There is also adaptation from Hindu mythology, according to which when all hell breaks loose (Kalyug) Lord Vishnu takes his 10th Avatar, Kalki which fights the evil, restores the earth and a new cycle of life begins after wards. 'Godzilla' is the Hollywood representation of 'Kalki', that's the myth the film creates. Apart from a blockbuster graphics heavy Hollywood movie it is tied up to reality, mythology at very deep routed levels which is what makes the film stand out.

The film is slow to take off as it takes its own time to level all cards on the playing field before a final extravaganza. Breaking Bad fame Bryan Cranston as always is Outstanding. Ken Watanabe also did a great job. Rest of the cast doesn't get much scope even though there are names like Aron Taylor, Olesen etc. The cinematography is excellent. The CGI work is super cool. 3D effects are there, but nothing much to speak about. Background score is awesome. Godzilla the creature and its sound definitely deserves a special mention, for coming up with a gigantic, realistic, monsterestic, more closer to the classic 'Godzilla' and giving it an Iconic 'Roar' - KUDOS !!. Editing could have been better as it drags slightly in between.

In all Godzilla is a must watch movie for the fans of 'Godzilla', monster movies, disaster movies, huge Graphics spectacles and almost everyone who doesn't demand great acting, dialogues and strong story lines. Being a fan boy the film satisfied all my expectations and the final battle sequence were jaw droppingly awesome and scream/clap/whistle worthy....

Godzilla is a Mind blowing, epic, gargantuan, out of the world, blockbuster, Monster movie

Rating: 3.75/5

Verdict: BLOCKBUSTER !!!!

Last Word: What the Hellll..... still reading...go grab your tickets !!!


PS: Please try to watch the film in Imax and Dolby Atmos - Would blow you mind, Guarantee - [if both available in same screen - AWESOME, you are one lucky guy !!]

Godzilla - Kerala Release Paper AD with theater list

 Captain America: The Winter Soldier 3D - Movie Review

The events in CAP 2 takes place 2 years after the 'New York Incident' (Avengers Climax). Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) is still getting adapted & used to the modern world 'mediocrities'. One day Director of S.H.I.E.L.D [
Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division] introduces Cap to a highly secretive 'Project Insight' which consists of 3 Helicarrires that works as Drones, analyses data communications and predicts future crimes and take preemptive actions against possible threats. On understanding the possible ramifications the project can have, Fury decides to shut it down. His convoy gets ambushed and Fury gets killed by a new enemy 'Winter Soldier' who had a past with CAP. Rogers gets branded a 'fugitive' for withholding info about Fury. CAP is on a run to save his country & his life from the unholy elements that has infiltrated the agency and to get to the bottom of the 'Winter Soldier' mystery, with the help of 'Black Widow' & 'Falcon'

After IronMan, CAP is my favorite super hero character among the films that came so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like the previous film this too is more closer to reality and is not CGI heavy like the other installments in MCU. There are more hand to hand fights, chase, in ground action unlike super hero movies. Its more real at the same time has the elements that one would expect from such a movie.

CAP stories have always been related to real events, in the past or the futute, which is the most important aspect of this franchise IMO. While in the prequel it had WW 2 backdrop, here it deals with the current political scenario. Can see NSA, Spying, drones, Snowden like issues being addressed here. Even though 'Winter Soldier' is in the title, the character fails to get that much importance in the films.



Russo brothers have done a great job directing the movie, balancing between super hero prerequisites and keeping the character close to reality. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, who also wrote Thor 2 & CAP 1, have added all the elements that we except from a Marvel movie - tongue in cheek humor, action, racy-entertaining narration etc. Cinematography is very good, even though as always the post converted 3D is tacky. Background score was decent.

Chris Evans has done a great job as Steve Rogers and Captain America. Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie etc have also done their part well. Robert Redford impresses as the main antagonist.

In all CAP 2 will be a good summer treat for Marvel fans and a nice time pass action flick for others. Those who have reached super hero movie saturation better stay away, as its nothing unique or different like Dark Knight.

As always there are 2 end credits scenes, and one introduces 2 new characters who will play an important role in Avengers 2: Age of Ultron.

Rating: 3.25/5

Verdict: Good

Hollywood Box Office 2013 - Top 10 Biggest Grossers of the year

Hollywood Box Office 2013 - Top 10 Movies of the year

Top 10 @ North American [Domestic] Box Office

1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire* $410.61  mn
[Foreign $423.4 mn  Worldwide $834  mn]


2. Iron Man 3 $409.01 mn
[Foreign $806.426  mn Worldwide $1.21 bn] 

 
3. Despicable Me 2 $367.98  mn
[Foreign $553.240 mn Worldwide  $921.223  mn] 

 
4. Frozen* $305.7  mn
[Foreign $342.10  mn Worldwide $647.80  mn]  


5. Man of Steel $291.04 mn
[Foreign $377  mn Worldwide  $668.045 mn]  


6. Monsters University $268.49 mn
[Foreign $475.06  mn  mn  Worldwide $743.55  mn]


7. Gravity    $255.80 mn
[Foreign $414.5  mn Worldwide  $670.30  mn]


8. Fast & Furious 6 $238.67 mn
 [Foreign  $550  mn Worldwide  $788.67 mn]


9. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* $236.25  mn
[Foreign $527  mn Worldwide  $763.254  mn]      


10. Oz The Great and Powerful    $234.91  mn]
[Foreign $258.40 mn Worldwide $493.31  mn]

* - Still Running

Top 10 @  Indian Box Office

Iron Man 3 $ 12.20 mn

 [Rs. 75.61 crores]
FAST & FURIOUS 6 $ 10.197
[Rs. 63.15 crores]

 Man of Steel $ 6.32 mn

 [Rs. 39.17 crores]

 Gravity $ 6.18 mn
 [Rs. 38.3 crores]

 The Wolverine $ 4.63 mn
 [Rs. 75.61 crores]

 G.I. Joe: Retaliation $ 4.22 mn
 [Rs. 26.15 crores]

 The Conjuring $ 3.79 mn
 [Rs. 23.49 crores, Biggest 'Horror' hit ever]

 Thor: The Dark Work $ 3.598 mn
 [Rs. 22.25 crores]

 A Good Day to Die Hard $ 2.24 mn
 [Rs. 13.88 crores]

 The Hangover Part III $ 2.057 mn
 [Rs. 12.70 crores]

 The Croods $ 1.59 mn

 [Rs. 9.85 crores, Biggest animation hit of the year]
 

Life of Pi $ 13.32 mn

 [Rs. 82.55 crores, Released in 2012, but continued its impressive run in 2013 too]
 

All figures are GROSS Revenue

Mohanlal's latest blog, about Sachin Tendulkar [A Rough English Translation]

 Sachin – An Enlightening Swansong at Wankhede 

As I was busy shooting wasn't able to watch Sachin's farewell speech Live. But when I saw the clippings on news chan nels and read the full transcript in newspaper I understood one thing, a good ending is as important as a good beginning. Like a beautiful song or rain, Sachin wound up his career magnificently, which is must, in my opinion.

So many things has already been written, by so many people, about Sachin already, there is nothing that I can add to that, but would certainly like  to point out the importance of his farewell speech. It was perhaps one of the greatest speeches of all time. There is a lot to learn from it for every body - how to keep your career/work stain free, how to be dedicated, how to concentrate on your work, how to treat your parents, friends and family etc. Dedicating 'Bharath Ratna' to all Mothers of India made it all the more special.

I have been in the film industry for the past 33 years, even though in a relatively smaller industry, the amount of concentration you need to do your work is immense, so can't even imagine how powerful of a human being would be Sachin, with the weight of 1.2 billion peoples expectations on his shoulders. If you don't enjoy your work you can't concentrate, Sachin did it for 24 years, which is evident from his accolades.

Usually every one likes to talk about the money Sachin made from Cricket, but if you consider the sacrifices he made for the sport he love it will weigh at least 100 times more - Privacy, moments with family, freedom etc thing which are priceless. The hard work to keep both sides balanced is a tough job & only those who experienced it will understand it.

Sachin's farewell speech should be made a part of our School carriculum. 'Take no shortcuts to reach your goal' is an important lesson for all our youth, taught to sachin by his father. Those are enlightening words for the future that came from his Soul. The light from those word will help one guide when the going gets tough.

In the blessing of those light I will travel the rest of my journey.......

With Love

Mohanlal

Read the original blog (in Malayalam) here, handwritten by Mohanlal: http://www.thecompleteactor.com/articles2/


Its a very very rough translation for those who can't read Malayalam 

Watch Sachin's farewell speech

Now Watch Foreign Movies with Malayalam subtitles

Now Watch Foreign Movies with Malayalam subtitles

Most of us like to watch Foreign language movies with subtitles. Adding subtitles also expands the viewership. The very same reason why most of the English channels [not just movies] available in our country are now telecasting with English subtitles. There is even a Malayalam channel called 'One TV' which telecasts English, Hindi, Telugu, Chinese/Korean movies with Malayalam subtitles. Sony has even started releasing Hollwood Blockbusters in Malayalam dubbed version in home videos.

Understanding this ever growing demand and interest for subtitles a group of friends, Suhail, Gokul, Pramod, Sreejith, Gireesh, Jeshimon, have under taken a project of releasing Malayalam subtitles for Foreign movies. The group have more than 10 members now and have already created subtitles for movies like Casablanca, Run Lola Run, Turtles can fly, Amor, The Silence of the Lambs etc.

Subtitles can be downloaded from their website http://www.malayalamsubtitles.org/

You can contact with the group via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/MSONEsubs/

They have got their own page in famous subtitles website 'Open subtitles' as well http://www.opensubtitles.org/en/search/sublanguageid-all/iduser-1475250

So now enjoy your favorite foreign movies in 'Malayalam'

Hollywood Box Office 2013 - Half Year Report - Top 10 Films

Hollywood Box Office 2013 - Half Year Report -  Top 10 Films

No.	Name	Domestic Gross	International Gross	Worldwide Gross	Budget
1	Iron Man 3	$405.5 Million *	$804.6 Million *	$1.2 Billion *	$200 Million
2	Man of Steel	$248.7 Million *	$271 Million *	$520 Million *	$225 Million
3	Oz The Great and Powerful	$234 .8 Million *	$257 Million *	$492 Million *	$215 million
4	Fast & Furious 6	$233 .3 Million *	$449 Million *	$642 Million *	$160 million
5	Star Trek Into Darkness	$220.76 Million *	$218 Million *	$438 Million *	$215 million
6	The Croods	$184.5 Million *	$393 Million *	$578 Million *	$135 million
7	Monsters University	$175.5 Million *	$129 Million *	$305 Million *	$215 million+
8	The Great Gatsby	$142.5 Million *	$179 Million *	$321 Million *	$105 million
9	Identity Thief	$135 Million	$39 Million	$174 Million	$35 million
10	World War Z	$124 Million *	$135 Million *	$259 Million *	$190 million

* Still running in theaters
- Data as on June 30 2013



As far as Indian Box Office is concerned, Iron Man 3 took the 2nd best opening ever & is the biggest hit this year so far. Fast & Furious which took the 3rd biggest opening ever is the 2nd biggest hit. Man of Steel, world War z has an above average run. The Croods was the biggest animation hit of the year so far. Epic took one of the biggest opening for an animation movie in India. The much awaited Hang Over proved to be a dud. Last year's Life of Pi continued its tremendous run in 2013 too, completed 200 days in many centers where even local movies didn't had such a long run for quite a while.

Its Official: Robert Downey Jr. to return as Iron Man !! Exclusive

Robert Downey Jr. Signs Deal to Appear as Iron Man in 'The Avengers 2' and 'The Avengers 3'


Breaking News: The question that was in everyone's mind after watching Iron Man 3, what happens to Ironman? Will RDJr return as Tony Stark/IM ?, has been finally answered. Robert Downey Jr. has signed a deal with Marvel Entertainment, but it's for The Avengers 2 (May 1, 2015) & The Avengers 3 (TBA). There is no news of Iron Man 4 as if now. May be Marvel is planning another sequel till Avengers 3 releases as they have plenty more new comic book based movies in the pipe line like Ant-Man.

Nothing was going right for RD Jr. till IronMan happened in 2008. Marvel where not at all impressed with his in the beginning too. And it was his co-star Terrance Howard [Cheadle replaced his in the sequels] who went with a bigger pay cheque for IM. But once it released everything changed. Today Tony Star & IronMan, who in the comic world were regarded as second fiddle to others like Hulk, CAP etc, is the most popular among the 'Avengers'. One of the major reasons behind the blockbuster success of Avengers and IM3.

So the ball was clearly in his court this time & he took his time to negotiate with marvel for a perfect deal as his contract came to an end with IM3. Nobody wanted to see any other actor playing those already iconic roles, which was evident from the discussions that were happening in almost all social media platforms.

So finally we got what we wanted, We will get to see one of the most loved character of modern era, played by one of the most loved & popular actors of modern era. Gear up folks.....“I am Iron Man”