Kingsman: The Golden Circle

"Kingsman: The Golden Circle"

Watched English movie Kingsman: The Golden Circle. 

This film is directed by Matthew Vaughn. Screenplay by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn. Produced by Matthew Vaughn and others. Music by Henry Jackman, Matthew Margeson. Cinematography George Richmond. The film stars Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Mark Strong, Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, Halle Berry, Elton John. The film runs for 2 hour 21 minutes and was released in 2017. I watched it on 15th Aug 2021.

A new villain, this time a female. She kills all the Kingsman, but Eggsy and Merlin escape. They team up with Statesman (their American counterparts). Harry is alive but not the same. Kingsman are tailors (cover), Statesman are brewers (cover). Kingsman are codenamed after King Arthur's knights. Statesman are named after various alcohols (Champaign, Whisky, Tequila etc. ).

Actions in this movie are also good like the first one but this movie doesn't have the USP that previous one had. Similar tricks. Audience wanted more, but it didn't come. In last movie Kingsman appear ernest and skillful. In this movie they appear lost and Statesman appear like caricatures.

They have added implausible story to bring Harry back. But rather than returning as supremely skilled agent and mentor he returns as a comedian. Why? If not bring him back as his original self, why bring him back at all?

A few things are offbeat. The villain kills a man, passes him through meat grinder, makes a burger of that meat and feeds friend and killer of the deceased. She threatens the world but no country responds with military might. If she is so evil, how come she dies easily? Princess of Sweden, who was all aristocratic in first movie, does daily chores like a common girl and waits for her man to return home. Why does she take drugs? Chief of staff of US President justifies taking drugs. Why did Elton John agree to play himself and allow to be made a joker?

In this movie emphasis is more on comedy (that comes out as laughable rather than humorous) than action and story is the casualty in the melee. This film is not as good as the first film. 

This film was a commercial succes, netting four times its production cost at box office. 

 Not a must watch.

Prince of Persia: The sands of time

"Prince of Persia: The sands of time"

Watched English movie Prince of Persia: The sands of time. 

This film is directed by Mike Newell. Screenplay by Boaz Yakin, Doug Miro. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer & Walt Disney. Music by Harry Gregson-Williams. Cinematography John Seale. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Toby Kebbell, Alfred Molina, Richard Coyle. The film runs for a little less than 2 hour and was released in 2010. I watched it on OSN on 14th Aug 2021.

Dastan, an orphan, is adopted by King of Persia and raised as Prince. Nizam, kings brother, brings evidence that sacred city of Alamut is forging weapons for Persia's enemies. Persian armies attack and conquer the city led by heroic adventures of Prince Dastan. Priestess Princess of Alamut is captured and Dastan gets hold of an enigmatic dagger. Someone kills the king and Dastan is accused. Everything is not what it seems.

It's a movie based on video game with same name. In the game, the prince, climbs on and jumps from various buildings. The same happens in the movie and these scenes are really watchable. 

It's a story set in old time Persia with elements of paranormal and fiction combined with realistic action sequences, good special effects and decent acting.

Film critics criticised that Jake did not suit the title role. Jake is understood to have made a similar statement. However I didn't feel so. Jake suited in the role. Gemma is given Cleopatrish appearance and is referred in the movie as the the most beautiful woman in the world. However, she doesn't look so. Ben Kingsley portrays the antagonist to perfection. His looks are sufficient to portray his mal-intent. Other supporting cast does well. 

This film made a good profit and was the highest-grossing video game film at that time. 

Recommend to watch, if you like the game. 

Kingsman: The secret service

"Kingsman: The secret service"

Watched English movie Kingsman: The secret service. 

This film is directed by Matthew Vaughn. Screenplay by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn. Produced by Matthew Vaughn and others. Music by Henry Jackman, Matthew Margeson. Cinematography George Richmond. The film stars Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Sofia Boutella. The film runs for 2 hour 9 minutes and was released in 2014. I watched it on OSN on 13th Aug 2021.

A secret spy organization of England, independent of any government interference. Fantastic gadgets and weapons. Name: Kingsman. Limited members with superb survival and killing skills named after King Arthur's knights. Eggsy, whose father was a member and died trying to save Harry, auditions for induction in Kingsman. A megalomaniac billionaire issues free sim cards and internet access to all. But he has an agenda. 

It's a sleek story. Fantastic action. Amazing gadgets. Very good special effects. Fast pace with vintage English atmosphere and setup. The concept of Kingsman is interesting but it's never revealed who they eventually report to. 

Samuel Jackson plays the megalomaniac. Although he acts well, he simply doesn't look like a megalomaniac. Tarron plays the rookie well. However his language transforms from lower class to upper class in a jiffy. Colin plays the mentor and looks as if the role was written for him. 

Cinematography is very good and so are special effects. Director handles the story well and presents it as what it is, a sleek action flick. This film won Empire award and Best British Film in 2015. It was a commercial succes too netting five times the production cost at box office. 

Recommend watching. 

No time to die

"No time to die"

Watched English film "No time to die", latest James Bond film. This film is directed by Cari Joji Fukunaga. Produced by Michael J. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Cari Joji Fukunaga. Cinematography by Linus Sandgren. Music by Hans Zimmer. The film stars Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Wishaw, Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch, Jeffrey Wright, Billy Magnussen, Rory Kinnear, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah. This film was released in 2021. It runs for about 2 hour 43 minutes. I watched in theatre on Oct with Jayant and Dada.

Bond is in love with Madeleine. There is an assassination attempt. Bond suspects her and sends her away. Time leap. Bond isn't active any more. MI6 assign Nomi, a black lady, as 007. A bio weapon is stolen from MI6's lab that doesn't exist. Bond is brought back into the fold. 

What it's the bio weapon? Who will be 007?

Bio weapon with nano bots that target specific DNA is a curious plot. Such a weapon in hands of a villain is a recipe for disaster. One 007 isn't sufficient. 

Like any other Bond movie, this one too has top class action scenes. It's the USP. There are gadgets made by Q, another USP. 

Two characters stand out and none of them is Bond. One is the villain Safin, played by Rami, who underplays the character and makes it chilling and calculative. Second is Madeleine, played by Léa. She is beautiful, acts well as wronged one who still loves Bond but is fiercely independent. 

This movie has a number of firsts. Bond being emotionally involved and looking to settle, Bond having a child, Bond is dead etc. This makes Bond humane but at the same time reduces the glamour. 

Cinematographically, the opening scene is excellent. All the actions are shot very well and are tantalising. 

Specially of Daniel Craig's Bond films is its continuity. The characters and references from previous movies keep appearing. This was not the case in previous bond films. Each film was a stand alone film. 

The million dollar question on everyone's mind is 'Will there be any more James Bond films?'. Will they bring Bond back to life? Will Nomi continue as 007? Will there be a new Bond and will the story simply reset? Well, we have to wait and watch. 

Watch if you like Bond films. 

Chehre (चेहरे)

"Chehre (चेहरे)"

Watched Hindi movie "Chehre (चेहरे)". This movie is directed by Rumy Jaffery. Produced by Anand Pandit. Screenplay and dialogues by Ranjit Kapoor, Rumy Jaffery. Music Vishal-Shekhar, Gourav Dasgupta. Cinematography Binod Pradhan. It stars Amitabh Bacchan, Annu Kapoor, Imran Hashmi, Raghubir Yadav, Rhea Chakraborty, Dhritiman Chatterjee, Samir Soni, Siddhanth Kapoor, Krystle D'Souza, Alexx O'Nell. The film runs for 2 hours 19 minutes and was released in Aug 2021. I watched the movie on Amazon Prime with Aditi and Dada on 9th Oct 2021.

Imran is driving through a snowy mountain when fallen tree blocks his path. Luckly he meets a retired defense lawyer who takes him to his friends, a retired prosecutor, a retired judge, a retired hangman. They propose to play a game, a mock trial, and invite Imran to become the accused. A mock trial or is it?

Will Imran accept? What will be the charges? How will the trial go? How will it end? What happens to the game?

It's a psycho thriller. Mysterious plot. Excitement of unknown. Mind games. A well handled plot and well directed movie. Most of the movie happens in a house with a few outdoor shots. A mock court, an accused, proofs, arguments and verdict. 

In my opinion the movie takes longer than necessary to start the trial after interval. The trial is developed nicely. However, the movie doesn't end with an ascending graph. At the time of verdict one wonders, if the verdict is in proportion to the crime. Probably even director thought the same after watching the rushes and then appended another scene as an afterthought to end the movie with a small surprise. 

Amithabh's long-winded closing argument is  scintillating acting, but script wise it appears a bit out of context and a gross generalization with rape, acid attacks, terrorism and law & order (in general) being discussed rather than the context of the case in hand.

All actors are established actors and they do well. Imran and Rhea ensure that they do not fall woefully inadequate in the August company. 

Cinematography is good. Outdoor snow covered locations are good. The last action scene, especially, deserves special mention. Music is forgettable. 

If a few things had been handled better, it would have become a good movie. 

Its a one time watch.