January 2012 so far

8. Hugo (8/10)
This is a treat to watch on big screen that too in 3-D. I am not a big fan of 3D films, in fact they give me headache but trust me this film is worth it. It is a touching film with just the right doses of everything. Scorsese has done it again.

7. Desi Boyz (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Over the top and boring. My patience for non-sensible hindi films is just reducing day by day

6. Horrible Bosses (4/10)
Funny in parts. Guilty pleasure. My ratings are based on more meaningful cinema. I am sure many people will love this movie a lot and might identify as well.

5. Crazy, Stupid Love (5/10)
There was a time I used to like rom-coms but not any more. I can see myself absolutely loving this movie 5 years ago but now, this was strictly an ok movie.

4. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Such a disappointment form the team of BBB. This was just such an ordinary film that I could not believe what I was seeing. Nothing.. absolutely nothing was special in the film except maybe The Chopra girl. I was surprised to see how under utilised Anushka Sharma was. The charm that Ranvir Singh brought in BBB was totally lost by his "star" attitude in this film.

3. Such a Long Journey (UK/Indian) (8.5/10)
Based on the novel by Rohinton Mistry, I had no expectations of this movie but it was such a fantastic and pleasant surprise. A slice of life film focusing on a Parsi man Gustad Noble. He is forced to deal with a number of unexpected problems in his life, including his sick daughter, his individualist eldest son, a distant friend who gets him involved with some dirty money, and an unhealthy neighborhood. Acting by the entire principal cast is very natural. Released way back in 99, I am surprised this film did not get any recognition. Highly recommended. It is very very real.

2. The Guard (9/10)
This film reminded me so much of 'In Bruges'. An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring. The humour in this film is subtle and wrong but it is so so funny. Either you will get the humour and you will crack up and enjoy it or you would be miserable. Be careful of the Irish accent. It helped me watch it with subtitles an dont missing out on any jokes.

1. Flowers of War (English/Chinese) (7/10)
A Westerner finds refuge with a group of women in a church during Japan's rape of Nanking in 1937. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety. This film is too real and very depressing. It just kills your heart to see what the little girls have to go through during the war. I did not know about the history of Japan's attack on Nanking in China but the film focuses more on the human aspects of it. Very real, touching and sad. Good piece of cinema.