Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises is an entertaining film. To call it an epic might be going a little overboard, but its close nevertheless. Nolan continues with his fine work and gives a perfect end to the Batman Trilogy (end or a new beginning remains to be seen, thanks to Robin).

Acting: 9/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 9/10
Technical Aspects: 8.5/10
Is it worth your time and money??: Do I even need to answer that question?? It’s the biggest movie of the year, and if you still need an answer, hell yeah. It might not be the best of Nolan’s work, but it’s a perfect finish to the series (I hope this ain’t the end!!)

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Movie Review: Eega

Eega is an entertaining watch. It might not be a perfect film, but it seriously doesn’t matter for Rajamouli takes Telugu films to a different level. He is a director with guts, and proud to have him among us. It’s a much watch film for every Telugu film lover. Leave your inhibitions behind, and go watch it. Am sure you won’t be disappointed.

Acting: 8.5/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 8.5/10
Technical Aspects: 8.5/10
Is it worth your time and money??: Yes. It’s worth every penny you spend. Don’t miss it!!

Verdict: 8.5/10 + 0.5 for Rajamouli

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Shanbhag

Place: Shanbhag
Location: Basheerbhag, under the flyover
Cuisine: North-Indian
Meal: Dinner (with bro)

Food: 9/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Service: 8.5/10
Meal for 2: Rs. 228/- (Rs. 114 /- per Thali)

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Blue Diamond

Place: Blue Diamond
Location: Next to L.B. Stadium, Basheerbhag
Cuisine: Chinese
Meal: Dinner (with bro)

Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 2: Rs. 483/-

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Viva Italia

Place: Viva Italia
Location: Ground floor, White House, Next to Lifestyle Building, Begumpet
Cuisine: Italian
Meal: Dinner (with couple of friends)

Food: 9.5/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 3: Rs. 628/-

Verdict: 9.5/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Urban Asia

Place: Urban Asia
Location: Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills
Cuisine: Chinese
Meal: Dinner (with amma and bro)

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance:9/10
Meal for 3: Rs. 1277/-

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Rajdhani

Place: Rajdhani
Location: First Floor, Uptown Banjara, Opp. TV9, Banjara Hills
Cuisine: Rajasthani, Gujarati
Meal: Dinner (with bro)

Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Meal for 1: Rs. 274/- (all-inclusive)

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Relish (Mumbai)

Place: Relish - International Veg Cuisine
Location: Prem Court, Tata Road, Churchgate, Mumbai
Cuisine: Continental
Meal: Lunch

Food: 9.5/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 2: Rs. 588/-

Verdict: 9.5/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Movie Review: Hugo

Overall, Hugo is an epic masterpiece expertly crafted by one of the finest directors of our time. It might be a little too long, but the heart wrenching tale of the twelve-year-old hooks you to your seat and makes you a part his adventure. It’s a film with a message, one which tells you that you have a purpose in this world, one which tells you never to stop chasing your dreams. I am inspired, and hope you will be too. Go watch it!!

Acting: 9.5/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 9/10
Technical Aspects: 9.5/10
Is it worth your time and money??: Absolutely!! It’s a must watch for every film buff!!

Verdict: 9.5/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Movie Review: Vicky Donor

Overall, a lovely movie with some impeccable direction and acting. The fact that a tabooed subject with sex as its background is able to run packed houses without being derogative in any sense shows how good this film actually is. It’s one film you might enjoy with your family as well. The second best film of the year for me (after Kahaani).

Acting: 9/10

Story-Screenplay-Direction: 8.5/10

Technical Aspects: 9/10

Is it worth your time and money??: Yes, don’t miss it!

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Movie Review: The Avengers

Overall, an entertaining film. Some great acting, good direction and amazing effects make this a must watch for every action film fan. Whether you've watched the rest of the series or not, you'll surely enjoy this one. Go get Hulk smashed!!

Acting: 9/10

Story-Screenplay-Direction: 9/10

Technical Aspects: 9/10

Is it worth your time and money??: Yes, totally worth it!!

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: Via Milano

Place: Via Milano
Location: Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills
Cuisine: Italian
Meal: Lunch (with a friend)

Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 2: Rs. 1555/-

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Movie Review: Titanic (3D)

Now how does one rate a classic like Titanic?? I was 11 years old when the movie first released and I still remember the first time I went to watch it. I barely had any knowledge about movies back then, but the sheer grandeur and brilliance of this movie made me watch it a billion times over and over!! (Twice in the last five days in 3D!!) 

After working on action classics like The Terminator, Rambo, Aliens and True Lies, James Cameron comes up with one of the best romantic, epic movies of all times. The way he adds fiction to the true story is absolutely brilliant. The script is too long, dialogues a little cheesy, screenplay a tad slow, but the whole package together is so beautiful that you end up falling in love with the movie. Bottom line, I’m no one to talk about this man. 

Twenty-two year old Kate Winslet looks gorgeous as Rose DeWitt Bukate, and plays her role to perfection. Her performance in the climax is so bloody haunting that I have goosebumps even now thinking about it. Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal as Jack Dawson is one of his best works to date. The chemistry between them is probably the finest you will ever see on-screen. The rest of the cast, Billy Zane, Bill Paxton, Kathy Bates, Victor Garber, and every other actor, is excellent. It’s a shame that it didn’t win any Oscars for acting!

Cinematography by Russell Carpenter is absolutely splendid. The way he captured the romantic moments between Rose and Jack in the first half, and the disastrous sinking in the later half is terrific. It is one of the best work on cinematography I’ve seen to date. Editing by James Cameron, Conrad Buff IV and Richard A. Harris is perfect. Music by James Horner is absolutely brilliant. Be it the foot tapping Irish music for the real party under-decks, the musicians playing till the last-minute before the sink, or the ever loved “My Heart Will Go On”, master-pieces!! 

James Cameron spent over a year with 300 people to digitally remaster the 1997 version into 3D. And the effort pays off, for it was fantastic to watch this masterpiece on big screen again. The 3D effect wasn’t so great, but seriously, who cares?? It’s TITANIC!! 3D or not, go re-live this magnum opus all over again! 

Verdict: NA (now this is a classic!!)

Movie Review: The Artist

I knew this was the toughest review I was ever going to write even before watching the movie, but boy, was it an experience. Jean Dujardin, man, take a bow, for you were out of this world!! (He now joins the list of my all time favorite actors).

The moment you know that it’s a black and white silent movie, you have this notion in your head, a notion you cannot describe. But having enjoyed the all time Indian silent classic Pushpak years ago, I kinda was motivated to watch this film (even before it won the Oscars). I am glad I did. 

The Artist is a movie which you can connect with. It’s very predictable at times, but brilliant, moving yet humorous performances by Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and every other cast member, not to forget the dog, Uggy, make you fall in love with them. Every character is so well written that you can emotionally connect with them. The cinematography, though in black and white is absolutely mind-blowing, and the direction perfect. The background musical score adds so much life to the film. The screenplay was good, though, pardon my ignorance if that’s how it’s supposed to be in b&w classics, was kinda slow at times. 

Overall, a fabulous film, one of the best I’ve seen so far. If you wanna have a delightful experience, go watch The Artist, with pleasure! 

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Restaurant Review: 100 Degrees

Place: 100 Degrees
Location: Necklace Road, Ranigunj, Secunderabad
Cuisine: Continental Meal: Dinner (with mom and dad)

Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 3: Rs. 1006/-

Verdict: 9/10

For a detailed review, please visit sasikanth.me :)

Movie Review: Super 8

Plot
Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) is a 14-year-old boy who recently lost his mom in an accident. His dad, Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler) is the Police deputy of the small town they live in. Joe and Jackson are going through a tough phase with the recent death. Joe, his secret crush Alice (Elle Fanning), and his friends are shooting a Zombie movie at an old train depot, when a huge train crash occurs. The event gets recorded on their camera. The rest of the story establishes reason for the crash and its consequences.

Artists Performance
Every artist in the film was absolutely brilliant. Joel Courtney was excellent as the lead kid. His expressions were good towards the climax of the movie. Kyle Chandler was good and fit the bill perfectly. Riley Griffiths was fantastic as Jack's best buddy, and the director with a secret crush on Alice. I loved the scene where he asks Jack if he could manage things without him. The best performance though, is by Elle Fanning. I was absolutely spellbound by her act as the heroine (like everyone else), and even as the zombie. She looked really mean and scary while dressed as the zombie. Other friends of Jack were great. It was a perfect ensemble of cast.

Story-Screenplay-Direction

Written and directed by J.J. Abrams, Super 8 is one of those freaky, sci-fi alien movies which makes an impact. It was like watching a Steven Spielberg's film, but with a different take on things. I loved the screenplay. The way he scared the living hell out of the audience, without actually showing us the alien was brilliant. Also, I liked the way he established the animosity between Jack's and Alice's dads as the story progresses. The direction was spot on. He was able to generate the best out of the kids, while infusing subtle humor throughout the film. The movie never lost its momentum. The Zombie movie during the end title credits was brilliant.

Other Departments

Ive seen quite a lot of movies, but Ive never watched anything which literally made me jump of my seat for its sound effects. This film did that. Credit goes to Michael Giacchino for the mind blowing music, re-recording and sound effects. CGI effects house Industrial Light and Magic are really good. The train crash scenes had the best effects, and was very well canned. Cinematography by Larry Fong was excellent. As already mentioned, the way the alien was never shown properly in any frame until the climax was brilliant. Editing by Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey was perfect. The film never dragged. Production values by Amblin Entertainment (Spielberg), Bad Robot Productions (J.J. Abrams), and Paramount Pictures are excellent.

Verdict

Its one of the best movies Ive watched in recent times. It was spooky, freaky and humorous, all at the same time. The actors fit the bill perfectly, and did an awesome job. I felt that the movie had a message infused into it. Plus points are the casting, brilliant screenplay, direction, and the sound effects. I cant think of any negatives. Its a film to be watched in a theater. I absolutely loved it, I hope you do too.

Dumbo's Rating: 9.5/10

PS: The film released about 4 months ago in the U.S, but released just a couple of days ago in India. Ive been waiting all along to go watch it in the theater. And it was worth the wait!!