Review: Action Jackson

Action Jackson probably the worst named Bollywood movie of 2014 (also copying an American movie) is an action 'masala' film directed by Prabhu Deva, who would recognised from Tamil movies and is a choreographer and is famous for his crazy dancing.

It features famous stuntman come actor Ajay Devgn in a double role, alongside Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam and Manasvi Mamgai as the female leads. Kunaal Roy Kapur appears in a supporting role with Anand Raj portraying the main antagonist. Other reviewers have commented on the poor dialogue and excessive violence as I am now about to :-p

Vishi (Ajay Devgan) is a small time crook who would do anything for money. He is attracted towards Khushi (Sonakshi Sinha), and lots of toilet jokes ensue which i think were pointless and verging on cringe worthy than sexy.  Later Vishi's lookalike Jay is beaten up mistaken for Viski or Aj, I am still confused by this silly plot as they are both goons, nothing really differentiates them for each other apart from one has a Chinese tatoo. The tatoo is only there to include silly shirtless scenes and to showoff Devgan's body - which I'd expect no less from a stunt man. 

Vishi freaks out on seeing his lookalike but Jay reveals his real identity. In a flashback Jay reveals that he is a professional assassin AJ, who used to work for Bangkok based Don Xavier (Anand Raj). Xavier's sister Marina (Manasvi Mamgai) is been kidnapped by his rivals from where AJ single handedly rescues her. Marina falls for AJ but he rejects her as he is married to Anusha (Yami Gautam). Angered, Xavier tries to kill Anusha twice, which leaves her brutally injured. AJ escapes to India and get her treated.

In present time AJ requests Vishi to go to Bangkok disguised as AJ to fool Xavier and his sister, meanwhile AJ gets time to get his wife operated who is expecting a baby. Vishi agrees to help and goes to Bangkok along with his friend Moosa (Kunaal Roy Kapur). They manages to fool everyone for few days, but Xavier gets suspicions. Marina tortures Moosa to find out the truth. They later kidnap Anusha and her new born baby and calls AJ. It is then revealed that AJ and Vishi had already switched places and the person at Bangkok is the real AJ. In the climax AJ kills Xavier, Marina and their gang. He rescues Anusha and their baby before returning to India.

The music was done by Himesh which was shocking as most of the music was ok but nothing really catchy apart from Keeda which was filmed in Austria with Elvis impersonators for reasons unknown LOL! They introduced new actress Yami Gautam playing Anusha, AJ's giflfriend who has the cutest dimple on her face and is soft spoken and suit the role perfectly of being battered to a pulp.

Not a family friendly movie lots of brutal killing scenes and terrible dancing - I think a simple idea was ruined with flashy unnecessary special effects and awful dialogue. Glad mum paid for this ticket - I cannot get those 2.5 hours back of my life...

3/10

Review: Happy Ending

Happy Ending is a 2014 Indian romantic comedy film directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. The film is produced by Illuminati Films and has an allstar cast including  Saif Ali Khan, Ileana D'Cruz and Govinda.

Since my mum has retired the only source of amusement apart from her daytime Indian/Pakistani dramas she insists we make the most of Orange Wednesday codes and watch a movie a week. That's nice 'she get's to see a free movie with her mum awwww.' NO NOT AWWW especially when you have to watch the mediocrity spewed from India.

In the 80's 90's my childhood was blessed with cinematic legends like Sholay, Kalia, Shaan, Bobby, Kuch Kuch Hota hai, Kubhi Kushi Kabhi Gham but now we have Westerneised trash - they aren't even copied properly thought he Indian version of Leon was pretty awesome, instead of the plant you had a scorpion and it was called Bichoo.

Nowadays we have nakedness, inappropriate top less scenes and awful comedy sequences. HOWEVER Happy Ending is not one of them. i had low hopes as my mum said it 'flopped' in Indian cinemas but I gave it a chance becuase of the trailers  - there was at least one redeeming song for me to mong out in - Haseena Tu Kamina Mein <3 p="">

Story

You follow writer Yudi (Saif Ali Khan) who wrote a best selling novel five and a half years ago but he is still living it up off that old fame and not a lot of money in LA. He hasbn't honoured his book deal and has his car repossessed and can't hold down a relationship as he likes casual flings. He parties with married friend Montu (Ranvir Shorey) making us assume he has no long term relationships including friendships. He also zones out and discusses life with his fat, bearded inner voice Yogi (also Saif). Suddenly, he is replaced by romance writer and hack Aanchal (Ileana D'Cruz), visiting from Mumbai.

The only work Yudi now gets is from Bollywood single-screen superstar Armaan (Govinda) who insists he copies Hollywood movies and writes a multiplex-style rom-comedy.- ha ha sounds like my opening paragraphy abou the Indian movie industry. Meanwhile, Yudi's dentist and once-girlfriend Vishakha (Kalki Koechlin) is pursuing him obsessively and he realised he is in love (at last) with his competitor Aanchal.

I have to say as a writer I related to this movie well and enjoyed the comedy as it wasn't too cheesy and liked all the cameo roles including Kareena Kapoor (Saif's real life wife) and Preety Zinta as his female best friend. I'd rate this film as a 7/10 as Govinda always delivers even if his role was small his dancing was great. Rent this online or buy it as it was only in the cinema for a week.

Ra.One: Gaming with proverbs

I finally got round to seeing Shurukh Khan's super hyped movie produced by his wifey, mum sky plus-ed it and I sat down with a open mind and some Toffe Butterkist popcorn.

This movie was heavily advertised, wherever Mr Khan could he media whored himself preformed the item song on every show, movie awards, apparently it didn't make as much money as Salman Khan's movie Dabung...

Great thing about sky plus is you can pause for bathroom breaks and forward past the corny songs and that what Indian movies pride themselves in cheesy songs with 20 costume changes. i have to say 30minutes went by with no songs !

The beginning echoed similarities from devil May cry and well general game type dialogues and well you the save the bird and beat the bad guy right? Sanjay Dutt as guest appearance bad guy was amusing and appreciated. I liked the intro set the scene for the main protagonist, the kid likes villains because they are powerful and 'kick ass' so his poor bumbling idiot of a father with an awful perm creates a new game with a powerful villain (Ra.one is Hindi is the name of an evil god Raavan, the Hero is called G.One which means Life in Hindi, I liked the thought went into the names and concept of the fake game :)

Shit happens and the villain leaves the game and goes after the kid only knowing his gaming alias 'Lucifer', daddy dies and so do a range of comical characters including Jackie Chan (Akashi being Chinese is always refereed to as Jackie Chan - stereotype or racism? Don't know don't care!). i preferred Sharukh's robotic acting frankly, Kareena was so so, I guess it was all about the story and Arjun Rampal's Abs.

Akon made a guest appearance as he did most of the songs on the soundtrack, did you know he can speak 7 languages fluently? I thought he was a gimmick but 'Chamak Chalo' is actually a really catchy song and I'd dance to it at a wedding!

I'm not sure if I was watching a bit of Tron, the Terminator, Ironman or even unstoppable (yes there is a runaway train people!!!!) but I was entertained and was pleased with the movie, it was not the big pile of crap I expected it to be, I hope they make a sequel! Watch this movie if you like games, intense action and Shurukh!