30 Minutes or Less

Two fledgling criminals kidnap a pizza delivery driver and force him to rob a bank within 30 minutes.

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Jumping the Broom

Two very different families converge on Martha's Vineyard one weekend for a wedding.
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The Rum Diary

Paul Kemp is a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean...
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Dum Maaro Dum

When was the last time you holidayed in Goa -strolled along the beaches, soaked up the sun, got drunk on Feni? Nope, this ain't the Goa from your last holiday.
The Goa in Dum Maaro Dum is ugly and replete with the drug mafia calling the shots.
It's a place where foreign tourists run the drug business, enlisting help from the locals. One such “recruitment” is Lorry (Prateik) desperate for a few extra bucks and a ticket out of India. His background isn't clearly established - especially his family that is represented through a few women always ready to sing and dance but who're not given a single dialogue.
The names of the characters (an important aspect of characterisation) are 'filmy', no one has a 'real name' - the good guys are called Lorry, Joki, and Zoe, the cop's name is Kamat, and the villains are Lorsa Biscuita and Michael Barbosa.
Yup Barbosa's running the whole show, but remains elusive and mysterious. Kamat is the cop gunning after Goa's drug web, and his determination is explained though a backstory. So now he has to find Barbosa. The premise is set; the action begins.
Kamat enlists the assistance of two trusted aides, and the trio starts the work of wiping out Goa's drug-fuelled underbelly. Meanwhile Kamat also finds time to sing a smartly-worded song. That's the thing with the film - here a song, there a song, everywhere a song song!
Deepika's Dum Maaro Dum, you will wait for with trepidation. The bland, tasteless remix of the iconic Dum Maaro Dum song will have you immediately uncomfortable; the (too many) close-ups of Deepika working the short skirt might comfort some. When it's finally over, the film moves into the finale.
The unearthing of Barbosa's mystery isn't going to get anyone a standing ovation. But the finale isn't half-bad either.
Director Rohan Sippy (Bluffmaster) obviously believes that the Indian audience is a sucker for emotion, and so injects a dose whenever he can (reminiscent of '80s style filmmaking). Sippy insists on visions of dead people in white making an appearance, smiling beatifically. These attempts at adding an 'emotional element' are incongruous with the vibe of the film, and are simply imposed upon the viewer.
Also strangely, while the narrative has each character introduce themselves in the beginning, there is no such continuity towards the end.
Amit Roy's cinematography and the snappy editing by Aarif Shaikh (barring the lag in the second half) are fun. However Sippy tries too hard to make each frame style- heavy and the effort shows.
Dialogue is a mixed bag-there are nice lines and some puzzling ones. For example, there are lines with a pun delivered by the character as it the pun was unintended - “Ye air-hostess ban na chahti hai, par take off nahin ho raha hai.” Then there is a spin on the popular bangla-gaadi-maa dialogue where the word 'maa' is punned upon, but it appears at the most inappropriate time (the character who writes this dialogue has his life in danger and would hardly be making jokes). If the attempt was at edgy black humour, it's lost on the viewer.
Performances remain the highlight. Abhishek Bachchan has the cool cop number down pat and reiterates his Dhoom act with the same sluggish charm and earnestness. Bipasha Basu gives a fair performance. Prateik is a treat though he overdoes the cowardly act. Govind Namdeo is superb and leaves a mark. Aditya Pancholi makes for a weak villain; dapper but not really exciting. Rana Dugabatti is alright.
Goa, as its crime rate proves, is a place that's only superficially serene. In that context, the Goa government can hardly raise an objection about an unfair portrayal of the state.
Dum Maaro Dum is worth a watch for the peek into the seamier side of Goa; but expecting anything other than Bollywood style thrills and chases will leave you disappointed.
review by Sonia Chopra
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Lady Snowblood

It was the 1962 Kurosawa movie "Sanjuro," I believe, that first introduced the "geyser blood" special effect to the world, but 11 years later, Toshiya Fujita's "Lady Snowblood" developed this image to a fine art. In this latter film, we meet Yuki Kashima, "born for vengeance" in a Japanese woman's prison in 1874. Trained from childhood to avenge the deaths of her mother, father and brother, by 1894, armed only with a sword hidden in her parasol handle, she is ready to exact retribution from the three killers still living. All three of these confrontations between Yuki and her enemies are, uh, executed marvelously; all are suspenseful, action packed and surprising, and all feature those geysers, jets, gouts, streams and sprays of the red stuff mentioned above. Yes, this IS a very gory movie (let's just say that Yuki's kimonos never seem to stay lily white for very long!), but it is also a very beautiful one. Exquisitely filmed, and often featuring gorgeous seaside or garden backdrops, the picture is actually very artful and poetic, as reflected in some of its chapter titles (such as "Crying Bamboo Dolls of the Netherworlds" and "Umbrella of Blood, Heart of Strewn Flowers"). Meiko Kaji plays the part of Yuki with great intensity; she makes Yuki a gorgeous instrument of vengeance whose skill with the blade really is something to behold, and her final moments on screen are quite moving. Thus, "Lady Snowblood" gives us a compelling story, strong action and great visual beauty; it would be a perfect picture, I'd say, if only the anachronistic jazz in the background didn't occasionally pop up. An obvious inspiration for Tarantino's "Kill Bill," the film is certainly deserving of a wider audience, and thanks to the widescreen DVD from AnimEigo that I just watched, with excellent subtitling, crisp images and many fine extras, that audience now has a chance to discover this winning entertainment in a perfect form....
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Pakal Nakshatrangal

When the movie was released two years back I was not able to see it. I had heard that it showed a novel change in the Malayalam film industry with some fine acting and good story. But it was a failure in the box office. Later I came to know that Mohanlal had won multiple awards for his performance for this movie. And when this movie was aired the other day on television I sat down to watch it finally.

Watching this movie, I realized this too was just an attempt to make a good movie where the whole crew failed to produce anything worth watching apart from the good acting by Mohanlal and a fine story line. The main reason for this movie to fail was a weak script. This movie as a mystery never keeps the viewer guessing what is to happen next. Moreover, there are so many characters in this movie that the viewer gets easily confused who is who and how he is going to affect the story line; especially those characters that appear as the Siddarthan's (character played by Mohanal) friends. Most of these characters seems one sided that linger around most of the movie without any impact or by providing silly comments that does not move the movie forward. They seem to be there just for being in a film and their acting seemed plain boring. Anoop Menon who had handled the writing department appears to have heightened his character with unwanted intellectual lines that he speaks.

The director seems to be nowhere, with mediocrity shown in each shot and the story never moves forward and it hangs around the same point till the end with a fine climax which could have been better.

The narrative pattern made me remember about the TV Chandran film 'Kadhavasheshan', with even the plot being similar to the movie.

This movie never evokes the viewer to engage into the movie due to several reasons: Characters seemed to pop out from nowhere, speak something interesting blandly and then disappear suddenly.

I didn't understand the purpose of many characters and scenes especially the scene in the beginning in which Nishanth Sagar speaks of his new drama. His character itself is nowhere to be found later. Then there was Lakshmi Gopalasway with no specific purpose but just to listen to Anoop Menon's avoidable and uninteresting dialogues. There are some more scenes in which I didn't I understand the purpose of it in the movie.

The movie is a definite one time watch just because of a really good story, a good performance from Mohanlal, Kalpana, the actor who played the character Uthaman and Anoop Menon in parts but due to the faulty screenplay and ridiculous dialogues we don't get to like the hang of the movie. 

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Melancholia

Two sisters find their relationship challenged as a nearby planet threatens to collide into the Earth.

Director: Lars von Trier 

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Warrior

The youngest son (Hardy) of an alcoholic former boxer (Nolte) returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament...
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Anonymous

A political thriller about who actually wrote the plays of William Shakespeare-- Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford-- set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her.
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Black Bread

This film swept the board at this year's Goyas (Spanish cinema awards), but after last years Cell 211 ( an enjoyable but unremarkable prison drama) did the same, I wasn't expecting too much.

I'd enjoyed Villaronga's disturbing Aro Tolbukhin, but I wasn't expecting this. One of the best opening sequences you'll see all year leads to a mystery, experienced through the eyes of one boy, that reveals lies, conspiracy and the dark secrets in the heart of a rural Catalan village a few years after the end of the Civil War.

It's magnificently done, and the performances of the children match those of actors such as Sergi Lopez (whose role echoes that in Pan's Labyrinth),Eduard Fernández and Marina Comas.

Scenes such as the boy's father instructing him to uphold his ideals and walk tall, or a powerless mother pleading her husband's innocence, are familiar from more commercial films. Here they are brutally undermined until nothing is left but pitiless self interest.

A chilling study of how war and poverty create monsters.
by ironheadrat (Spain)
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Rise of the Planet of the Apes

An origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.
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Water for Elephants

I saw the movie today at a pre screening and let me just say, this movie simply just took my breathe away. I was already in tears by the first scene! This is an emotional, warm movie and I loved every second of it of course there are some really funny scenes in it too but since I don't wanna post spoilers I will add a few under the cut but one of the best scenes has to do with cats ;). It is so beautiful, they have really captured the era and the feeling of a circus.

This movie seem to be all Robert Pattinson (Jacob), I mean come on!! The footage of Rob is to die for. If i could picture frame every scene he is in i would. He is simply amazingly beautiful in this movie, like we didn't already know that?!

How about Robs acting then. The big question ;) I could see so much change in his acting and so much progress. It made me sort of proud in a weird way. I hope this movie will finally be the one that makes the movie business see him as something more than Edward Cullen. In the beginning of the movie i could see some Edward acting in certain face expressions and further in I could draw parallels with Tyler in Remember Me and sometimes I couldn't tell if he was acting or if he was simply being Rob. In some scenes I could see him charming fans at official events or just being laid back as he always is. Like if he shined through..you know what I mean? I think all of you will see his amazing change, he have learned so much on the way.
by gossip_dance (Sweden)
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by emc5228 (United States)

Saw the film today, I was very impressed. Yes somethings looked wrong (mostly uniform items) but on the whole a job well done. Great film locations and acting. James MacAvoy follows his outstanding performance in Last King of Scotland with a tour de force. Robin Wright plays her role just right. Kevin Kline's performance might be my favorite of his ever. Outstanding period feel with great on site shooting at homes in Savannah, GA. Got the impression that at least the film company made a serious effort to get the look right. The Q and A after the screen I attended really highlighted the efforts they put into the film to get it right. Noted historian James McPherson was a consultant strongly recommended film when it comes out on April 15th.
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Ceremony

review by ralphado (USA)

I was fortunate to view a screening of this film last night and I have to say, it was great! This is a coming of age comedy so well balanced it will have you smiling, giggling and laughing throughout. Uma is excellent (as always) and with her Idiosyncrasies, she fits the character of Zoe wonderfully. Michael Angarano is great for these roles and along with Reece Thompson, they were refreshingly original compared to cliché duel characters you see in most comedies. I felt they were more realistic and it made the film that much funnier. From the beginning of the story, with the introduction of Sam and Marshall you will laugh and grow to like them right away! The characters, Whit and Zoe's brother Teddy, are hilarious and you cant help , but to shake your head with giggles when they speak. Max Winkler did a fantastic job in writing and directing this lovable comedy. It is well paced, well cast, sweet and original. I don't want to spoil you with movie details, just don't miss out viewing it. Easily one of this years best comedies.
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Henry's Crime

Released from prison for a crime he didn't commit, an ex-con targets the same bank he was sent away for robbing
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The Lincoln Lawyer

by Raymond Melendez (staff@moviefloss.com) (United States)

I know what you're thinking and I can agree with you that the name, Matthew McConaughey, does not instill great confidence that you're going to get a great movie experience. Now that is not to say that McConaughey hasn't done some great movies. For every Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past, Sahara, and Failure to Launch there are We Are Marshall and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Lincoln Lawyer is luckily part of the later group and reminds us that McConaughey can carry movie without having to take off his shirt in every scene.

Lincoln Lawyer is a thrilling drama about a cocky and smooth defense attorney Mick Haller, played by McConaughey, who represents a high-profile client on charges of attempted murder. But as new evidence continues to pile on, Mick starts to grow suspicious that perhaps his client isn't telling him everything. With twists and turns at every corner, Lincoln Lawyer keeps you guessing till the very end.

With the help of that distinct country voice and southern charm, McConaughey takes the movie to another level with this portrayal of the fast-talking lawyer. With the role of Mick, McConaughey is actually given a chance to show off a range of emotions that will truly surprise viewers. Mcconaughey doesn't carry this alone, Lincoln Lawyer gets some great acting from the likes of William H. Macy, Michael Pena, John Leguizamo, Josh Lucas, and Marisa Tomei. The only black sheep of his movie comes from the alleged murderer Louis Roulet, played by the ever wooden Ryan Phillippe. The only thing I find amazing from Phillippe's attempt at acting is his unique talent to deliver every line of dialogue without moving a single muscle on his face.

The tension and intensity that begins to engulf Mike as the case continues is stellar. Lincoln Lawyer really pushes Mike to edge as his whole world becomes begins to collapse due to his Attorney-Client relationship. This is where Lincoln Lawyer really comes alive and delivers a must see movie experience. The court room scenes are some of my favorite scenes in the movie and there are plenty. The approach they took to portraying the lawyer aspect of the film feels accurate and realistic. The plot is solid and keeps you invested right from the beginning and keeps the grip tight throughout the movie. The movie keeps a good pacing and the dialogue is smart and witty. The film's color and camera work gives a very raw feel although at times it can be a little too unstable. The story and characterization is done well but there are a few things that should have been given more focus, like Mike and Maggie's relationship and more insight as to why they got divorced. The movie touches on the idea with a scene or two but never really reveals too much. We also never really get too much on Mike's relationship with his daughter. My biggest problem with the film was the underwhelming ending that really had everything necessary to end the movie with, but still felt lackluster when it came. However, don't let these few problems sway you. I strongly recommend this film and promise you that you will leave satisfied.
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Your Highness

Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world-Your Highness. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent's fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed. Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he's settled for a life of wizard's weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious' bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux)... Written by Universal Pictures 
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