Movie Review: The Wolverine

Image courtesy of http://www.thewolverinemovie.com/

I quite like the X-Men series for a couple of reasons:-

• You have a number of characters with interesting powers
• There is no 'superman' among the X-men in the sense that all are equally strong or vulnerable and that makes them relatable 
• They face issues of discrimination adding a grey dimension to the conflict of good and evil

The X-men movies were average at best with the exception of X-men first class which was a truly great movie. For me a movie - specially a superhero movie - should make me relate to the character. It's fun dialogue is an added bonus (thank you Avengers). 

Among the long list of X-men characters one stands apart and that is Wolverine. His menacing claws, his cool healing ability and hos bad attitude make for a fun character and this lead to two movie spin-outs (i) X-men Origins: Wolverine and the currently running (ii) The Wolverine 

The first movie (Origins) was pretty lame. Yes it had a number of characters, yes it covered his mysterious back story and yes there was a fair amount of fighting, but it still did not work. I guess my expectations from a Wolverine movie were too lofty which is why I felt The Wolverine will give the character the movie he deserves. 

It tried and failed. Yes the movie helps us understand what Wolverine was going through, his life of seclusion and his 'curse' of immortality but the pace was too slow. There was also an unusual lack of other mutants which is a departure from the series and most disappointing. I know this is not an X-men movie in that sense but I still expected a little but of mutant vs mutant death battles. 

About the actual story, without giving anything away i'd say it was needlessly convoluted and at times down right stupid. While the broad theme is interesting the actual story seems far to contrived and leaves many unanswered questions. Now you can get away with a shoddy story if you have great action sequences (Pacific Rim i'm looking at you) but here the action was few and far between and even then practically no mutant on mutant fun. 

My final gripe is with 3D, all the theaters here were playing it only in 3D and there was nothing in the movie that would justify it. 

Rating: 2.75/5

This is a guest post written by Prithvi Raj. 

Rossette: Where Little Princesses Shop

For all those mommies who can't just wait to dress up their cute toddlers ,Rossette is your one stop shop!!
An online store run by mother-daughter duo Susy and Neethu Eipe, Rossette earned its fame through Facebook.

They sell the most cutest dresses for kids between the ages of 1 to 4. They are personally involved in every step of the way to create these adorable outfits, from designing the look, to finally getting it to the very happy customers. Their wide variety of patterns, trendy designs and vibrant colors would catch any parent's eye.After all who wouldn't want their daughter to look like a superstar!

                     

This monsoon, they have come out with a new collection of ethnic wear which is just fabulous!! Any girl would be the showstopper of a party if she was caught wearing it. :)

They have also recently started a new line of sarees and housecoats. I just couldn't help but buy one saree. It was really tempting and my shopaholic instincts were too strong.:D

They sell other accessories like hand towels and hair accessories. I find every item to be so colorful and adorable that I just need to have them all.Their prices are affordable and are of top quality.

They also take custom orders for baptisms, weddings and other such special occasions.

To see more of their collection and shop, go to  their facebook page.

Rossette Creations

Photos Courtesy : Neethu Liz

Aurelia Store in Kottayam

"W" is finally here in Kottayam!!!!! But what's even more exciting is that Aurelia's come along too.. I'm sure most of you like us, have not heard of Aurelia brand. The store looks very colorful and like a moth to light, I was drawn to it.

The Aurelia and W stores are located on Shastri Road near the Wrangler store. Almost everyone I know (who are into kurtis as well..) love "W" and I'm sure they are definitely gonna LOVE Aurelia cause guess what??? It's way cheaper too...It's prices are along the lines of what Max Fashion has to offer and the quality is good too.

Floral prints are every girl's best friend and that's exactly what Aurelia offers. They have very vibrant colors and pretty patterns which really catches the eye of the customer.

This is the Kurti that I got for myself from Aurelia which I felt was really cute. Even my sister, Sonia ended buying a similar one.

We ended up going to W store after Aurelia and my mom was like Aurelia has better collection. Gasp! The sales lady over there got offended and was like 'Aurelia is a subsidiary of W but W has a wider range of collection'. My sister & I were like 'Oh! Just like how Maybelline is a sub brand of L'Oreal'
Secretly we were like 'We so prefer Maybelline over L'Oreal' and the same applies here too considering the fact we walked out empty handed from W. To be honest, it wasn't that W didn't have a good collection, we had our mom along who was like 'ENOUGH!!'

W - We'll be back soon!!

W and Aurelia are having their Monsoon sale going on currently.So girls Hurry up!!! Shop Shop Shop!!!

Movie Review: RED 2

Image courtesy of Wiki

I don't know where to start the review for this movie.

This movie was just brilliant. This is easily one of my top picks for this year.

When RED was released in 2010 I was not even aware of this movie. I was browsing on imdb on the list of Bruce Willis movies and this came up. After reading up on this movie and the stunning cast, I was surprised that I never heard about this movie nor seen it.

When I saw it, I was laughing non stop and absolutely loved the action. I wanted to be as bad-ass as Helen Mirren's character. John Malkovich was quirky and really funny by trying so hard not to be funny. 

When I came to know they are making a sequel for this movie, I was skeptical. Will they be able to live up to the first movie? Sometimes the movie is so good just by making the sequel might leave a bitter taste just like the Ocean 10 , 11.. series. 

Oh Boy was I wrong?? This movie was just as good as the first one with the added bonus of Catherine Zeta Jones & Anthony Hopkins. 

Mary-Louise Parker was a surprise package. I mean she was there in the first movie as the confused girlfriend of Bruce Willis. In the second part she was given a meatier role. 

Ladies you have Byung-hun Lee to drool on. His introduction in the movie is just worth the money. I was drooling all over and that man can work a suit. Barney Stinson would be so proud of him!!

The movie goes all over Europe with everyone hired to kill each other. The story is not that great but the action and comedy just makes up for the lack of it. 

So people go out and catch this movie in the nearest movie theater.

My rating: 4.75/5 :)

Movie Review: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Image courtesy of Wiki

This movie is about (for those who are living under a stone and never heard of Milkha Singh) Milkha Singh, who was a field and track athlete and represented India in the 1956 & 1960 Olympics. 

The producers claim that this movie is not a sports movie but a film about human spirit.

Well that they did. 

They captured the spirit of Milkha Singh to the dot, what made him run and get the famous pseudo name 'The Flying Sikh'. 

The people out there who say that we, Indians, can't get into the Olympics because of lack of infrastructure and support need to watch this movie. In the 50's & 60's if Milkha Singh could do it then so can this generation. All we need is the drive and determination to do it.

Coming to the awesome bit of the movie, i.e Farhan Akhtar. That man has done his homework and is a treat to watch on the big screen. 

YOWZA!!!

I'm sure Milkha would be proud of Farhan Akhtar portraying him. Farhan was awesome. I would have been fine watching this movie even if it was in a different language all together. 

Sonam Kapoor had little or no role. Hers should have been credited as a guest appearance and nothing more. 

A special mention to the child actor, Japteg Singh, who played a younger Milkha Singh. 

All in all this a must watch for everyone. A lot of inspiration and motivation to go out and run. 

For all the women out there, its worth the money just to see Farhan!!

My rating: 4/5