All Is Well- Movie Review by Shoby

All Is Well- Movie Review by Shoby...

0.5 Stars out of 5...

Umesh Shuklwa disappoints by making this not at all funny comedy...

Brothers- Movie Review by Shoby

Brothers- Movie Review by Shoby

2 Stars out of 5

I have not watched Warriors but even then I was instantly up to the conclusion right after the first 15/20 minutes of the film. Brothers is infected with a very major disease, a mediocre script. Step brothers going head to head and fighting desperately to show that one is right and the other is wrong and at the end of the day, its like a happy sunny afternoon.

Akshay and Siddarth Malhotra are just OK in the roles. Jacqueline had a very minor part to play. Jackie Shroff was fantastic and much authentic in the portrayal of drunk father and a punished culprit.

Music is not up to the mark. The only good life for the film was beautifully choreographed action sequences. Just a time pass.

Zulekha- Novel Review by Shoby

Kashaaf Iqbal- I have come to know about him a few month ago. I tweeted about some novel and he replied me. So, that was the start of our online know how. Then I came to know about his very first novel, which was to be published in a digest soon. Obviously, I was a bit excited as always get whenever I read new writers.

Coming towards Zulekha- the first published story of Kashaaf. First thing first, we have to give a bit of the leverage to the writer, as this is his very first attempt in front of her. Zulekha is a story of pure love, a relationship that needs to be cherished by the society- Love between husband and wife.

With the progress of story, you will find it a very simple and relatable tale, with a strong social and religious message embedded within the plot. If we take it symbolically, everyone in this world is gathered by sin driven resources. And it at times, it becomes almost impossible to get rid of this phenomenon. Story depicts how our protagonist Aariz is fair and honest to his wife (although there Rukhsati is not taken place after Nikah) and avoids a sin by considering two things: 1) Fear of ALLAH 2) His love for his Wife Eeman.

Now some glitches of the story (I hope Kashaaf my friend will not mind). As a reader, it looked a bit clumsy and was giving a feel of pacing up quite high. May be a couple of more incidents were required to make it look more believable. Kashaaf has used a bit of the story of Hazrat Yousaf (asws) when He (asws) clarified that this was not His fault by showing the torn clothes from the back. Looking more realistically, Aariz could have said, you can verify from video recordings of CCTV cams (as presence of 24/7 CCTV cams is mandatory in a 7 star hotel). But again, its totally writer's choice, how to take the proceedings further.

Overall, it was a good read and I urge all of you to please read and buck up this new talent, as our modern literature needs fresh blood. Kashaaf, you have made me feel happy, as I enjoyed reading your Story and reviewing it.

Manjhi- Movie Review by Shoby

Manjhi- Movie Review by Shoby

3.25 Stars out of 5

Cinema is all about entertainment but what comes a surprise is when you get to see information that enhances motivation embroiled in thorough entertainment. Ketan Mehta is known for making some real Path Breaking cinema. From Maya Memsaab to Mangal Paandey, he has a habit of exploring diverse genres and providing films that leave an impact on the viewer. This time, he yet again attempted to bring a true anecdote to the celluloid.

Dashrath Manjhi- An unsung hero, who dug a mountain to explore a pathway in order to connect village Gehlore to other part of India. Now this subject was difficult to make, not only because it required to present a make-believe cinematic product but also to keep the entertainment factor in the right quantity, so that viewer may not get dragged or bored, due to the dryness of subject matter.

This film should be applauded for its top notch screenplay, which never allows you to turn your eyes away. Such a tight gripping script with pitch perfect dialogues, that has a favor of Behaari local lingo, which used to be spoken in 50s and 60s in Indian Behar.

The real hero of the movie is the great Nawaz uddin Siddiqui. This guy is more than a huge talent. Right after one another, he is continually making Indian cinema proud by giving his best shots in every other movie. After Kick, Badlapur, recently blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijan, now he has nailed it in Manjhi. Not even a single frame, you will find him losing the grip from the character. A special mention is due for Radhika Apte too. She was almost pitch perfect in the role of Dhasrath's wife- Phaguniya.

Some sequences need to be mentioned particularly here. When Nawazuddin says to his daughter, how many times I have told you not to climb this mountain, what will I say to Phaguniya. His mud shot, where he along with Radhika Apte disappear in mud. When Dhasrtath's father say to Mukhiya, "Babua ka haath dukh jaey ga Malik, hum khud hi maar letey hain. The daffodil's shot, right after the dead of the wife of Dhasrath's friend. This is one film that I watched some of its scenes with moist eyes. What an emotional connect, Ketan has created with the audience.

Art direction is yet another USP of Ketan Mehta's products. He did it with great authenticity in Mangal Pandey and this time he has yet again done with utmost greatness. He has beautifully shown the village ambiance of 50s and 60s.

This time of subject does not need fabricated music and dance numbers. Background score was good and a couple of songs were used just to make the story progress further. Editing is crisp.

Overall, this film is not to be missed at any cost. Just respect for Nawazuddin for showing this great acting display. Shandaar... Zabardast.. Zindabad...

Moor- Movie Review by Shoby

Moor- Movie Review by Shoby

0.5 Stars out of 5...

Lollywood is going through the most critical phase. According to me, (you may agree or not), its make or break point for our cinema. A culture of cinema is grooming and after a long time, families have started enjoying theaters and recently we have seen packed houses for many Hollywood and Bollywood releases and even in some Pakistani movies like Waar, Wrong Number, Bin Roye. You make a good entertaining flick and people will surely come to watch your cinema. On contrary, there is no chance for you to survive. Similarly, if you keep on making good flicks, Lollywood will surely gain momentum and with the passage of time, will establish its image as a great industry. on the other hand, a couple of bad movies and people will definitely lose their faith on your cinema.

After this long intro, now let’s come to the point. Director Jamshed Mahmood (Jami) who enjoyed a status of (almost) an icon when it c comes to Pakistani music video industry. He worked with the best of Pakistani music industry artists and gave the industry many hits. Then he made his debut in Lollywood by making one of the most pathetic and senseless film of all times (Operation 021), which almost bombed in the box office.

A couple of year ago, he launched a teaser of Moor (Pashto word for mother). With breathtaking cinematography, it grabbed an instant notice. Trailer was launched few months back and 14 August 2015 saw the release of this much awaited flick, which turned out to be much more pathetic than his debut.

Moor has literally nothing to offer as far as entertaining cinema is concerned. Although, it has a message that has its roots in the heart of the country, as it is based on the decline of Pakistani Railway System, however this film lacks the basics of being a good attempt (leave the word good, it does not deserves to be called a film by the way).

With almost no script in the heart, three stories run parallel throughout the proceedings and till the very last scene, you still remain unaware of what the heck is going on. If you are not getting entertained by the ongoing, it becomes very hard to enjoy other technical aspects of cinema. Even some specular cinematography and camera work becomes boring and not that enjoyable if you cannot grasp the crux of the story.

Acting is good by the lead cast but once again, you cannot praise their acting, if they are not provided with the required standard of script and dialogues.

Apart from cinematography, I reckon only Strings have done full justice to their role, as music composer. A beautiful background that goes seamlessly beautiful with the proceedings.

To me, Moor is a sheer waste of cinematic resources at its fullest and this is one of the most regretful attempt in filmmaking as far as Lollywood is concerned. Save your money and above all your crucial time and do not watch Moor, even if someone else is sponsoring you a ticket.

Namaloom Afraad... Movie Review by Shoby

Namaloom Afraad... Movie Review by Shoby...

3 stars out of 5...

Pakistani film industry is going through a revival phase and new talent is doing quite a good hardwork to give new blood to the industry. They are experimenting with various ideas to give audience right dose of entertainment. Namaloom Afraad is one of these attempts. Its a tale of 3 characters, living in the city of terror, hunger and strikes (which was once said to be city of lights) Karachi. It tells, how common man has to fight with the ongoing conditions to make their big dreams come true.

First thing first, please dont compare it with bollywood or hollywood cinema. If u judge it making other industries the benchmark, u'll never enjoy it. Its a cinema of its own kind.

It has a v interesting script with a beautiful screenplay. Although, a bit dragged, but as a viewer, u stick to the screen right till the end. Every actor is phenomenal, esp Fahad, Javed Sheikh n Mohsin have done commendable job.

Bg score of the movie was on target and it beautifuly goes with the proceedings. Soundtrack could have been much better.

Length of the film is a bit stretched. Editing should have been a bit crispier. Cinematography is digestable showing inner parts of Karachi in a good manner.

Overall, its a very good attempt at situational comedy and almost succeeds in managing what it was supposed to do. Its a much watch for its sheer simplicity and relavance of society.

Drishyam- Movie Review by Shoby

Drishyam- Movie Review by Shoby

3 Stars out of 5

Nishikant Kamat the director of acclaimed Force has brought up yet another marvelous thriller. Drishyan is undoubtedly one of the finest crime thrillers made in Bollywood.

Ajay Devgan, Tabu, Rajat, Shriya Saran and rest of the cast has pulled out some spectecular performances. It is one of the best performances by Ajay in recent times. To me, real hero of the movie is Jeethu Joseph for writing suc ha solid script, that keeps you hooked throughout the proceedings.

A must watch for those who like thrillers.