Shirin Farhad ki toh nikal padi

What happens when an established choreographer turned pot-boiler Director turns actor ? Well, she makes everyone dance to her steps. "Shirin Farhad ki toh nikal padi" by Bela Bhansali Sehgal is at once charming, silly, over the top and funny.

Honestly, I went to Cinemax to watch "Ek Tha Tiger". But seeing one of my favorites Boman Irani's latest movie being screened, I chose the meek Farhad over the roaring Tiger. I must say, I am not disappointed.

A mature love story between two people in their 40s is not an everyday happening in Indian cinema. Bela has handled the developments between Farhad and Shirin quite well. The Mom [Daisy Irani], Grand-mom [Shammiji] and Aunts too are handled with great flourish. But then there are characters overflowing and sometimes it appears like a fish-market.

I don't know if Parsis really behave like delinquents in their matrimonial gatherings but I thought the scene didn't go well. The trigger happy man fails to evoke laughter. The Indira Gandhi obsessed old-man, "the asli Firoz Gandhi" too begins to get on your nerves after the initial scenes. Give me those one liners by Mommy and Granny.

The songs too are out of place and mar the pace of the movie. But what lifts the movie is the super bonding shared by Boman Irani and Farah Khan. Farah has just been herself throughout and Boman delivers another excellent performance. Love blossoms between two people hitherto single by quirk of fate and those scenes are handled beautifully.

The idea of Underworld, size 36D and Farhad making himself 'comfortable' in Shirin's house as she prepares "Hot Chocolate" are corny but funny. But the songs in the second half don't help and the parody remains just that, a parody. Still, overall this is a good time pass movie and I am happy I chose it over ETT. Though I don't like Mangola, I love Tea and I prefer romance over action any day.

My Opinion: I doubt if younger crowd would relate to this movie but SFKTNP is a decent one time watch for fun with friends. Especially if you are in your early 40s like me or older !

Inherit the wind (1960)

The right to think and to express ones opinion is on trial in a state where teaching anything against The Bible is a punishable offense. This is the premise of our movie “Inherit the wind.” The movie is an adaption of the play of the same name, and the title comes from the bible verse “He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind…” Proverbs 11:29. The main setting of the movie is in the courtroom where two notable lawyers fight for the case. There are some great scenes in the movie, acted out superbly by all the actors. The tension and the thoughts of the common folk on the matter are clearly depicted in the movie.

It happens to all of us, we start believing in our thoughts so firmly that regardless of the validity of the facts presented in front of us against our believe we hold on to it and fight for it. We believe that people should be able to see our point and should think like we do. But that is not the case, we all have our own thoughts and we have the capability to think. This makes us unique and different from each other. Then how can we expect others to think and be like us. It takes courage to admit when one is wrong and move on in life, to be open to new ideas and thoughts. As Aristotle said it “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Regardless of what you believe in remember that everyone has the right to believe in what they want to, forcing someone to accept something unwillingly or punishing them for thinking differently doesn’t quite feel like living our life for the truth.

 

The movie is entertaining on its own right as a courtroom drama; the bonus is the topic in debate. “Inherit the wind” is a movie worth watching.

Regards,

TracerBullet

Release date: October 12, 1960

Running time: 128 minutes

Directed by: Stanley Kramer 

Ustad Hotel: Delicious Old Sulaimani in New Cup !

I had been to Kozhikode last weekend and ordered for a "Sulaimani Chaya" in a modest hotel and was immediately floored by the difference in that tea. I couldn't tell what it was, but the tea in Kozhikode is unlike anything I've tasted elsewhere.

What makes a good movie and what separates one from an ordinary one ? It is exactly like making a "Sulaimani Chaya". It requires a certain amount of "Mohabbat" in it. The grand-father transfers some old world wisdom to his wonder-struck grandson as he serves him a Kozhikode special Sulaimani Chaya with that additional Mohabbat.

Anwar Rasheed arrived on the Malayalam cinema scene with the bombastic "Raja Manikyam" and followed it up with pretty ordinary "Chota Mumbai" and "Annan Thambi". He was also a part of the multi-cuisine "Kerala Cafe" where he constructed "The Bridge".

In "Ustad Hotel" he serves up some time-tested Kozhikode Biriyani and Sulaimani Chaya with same old ingredients but with a better packaging. Anjali Menon’s story of a grandchild coming to live with grand-father due to differences with his father isn't exactly new. The concept of an old, respected institution coming under attack of expansionist / capitalist forces and how the under-dog manages to survive the onslaught against all odds isn't exactly new to us either.

But what is new is Dulqar Salman's refreshing screen presence and his confident yet endearing approach. Veteran actor Thilakan lives another role as the righteous and generous grandfather Kareem-ikka like only he could have managed. Siddique as his ambitious son Razzack is efficient as always.

Nitya Menon has that permanently cute look about her and she sails through the movie with flying colors. Mamu Koya who also narrates the story of Faizal aka Faizee is in his own territory speaking a language he is most comfortable with. Lena, Sija Rose and co deliver decent performances as Faizee's elder sisters in limited scope. Overall the entire cast, including the band has done extremely nice job.

The movie is garnished with numerous one-liners and light-hearted moments that keep it flowing without ever becoming heavy or melodramatic. Asif Ali's "Alla, Amitabh Bachchan" is one such moment. Then there is a moment where a large family with countless children is shown with tongue in cheek humor without ridiculing anyone.

The movie begins with a man's obsession for a son shown with deft humorous touch narrated by the inimitable Mamu Koya. It has a blend of old and new symbolized by Thilakan and Dulqar respectively. Anjali Menon has also borrowed from a real life story of a man who feeds the poor and downtrodden.

There is a moment of genuine beauty when the grandson asks Karim, "Grandpa, why did my father become like this ?". A wistful Karim says, "Because his father didn't bring him up properly". It is both the lament of a father who realizes his own failure in life and the generosity not to blame his son for what he is today.

The story drives home the message with extreme subtlety, that change and progress are inevitable. Your product might be time-honored and good. But unless you change with times and reinvent yourself, you run the risk of becoming obsolete. So the respected yet shabby "Ustad Hotel" gets a face-lift and interiors done to suit the modern times but retains the same old Mohabbat in the Sulaimani Chaya and Karim-ikka's Biriyani as the new generation inherits the hotel.

Music is nice on the ears without being memorable, though "Ammayi Vattaayi poyi" is a rage with the youth. Technically and aesthetically the movie is top notch.

My verdict: Without delving too much into the story anymore, I would say, "Ustad Hotel is a delicious old Sulaimani Tea in a brand new cup served hot and hygienic". Go for it !

Father Goose

A man who ran away from society because society wanted him to appear as everyone else did, in bow tie, coat and suit, but not him. Oh no! not our hero, Walter (Cary Grant) call name "Father Goose". You see for him he thought all that mattered was what was in your head.

The movie is set during the world war 2. Japanese invasion is going on and Walter is roped in to voluteer against his wish to be a lookout for enemy ship and airship movements and report them in to the Allies. 

A drunk, reminded me of Captain Archibald Haddock, but one who knows his way around the group of small islands like no one else. As movie progresses he rescues a lady and 7 female students who are stranded on an island. The plot thickens as the lady and our hero fall for each other and the kids start liking him.

Eventually of course the Japanese find them, of course I won't spoil the climax. A totally entertaining movie. 

Unfortunately I don't have a link for this one either. However, if you do come across it take some time off to watch it and enjoy it.

Regards,

TracerBullet

Holiday

What is important to you in life? What makes you jump up in joy and thank God for this life? There must be something that you see in this world that makes you keep on living. Is it money? Really?

The movie "Holiday" showcases the perspective of a free-spirited man tempted by wealth and riches to compromise his life and his principles. This man happens to be our hero Mr. Case (Cary Grant) who believes in amassing just enough money to go on a long vacation and live his life and ponder on what is important for him. No not when he is old but right now when he is young and able. His fiancee on the other hand a very rich woman believes in stability, wealth, and a comfortable life. This leads to a clash of ideals and philosophies. New characters, some free-spirited and some with strong sense of wealth and money join in and we have an entertaining movie.

I don't know if you get the time to ponder on your life, your wishes, ambitions, the meaning of life, etc. If you don't I would highly recommend finding some time for yourself. Nevertheless, this movie is a classic example of cinema at its finest with characters playing more than their part and a story well written. Sadly I don't have a link for you. But if you every come across this movie do take some time and watch it.

Regards,

TracerBullet

PS: Here is a link where you can read more about the movie if you want to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030241/

Penny Serenade

There are only a few movies out there that really grow on you as the movie develops. This is one of those movies - slow, well-paced, thoughtful and touching. The movie works in flashbacks with each record (gramophone record-playing classic songs) forming a basis for a memorable memory in the lives of our leads.

The movie is about love, marriage, friendship, kindness and most importantly about a child. There are scenes that are very well acted and captured in the movie. The supporting actors are a gem and brings the movie to a whole different level of engagement and intimacy.

This is a classic and a gem at it. Here is a link where you can view it on YouTube.

Regards,

TracerBullet 

The Bishop's Wife

The beauty and complications of life makes everyone want for a miracle and sometimes angels do come down to help us through. We know life is beautiful but we spend a lot of our time thinking about it rather than living it. In my view we worry too much and we complain too much, and in the midst of all this we forget to live our life and be happy.

We can live our life and dedicate it to so many causes, we can believe in so many things but to me living for others, having their worries as our priorities and helping selflessly without the need for an acknowledgement is what makes life beautiful, worth living and dying for.

The Bishop's Wife is a movie that makes one ponder what is really important in life. The theme of an angel helping out in the form of a human has been depicted in many movies with great success, this movie is not an exception to this genre. The movie is brilliant and a classic. The movie makes the point that life is meant to be enjoyed, lived to help others and understand them, and above all to trust yourself to be a good person deep inside.

Cary Grant, plays the part of the angel in the movie. The story revolves around a Bishop and his wife. The bishop wishes to build a cathedral but seems to reach nowhere with his wish. The worry turns him into a different person, this makes him pray for guidance and an angel appears, from there on the story develops into a beautiful tale.

The movie was released in 1947 and can be viewed at YouTube

Have a great life, all of you.

Regards.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Before stating my views, let me tell you that I have been a spidey fan since time immemorial, it was only after coming under the evil influence of Tracer Bullet that I got interested in The Dark Knight and his broodings!

Synopsis:  Peter  Parker is a high school teenager, who lost his parents at a very young age.  He has been raised by uncle Ben and aunt May who dot on him.  One day, he comes across a briefcase (that belonged to his father) in the attic, which leads him to Oscorp and Dr. Curtis Conners, who was his father’s partner.  He visits Oscorp to get in touch with Dr. Curtis Conners.  While loitering around prohibited part of the research lab, Peter is bitten by a genetically enhanced spider.  Slowly, Peter Parker starts developing great physical power, along with superb reflexes and agility.  Like a spider, he can cling to any surface.  Being a brilliant science student, he develops inorganic webs that he can shoot from the bands that he wears in his wrist.  Uncle Ben is shot dead by a thug and Peter makes it his mission to catch the culprit.  Along the way, he realizes that his great powers are not just instruments for personal vendetta, but must be used carefully for the greater good of humanity.  He starts to help the police but is not trusted by the captain of NYPD, who also happens to be his sweet heart’s (Gwen Stacy) father.  Meanwhile, Dr. Curtis Conners transmits himself to a giant lizard with super strength and Spiderman must stop him at all costs.  This forms the crux of story.

I was surprised with Andrew Garfield’s emoting skills.  He is really good, better than Tobey in the first installment of Spiderman.  In order to make the rebooted series different, the script has brought in Peter Parker’s parent’s here,  Peter himself is seen reflecting about his parents at the start and at different times of the movie, somewhat reminiscent of Dark Knight Begins, but still the movie does not have the dark mood of Batman.  It retains the sunny spidey spirit.  The stunts and actions of this Spiderman are more in line with the comic version.

Gwen Stacy is also cool, her character is better defined than MJ in the Tobey version.  I did not like this MJ character in the earlier series.  She seemed to love PP because he was Spider-man.  That is not the case with Gwen.  She is quite intelligent and she likes Peter even when he is a normal guy and his being Spider-man perhaps makes him more adorable to her.

Dr. Curtis Conners is not  a run-of-the mill villain here.  It looks like he got addicted to the potion he developed as a part of his research and on becoming the lizard, he was unable to control his animal instincts.

Uncle Ben and Aunt May are good, with many meaningful and witty dialogues between them, but I guess I loved the earlier Aunt  May in Tobey’s Spider-Man more…..

This was the first time I was watching a 3-Dmovie and I was busy analyzing the difference by removing my glasses during the start of the movie.  I guess 3-D effects made the screen seem not limited by the boundary and things seem to pop out of the screen, it was good, but perhaps my expectation was more, so I was not that much impressed…..

Overall, it was a good experience watching the new spidey  and if you are a spidey fan, then do not miss this one for anything……………..

That's The "Spirit" !

A Ranjith movie is something to wait for. I have loved every one of his recent movies from "Paleri Manikyam" to "Pranchiettan" to "Indian Rupee". Hence the coming together of Ranjith and his favorite actor Mohan Lal was worth waiting. But is the wait worth ? Read on...

We have been hearing for sometime about every release of his being Mohan Lal's come back vehicle as if he had gone on a long distance journey to moon. I used to find it funny because the actor was churning out one insipid movie after the other. But here he makes his presence felt in a strong manner in what I rate as his best performance since Kamal's "Ayaal Katha Ezhuthukayaanu". Mohan Lal the master of histrionics is definitely at his best.


Mohan Lal as the arrogant, almost megalomaniac, super-intelligent but on the verge of becoming a hopeless alcoholic Raghunandan is just fantastic. He strolls through the movie with one brilliant scene after another. Raghu plays the anchor or the master of a TV show called "Show the Spirit". He instills fear in the minds of the people who are supposed to grace the show. Many of those often leave in disgrace like the Minister Muralikrishnan played by Suraj Venjaramoodu. Thanks Ranjith, for showing us that Suraj is not as bad an actor as most of his directors have shown him so far.


Raghu is totally unrepentant about his failed marriage and his alcohol dependence and his brawls with people under the influence of alcohol. His divorced wife [Kaniha is brilliant as as Meera] is married to his best friend Alexy [Shankar Ramakrishnan in a superb portrayal of a good friend, better husband, great father and a magnificent human being] and Raghu still retains good friendship with both of them even though he ends up spoiling their party very often.


Madhu as the fun-loving retired army-man and Thilakan as one of those unknown alcoholics are good. Nandalal has perhaps essayed the role of his lifetime as the hopelessly alcoholic Plumber Manian. Tiny Tom is very efficient as the bartender. Sidharth Bharathan as the brilliant but eccentric poet Sameer has done well. Lena as the honest police officer has done well too.. 


Technically the movie is as good as any of Ranjith's movies. Revolving around the intellectual and literary world of Kerala and the influence of the 'Spirit' over the intelligentsia as well as the masses, the movie tries to spread a message.


Lyricist Rafeeq Ahmed has come out with nice songs tuned well by Shahbaz Aman. Back ground music too is easy on the ears. Editing and camera work are up to date. 


Overall it is a very good and "Spirited" effort by Ranjith and Team and is laudable though the end comes across as a little too simplistic. But this effort should be appreciated for taking a look at that side of Kerala which we gloss over with jokes. There is truth in Raghunandan's words, "You all know a Manian between you. If not, perhaps YOU are Manian" !


My word: Must watch !

Cobra: A Remixed Rat-Snake !

What does a master chef do when he is bored and has run out of ideas but still has to serve something for a customary festival feast ? Take out his own old dishes from the fridge, churn them in a mixer, add some spices and create a remix and serve as an instant dish. Director Lal who has given us some unforgettable movies in the past including the "Harihar Nagar series", does exactly the same.

But those who have grown up on his delicious old dishes realize immediately that this is a rehash and feel cheated and might even feel nausea. From "Ramji Rao Speaking" to "God-father" through the Harihar Nagar series, Lal [earlier with Director Siddique] had served up deliciously funny comic capers.

Those were movies with infinite repeat value are still cherished even by subsequent generation of Malayalees. So imagine the kind of expectation one would walk into the hall with, when Lal combines with Mammootty ! After over 150 minutes of the movie, I had one word to explain; Repulsive !

Borrowing generously from "Thenkasi Pattanam", "Annan Thambi", Thommanum Makkalum" and many such movies, Lal conjures up what was meant to be a Vishu bonanza. But for evoking extremely rare guffaws, the movie is a total let down.

Mammootty [the sag showing around the jaws], Lal [trying Sreenivasan brand of self-deprecation with little success], Lalu Alex [louder than his usual loud self] and Babu Antony [hardly looking like a villain and more like a real-estate broker] go through the motions.

Maniyan Pilla Raju and Salim Kumar manage to do what Suraj Venjaramoodu has managed to do over the past 2 years; Get on your nerves ! They do it with aplomb. Padmapriya must be having some financial problems, else it is difficult to imagine her doing this movie. A swollen Kaniha looks sullen and worried as if she has left her hungry child at home.

One who imagined a fitness cum martial arts center inside a hospital building deserves to be punched black and blue and then treated in the same hospital. I doubt if they had a story when they planned the movie. The script is not even quarter-baked. The 'Director' Lal seems to have been really distracted by the 'Actor' Lal and thus both fail to show up. Back ground music is sick and the music can safely be branded as noise. Technically the movie is below average. Long drawn fight sequences manage to give the viewers more headaches.

Two brothers yearning to marry two sisters to retain the sanctity of their relationship and camaraderie could have been a wonderful premise to work on for Lal. "Cobra" a popular acronym for "Co-Brothers" should have been or could have been a fun-fest but turns out to be yawn-fest.

One positive about the movie: Suraj Venjaramoodu, a Mammootty movies regular does a great favor by not being a part of this movie. Small mercies !

My opinion: A Remixed Rat-snake - STAY OFF !

22 Female Kottayam

Malayalam movie world is now undergoing a transformation in the hands of a bunch of new people and Ashiq Abu is one among them. After his Salt N Pepper, his directorial venture is 22 Female Kottayam. The name itself had something which urged me to watch this movie. The cast include Rima Kallingal, Fahad Fazil, Prathap Pothan, Sattar,  and TG Ravi among others. The movie makes us leave the theater with a wounded bleeding conscience and a tight slap on our pseudoegos.

Tessa K Abraham(Rima )is one of thousands of nurses working in Bengaluru. She like any other ladies from Kottayam, a town in Kerala where each household boasts of at least 1 NRI nurse, desires to go abroad. Though her friends make use of a wealthy businessman by the name DK (Sattar) by giving earthly pleasures and in turn taking back money and other favors, she decides to stay away from such things. She meets Cyril (Fahad Fazil) working with a Visa Consultancy and he gets her a visa for Canada. As a return gift she offers him treat, and then one thing leads to another and soon she moves to stay with him. Hegde (Prathap Pothan) a wealthy business man who had met Tessa earlier and a friend of Cyril, now frequents Cyril and Tessa's place on pretext of eating good Kerala food. One night after an altercation in a pub, Cyril goes missing and Hegde comes with message Cyril had altercated with some local party people and so has gone into exile for 2 days and to her shock Hegde asks her to have sex with him. A brutal rape follows, never has been in a Malayalam movie, a rape so painfully depicted. It leave us with a bleeding soul, and poor Tessa with broken skull and fingers, with bruises all over. But she decides to forget everything and start afresh. But weeks later the same thing is repeated and we feel nauseous. This leaves Tessa shattered and she decides to fight back. Cyril who is joined with Hegde and actually had taken money from Hedge for Tessa, helps in getting rid of her by placing drugs in her bag. Only when being carried away by police, she comes to know that Cyril was in the plot against her. In jail Tessa was initially feeble but later on decides to take revenge. With the help of an inmate Subaida, she comes out and Subaida arranges help for Tessa through her friend Dinesh. It is the same Dk and he tells Tessa nothing comes free. The advice given by Subaida is the strongest weapon a women has is her weakness, and to use it wisely, rest of the movie deals with revenge.

Every actor has done their part quite well, not much cast but each did their part really really well. Rima as an innocent nurse, Cyril seductor, still naive looking, Hegde the innocent way he asks can I have sex with you, coolly, DK who never wants his female partners to regret the pleasure he gets..Not a feminist movie but surely will leave us think with guilty consciousness, how we treat a rape victim, how the sexual harassers walk free in the society, overall a different experience.

Choodo Kal ki Baatein

We are obsessed with aiming for the sky, setting goals, achieving them, setting higher ones………….a vicious circle of desire and achievement encloses the mind and leads to a tunnel vision where sight is fixed only at the other end, …..caught in such a web of desire and achievement is the lead character of this movie Chodo Kal ki Batein (CKKB) Aditya Pradhan (AP) played by Sachin Khedakar.  I loved the concept of this movie, although I don’t know whether it has been lifted from somewhere. 

AP is a very successful and hard working professional, who wins a career boosting 20 crore contract for his company on Saturday at the expense of missing his daughter’s Arangetram.  Come Monday, and his dreams will be realized by signing on the contract, but there lies the problem.........Monday is not coming!  His Sunday keeps on repeating and he is the only one who realizes this.  The situation is funny and thought provoking at the same time and then there is this mysterious man wearing dark glasses (Anupam Kher) who keeps appearing in front of AP. 

The message of the movie is very good, although I felt it was a little cliched towards the end.  Nevertheless a movie to be watched by all the hardworking guys n gals…………

Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur, narrates two tales at a time. One of Jesus of Nazareth and the other of Judah Ben-Hur. I still remember my uncle narrating some scenes from the movie. He was nostalgic and was sure that those where the days of great movies. I never got a chance to watch Ben-Hur and even when I got I was put down by the length of the movie and the oldness. But today after seeing it, I have to admit, there is a magic to the movie. The atmosphere, the scenes, the characters, the set... they are breathtaking and admirable.

The movie focuses on Judah and his journey to seek revenge. A revenge to his friend for betraying him and his family by putting them in prison without any proper cause.

The story is very moving and touching. It shows the journey of Judah from imprisonment to freedom to riches to the famous chariot race and to the end where he recognizes and realizes about Jesus. It also portrays the tension between the Jews and the Roman empire.

Even though Jesus is not the focus of the movie, the director doesn't fail to keep the viewers aware of his presence. Once he is shown helping Judah by providing him with water on his way to the gallows.

This movie has great characters and roles that one can look up to, and admire.

It is a long movie, but I have to add, it is a great watch.

More information and review at IMDB

Ordinary: Better than Ordinary !

A wannabe Minister lands up as a bus conductor in a remote yet beautiful village Gavi, in high ranges of Kerala. He has the company of a big built and bigger talking driver and a motley bunch of villagers including the Gavi Girl.

The driver with a Palakkad accent and uncanny ability to flirt and the politically conscious conductor strike a nice friendship. Soon they get involved in the day to day life of the small hill-town Gavi. How the duo get embroiled in a complicated accident case and how they handle the situation forms the crux of the story.

Scripted and directed by Nishad K Koya and Sugeeth respectively, "Ordinary" is a fun ride through most of first half and then goes grim. Biju Menon as driver Suku and Kunchacko Boban as conductor Iravikuttan Pillai strike a fine balance.

The main hero of the movie definitely is the dialogue writer. Some superb, crisp and everyday life dialogues pop up throughout the first half like those beautiful water falls along the way we travel in the movie. Biju Menon springs in a fantastic performance and does total justice to the role as well as the dialogues. Kunchacko Boban is affable, efficient and good.

New face Sritha Sreenivas as Kalyani, the Gavi Girl looks like a Nepali and it appears as if she has a long way to reach Kerala. Ann Augustine and Jishnu have very little to do. Lalu Alex is as good as he always has been. Baburaj has attained some kind of star-status post Salt & Pepper. He is there in the movie solely to evoke a few laughs and nothing else. But his drunk act is good and doesn't jar. Asif Ali overacts to the level of getting almost obnoxious. There are many small time characters who are quite efficient. Salim Kumar needs to come out of the award hangover. 

The writer / director duo get confused in the second half and load elements of heroism into the conductor's character and then the movie takes a real ordinary route and meanders to a climax that disappoints. How come the Police or the KSRTC or the omnipresent and omnipotent unions aren't brought into the picture in a politically charged Kerala remains a mystery.

Completely unnecessary songs act like 'Tyre punctures' during the journey. The drive gets really rocky when the two protagonists go on investigating the case themselves and bring justice at the end. Sethuramayyar would have been proud of the investigative brilliance shown by Iravi. A murder mystery and investigative thriller, this movie is not. That part could have been handled better. 

There are a lot of things that are ordinary in the movie. But this being a first time effort from the director, the movie has a lot of good things and we must appreciate and encourage such attempts. The place Gavi, the photography, the humor, the dialogues and Biju Menon are definitely extraordinary and make it worth our time and money. 

My opinion: Definitely worth a watch !

Agent Vinod

A nuclear bomb which can be activated by Ummar Khyyam's Rubiyyat has been acquired by a terrorist group who are planning to detonate it in New Delhi and thereby triggering a nuclear war between India and Pakistan. The plan is intercepted by a RAW agent, who is killed before he can pass on the full information, which brings Agent Vinod on this case.  You will get all that is expected of a spy movie with bomb blasts, shooting, guns going bam bam, lots of running, bike chase, auto chase, everything.  Movie has a fast pace, so it will keep you engaged.  Saif has done a good job as an action hero, he has spotted a stubble (more than a stubble) throughout the movie perhaps in an attempt to look macho.  Kareena looks great.  Prem Chopra, Gulshan Grover, Shahbaz Khan are the other baddies.  The only spoiler in my case was a guy sitting beside me who kept on saying "yeh bakwas movie hai" to his girl friend.  I wonder what more he was expecting in a movie named Agent Vinod.