Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)

The origin story of famous Bengali sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi created by Saradindu Bandopadhyay.

Director: Dibakar Banerjee
Writers: Urmi Juvekar, Dibakar Banerjee.
Stars: Sushant Singh Rajput, Anand Tiwari, Divya Menon.

Storyline

In a contemporary interpretation of war torn Calcutta during the 1940's, the film follows the first adventure of Byomkesh (Sushant Singh Rajput), fresh out of college, as he pits himself against an evil genius who is out to destroy the world. It's his wits against the most villainous arch criminal the world has seen, in a world of murder, international political intrigue and seduction.

Did You Know?

First own detective of India is Detective Byomkesh Bakshi.

User Reviews

So finally, Byomkesh comes to Bollywood!! A well-scripted movie with an original story.Just the base is taken from the original work.The movie seems a bit slow at times but overall, you remain glued to your seats in the anticipation of what's coming next. Its not just another Bollywood thriller. The movie demands the attention of the viewer. In the end, you want for more! Sushant has played the role brilliantly. Other actors are commendable too.There are no irritating songs in the movie, and the dark background music adds to the mystery. Kudos to Dibakar Bannerjee for directing and YRF for producing this movie. And the story is not yet over.... there's more to come!

Wild Card (2015)

When a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal skills and a gambling problem gets in trouble with the mob, he has one last play...and it's all or nothing.

Director: Simon West
Writers: William Goldman (screenplay), William Goldman (novel)
Stars: Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Dominik García-Lorido

Storyline

Nick Wild (Jason Statham) is a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal professional skills and a personal gambling problem. When a friend is beaten by a sadistic thug, Nick strikes back, only to find out the thug is the son of a powerful mob boss. Suddenly Nick is plunged into the criminal underworld, chased by enforcers and wanted by the mob. Having raised the stakes, Nick has one last play to change his fortunes...and this time, it's all or nothing.

Did You Know?

At one point, Brian De Palma was slated to direct until Simon West replaced him. 

User Reviews

When i saw the users review i lost my interest in the movie. But because of the fact that Jason Statham plays in it, i gave the movie a chance.

In all honesty this movie has no story whatsoever. It's just a multiple occurrences of different things happening, following Jason Statham's character. It's like the writers managed to create the script for this movie in a couple hours. And that's why it got a lower rating...

The movie is enjoyable because of the fight scenes portrait in it. Jason Statham shows some real lethal skills and that's why i loved the movie.

Watch this movie without any expectation. But do expect some sick skills from Jason Statham, when fighting.

It's sad that someone like Jason Statham, so talented accepts roles in movies like this. A star like him should be doing something bigger than this. Even seeing Jason in a movie like The raid, would be better than movies like this (wild card).

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

A group of medical students discover a way to bring dead patients back to life.

Director: David Gelb

Writers: Luke Dawson, Jeremy Slater

Stars: Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Evan Peters

Storyline

THE LAZARUS EFFECT follows a group of researchers led by Frank and his fiancé Zoe who've achieved the unimaginable - bringing the dead back to life. After a successful, yet unsanctioned, trial on a newly deceased animal, the team is ready to unveil their breakthrough to the world. When the dean of their university learns of their underground experiments, their project is unexpectedly shut down and their materials confiscated. Frank, Zoe and their team take matters into their own hands, launching a rogue attempt to recreate their experiment, during which things go terribly wrong and one of their own, Zoe, is horrifically killed. Fueled by terror and grief, Frank pushes them to do the unthinkable: attempt to resurrect their first human test subject. Initially, the procedure appears a success, but the team soon realizes something is wrong with Zoe. As her strange new persona reveals itself, the team quickly becomes stuck in a gruesome reality.e new persona reveals itself, the team quickly becomes stuck in a gruesome reality.

Did You Know?

Olivia Wilde also starred in the medical drama House, M.D. She played Remy "thirteen" Hadley. Tt revolved around a group of doctors solving problems, such as the plot of this movie.

User Reviews

First of all, you'll probably get more entertainment out of these user reviews than you will by seeing the actual movie. To clarify...aren't all possession movies inherently pro-Christian since the inclusion of demons and hell implies that there is are angels and heaven (since Lucifer was cast out of heaven and became the devil)?

As someone that has seen lot of REALLY bad horror films, I can safely say that The Lazarus Effect isn't all that bad. It's got a pretty decent cast in Mark Duplass and Olivia Wilde, but it's a cheap horror film. You get the predictable jump-scares, you get the dialed in dialogue, what else did you expect?

You don't go to see horror films because they're particularly well written or original. This movie is literally just a hodgepodge of movies like: Carrie, Lucy (the whole 10% of your brain thing), The Phoenix Project, Pet Semetary, Flatliners, etc.

I actually somewhat enjoyed this, but you realistically need to set your expectations 6 feet under. Maybe this film will find a way to resurrect some of your faith in the horror genre that way. It sure as hell isn't going to resurrect the $10 bucks you spent on the ticket at the theater.

Spy (2015)

A desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent diabolical global disaster.

Director: Paul Feig
Writer: Paul Feig
Stars: Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Morena Baccarin

Storyline

Susan Cooper is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency's most dangerous missions. But when her partner falls off the grid and another top agent is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global crisis.

User Reviews

I saw Spy at a SXSW Screening. Beneath the violence and the swears, I wanted to find a FUNNY movie, but the shallow story, bland characters pull down Spy's pants, one those it can't pull up in its runtime. Melissa McCarthy is brilliantly gut punchingly awesome as Susan Cooper, an overweight, but badass spy. All the others- Jude Law, Jason "Transporter" Statham and Rose Byrne, give good performances to hold up the movie. Director Paul Feig's previous flick, Bridesmades, had better use of the comedy and themes it held. Byrne's finicky villain, is good but she wants to be a good one than a bad villain. Jude Law breaks his luck, by giving a solid performance. Transporter Statham gives an unusually good act. Overall, Paul Feig's crooked direction, the hammy story and twists pull down this film from its potential.

Chappie (2015)

In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Writers: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman

Storyline

In the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. But now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. As powerful, destructive forces start to see Chappie as a danger to mankind and order, they will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.

Did You Know?

The robot design that Tetravaal's Scout class robot is based on can be seen in Blomkamp's earlier short-films Tetra Vaal (2004) and Tempbot (2006).

User Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed Chappie. I usually don't write reviews, but after seeing the brutal rating this movie is getting I felt compelled to write this review.

Chappie is a funny, entertaining, and surprisingly sentimental movie about a sentient robot being raised by gangsters in Johannesburg. Most of the criticisms I've seen about one- dimensional characters and illogical character choices are valid, but Chappie's character, the CGI, the humor, and the overall aesthetic of the movie more than make up for these shortcomings.

Please go see this movie and make up your own mind. I almost didn't go last night because of the negative reviews, but I'm so happy I did. I'm very excited to see this movie again. You leave this movie feeling like you've become friends with Chappie, and I hope the bad reviews don't prevent the sequels from being made.

If you like Neill Blomkamp's directing and style you will love this movie.

Focus (II) (2015)

In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.

Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Writers: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Stars: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro

Storyline

Nicky Spurgeon is an extremely accomplished con man who takes an amateur con artist, Jess, under his wing. Nicky and Jess become romantically involved, and with Nicky's profession of being a liar and a cheater for a living, he realizes that deception and love are things that don't go together. They split, only to see each other three years later... And things get messy

User Reviews

If you stopped for an hour and dissected this film you WILL find problems, like how the audience is meant to root for borderline sociopathic criminals or how the structure isn't what they're used to... HOWEVER, if you go in just expecting to be entertained and if you have a particular fondness for hustle movies, this is one enjoyable movie. The charming but not over-the-top humour consistently keeps the story entertaining and by not following the usual structure of a movie this kind, and ultimately the one the trailer promised, it offers something new to the mix. I can see the multiple twists as a turn off for some expecting a deeper film but if you know what you're in for I think the multiple twists in the film's final act will one-after-another bring a smile to your face and even have you laughing. Will Smith harnesses his charm to success in this flick and Margot has effectively proved herself as not being a one-hit-wonder. This is not a bad film, though I do believe your enjoyment hinges on your expectations when going into it. Don't expect the next Ocean's 11, expect a charming, funny, well acted, smartly written, hustle movie that will undoubtedly be drowned out by mixed reviews from people expecting gold and can't appreciate really good silver.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

In a post-apocalyptic world, in which people fight to the death, Max teams up with a mysterious woman, Furiousa, to try and survive.

Director: George Miller
Writers: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy.
Stars: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult.

Storyline

An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and almost everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order. There's Max, a man of action and a man of few words, who seeks peace of mind following the loss of his wife and child in the aftermath of the chaos. And Furiosa, a woman of action and a woman who believes her path to survival may be achieved if she can make it across the desert back to her childhood homeland.

Did You Know?

The movie was almost filmed in 2003 on location in Namibia but the project was put on hold due to security concerns related to trying to film in Namibia, because the United States and many other countries had tightened travel and shipping restrictions. With the start of the Iraq War the film was abandoned until 2009.