BIG HERO 6: A kid's film, for adults! [3.5/5]

Animation flicks were never really on my list of favorites. No offence to the hardcore lovers but for a genre itself, I don’t find myself very fascinated about it! So I had just one title as the exception [The tremendously endearing & emotional WALL.E] until I happened to push myself for Disney’s BIG HERO 6. And now I have got the second to accompany WALL.E! BIG HERO 6 is a heartwarming, entertaining, engaging and completely enjoyable ride even adults will love in equal measures like kids do.

And by the way, what’s with these lesser known superhero comic-characters? First, James Gunn’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and now Don Hall-Chris Williams’ BIG HERO 6! Being a complete stranger to your knowledge & anticipatory mental mechanism, they come fearlessly, keep it low, act smartly and win your hearts marginally with their simpleton but relatable multicolored individualities. This time, it is a giant, pliable and soft from inside and outside robot named Baymax designed for healthcare assistance. Baymax goes through severe upgrading procedure after his creator gets killed in an unfortunate accident and his new possessor-cum-friend is Hiro- the younger brother and a sharp mind in robotics who wants the retribution at any price.

Despite being a visible victim of ‘not so surprising’ regular storyline, BIG HERO 6 works extremely fine just because it finds its heart in the right place and a superhero armed with complete compassion, warmth & love for mankind. Baymax can fly real high with blazing flames at the other end just as good as Tony Stark’s robotic suit does in IRON MAN. Baymax can punch a huge hole in the wall with force equally relative to Hulk’s in THE AVENGERS but what make him totally amiable are his simplicity, cuteness and delightful presence. He can make your heart bleed too but that’s something you should uncover while watching it.

And then, there is a brigade of young robotics geniuses mastered in some or other scientific inventions used as powered weapon to fight the invincible looking evil. Film is filled with delightful moments that allow you to celebrate constant smile on your face and some natural laud laughs in between. For instance, the customary handshake action between Baymax & Hiro is the most adorable one without registering any single fail. Scenes depicting emotional bonding between the brothers are subtly done but for an impactful after-effect. The action sequences are sharp, crisp, fast and do throw a lot of comical punches on you in midst of its well-executed and delicately designed action parts. The climax is absolutely at par with any superhero movie you remember right away.

BIG HERO 6 does not have a star-face to ease your catch-22 situation of whether to go for it or not but you will definitely take away one with you back home after leaving the theater. Baymax has potential to meet any of your expectations from any superhero with a lot cuter-sweeter and charming nature to admire. There is no viable reason why you shouldn’t take your kids to BIG HERO 6. It is a film meant for kids but you will never regret any minute spent with it in the theater. [3.5/5] 

THE JUDGE: Robert & Robert make it an interesting watch! Recommended! [4/5]

Before he excelled in charming us all as the nifty, sharp, flirtatious and witty Tony Stark in the movie-adaptations of the IRON MAN comic series, Robert Downey Jr. has managed quite well donning the cap of a serious actor [Sir Richard Attenborough’s CHAPLIN is the testimony, anyone would swear to respect] surfacing from a numerous ‘Coming of Age’ films. It’s an absolute treat to watch him returning to a plain grounded drama filled with deep dark secrets of a family, relationships holding their own share of protests, outbursts and empathy untold before. And as if one Robert was not enough, Robert Duvall also joins him for absorbingly heartwarming father-son relationship played on screen.

David Dobkin’s THE JUDGE is about Hank Palmer [Robert the junior] a sure and secured attorney finding himself mostly on the sides of the guilty as he vouches for himself, “The innocents can’t afford me”. With a marriage on the threshold of divorce and a pretty smart daughter by his side, Hank’s life takes him back to his native place where his Judge father [Robert the senior] is fighting hard with life after his wife’s death. Hank has hardly any regards for the place that doesn’t have a thing for any change but the current state of affairs leads him to the state of uncertainties, in terms of his leaving the place. The Judge is under scan by local police for murdering one of the convicts, he shares his past with.

THE JUDGE works well with characters that never shed their skin for once and still keep you engaged with a constant hint of surprise in every emotion. Hank is smart, self-assured and an everyday guy who doesn’t want to get confined into a place where his father is actually known to be firm, strict and honest about his morals. This old man has been serving the law for over 40 years now and no matter if he’s on the other side, still doesn’t want to comprise with truth and cooperate with his own son trying every trick of the trade to save his father’s life. Now, the emotions are real heavy and could have been misjudged for a melodramatic tint to it but thanks to the practically sensible approach and the clear air of the characterization, you find an invariable expression of smile on your face for the most.

Robert Downey Jr. intrigues the viewers with his charismatic and confident presence on screen and yes, the witty one-liners he mouths perfectly are worth giggling. Robert Duvall as a morally moody old man gives us a hypnotic performance you want to take away with yourself to appreciate long after leaving the theatre. The frames with both the Roberts together are the most enjoyable scenes. Be it the courtroom scene where they both bring out their deepest emotions towards each other, the bathroom sequence with son helping his aging father trying to wash him or the scenes they confront each other’s point of reference in law and life are amazing!

Vera Farmiga as Hank’s ex-girlfriend shines in a comparatively short role. Emma Themblay impresses as Hank’s daughter who very innocently informs his father, “Mothers get lonely. Fathers don’t. Fathers marry young Mommies”. Overall, THE JUDGE should find a definite viewer in you if you truly believe in emotions we hardly share with our family. As for Hank in the film, this would be a nice, feel-good, emotional homecoming to you also! What better occasion than this festive season! Go for It! [4/5]  

CHEF: Taste life like the best dish on menu! Sweat, simple and delicious! [3.5/5]

You don’t really have to be a cook yourself to like Jon Favreau’s tasteful slice-of-life drama CHEF, but if you are a life-lover you hardly can stop yourself from falling in love with it. Alike every nicely-cooked & well-presented dish in any of your favorite restaurant, life requires nothing but a demanding preparation, monumental effort and a good heart to top it all. CHEF takes its inspiration from the very same idea and turns out to be a deliciously sweat, simple and delightful film that has its heart right in the place.

Coming from the director of highly technological, imaginative and illusory IRON MAN & IRON MAN 2, comedy-drama CHEF emerges as a surprising but an appetite-full creation of Jon Favreau. Besides being the writer-director, he plays Carl Casper- a passionate chef trapped in a commercial restaurant run by the money-driven, dominating and unreasonable Riva, played by Dustin Hoffman. Life takes a drastic turn when Carl gets bashed up from left, right and center by a reputed food critic for not being innovative and imaginative in his servings. This is the time when his personal life too is on the edge. He should spare some of his life-chunks for his 10-year old son living with his divorced wife and in the meantime, also be looking for what he misses the most i.e. cooking what he likes to.

CHEF tempts you not only with the luscious, lip-smacking dishes of all kinds being grilled, baked, chopped, basted, fried and served artistically in the most enticing manner; in fact there is hardly any scene where the food is not being celebrated; but also with the heartfelt emotions in a simple yet relatable plot of human relationships. The sentiment of not being permitted to experiment and innovate for what you think is right and often surrendering yourself in the name of what your employer thinks is right, is never an extraterrestrial for any man of creative values. Chasing your dreams and following your heart may not be possible for everyone but when you see Carl getting on to it, you never feel isolated from the sense of achievement and contentment Carl is gaining gradually on screen.

Film also succeeds in throwing pleasant surprises on regular intervals with the most delectable short & sweet star appearances in recent. Scarlett Johansson woos the screen as Carl’s colleague at the café. Dustin Hoffman as a bossy owner is a luxury to have on board but leaves you unfulfilled wanting more of him. Robert Downey Jr plays a romantically witty more like his Tony Stark in IRON MAN. Russell Peters joins the cast as a selfie-lover cop who can’t stop asking for clicks to upload on social networking sites. Emjay Anthony as his son and Sofia Vergara as his ex-wife come up with endearing performances but CHEF is all about Jon Favreau. As the writer-director, he not only pushes his boundaries but also blesses the screen with a wonderful character lovable in all given situations.

Though in between courses you might notice something very regular and recurring, at the end it is a sweet, simple and delicious feast you won’t regret booking your table for! Likeability is guaranteed! [3.5/5]