MOVIE REVIEW VICE

Director: Brian A Miller
Writers: Andre Fabrizio, Jeremy Passmore
Stars: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis, Ambyr Childers
Strength: Concept
Weakness: Story, script and acting
Runtime: 96 minutes  
Rating: 1.5/5
Plot: A sci-fi thriller about the ultimate resort: VICE, where anything goes and the customers can play out their wildest and weirdest fantasies with artificial inhabitants who look, think and feel like humans. When an artificial becomes self-aware and escapes, she finds herself caught in the crossfire between Julian's mercenaries and a cop who is hell-bent on shutting down Vice, and stopping the violence once and for all.
Review: Vice could have been one of those quiet noir flicks that says very little in the way of dialogue, just let the shots tell the story. But it's not that good. It's basically a B movie with once A-list actors. It's possibly the least motivated adaptation of a combination of a horde of good science fiction movies, including Bladerunner, iRobot, the Matrix, etc. The opening sequence is a high-octane bank robbery, which ends with a freeze-frame modeled on the famous last shot of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The camera pulls back, as Michaels (Bruce Willis) explains to us that it's all a harmless fantasy, courtesy of Vice, his fabulously expensive pleasure dome. This is all thanks to the development of robots/droids/replicants/whatever-your-favorite-synonym-is. The real live customers mingle with very convincing fake humans, who can be shot, strangled, folded, stapled, and mutilated without guilt. They react realistically enough for a sadist to get his freak on, but damaged parts can be easily replaced and memories erased. One night Kelly (Ambyr Childers), a pretty blonde bartender, starts having a montage of death flashbacks. She escapes into the night while trying to figure out what and who she is. This attracts the attention of Roy (Thomas Jane), your basic Cop Who Does Things His Way. Roy is convinced that the violence inside is increasing the violence outside, and is devoted to putting Vice out of business. Unfortunately, he is frustrated at every turn by Michaels' political clout. Most of the rest of the film tracks Roy, who is tracking Kelly, who has teamed up with Evan (Bryan Greenberg). Meanwhile, Michaels' thugs are tracking all of them. What is missing in this equation? The action and the film in general have a whole lot of Childers and Jane and Greenberg and Johnathon Schaech (as the head thug) — but not very much of Willis. All his scenes are indoors and add up to (generously) 15 minutes of screen time; it's hard to imagine he was around more than a few days. Worse yet, he appears unengaged and disinterested, an attitude that can't help infecting the audience. The production design and cinematography isn't truly sci-fi, it just looks bluish. It creates a nice mood, but that's not enough to compensate for its overly familiar content, weak story and uninspired acting.

MOVIE REVIEW ALONE

Director: Bhushan Patel
Writers: Sheershak, Shantanu Ray Chhibber
Stars: Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Sulabha Arya
Strength: Bipasha's X-Factor, Soundtrack
Weakness: Horror elements, Direction
Runtime: 133 minutes
Rating: 2.5/5
Plot: A Sister is haunted by her twin sister who died under mysterious cicumstances
Review: While the film is a remake of a Thai film by the same name, ALONE is the story of Sanjana (Bipasha Basu) who is forced to return to Kerala with her husband Kabir (Karan Singh Grover) after her mother meets with an accident. When Sanjana, the survivor between conjoined twins comes home after years, she is thrown face first into her old life which is both painful and haunting. In fact Sanjana's return not just brings back distant memories, but it seems as if it also brought back her twin sister Anjana's (Bipasha Basu) spirit whose presence is felt only by her. Is the existence of Anjana's spirit real or it is just a figment of Sanjana's fervent guilt loaded imagination, is what forms the rest of the story.
When you think you've seen the silliest and most bizarre film, you're surprised that there comes another one that squabbles for absurdity of the highest order. Bhushan Patel's ALONE fits that bill perfectly.
In this badly lit film what stands out is Bipasha Basu who breathes life in this dead story. She sizzles with her erotic appeal, holds her own nicely in emotional, dramatic and romantic scenes. Karan Singh Grover makes a sprightly debut.
Music is one of the highlights of the film. The locales in Kerala are breathtakingly beautiful and the big highlight of the film. Special Effects are decent but there's nothing extraordinary that stays in one's mind.
On the whole, ALONE is a below average movie that has a commendable performance by Bipasha Basu. If it's the erotic appeal you want, then this wouldn't be a bad choice, but if horror was the reason you wish to watch this movie, I suggest looking for something else because this isn't it.

Ruhee Glamour Girl @ The daily Star

Ruhee Glamour Girl

What are common between the movies Zero Degree and Glamour? Both of them were released on 6 February, and both had Dilruba Yasmeen Ruhee in their cast. Star Showbiz inquired about her experience working in Glamour.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

Well actually, this would have been my first movie. But it fell behind schedule. Mahua Chakraborty is the debutant director of this film. In Kolkata, a newcomer in this industry often faces many difficulties and lack of support. I have often heard Mahua say, “let this movie take off and then I will have no worries.”

Ruhee Glamour Girl

Things were not working out with the production house under which the film was supposed to be made. Eventually, the work was done from another production house. Changes have been made in story, casting and other things as well. Mahua has faced many hurdles, but I always told her that I would be there whenever she wanted to make the film.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

A film is a long journey, and once it is completed, you can look back and understand how it has evolved through numerous odds.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

I think it has come out fantastic. After the final bits, like incorporating background music and editing and so on, the film stands well. Of course, there was a level of uncertainty, given the director was absolutely new. But it got washed away in the movie's premiere.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

Those who enjoy watching thrillers or detective movies will certainly love it. Those who watch good quality films, be it experimental or otherwise, have appreciated it. Glamour has earned good reviews. One of them says that after 'Kahaani', this has been a proper thriller and detective movie.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

They take a special interest on Bangladeshis. Speaking from my experience, there were a lot of Bangladeshis in the movie. There were people from Faridpur, Mymensingh, Barisal and Chittagong working at different units. They were very pleased to see me, as someone from their own country.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

I think they are much more professional and organised then us. They have a proper plan in whatever they undertake. But we lack vision and planning when starting a project. For example, in Glamour, I was informed that I would have to shoot for around 18 days.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

And they kept that promise. Sticking to schedules can do wonders for an artist, and the work also becomes productive and good. In that way, an artist can also take mental preparation and plan ahead.

Ruhee Glamour Gir: But in our country, this is often not the case. I have heard many senior artists talk about works they started off some years ago which are still awaiting completion, as producers had ran out of money and consequently postponed shooting, waiting for funds.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

Our industry has a long way to go. There are many good directors here, but if there was more professionalism and if schedules were maintained, it would really help this sector. Planning, budgeting and promotions ought to be more organised.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

We have many young talented and keen artists. If directors work more actively regarding these issues, this industry can grow further.

Ruhee Glamour Girl

I have always been very selective when working in television. The works that I have undertaken have been handpicked. I can tell you in detail about each and every one of them. I have only embarked upon projects when I really felt the script is promising.

Ruhee Glamour Girl:Ramp modelling has a special place in my heart. When you are at the stage, in front of live audience, everything else becomes subdued and secondary. I can never imagine not walking on the ramp.Ruhee Glamour Girl:Family is my first priority. Of course, I love my work; and of course I will continue working -- but tending to the family is of paramount importance. so I am constantly moving to and fro from Dhaka and London. I feel it is important that the husband and wife live together.