Surabhi Verma

Dec 182017
 

2017 has been a great year for movies. Right from the horrors of ‘It’ and ‘Annabelle: Creation’ to subtle storylines of ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Song to Song’, filmmakers explored a myriad of genres and themes. 

Where on one hand we saw the rise of female characters in superhero films, on the other hand, we witnessed the emergence of the horror category, setting benchmarks and breaking records. However, amidst the hush-hush to watch a number of hyped films this year, there were quite a few which slipped through the cracks. We have compiled a list of incredible movies which you may have skipped somehow, but are a necessary watch before the year ends, even if you are not a movie buff!

1. The Big Sick 

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© amazon studios

Directed by Michael Showalter, this American rom-com has received major nominations for the Golden Globes and SAG awards this year. Starring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Adeel Akhtar and Anupam Kher, the film revolves around a family and explores the complexities of love. Though the film is a bit long for the audience, it is actually too lovable to be ignored.

2. I Tonya

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© clubhouse pictures

This film is being taken as Margot Robbie’s career-defining performance. Directed by Craig Gillespie the movie is a raw portrayal of Tonya Harding’s struggle as a skater. Robbie’s world-class performance has received positive reviews and she is even being projected as a strong contender for Oscars this year.

3. The Shape Of Water

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© fox searchlight

Directed by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, the film has received seven Golden Globe nominations this year. Described as a ‘creature feature and a melodrama’ by Business Insider, the film presents a compelling story of a mute woman serving as a cleaning lady at a top-secret United States government lab during the 1960s, when she develops a relationship with a creature in the lab.

4. American Made

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© universal pictures

Tom Cruise makes a diligent effort to take us on an adventure-filled journey, as he nearly perfects the biggest CIA operation in the history of United States. The film is perpetually entertaining; one needs to wait until the end to see the magic happen. 

5. A Ghost Story

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© Zero Trans Fat Productions

The storyline of ‘A Ghost Story’ is almost effortless. A musician, who dies in a car accident, simply returns as a ghost to the same house where he lived with his wife. As you watch the characters navigating though love and pain, ‘A Ghost Story’ lures you in with engaging performances and leaves your soul shattered.

6. Lady Bird

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© focus features

After giving an Oscar-worthy performance in ‘Brooklyn’, Saoirse Ronan is believed to be a strong contender this year too. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film explores the bay between childhood and adulthood. Currently, have an 8.4 rating on IMDb, the film also became the best-reviewed movies of all time on Rotten Tomatoes till as a few days back, when just one reviewer wrote a negative review about the film.

7. Logan Lucky

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© bleeker street

It’s a real tragedy that this movie has not gotten half the attention it deserves. The Steven Soderberg heist movie is one of the most entertaining movies of the year and that’s saying something considering the blockbuster year we’ve had. From action packed scenes to a heartfelt rendition of “take me home, country roads” this movie is one redefines a long lost genre with incredible panache.

8. Get Out

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© blumhouse productions

Daniel Kaluyya created a mark through his noteworthy performance resulting in his first Golden Globe nomination. The film is a well-scripted version of everyday experiences. The acting by the stellar cast will hit you like a truck and while it comes under the genre of horror, there are lots of other elements which will blow you away. 

At various junctures, one starts observing the lead character in a belief that he is the culprit. ‘Get Out’ is nominated in the Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, and star Daniel Kaluuya scored a Best Actor nom in the category for Golden Globes.

9. Split

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© universal studios

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the film is based on the existence of 23 different personalities inside an individual. James McAvoy effortlessly pulls off the complex role and scares the lights out of us by changing personalities in the blink of an eye. This is a performance of a lifetime and is worthy of many awards this season. McAvoy solely carries the film on his shoulders; this tense horror thriller is a well-calculated risk.

10. The Post

Incredible Movies You May Have Missed In 2017© dreamworks pictures

Who can skip the historic collaboration of Hollywood’s best actors – Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, especially when it is a Steven Spielberg film? The investigative journalism saga and Streep’s portrayal of Katharine Graham are iconic. The film has already received nominations for Golden Globes and SAG awards and it going to be released on December 22 this year.

Nov 062017
 

With an unprecedented career in Hollywood and versatile acting skills, legendary actor Robert De Niro (Robert Anthony De Niro) has touched the world through his powerful performances for the last 55 years and has remained a people’s man throughout his life.

Born and brought up in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, De Niro is known for playing offbeat, complex roles in Hollywood. He has proved his genius through the way he portrays his characters. It’s a given that an actor has to go through rigorous change when trying to encapsulate the soul of a role, and that can mean putting their body, mind and sometimes even tongue through a tough process to fit the requirements of the script.

However, such challenges never stopped a perfectionist like Robert from accomplishing highly appreciated roles. It’s not a surprise that his performances only improved with each film he signed.

Robert De Niro's Hollywood Journey Is A Blessing To Mankind© Universal Pictures

Experimenting across a range of incredible roles including that of gangsters and fallen icons and lighter roles towards the later years of his glorious career, De Niro never failed to surprise his audience.

He has always been a stage prodigy, which was quite evident through his stage debut ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the age of 10. When he became fixated on cinema, he decided to drop out of high school at 16. A bold decision indeed. After struggling during the initial years of his career, De Niro realized his true potential as an actor only when he collaborated with the iconic director Martin Scorsese. This alliance was just the onset of a grand cinematic era.

His mind-blowing performance in ‘The Godfather II’ earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. As Vito Corleone, young De Niro was successful in capturing the strange, epic and menacing transformation of a man to a feared mafia don in this cult revenge story.

Robert De Niro's Hollywood Journey Is A Blessing To Mankind© Paramount Pictures

His collaboration with Scorsese is marked with golden ink on the screens. Films such as ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Mean Streets’, ‘Raging Bull’, ‘The King of Comedy’, ‘Goodfellas’ etc. are the result of this successful partnership. Surprisingly, all these movies are accredited as his best works.

De Niro’s performance in ‘Raging Bull’ earned him his second Oscar, and he was then cited amongst the most powerful actors of all times.

Robert De Niro's Hollywood Journey Is A Blessing To Mankind© Pinterest

On one hand, he made us witness his darker side, where on the other hand, his light comic roles such as the one in ‘The King of Comedy’ have remained phenomenal. It displays De Niro’s complex character as Rupert Pupkin, a lunatic, crazy mediocre who can do anything to get on television just for a while. De Niro and Scorsese’s film ‘Taxi Driver’ is his most iconic role till date. It takes us to the then dangerous and decaying city of New York. It is yet another shade of a male psyche struck with insomnia. De Niro playing a man dealing with the traumas of war is riveting and an absolute tour-de-force performance.

Robert De Niro's Hollywood Journey Is A Blessing To Mankind© Columbia Pictures

One film worth mentioning here is ‘Deer Hunter’, which earned him critical accolades. In the recent times, De Niro has kept himself busy doing films with modern day actresses such as Jennifer Lawrence and Emily Blunt. Lately, he starred in ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Joy’ and ‘The Intern’, where his roles were more on the lighter side but impactful nonetheless.

De Niro’s work is exceptional which he executes with precision, always. His dedication to giving his best has kept him growing as a performer. To us, he will always remain an irreplaceable gem in the film industry.

Oct 252017
 

Creating a successful and entertaining movie is hard enough work as it is, so naturally the pressure of creating a perfect sequel is pretty Herculean. Moreover, the risk of failure is more, as the audience always intends to see something greater than the previous versions of the film. However, in these times, if a movie is commercially successful, the team starts working for the newer more exciting sequel without any delay.

Over the years, movie franchises have earned over billions of dollars, all because they succeeded in creating a dedicated fan following. Here we throw light on some of the most memorable and successful movie series we have always loved watching on repeat.

1. The Dark Knight Trilogy

Ace director Christopher Nolan directed three films in the Batman series – ‘Batman Begins’ (2005), ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008) & ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012). Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Cillian Murphy appeared in all three installments of the franchise.

The Best Movie Series Hollywood Has Ever Produced© Warner Bros. Pictures

The most iconic character of the ‘Joker’ was played by Heath Ledger, who died before the film’s release and won an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role (posthumously). All three films turned out to be highly successful; ‘The Dark Knight’ became the highest grosser of 2008.

2. The Godfather

The ‘Godfather’ series is believed to be one of the greatest and most successful franchises of all time. It would not be wrong to say that the success of the films is credited solely to the actors.

Titled ‘The Godfather’, ‘The Godfather Part II’ and ‘The Godfather Part III’, the films have received amazing viewership over the past four decades. ‘The Godfather Part II’ is believed to be the best ever sequel of a film ever made, in the history of cinema.

3. X-Men

This comes in 10 epic installments and some of the ‘X-Men’ films have garnered huge recognition worldwide.

The Best Movie Series Hollywood Has Ever Produced© 20th Century Fox

Parts like ‘Logan’ and ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ have been widely viewed, the latter pulled in $285 million worldwide. Various characters from the series especially ‘Wolverine’ (Logan) became iconic.

4. Indiana Jones

This is believed to be one of the most surviving characters of all time, widely embraced and fantasized about by men across the globe. Four installments of the film have been released yet and the fifth is already in the making, with Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford behind the project.

The character initially appeared in the 1981 film ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, to be followed by ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ in 1984, ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ in 1989, ‘The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles’ from 1992 to 1996, and ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ in 2008.

5. Rocky

When people started expecting another part after six successful installments, the exciting quest for something new began.

The Best Movie Series Hollywood Has Ever Produced© Columbia Pictures

‘Creed’ came as an extension to the ‘Rocky’ series. This is one film franchise which transformed the life of an ordinary man and made him one of the greatest actors of all time. Sylvester Stallone, who created his own character ‘Rocky Balboa’, became his lifelong identity.

6. Star Wars

The most significant American epic space opera started way back in 1977 and after four decades and a handful of films, the franchise is more than ready for the next installment. There is a huge nostalgia driven factor which keeps getting the viewers back every time a new version of releases. Even those who have no idea about the history or the storyline end up watching it, only for the sake of pure, glorious visuals.

Planned merchandising has boosted ticket sales every now and then. No doubt, we get to witness the best of visual effects and high end future driven stories, ‘Star Wars’ still seems to hold much ahead.

7. Harry Potter

‘Harry Potter’ films are a gift to cinema. The movies, total eight in number have grossed $7.7 billion, moreover, all these years, we saw Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson growing up and transforming into the three most lovable and gorgeous stars of their generation.

The Best Movie Series Hollywood Has Ever Produced© Warner Bros. Pictures

The ‘Harry Potter’ series has not only given employment to hundreds of crew members who remained associated with the franchise for a number of years but has also changed the concept of modern day film-making.

Honorable Mentions: James Bond, The Fast and the Furious, Bourne, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spider-Man, DC Cinematic Universe, Terminator, Men in Black, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, Kung Fu Panda, Spider-Man, Mission: Impossible, Despicable Me, Transformers, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Twilight Saga, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit, Madagascar, The Hangover, The Matrix, Die Hard, Home Alone, LEGO, Chronicles of Narnia.

Oct 232017
 

Year after year movies set new heights, unveil new themes and give us thought provoking storylines to be cherished forever. In February, the Oscar telecast is viewed by millions of movie lovers around the world, as the star-studded ceremony is one of the most anticipated events in the entertainment industry. People wait for the entire year to watch their favorite films and artists winning the golden trophy. 

However, at several instances in the history of Academy Awards, questions have been raised on the winners and those nominated.

It was 1995, when three of the most watched cult classics in the history of cinema, competed for Best Film category. The night of March 27, 1995 changed the fate of the then three best film nominees and the final winner. It was Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’, Robert Zemeckis’s ‘Forrest Gump’ and Frank Darabont’s ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ – films that stood in the toughest face-off against each other. Let’s take a look at what makes these three films special keeping in mind that no arguments since last 22 years have been able to create a dent in the individual popularity of each of these films.

Starting from ‘Forrest Gump’, the film took away six Oscars out of thirteen nominations. Tom Hanks, who later became popular by the name of the most memorable role he has ever done – ‘Forrest’, carried the film solely on his shoulders.  Critics defined this film as “a heart-breaker of oddball wit and startling grace”, in no time after the film’s release, people started believing that ‘Forrest Gump’ is one movie titled ‘constitutive’, when it comes to the list of films one must watch in their lifetime. The film not only had the grace to transport one into a new world, but also stood strong with a remarkable performance not often available to the audience. 

How 1995 Oscars Changed The Fate Of Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction And The Shawshank Redemption© Paramount Pictures

When Al Pacino and Robert De Niro announced the Best Film (1995) winner, it left viewers watching the telecast throughout the world disappointed as ‘Pulp Fiction’ lost the award to ‘Forrest Gump’.

People have always known Quentin Tarantino as a film-maker with an exceptional vision. No director or film-maker in Hollywood has been able to knit stories of hatred and bloodshed like Tarantino. With his second attempt in aestheticizing violence through ‘Pulp Fiction’, Quentin succeeded in building his own audience. ‘Pulp Fiction’ not only garnered critical acclaim at various film festivals during 1994, its very unsympathetic and exhilarating shrewdness hit the most unexplored areas of cinema. Even after receiving seven Oscar nominations, not winning the most deserved one would always remain an unfulfilled dream for ‘Pulp Fiction’ fans.

How 1995 Oscars Changed The Fate Of Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction And The Shawshank Redemption© Miramax Films

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ slowly became a worldwide phenomenon, years after critics called it a film which “stands the test of time and still resonates with viewers.” A simple humane story of survival over the years became the most loved film ever. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ won no Academy Award that night, but still maintains its stronghold as the highest rated film on IMDb. 

The night of March 27, 1995 is still a mystery, as for many it was the most significant event of their careers, while for others the most life transforming. Beyond awards and recognitions, the path-breaking stories of each of these three films not only made them the best of cult classics but timeless epics of Hollywood.

Oct 232017
 

Year after year movies set new heights, unveil new themes and give us thought provoking storylines to be cherished forever. In February, the Oscar telecast is viewed by millions of movie lovers around the world, as the star-studded ceremony is one of the most anticipated events in the entertainment industry. People wait for the entire year to watch their favorite films and artists winning the golden trophy. 

However, at several instances in the history of Academy Awards, questions have been raised on the winners and those nominated.

It was 1995, when three of the most watched cult classics in the history of cinema, competed for Best Film category. The night of March 27, 1995 changed the fate of the then three best film nominees and the final winner. It was Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’, Robert Zemeckis’s ‘Forrest Gump’ and Frank Darabont’s ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ – films that stood in the toughest face-off against each other. Let’s take a look at what makes these three films special keeping in mind that no arguments since last 22 years have been able to create a dent in the individual popularity of each of these films.

Starting from ‘Forrest Gump’, the film took away six Oscars out of thirteen nominations. Tom Hanks, who later became popular by the name of the most memorable role he has ever done – ‘Forrest’, carried the film solely on his shoulders.  Critics defined this film as “a heart-breaker of oddball wit and startling grace”, in no time after the film’s release, people started believing that ‘Forrest Gump’ is one movie titled ‘constitutive’, when it comes to the list of films one must watch in their lifetime. The film not only had the grace to transport one into a new world, but also stood strong with a remarkable performance not often available to the audience. 

How 1995 Oscars Changed The Fate Of Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction And The Shawshank Redemption© Paramount Pictures

When Al Pacino and Robert De Niro announced the Best Film (1995) winner, it left viewers watching the telecast throughout the world disappointed as ‘Pulp Fiction’ lost the award to ‘Forrest Gump’.

People have always known Quentin Tarantino as a film-maker with an exceptional vision. No director or film-maker in Hollywood has been able to knit stories of hatred and bloodshed like Tarantino. With his second attempt in aestheticizing violence through ‘Pulp Fiction’, Quentin succeeded in building his own audience. ‘Pulp Fiction’ not only garnered critical acclaim at various film festivals during 1994, its very unsympathetic and exhilarating shrewdness hit the most unexplored areas of cinema. Even after receiving seven Oscar nominations, not winning the most deserved one would always remain an unfulfilled dream for ‘Pulp Fiction’ fans.

How 1995 Oscars Changed The Fate Of Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction And The Shawshank Redemption© Miramax Films

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ slowly became a worldwide phenomenon, years after critics called it a film which “stands the test of time and still resonates with viewers.” A simple humane story of survival over the years became the most loved film ever. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ won no Academy Award that night, but still maintains its stronghold as the highest rated film on IMDb. 

The night of March 27, 1995 is still a mystery, as for many it was the most significant event of their careers, while for others the most life transforming. Beyond awards and recognitions, the path-breaking stories of each of these three films not only made them the best of cult classics but timeless epics of Hollywood.

Oct 022017
 

We often believe that actors are born with a silver spoon. However, many of our favourite stars have had a terrible past and struggled hard to even get the smallest of roles in films. Some of them in-fact started off too late in movies, but never gave up on their spirit and zest. The toughest of circumstances couldn’t break them and finally they lived the most extraordinary lives. Here is a list of actors who made it all the way from rags to riches.

Boman Irani

Boman Irani had a late beginning in Bollywood. Not many of us know that he used to work in the house keeping staff at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and before that was running his own bakery. Boman first tried a career in Photography and then switched to dramatics. His role as Dr. Asthana in ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ was much appreciated. Since then, Boman has worked in many films and is now a well known name in Bollywood.

Tom Cruise

Hollywood’s chocolate boy grew up in poverty in a struggling catholic family. His childhood was disturbing as his father used to beat him up when he was just a kid. However, the young Tom decided not to give up and started working on his chances in Hollywood. At the early age of 19 he got to act in his first film ‘Endless Love’, since then there has been no looking back for him.

These Famous Actors Once Struggled Hard To Make Ends Meet© Paramount Pictures

Daniel Craig

The Bond actor is now a multimillionaire, thanks to his association with the Bond franchise, however, it is believed that much before he hit the stardom he struggled a lot on a day to day basis. It is also reported that he used to sleep on park benches during his struggling days. His estimated worth is $65 million.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The former governer of California had seen many difficulties in life. When Arnold first came to Hollywood, he was rejected by many producers as they found it difficult to get through his accent. Arnold first started his journey by winning many body-building chamionships however, his first steps as an actor were demanding, he was signed for low budget films and bad scripted projects. From bricklaying to financing his bodybuilding career and finally becoming a star in Hollywood, Arnold’s journey is a inspiration to the world.

These Famous Actors Once Struggled Hard To Make Ends Meet© Orion Pictures

Jim Carrey

Though Jim is one of the most lovable actors, he is now being discussed for his errant behaviour, an unusual interviews, the recent one at the New York Fashion Week. Before things became better for Jim who is known for his powerful improvisations and highly energetic performances, it is believed that Jim used to live with his family in a small spaced VW bus in Canada. He later worked on a construction sites and in factories before he found his calling in Hollywood. The actor’s net worth is estimated to be $150 million.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Nawazuddin is one of the most well known actors in Bollywood and has a past beyond the glitz and glam of cinema. Before hitting Bollywood, he has worked for many odd jobs and was hardly able to earn anything. After giving a good amount of time in The National School of Drama, he bagged small roles in films after the world recognized him in the Gangs of Wasseypur.

These Famous Actors Once Struggled Hard To Make Ends Meet© Viacom 18 Motion Pictures

Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar worked for many years in Bangkok as a waiter and was later promoted to a cook. However, he used to sleep on floor and later trained himself in Martial Arts. His journey in Bollywood started with small roles and action oriented films. He is now one of the most bankable stars in the world.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Academy award winner Leonardo DiCaprio grew up saw poverty, crime and nasty characters while he was growing up. It is believed that Leonardo was homeless before he landed himself a big role in Hollywood. Today Leonardo’s worth is estimated to be over $200million so far.

These Famous Actors Once Struggled Hard To Make Ends Meet
© 20th Century Fox

Sep 262017
 

Bollywood films have entertained us for over 100 years now. It all began from ‘Raja Harishchandra’ (India’s first ever film) which dates back to 1913. The journey since then has been full of ups and downs. Bollywood gave us stories to cherish forever and there have been a few films which transcended boundaries and became popular in western countries too. Let us throw light on films which received immense love and popularity over a period of time.

Mother India (1957)

The success of the film can be figured out through its nomination in Academy Awards (1958), ‘Mother India’ remains India’s pride till date. Starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar and Rajendra Kumar, the film portrays the story of a poverty-stricken woman who raises her sons all by herself and becomes an example for others. The film portrays the image of an ideal Indian woman in those times. Though ‘Mother India’ lost the Oscar by just one vote, it is however believed to be a film larger than life.

Pyaasa (1957)

Directed and played by Guru Dutt, the film is said to be his best works ever. The plot of the movie revolves around the life of a struggling poet, trying to make his works published in post-independence India. He later meets Gulabo, a prostitute with a heart of gold who helps to get his poems published. The film is a true representation of an artist’s thirst for fame, and how he loses his battle with the hypocritical society that rejected his pioneering work. After many years of Guru Dutt’s death, the film received the cult title and turned out to be a fine example of film-making and acting.

Here Are The 10 Greatest Bollywood Movies Of All Time© Guru Dutt Movies Pvt. Ltd

Mughal-E-Azam (1960)

This film is known to be a timeless classic, Indian cinema has ever produced. Completed in a time period of almost nine years, the film presented Anarkali and Salim’s story in the truest of ways ever, leaving the audience wonderstruck. The characters played by Madhubala, Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor became eternal and so did the film’s song ‘Jab Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’.

Guide (1965)

Directed by Vijay Anand, the 1965 romantic drama starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman is amongst the best Bollywood classics ever made. Dev Anand’s appearance as a tourist guide and later as a holy man became one of the most iconic roles ever played by an actor. The concept of the film was taken from R.K. Narayan’s English book titled ‘The Guide’. The film was selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 38th Academy Awards, however it didn’t get nominated.

Sholay (1975)

Believed to be one of the greatest blockbusters of all times, ‘Sholay’ changed the scenario of film-making in Bollywood forever. The film’s characters Jay and Veeru became iconic, so did the film’s dialogues. Moreover, the character of ‘Gabbar Singh’ still creates terror in our hearts, the film is now a cult classic and always the first choice of movie buffs. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, ‘Sholay’ resided in the hearts of Indians forever.

Here Are The 10 Greatest Bollywood Movies Of All Time© Sippy Films

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

No doubt ‘DDLJ’ is the longest-running film ever in any Indian theater, the film is a perfect example of how romance never gets old in Bollywood. The magic between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol proved to be a selling point of the film.  It is believed that Raj and Simran’s story is the love story of the generation. Under the direction of Aditya Chopra, the film’s legacy has only blossomed in all these years. The film is also included in the Steven Jay Schneider’s book, ‘1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die’.

Here Are The 10 Greatest Bollywood Movies Of All Time© Yash Raj Films

Lagaan (2001)

This epic sports-drama was written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker is believed to be one film that gave Indian cinema a global recognition. Starring Aamir Khan in the lead role, the film is set in the Victorian period of India’s colonial British Raj. The plot depicts how native villagers fight against the British rule and get themselves free from taxes, by playing and winning a cricket match with Englishmen. The film also became the third Indian film to be nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Rang De Basanti (2006)

The youth-centric drama directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra received positive reviews both from critics and audience. The story revolves around the lives of five young men, who agree to play Indian freedom fighters in a documentary by a British film-maker. It features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Siddharth Narayan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten in the lead roles. The film was India’s official entry to the Oscars and the Golden Globes in the Best Foreign Language Film category and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2006 BAFTA Awards. The film had a noticeable influence on the Indian society and events that followed in the later years.

Here Are The 10 Greatest Bollywood Movies Of All Time© UTV Motion Pictures

3 Idiots (2009)

“Don’t run behind success, run behind excellence” – A formula produced by the Rajkumar Hirani film ‘3 Idiots’, became the film’s selling point. Starring Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi and R. Madhavan, the film throws light on how becoming an engineer or a doctor and choosing traditional career options is the only parameter of success in Indian households. ‘3 Idiots’ inspired many of us to reconsider our career choices, more than any other film could. 

Dangal (2016)

The story of Phogat sisters not only became popular in India but also in other countries. Starring Aamir Khan in a lead role, ‘Dangal’ is a brilliant story of an ordinary Indian man, Mahaveer Singh Phogat, who trains his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat to become world-renowned wrestlers. The story focuses on how breaking stereotypes is a vital factor in an individual’s growth. ‘Dangal’ is the highest grossing Indian film ever and the fifth highest grossing non-English film.

Here Are The 10 Greatest Bollywood Movies Of All Time© Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Sep 202017
 

Hollywood has already given us some really unusual movies this year. Films like ‘Split’, ‘It’ and ‘Logan’ have already raised the bar for filmmakers. Some much awaited films from Hollywood biggies like Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and Clint Eastwood are on their way. Here is a list of those films which are slated for release over the next few months:

Battle of the Sexes

It seems like Emma Stone is eyeing another Oscar worthy performance, this time opposite Steve Carell. The 1973 tennis rivalry between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is infamous and is believed to be a watershed moment in the history of tennis. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, the biopic is a brilliant effort in capturing the audience’s attention towards an issue that is less spoken about.

Blade Runner 2049

The mere sight of Ryan Gosling wearing a rusty metal jacket makes the movie worth watching. Though we have never seen Gosling in such an avatar, Ridley Scott’s direction makes this film a must watch. We can surely expect some futuristic space adventures here. ‘Blade Runner 2049′ is all set for release this October.

The Mountain Between Us

Starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, the movie is based on the bestselling novel by Charles Martin, of the same name. The plot depicts the survival story of Dr. Ben Bass, a surgeon (Idris) and Alex Martin, a photojournalist (Kate), when their charter plane crashes, and the two get lost in the wilderness. Directed by Hany Abu-Assad and written by Chris Weitz and J. Mills Goodloe, the film has already received good reviews at TIFF and is set to be released in theatres in October.

mother!

This Darren Aronofsky horror offering adds to the list of creepy movies that thrilled us this year. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris, the film presents a mysterious storyline and offers some unexpected twists and turns. Even after watching the film’s trailer, you just won’t be able to predict the level of insanity the film offers.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

‘The Lobster’ director Yorgos Lanthimos brings us this intense psychological thriller. Starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell, this is the story of a boy Martin (Barry Keoghan), who develops a strange relationship with his cardiologist. But unlike any other film, the results are disastrous. Alicia Silverstone also plays a small but interesting role in the film.

Thor: Ragnarok

Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, and Mark Ruffalo take us to a different world with the action and fantasy studded flick ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ directed by Taika Waititi. With special effects to die for and the unusual virtual world, trademarks of Marvel Studios, the movie may just end up being a treat for ‘Thor’ fans.

Murder on the Orient Express

This Agatha Christie mystery is expected to have an absolutely engaging story, especially with Kenneth Branagh directing the film. Featuring Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Olivia Colman, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe and Johnny Depp (special appearance), this investigative version of the book, will surely keep the audience gripped.

Wonder

A film starring Julia Roberts is never to be missed and here comes another film with an altogether untouched theme, where Julia and Owen Wilson play parents to a child with facial abnormalities. Jacob Tremblay plays the child. This is supposed to be the most emotional movie of the year.

Justice League

Gal Gadot will return as Wonder Woman in Justice League. Her union with Batman (Ben Affleck), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and The Flash (Ezra Miller) will hopefully bring the year to an end on a high.

The Greatest Showman

There is already a lot of hype surrounding Hugh Jackman’s ‘The Greatest Showman’. Starring Zac Efron, Zendaya and Jackman, this musical is set for a December release. We can’t wait ti see Logan in a different avatar. 

Sep 192017
 

We have seen them performing on stage, on the silver screen, entertaining millions of people around the world and becoming role models for many. One always believes that they must be living the lives of their dreams in the wake of extravagant lifestyles and glamour that follows. However, all that glitters is not gold. Even our favourite celebrities suffer from dangerous diseases and have been battling it all by themselves. Surprising is the fact that they didn’t let their fans know about their illness for many years and kept performing for them while they were under excessive pain. Here’s more about these stars and their debilitating lives behind stardom, their struggle with uncommon diseases and how it has affected their daily routines beyond our imagination.

Selena Gomez

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of.  So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery.  And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.  Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT

The 25-year-old singer is suffering from Lupus and recently went through a kidney transplant. Selena has been suffering from this condition for a long time and it has affected her career, many a times she had to postpone her tours and concerts because of her weakness. The singing sensation recently shared a picture on Instagram, lying next to her best friend actress Francia Raisa, who offered one of her kidneys, just for the sake of their friendship.

Morgan Freeman

Hollywood Celebrities Dealing With Dangerous Diseases© Reuters

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ actor inspired us throughout the years with his acting and social work, but not many of us know that he suffers from fibromyalgia (fibrositis).Affected from his illness, many a times he is barely able to walk due to intense pain in the joints. These days, the actor’s health prevents him from keeping long working hours and he’s also not able to sign any new projects. We hope he gets better and we get to see more of his brilliant acting.

Lady Gaga

Brazil, I’m devastated that I’m not well enough to come to Rock In Rio. I would do anything 4 u but I have to take care of my body right now. I ask for your grace and understanding, and promise that I will come back and perform for you soon. 💔🤘I’m so sorry, and I love you so much. ðŸ™?

A post shared by xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) on Sep 14, 2017 at 11:35am PDT

The 31-year-old recently revealed that she’s suffering with fibromyalgia (fibrositis), a condition that causes intense discomfort all over the body. Gaga has been dealing with this condition for a long time and is also working towards spreading awareness related to the disease. The ‘Bad Romance’ singer had to cancel her performance at the festival Rock In Rio in Brazil recently because she had been hospitalised and also shared a picture on her Instagram. Her new documentary, ‘Five Foot Two’, throws light on how the singer has been dealing with the illness and how she tries to control the excessive pain every single day.

Tom Hanks

Hollywood Celebrities Dealing With Dangerous Diseases© Reuters

‘Forrest Gump’ actor and Academy Award winner Tom Hanks is suffering from Type 2 diabetes. The actor spoke about his condition in 2013 during ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ and mentioned that he has been dealing with the disease for a long time. He also said that his weight and diet has played a major role in his deteriorating health.

Hugh Jackman

Another basal cell carcinoma. Thanks to frequent body checks and amazing doctors, all is well. Looks worse with the dressing on than off. I swear! #wearsunscreen

A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on Feb 13, 2017 at 12:42pm PST

The 48-year-old actor has been battling with basal cell carcinoma since 2013, when doctors spotted an abnormal mole on his skin. Earlier this year, Hugh got operated for the sixth time and got a dangerous patch of cancerous skin removed from his body. Jackman underwent Mohs surgery. Almost every year his lesions keep returning; however, the actor is dedicated to his work and keeps spreading awareness related to the disease.

Cher

Hollywood Celebrities Dealing With Dangerous Diseases© Reuters

Singing sensation Cher has remained a strong woman throughout her life but has been battling Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) since 1991. The disease has affected her kidneys and singing strength. In 2015, Cher cancelled many concerts under the ‘Dressed To Kill Tour’ as doctors advised her complete rest. “I am totally devastated. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. I cannot apologize enough to all the fans who bought tickets. I’m so proud of this show. It is my best ever,” reported the Daily Mail in 2015.

Kim Kardashian West

Alexander Wang Gang

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Sep 17, 2017 at 4:06pm PDT

Even Kim Kardashian suffers from an unusual condition known as psoriasis. In 2011, Kim talked about her illness on her show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, and later confirmed it. After the Paris robbery incident, Kim wrote about developing itchy patches and dry skin on her face. She also mentioned that the condition has worsened after many traumatic incidents took place in her life, the previous year.

Alec Baldwin

Hollywood Celebrities Dealing With Dangerous Diseases© Reuters

American actor Alec Baldwin has stunned us with some memorable performances; but few know the star is suffering from Lyme Disease. Alec opened up about his illness in 2011 as he spoke to the New York Times, during the Bay Area Lyme Foundation event.

Bella Hadid

Hollywood Celebrities Dealing With Dangerous Diseases© Reuters

Supermodel Bella Hadid (20) has been suffering from Lyme disease for years, her condition has debilitated with each passing day. Bella’s mother and ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star Yolanda Hadid is the first in the family to have got the disease. Their day to day struggle with Lyme has caused a great deal of pain on the mother-daughter duo, Bella also lost the opportunity to compete in the equestrian events at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

George Clooney

Hollywood Celebrities Dealing With Dangerous Diseases© Reuters

During the shooting of ‘Syriana’, George Clooney suffered an accident that broke his spine. Since then his condition has never been the same like before. At times he suffers from chronic pain due to persistent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. To battle the pain Clooney has been on intense medications. However, his pain never goes away.

Sep 122017
 

Movies today can be considered one of the best ways to convey a social and historical message. 2017 has been all about specific genres, out of the box storylines and a great shift towards more thought-provoking scripts.

From mocking the Indian legal system and the conventional societal norms to inflicting vengeance, the first half of the year gave us some of the most unusual films. Here is a list of top 10 movies which have created their own niche all this time.

10. Haraamkhor

A teacher falling for a student is not something uncommon, but from the Indian cinema’s frame of reference, this was a bold attempt. Characters played by actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi unveils the reality and shocking truths.

9. Kaabil

The perfect married life of a blind couple ends when the wife commits suicide. ‘Kaabil’ serves the revenge story on-screen where the lover seeks revenge against the corrupt system after his life turns upside down.

Best Bollywood Films Of 2017 So Far© Filmkraft Productions Pvt. Ltd

8. Raees

Shah Rukh Khan plays the role of a brutal murderer and a reigning gangster who controls the booze trade. The film is said to be inspired from the life of gangster Abdul Latif, however, the film-makers have denied any such links. The film is a sure treat for Khan lovers and promises a good script.

7. Jolly LLB2

Uninspired sequel of the first hit, it is a story of a lawyer satirizing the Indian legal system. The foremost reason for the movie emerging a winner at the box office was Akshay Kumar’s magnetic appeal and the plot strong enough to hold the viewer’s attention.

Best Bollywood Films Of 2017 So Far© Fox Star Studios

6. Mom

This film is a clear portrayal of a mother’s love. After an unfortunate accident with the daughter, the mother has to choose between what’s right and wrong.

5. Anaarkali of Aarah

Playing a dancer who performs on lewd numbers, Swara Bhaskar has impressed the audience with her accent and raw acting skills. The protagonist is an epitome of valiant feminism. This film stands out both in terms of performance and script.

4. Lipstick Under My Burkha

The highly opinionated film ridicules the male chauvinist society. Blatantly bold, this movie points out the depth of women issues.

Best Bollywood Films Of 2017 So Far© Prakash Jha Productions

3. Toilet- Ek Prem Katha

A critically acclaimed film, a satirical comedy emphasizing the elimination of open defecation. The story takes an interesting turn when the female protagonist played by Bhumi Pednekar leaves her husband’s house after discovering that there is no toilet in his village.

2. The Ghazi Attack

Based on true events during the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the film is based on mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi. With a praise-worthy plot and amazing water action sequences, the movie is a technical brilliance.

1. Hindi Medium

The movie has a bitter-sweet storyline of the middle-class parents struggling to admit their daughter to a good English medium school. This film clearly mocks the excessive importance given to the English language in our country.

Best Bollywood Films Of 2017 So Far© T-Series

All these movies have not only raised the bar of Indian Cinema but they have made us believe that people are moving back to good scripts and thought-provoking themes. We wish Bollywood continues to film original and strong content.