Smokin' Aces (2006)

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Alex Rocco, Wayne Newton,Ben Afflek,Alicia Keys,Andy Garcia
Language: English
Running Time: 109 mins
Director: Joe Carnahan
Censor Certificate: V/A
Genre: Action, Crime,Suspense

Plot: Mob boss Primo Sparazza has taken out a hefty contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel, a sleazy magician who has agreed to turn state's evidence against the Vegas mob. The FBI, sensing a chance to use this small-time con to bring down big-target Sparazza, places Aces into protective custody-under the supervision of two agents dispatched to Aces' Lake Tahoe hideout. When the word of the price on Aces' head spreads into the community of ex-cons and cons-to-be, it entices bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, deadly vixens and double-crossing mobsters to join in the hunt. With all eyes on Tahoe, this rogues' gallery collides in a comic race to hit the jackpot and rub out Aces.

My Review:One target on the top floor of 7star,casino hotel penthouse.Seven deadly stylish assasins from all over the world each with distinct method of killing.FBI protecting the target to make him the state witness.Huge starcast,great background score(especially the gunfight scenes),one of best quality gunfights of all times.This one is a typical movie any guy would love to watch.Which guy would miss to see Alicia Keys as a deady assasin?If this was not enough for an action thriller,there's a wicked suspense in the end.Really good stuff.Can't wait to watch it again with friends.

My Ratings:4/5(invite your friends & watch it on saturday night house party)

No Man's Land(2001)

Director:Danis Tanovic
Genre:Comedy,Drama,War
Running time:98 minutes
Language:Bosnia(English subtitles )
Best Foreign Language Film(2002), 74th Academy Awards
Best Foreign Language Film(2001 ),Golden Globe Awards
(Best Screenplay)
Plot:Two wounded soldiers, ciki (Bosniak)and Nino(Bosniak Serb) are caught between their lines in the no man's land, in a struggle for survival. The two soldiers confront each other in a trench, where they wait for dark. They trade insults and even find some common ground. Confounding the situation is another wounded Bosniak soldier,Cera who wakes from unconsciousness. A land mine had been buried beneath him by the Bosnian Serbs; should he make any move, it would be fatal.
A French sergeant ,Marchand, of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), gets involved in effort to help the three trapped soldiers. UNPROFOR's mission in Bosnia was to guard the humanitarian aid convoys, to remain neutral and act as a mere bystander. Luckily, an English reporter arrives on scene, bringing media pressure to bear that moves the United Nations high command to swing in to action to try to save the soldiers.
My Review:I watched this movie just for the novel plot.When i read about the situation of 3 soldiers trapped in a trench between two enemy lines,I got curious.Quite an interesting situation.The other fact that this movie won the Academy Award in 2002(remember Lagaan also was contesting)made me see this movie.From the viewer point of view Lagaan was much entertaining.But as a critic this movie is far more superior in terms of plot,acting & direction.Out of 3 soldiers one is lying wounded on a landmine.Other two are from opposite camps.The constant fight between the these two is the highlight of the movie.It ranges from simple verbal arguments to fist fights in between to gun fight.As an audience you at times feel like laughing at their silly,child like fights.The dialogues are funny even though the situation is serious.This is where the direction scores.The movie has not been made with any intention of making it funny.In the second half the story takes an unexpected turn when the news channels come.Infact after watching the second half of this movie my respect for Aamir Khan has gone down a little.The whole concept of "Peepli Live" looks like being liflted from this movie.The whole situation is now in the world news with millions of viewers.The UN has to solve the problem as they are the peace keepers.The only problem is the soldier on the mine.There is no way the mine can be diffused.The bomb disposal specialists also fail to diffuse the mine.Climax is unexpected & abrupt.Overall a good movie & a well deserving for the Oscar.
My Ratings:4/5(watch it for the good world cinema)