PVR MOVIES FIRST VOL. 17
YO U R WI ND O W IN TO T HE WORL D OF CIN EMA
TOTAL RECALL:
7 Romantic Movies Based On Famous Novels
THE BEST NEW MOVIES PLAYING THIS MONTH: RANGOON, THE SPACE BETWEEN US, THE GREAT WALL, LION, RINGS PVR MOVIES FIRST
FEBRUARY 2017
st gu ev i ew i nter
OT J V A N LATI GU
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GREETINGS ear Movie Lovers, Here’s the February edition of Movies First, your exclusive window to the world of cinema. Hollywood ace Matt Damon stars in China’s most expensive film to date, period-fantasy-action “The Great Wall”. Akshay Kumar plays a bumbling small-town lawyer who fights his life’s biggest case in “Jolly LLB 2.” Torrid love triangle “Rangoon,” touching family reunion drama “Lion,” and edgy political thriller “Miss Sloane” are on this month’s sumptuous movie buffet. It’s Valentine’s month: We present a bouquet of 7 romantic
movies based on famous novels. Watch, and fall in love all over again. Get a glimpse into Frank Darabont’s intriguing world, and join us in wishing iconic actor John Travolta a happy birthday! We really hope you enjoy the issue. Wish you a fabulous month of movie watching. Regards Gautam Dutta CEO, PVR Limited
USING THE MAGAZINE We hope youa’ll find this magazine easy to use, but here’s a handy guide to the icons used throughout anyway. You can tap the page once at any time to access full contents at the top of the page.
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CONTENTS In the Valentine month, discover your love for cinema with PVR Movies First.
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Movie of The Month
GUEST INTERVIEW
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MUST WATCH
FESTIVAL FLASH
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Architects of Cinema
Total Recall
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RELEASING THIS MONTH
A sneak-peak into the big release of the month!
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The Great Wall
1700 years to build. 5500 miles long. What were they trying to keep out?
Starring global superstar Matt Damon and directed by one of the most breathtaking visual stylists of our time, Zhang, Legendary’s “The Great Wall” appears tailor-made to become a bona fide crossover hit. The US$150 million fantasy adventure tells the story of a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) who is imprisoned within the Great Wall, where he discovers the mystery behind one of the greatest wonders of the world. As per director Zhang, the fact that the mercenary was supposed to be of European roots made Matt Damon the perfect fit for the role. As wave after wave of marauding beasts besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism. He joins a huge army of PVR MOVIES FIRST
elite warriors who are making a valiant stand for humanity on the world’s most iconic structure. The first English-language production for Yimou, “The Great Wall” also stars Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe and Andy Lau. The most expensive Chinese film ever, “The Great Wall” promises to be an epic spectacle of warfare, action sequences, and inventive weaponry, wrapped up in top notch cinematography and visual effects.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Great Wall of China is actually not a single wall. It is a series of several walls built separately over 1700 years by various ruling dynasties of China.
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Reasons to Watch
In a career that has seen him orchestrate the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, as well as direct lavish spectacle films like “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers,” Zhang Yimou is on the verge of releasing his biggest project yet.
or the first time, a film deeply rooted in Chinese culture, with one of the largest Chinese casts ever assembled, is being made at tentpole scale for a world audience. - Yimou Zhang, Director
THE COLLECTION One of the China’s most prolific and versatile directors, Zhang Yimou is known for his signature storytelling dominated by stunning visual display and his bold female protagonists. Here is a sneak-peek of his most successful work:
Hero (2002)
House of Flying Daggers (2004)
The Great Wall RELEASE 03 FEB Genre: Mystery, Thriller Language: English Director: Yimou Zhang Cast: Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe Studio: Legendary East, Le Vision Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, China Film Group Pic Courtesy: Legendary East
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Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)
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Jolly LLB 2
Tagline: The State v/s Jolly Director: Subhash Kapoor Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, Annu Kapoor Genre: Courtroom, Drama, Comedy Rating: (U/A) Release Date: 10 February Studio: Fox Star Studios
The prequel, Jolly LLB, wasn’t just a sleeper hit, it raked up two National Awards as well: Best Film and Best Supporting Actor (Saurabh Shukla). That movie, starring Arshad Warsi as the titular Jolly, pitted him against a famous lawyer representing a rich client in a hit-and-run case. Jolly LL.B 2 retains this basic premise but comes with a completely fresh cast and plot.
MOVIE OF THE MONTH
his cases in court. Worse, he gets ticked off by the judge (Saurabh Shukla) for his filmi questions, grandiose dialogue and “Nirupa Roy” like emotional outbursts.
n “Jolly LLB 2” we touch upon serious concerns, but I like to tell my stories with a tinge of humour. It’s a great tool, as it lifts the story from boring to interesting, and gets the message across without being preachy. – Subhash Kapoor, Director
THE PLOT: Akshay’s character, a lawyer named Jagdishwar Mishra, aka Jolly, is a bit of a bumbler, losing most of PVR MOVIES FIRST
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made sure I didn’t portray the character of a judge merely as a person with a hammer. It‘s a beautifully written character, and I worked out his back story on my own. That’s the work the actor puts in. Life for Jolly isn’t very cheerful at home either, with wife Pushpa (Huma Qureshi) on the verge of giving up on him. Things — and the tone of the film — change suddenly when a man is killed, and his wife approaches Jolly to take on the case. Jolly quickly realizes things are murkier than they seem; the victim was just one pawn in a larger, deadlier game. Jolly makes it his mission to fight this evil power, but he must reckon with his opponent in court first - an advocate (Annu Kapoor) with a reputation for machination.
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– Saurabh Shukla, Actor
THE DIRECTOR: Before venturing into direction, Subhash Kapoor worked as a political journalist in Delhi. Those years of seeing both powerful and powerless people gave him a taste of how real life plays out. In particular, his films boast an authentic Haryana and Western UP flavour, which has resonated well with audiences. Kapoor tasted success with his second film Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010) and repeated it with Jolly LLB (2013).
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TRIVIA 01
To film a crucial stunt scene, Akshay Kumar refused a duplicate’s help and jumped into Ganga during monsoon himself despite director Subhash Kapoor warning.
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The film has set a record of sorts, by completing the entire shoot in just 30 days. Lead actor Akshay Kumar credits his director Subhash Kapoor for the meticulously planned schedule, adding that the real-life locations and back-toback shooting of songs helped the team wrap up in record time.
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The romantic track ‘Bawra Mann’, filmed on Akshay Kumar and Huma Qureshi, was originally made for Akshay’s 2015 comedy “Singh is BliIng.” The makers decided not to use it because it did not fit in with the film’s slapstick brand of comedy.
Kapoor’s “Guddu Rangeela” (2014) dealt with the khap panchayats of India. THE CAST: Akshay Kumar leads the charge as Kanpurbased small-time lawyer Jolly. The first film had Amrita Singh as Jolly’s love interest; here we see Huma Qureshi playing an eye-rolling partner to the man who slowly gains respect in her eyes. Boman Irani has been replaced by Annu Kapoor, who brings his own brand of vileness to the court proceedings. Saurabh Shukla, whose turn as the arbiter was both hilarious and impactful, returns in the same role, this time judging an even more challenging case. PVR MOVIES FIRST
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7 Romantic Movies Based On Famous Novels Gone With The Wind (1939)
Total Recall
perennially popular tale of love and misunderstanding, the movie adaptation remains faithful to the setting and period of the beloved novel. Filmed entirely on location in the U.K., Pride and Prejudice was the first movie version of the story in 65 years.
Devdas (2002)
Director: Victor Fleming Cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell Based On: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell A Hollywood classic, the film narrates the love between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler during the American Civil War. Based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name, this award-winning film narrates the history of a selfish woman who doesn’t want to admit her feelings for the man she loves, and finally loses him. Filmed and presented on a scale not seen even in modern-day productions, “Gone With The Wind” is the defining film of the Golden Era of Hollywood..
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Based On: Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay In 1917, a 17-year-old Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote a Bengali romantic novel called Devdas. The novel went on to become a timeless masterpiece and has inspired over 17 films in different Indian languages till date. Set in the early 1900s, Bhansali’s epic follows a young man named Devdas Mukherjee (Shah Rukh Khan). When his wealthy family prohibits him from marrying the woman he is in love with, Devdas’ life spirals further and further out of control as he takes up alcohol and a life of vice to numb the pain.
The Notebook (2004)
Director: Joe Wright Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn Based On: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice is the story of five sisters - Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia Bennet - in Georgian England. Their lives are turned upside down when a wealthy young man (Mr. Bingley) and his best friend (Mr. Darcy) arrive in their neighborhood. Based on Jane Austen’s PVR MOVIES FIRST
Director: Nick Cassavetes Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams Based On: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks PAGE 10
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, this adaptation of author Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel revolves around Noah Calhoun’s (James Garner) regular visits to a female patron (Gena Rowlands) of an area nursing home. Rather than bore her with the inanities of everyday life, Calhoun reads from an old, faded notebook containing the sweeping account of a young couple (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) whose love affair was tragically put to a halt after their separation in the midst of World War II. P.S. I Love You (2007)
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Jo Jo Moyes, “Me Before You” tells the story of an unexpected relationship that blossoms between a contented small town Englishwoman Louisa (Emilia Clarke) and the wealthy, paralyzed Londoner Will (Sam Clafin) who hires her as his caretaker.
Director: Richard LaGravenese Cast: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler Based On: P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern Based on Cecelia Ahern’s book “P.S. I Love You”, the film is the beautiful love story of Holly (Hilary Swank), a beautiful, smart woman married to the love of her life - a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). When Gerry’s life is taken by an illness, it shatters Holly. But before he dies, Gerry has left Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself. The Fault In Our Stars (2014)
Director: Josh Boone Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff Based On: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green Hazel and Augustus, two teenage cancer patients begin a life-affirming journey to visit a reclusive author in Amsterdam. Hazel is terminal and carries around an oxygen tank, and Augustus lost a leg, but that doesn’t stop them from carrying about each other and seeing the world together. Wise, funny, and heartbreaking without resorting to exploitation, The Fault In Our Stars does right by its bestselling source material. Me Before You (2016) Director: Thea Sharrock Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer Based On: Me Before You By Jojo Moyes PVR MOVIES FIRST
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JOHN TRAVOLTA Golden globe winning actor John Travolta turns 63 on the 18th of February. Here are 5 fun facts about the actor, who shares his birthday with Enzo Ferrari (founder of Ferrari) and Matt Dillon(actor). 1. His father was of Italian descent and his mother was of Irish ancestry. His family name means ‘high voltage’ in Italian. His father owned a tire repair shop called Travolta Tires in Hillsdale, NJ. 2. Travolta has a pilot’s license and regularly takes both friends and family on flights. He owns five private planes. 3. Apart from acting, he is also a published author. His books include ‘John Travolta Staying Fit’ and ‘Propeller One-Way Night Coach (A Fable For All Ages)’, which is about his son Jett, who died of a seizure. 4. His favourite childhood movies were ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’(1942) and ‘Mary Poppins’(1964). His favourite movie is ‘A Man and a Woman’(1966). His favourite band is ‘The Beatles’. His favourite colour is white. 5. He danced with Princess Diana.The two met at the White House at a gala dinner in 1985. The dance was an iconic moment for both people, with the late Princess naming the outfit she wore that night ‘The Travolta Dress’.
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MUST WATCH BOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS FEB
THE GHAZI ATTACK The War You Did Not Know About
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Genre: Drama, History Language(s): Hindi Director: Sankalp Reddy Cast: Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu, Kay Kay Menon Certification: (U/A) Studio: Dharma Productions, AA Films Pic Courtesy: © Dharma Productions
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AJAB SINGH KI GAJAB KAHANI He is Deaf. He is Blind. But He is Incredible.
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Genre: Comedy Language(s): Hindi Director: Rishi Mishra Cast: Ajay K. Singh, Yashpal Sharma Certification: (U/A) Studio: Shree Triveni Films International, Basmati Creations Pic Courtesy: © Shree Triveni Films International
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Movie Plot: In 1971, a Pakistani submarine called the PNS Ghazi ventured into Indian waters with the ambition of destroying the INS Vikrant. What stopped them? The heroes aboard the Indian submarine S-21.
Movie Plot: Ajay Singh, an impoverished kid, grows up to be a civil servant and vows to protect sugar cane farmers in his village who are pushed into poverty by sugar industry owners and local politicians.
Reason to watch: India’s first war-at-sea film, “The Ghazi Attack” is an epic underwater tale of immense courage and undying patriotism, starring Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Late Om Puri and Taapsee Pannu.
Reason to watch: It is the story of a government officer and his mission to stop illegal activities and corruption in and around Gorakhpur in UP.
Did You Know: The Ghazi Attack is inspired by true events from the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
Did You Know: Written and Directed by Rishi Mishra, the movie is based on real life events of IRS Ajay Singh, who is also making his debut as the lead actor in the movie.
FEB
RUNNING SHAADI.COM
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Get. Set. Elope. Genre: Romance, Comedy Language(s): Hindi Director: Amit Roy Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Amit Sadh Certification: (U/A) Studio: Crouching Tiger Motion Pictures, Rising Sun Films Pic Courtesy: © Crouching Tiger Motion Pictures
Movie Plot: Two friends, morally upright Ram Bharose and tech-genius Cyberjeet, create a website that helps lovers elpe. The site is an instant hit; young couples line up for the opportunity to escape their strict families and run away with their lovers. Reason to watch: An interesting take on marriages; the absurdities of making couples elope will surely make it a funny joy ride. Did You Know: Ace cinematographer Amit Roy makes his debut as a director. Roy has previously shot films like Sarkar, Sarkar Raj, and Dum Maaro Dum. PLAY TRAILER
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MUST WATCH BOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS FEB
IRADA
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Truth Lies Beneath The Surface Genre: Drama Language(s): Hindi Director: Aparnaa Singh Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Divya Dutta Certification: (U/A) Studio: Irada Entertainment Pic Courtesy: © Irada Entertainment
Movie Plot: A mysterious bomb blast in a business tycoon’s factory prompts the state CM to hire an NIA officer. He meets an ex-army man seeking revenge for his dead daughter and a journalist demanding justice for her slain boyfriend. Will the officer able to uncover the conspiracy which threatens the future of the entire state? Reason to watch: With an intriguing storyline and a strong star cast, “Irada” is a movie to watch out for. Did You Know: This is the third time Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah would be starring together after Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya. BOOK TICKETS
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FEB
RANGOON
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Love. War. Deceit Genre: Drama, Period, Romance Language(s): Hindi Director: Vishal Bhardwaj Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan Certification: (U/A) Studio: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, VB Pictures, Viacom18 Motion Pictures Pic Courtesy: © Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
Movie Plot: A love triangle forms against the backdrop of the Second World War. Reason to watch: With its A-list starcast under the nuanced direction of Vishal Bhardwaj, Rangoon looks all set to become an instant classic. Did You Know: Shahid Kapoor learned a smattering of Japanese - and tasted some divine Japanese food on set - thanks to co-star Satoru Kawaguchi, who plays a Japanese soldier in the film. PLAY TRAILER
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MUST WATCH HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS MISS SLOANE
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03
Genre: Political Thriller Language(s): English Director: John Madden Cast: Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, Gugu Mbatha-Raw Certification: (U/A) Studio: FilmNation Entertainment, Archery Pictures, France 2 Cinema, Canal+ Ciné+, France Televisions Pic Courtesy: © FilmNation Entertainment
Make Sure You Surprise Them
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Reason to watch: Watch it for Jessica Chastain, whom we are expecting to put out a riveting performance. Did You Know: Director John Madden gave the screenplay to actress Jessica Chastain personally. He had only her in mind for the role after he read the spec script.
KUNG FU YOGA The King of Kung Fu is Back in Indian Style
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FEB
03
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Language(s): English Director: Stanley Tong Cast: Jackie Chan, Sonu Sood, Disha Patani Certification: (U/A) Studio: Taihe Entertainment, Shinework Pictures Pic Courtesy: © Taihe Entertainment
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Movie Plot: Chinese archaeologist, Professor Jack (Jackie Chan), teams up with beautiful Indian professor Ashmita (Amyra Dastur) and her assistant Kyra (Disha Patani) to locate the lost treasure of Magadha. Reason to watch: This breakneck action-comedy will reunite Jackie Chan with acclaimed director Stanley Tong (Rumble in the Bronx, Supercop). Did You Know: Tong customarily attempts stunts himself before asking actors to risk themselves, e.g. Jackie Chan’s leap from a parking garage roof to a fire escape in Rumble in the Bronx and the finale of The Stone Age Warriors.
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03
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Language(s): English Director: Paul W.S. Anderson Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose, Ali Larter Certification: (U/A) Studio: 21 Capcom Co, Ltd., Constantin Film, Davis-Films, Don Carmody Productions, Impact Pictures Pic Courtesy: © 21 Capcom Co, Ltd.
The beginning of the end
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Movie Plot: The story of a brilliant and ruthless lobbyist who is notorious for her unparalleled talent and her desire to win at all costs, even when it puts her own career at risk.
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RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER
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Movie Plot: The human race’s last hope against apocalyptic obliteration is super soldier Alice (Milla Jovovich), but she’s been stripped of her psychic powers. She must form alliances and rally survivors in Raccoon City for the climactic battle against the Umbrella Corporation and its ravenous hordes of the undead. Reason to watch: Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, this is the sixth instalment of the video game-inspired franchise. Did You Know: This is supposedly the final instalment of the “Resident Evil” film franchise.
FEB
RINGS
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First you watch it. Then you die.
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Genre: Drama, Horror Language(s): English Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez Cast: Vincent D’Onofrio, Laura Wiggins, Aimee Teegarden Certification: (U/A) Studio: Parkes/MacDonald, Bender Spink, Marci/Edelstein, Vertigo Entertainment, Waddieish Claretrap Pic Courtesy: © Parkes/ MacDonald
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Movie Plot: A young woman finds herself on the receiving end of a terrifying curse that threatens to take her life in 7 days. Reason to watch: A new chapter in the beloved “RING” horror franchise set 13 years after the events of the first instalment. Did You Know: Arjen Tuiten, the film’s Special Makeup Effects Designer, says it took about 6 1/2 hours to get Samara’s makeup each day. Her costume also featured a water rig under her dress which allowed her character to constantly drip water.
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MUST WATCH HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS FEB
THE SPACE BETWEEN US What’s your favourite thing about earth?
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10
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama Language(s): English Director: Peter Chelsom Cast: Janet Montgomery, Britt Robertson, Asa Butterfield Certification: (U/A) Studio: Huayi Brothers Pictures, Los Angeles Media Fund, Southpaw Entertainment Pic Courtesy: © Huayi Brothers Pictures
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THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Always be yourself. Unless you can be Batman.
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Movie Plot: The first human born on Mars travels to Earth for the first time, experiencing the wonders of the planet through fresh eyes. He embarks on an adventure with a street smart girl to discover how he came to be.
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FEB
10
Genre: Animation Language(s): English Director: Chris McKay Cast: Jenny Slate, Ralph Fiennes, Zach Galifianakis Certification: (U/A) Studio: Warner Animation Group, DC Entertainment, LEGO System A/S, Vertigo Entertainment, Animal Logic, Lord Miller Productions Pic Courtesy: © Warner Animation Group
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Movie Plot: Bruce Wayne must not only deal with the criminals of Gotham City, but also the responsibility of raising a boy he adopted.
Reason to watch: The movie called tells an exciting story from the future and features a first rate cast.
Reason to watch: Following in the footsteps of global phenomenon “The LEGO Movie”, comes Batman’s tale set in the LEGO world. It’s a whole new adventure with a whole new Batman.
Did You Know: This is the first movie to be shot at Spaceport America in New Mexico. There were over 400 crew, actors and extras at the spaceport during the shoot.
Did You Know: Morgan Freeman, who appeared in the “Dark Knight” trilogy and The LEGO Movie,” said that The LEGO Batman Movie’s version of Batman is his personal favourite.
FEB
SILENCE
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Sometimes silence is the deadliest sound Genre: Drama, History Language(s): English Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver Certification: (U/A) Studio: Sharpsword Films, AI Film, Catchplay, IM Global, Verti Productions, YLK Sikella, Fabrica de Cine Pic Courtesy: © Sharpsword Films
Movie Plot: In the seventeenth century, two Jesuit priests face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and propagate Christianity. Reason to watch: The movie is based upon the 1966 novel of the same name by Shūsaku Endō. Did You Know: Director Martin Scorsese considers Silence his passion project, a film he’s been aching to make since 2002. The film’s dark subject matter found it difficult for even Scorsese to find funding. PLAY TRAILER
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MUST WATCH HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS FEB
LION
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The Search Begins
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Genre: Drama Language(s): English Director: Garth Davis Cast: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara Certification: (U/A) Studio: See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, Screen Australia, Sunstar Entertainment, Narrative Capital, The Weinstein Company Pic Courtesy: © The Weinstein Company
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Kevin has 23 distinct personalities. Genre: Thriller The 24th is about to be unleashed. Language(s): English
Director: M. Night Shyamalan Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson Certification: (U/A) Studio: Blinding Edge Pictures, Blumhouse Productions Pic Courtesy: © Blinding Edge Pictures
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SPLIT
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Movie Plot: A five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.
Movie Plot: Three teenage girls are abducted by a man with no less than 24 different personalities. Using the splits in his natures, they plan a daring escape.
Reason to watch: Even more than its stellar cast and uplifting story, what makes Lion worth a watch is the fact that it’s an incredible true story.
Reason to watch: Split serves as a dramatic tour de force for James McAvoy in multiple roles — and finds writer-director M. Night Shyamalan returning resoundingly to thrilling form.
Did You Know: Google helped the production and gave the crew access to their satellite imagery to use in the film, providing them with versions of Google Earth from the correct time period.
Did You Know: James McAvoy previously played a mentally ill man in Danny Boyle’s Filth.
JOHN WICK 2: CHAPTER TWO
FEB
24
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Out of the Night. The Boogeyman Cometh. Language(s): English
Director: Chad Stahelski Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ruby Rose, Bridget Moynahan Certification: (U/A) Studio: 87Eleven, Thunder Road Pictures Pic Courtesy: © 87Eleven
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FEB
HIDDEN FIGURES
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Meet the women you don’t know, Genre: Drama Language(s): English behind the mission you do.
Director: Theodore Melfi Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe Certification: (U/A) Studio: Fox 2000 Pictures, Chernin Entertainment, Levantine Films, TSG Entertainment Pic Courtesy: © Fox 2000 Pictures
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Movie Plot: Legendary hitman John Wick is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome, where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers.
Movie Plot: A team of African-American women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program’s first successful space missions.
Reason to watch: Keanu Reeves returns for this sequel to the cult action film directed by Chad Stahelski.
Did You Know: When Taraji P. Henson signed on for the lead role, she met with the real-life Katherine Johnson, who was 98 years old, to discuss the character she was about to portray. Henson learned that Johnson had graduated from high school at age 14 and from college at age 18, and was still as lucid as anyone years younger.
Did You Know: John Wick is intended to be a trilogy, this film being the second in that trilogy.
Reason to watch: “Hidden Figures” celebrates overlooked and crucial contributions from a pivotal moment in American history.
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T O J V A I N L AT GU T
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NAVJOT GULATI
A couple of kooks (Amit Sadh and Taapsee Pannu) cook up a storm - they form a company to help couples elope. So while the duo help love find a foothold in the world, they end up on shaky ground themselves. We spoke to story, screenplay and dialogue writer NAVJOT GULATI about what sets Runningshaadi.com apart. How did the idea for the film come about? An idea for a rom-com set in a small town had been brewing with me for a while. During my visits to Punjab, I had observed something quite peculiar—since the state hosts a large population of migrant labourers from Bihar, Bhojpuri cinema is a thriving industry there! This intermingling of Punjabi and Bihari influences was quite interesting, I thought. Imtiaz Ali’s also a big influence— his films have characters who are always running away from something, either physically or metaphorically. One night, on a train journey from Bhopal to Punjab, all these elements somehow scrambled into place together, and I had the idea for “Runningshaadi.com” Is the film an out-and-out comedy or does it have an element of thrill? Lead actor Taapsee Pannu asked me and (Director) Amit Roy the same question, and we just glanced at each other and smiled. Amit then replied, “It’s a lot like life; so it has a bit of everything—action, fun, drama, emotion and yes, thrill.” Having said that, this is a film with a truly fresh and unique concept. We have steered clear of the standard rom-com boy-meets-girl cliches. You are sure to come out of the theatre with a smile on your lips. PVR MOVIES FIRST
GUEST INTERVIEW
Apart from the lead actors, which characters should we look out for, and why: While the film features many talents, the standout has to be Cyberjeet, played by Arsh Bajwa. He plays an 18year-old who practically lives online. A small-town Mark Zuckerberg, so to speak. Together with his friend Ram Bharose (Amit Sadh), he launches a website that helps couples elope. A particular moment or scene that’s your favourite: The last 30 minutes of the film are my favourite. I take away something new every time I watch it. The two actors who play prominent parts in that section are Pankaj Jha and Brijendra Kala. They improvised so wonderfully that the scenes went several notches above what we had visualised. What locations did you film in? The film was shot in one 45-day schedule across Amritsar, Ludhiana, Dalhousie and Patna. An interesting anecdote or memory from the film? The director of the film, Amit Roy, is a well-established cinematographer with films such as Sarkar, Sarkar Raj, and Dum Maaro Dum under his belt. He and I decided to spend some time in Amritsar to get a feel for real-life Punjabi families. Some of my relatives thought we were just struggling youngsters waiting for a break in the movies. One of them, who had no idea what a Director of Photography does, actually asked Amit to click a photograph of him so he could post it on his social media. That hilarious episode stuck in my mind! PAGE 22
THE LIFE OF A LEGEND:
Frank Darabont PVR MOVIES FIRST
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Frank Darabont
Darabont is one of only six filmmakers in history with the unique distinction of having his first two feature films receive nominations for the Best Picture Academy Award. As a director he is known for his film adaptations of stories by Stephen King. EARLY LIFE: He was born in a refugee camp in France to Hungarian parents who had fled Budapest during the failed 1956 Hungarian revolution. He was brought to America as an infant and settled with his family in Los Angeles, where he attended Hollywood High School. His first job in movies was as a production assistant on the 1981 low-budget film ‘Hell Night’ (1981). He spent the next six years working in the art department as a set dresser and in set construction, while struggling to establish himself as a writer. In his early career, he was primarily a screenwriter for horror films such as ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’, ‘The Blob’ and ‘The Fly II’. HIS FILMS: Darabont made his directorial debut with 1990’s “Buried Alive”. However, his career leapt into the stratosphere only in 1994, when he directed The Shawshank Redemption, which is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, films ever made. Following PVR MOVIES FIRST
ARCHITECTS OF CINEMA
its success, he took a five year hiatus from directing, making a triumphant return with the 1999 prison drama ‘The Green Mile’. This received thirteen awards and twenty three nominations. He has directed ‘The Majestic’,
f you’re going to succeed, you’ve got to be like one of those punch-drunk fighters in the old Warner Bros. boxing pictures: too stupid to fall down, you just keep slugging and stay on your feet.
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DID YOU KNOW? • Darabont was inspired to pursue a career in film after seeing the George Lucas film ‘THX 1138’ in his youth.
He repeatedly employs themes of racism and hope in his films, allowing himself to express his personal beliefs and challenge controversial issues and stereotypes. Keeping with his realism style, he uses characters that can relate to the common man. He uses characters to show different perspectives in his films.
• He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1977 and did not attend college. He said, “I decided to kind of attack life and hope it worked out. It actually worked out quite well. I’m sort of stunned. I don’t recommend circumventing college, it’s not for everyone, but I’m one of these fellows unburdened by the benefits of higher education.” • His first jobs after finishing school included working at the famed Hollywood Egyptian Theater as concession and seat finder, watching movies for free. • He got his writing skills from endless hours of writing at a desk on a typewriter in his free time and from his childhood friend Cody Hills. • His first novel “Walpuski’s Typewriter” was published in 2005. • Frank Darabont is married to costume designer Karyn Wagner.
‘Raines’, ‘The Shield’, ‘The Mist’, and ‘L.A. Noir’. He also served as the Showrunner for ABC’s “The Walking Dead” during its first season. HIS STYLE: His inspiration are Stephen King books. He loves their style and finds them special and wants to see them up on the big screen. His interpretations are simply superb and his screenplays are touching, scary, and inspiring.
QUICK FACTS BIRTH NAME: Frank Darabont _______________________ OCCUPATION: Director, Writer, Producer _______________________ BIRTH DATE: 28 January, 1959 _______________________ PLACE OF BIRTH: Montbeliard, France _______________________ YEARS ACTIVE: 1981–present _______________________ Spouse(s): Karyn Wagner
He is able to flawlessly reel the viewers into the film, allowing them to be engaged and share personal connections with the characters, mood and plot. PVR MOVIES FIRST
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HISTORY
THIS MONTH 36 YEARS AGO
*Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Gronemeyer, Klaus Wennemann Herbert Groenemeyer Director: Wolfgang Petersen
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HISTORY Literally meaning “The Boat”, this German gem is one of the most gripping war movies ever made, and demands repeat viewing. The film humanized German soldiers to a largely skeptical American public, turning their views in inimitable fashion. The story deals with the psychological consequences on the lives of the millions of young officers and sailors who worked under the water, and gives a brilliant and truthful insight into the different personal problems, fears and feelings that those young men had to put aside in order to fight a war in which many of them didn’t truly believe. The movie’s power comes from both its riveting, epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. THE STORY: Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Buchheim, the film follows the lives of a fearless U-Boat captain and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels, taking turns as hunter and prey. The interior dimensions of the U-boat are just 150 ft x 10 ft. The officers’ mess is so cramped that when a crew member wants to move from the front to the back, he asks “permission to pass,’’ and an officer stands up to let him squeeze by. War is hell. Being trapped in a disabled submarine is worse. THE MAKING: Petersen’s direction was an exercise in pure craftsmanship. He constructed the film mostlywith closeups, and kept the shots tight and cramped, to fill viewers with stomach-churning anxiety. Cinematographer Jost Vacano, who many say was the real hero of the film, hurtled his camera through the boat from one end to the other, making its grimy, claustrophobic interior come vividly to life. His camera followed the crew
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THIS MONTH 36 YEARS AGO through hatches, up ladders into bunks, and under pipes, creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. The sound added a real, tangible dimension to the film. During the attacks the boat rocked with explosions and reverberated with desperate cries and commands. When the boat dived below its recommended depth, rivets came loose with the force of bullets. When it appeared the boat might be trapped, the sailors lay on their hammocks, gasping oxygen like dying men. Doldinger’s score was a stunning and moving work of art on its own. He composed mini-epochs of motion and emotion. His subtle yet profound use of synthesizers, a symphony orchestra and the classical guitar created an atmosphere full of the kind of adrenalinepumping wonder Peterson’s narrative called for. DID YOU KNOW: • Billed as one of Germany’s most expensive postwar films, “Das Boot” was seen by 20 million cinemagoers in 120 countries and grossed $22m, with $12m coming from the US alone • It was nominated for six Academy Awards, which was at the time the highest number of Oscar nominations ever received by a foreign language film. • Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, the real life captain of the U-96, and Hans-Joachim Krug, former first officer on U-219, served as consultants to give the film more authenticity. • Petersen had a fanatical obsession with regard to the structural detail of the U-boat set. He pointed out that “every screw” was an authentic facsimile of the type used in WWII U-boats. • The cast was deliberately kept indoors continually during the shooting period in order to look as pale as a real submarine crew would on a mission at sea. • The film was shot in silence. All the dialogues and sounds were inserted post production.
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FILM FESTIVALS 32nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival Festival Date: Feb 1 – Feb 11, 2017 Venue: Santa Barbara, USA Opening Film: Charged Closing Film: Their Finest Acclaimed Movie
HEAL THE LIVING
Plot: Australian director Stenders delighted Generation audiences in 2011 with a legendary story about a very special dog. Now, at the centre of this sequel - which is also a prequel- the red canine is joined by 11-year-old Mick, who treasures his bond with his four-legged friend above all else. Destiny has brought the duo together on a farm in the Australian outback, where the two partake in mystical adventures and Mick encounters his first true love. With great humour and sensitivity, the film is a tale of growing up in a time of transformation. MOVIE INFO Directed By: Kriv Stenders Written By: Daniel Taplitz Cast: Jason Isaacs, Levi Miller, Bryan Brown Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Beloit International Film Festival, 2017 Festival Date: Feb 24 – Mar 5, 2017 Venue: Beloit, USA Acclaimed Movie
DEMIMONDE Plot: Following the aftermath of an accident, three seemingly unrelated stories are masterfully woven together in this family medical drama.. A French teenager takes a road trip to the sea with friends to go surfing; a woman learns her heart is failing; and the staff at a regional hospital struggles through another day of saving lives. MOVIE INFO Directed By: Katell Quillévéré Written By: Gilles Taurand, Katell Quillévéré Cast: Tahar Rahim, Emmanuelle Seigner, Anne Dorval Genre: Drama
67th Berlin International Film Festival Festival Date: Feb 9 – Feb 19, 2017 Venue: Berlin, Germany Opening Film: Django Acclaimed Movie
RED DOG: TRUE BLUE Plot: The story of three women – a high profile courtesan, her housekeeper and their new maid – living in Budapest of 1910s, whose passionate, bizarre and complex relationship can only lead to one thing: murder. MOVIE INFO Directed By: Atilla Szasz Written By: Norbert Köbli Cast: Patricia Kovács, Dorka Gryllus, Laura Döbrösi Genre: Drama, Thriller PVR MOVIES FIRST
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Out This FEBRUARY MOVIE NAME (LANGUAGE)
GENRE
FORMAT
icons
RELEASE DATE
MISS SLOANE (ENGLISH) POLITICAL / THRILLER 03 FEB __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 03 FEB RESIDENT EVIL : THE FINAL CHAPTER (ENGLISH) ACTION / HORROR / SCI-FI 3D / IMAX / ATMOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 03 FEB THE GREAT WALL (ENGLISH) MYSTERY / THRILLER ATMOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 03 FEB KUNG FU YOGA (ENGLISH) ACTION / ADVENTURE / COMEDY __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10 FEB RINGS (ENGLISH) DRAMA / HORROR ATMOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10 FEB THE SPACE BETWEEN US (ENGLISH) SCI-FI / DRAMA __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10 FEB THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (ENGLISH) ANIMATION 3D / IMAX / ATMOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10 FEB JOLLY LLB 2 (HINDI) COMEDY / DRAMA ATMOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 FEB SILENCE (ENGLISH) DRAMA / HISTORY __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 FEB THE GHAZI ATTACK (HINDI) DRAMA / HISTORY ATMOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 FEB AJAB SINGH KI GAJAB KAHANI (HINDI) COMEDY __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 FEB RUNNING SHAADI.COM (HINDI) ROMANTIC COMEDY __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 FEB IRADA (HINDI) DRAMA __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24 FEB LION (ENGLISH) DRAMA __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24 FEB SPLIT (ENGLISH) THRILLER __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24 FEB JOHN WICK 2 : CHAPTER TWO (ENGLISH) ACTION / CRIME / DRAMA __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24 FEB HIDDEN FIGURES (ENGLISH) DRAMA / TRUE STORY __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RANGOON (HINDI) PVR MOVIES FIRST
PERIOD / DRAMA / ROMANCE
ATMOS
Subject to release at PVR. Movie schedule is subject to last minute change.
24 FEB PAGE 29
IN THE NEXT ISSUE:
EDITOR HARSHVARDHAN CONSULTANT EDITOR SHUBHRA DESIGNER VIJAY FEATURES WRITERS SIDDHARTH Conceptualized by Ranjeet Ahluwalia The views, ideas and content of this magazine are not of PVR’s. PVR shall not be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based on the information contained in this publication. PVR does not give any warranty for the completeness or accuracy for this publication’s content, explanation or opinion. To share your feedback about the magazine, write to us at pvrmoviesfirst@gmail.com
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