Lockout

Stars: ***

Directed by James Mather, Stephen St. Leger.

Starring Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan

A man wrongly convicted of conspiracy of espionage against the US is offered his freedom if he can rescue the President's daughter from an outer space prison taken over by its inmates. Guy Pearce stars in this sci-fi thriller set in outer space armed with witty quips and biceps to rescue the President's daughter, Emilie (Maggie Grace). The film begins in a very dark place with Guy aka Agent Snow being beaten up whilst recounting how the Colonel died. That is where the logic behind this story ends. We never learn what mission Snow was on and what was in the briefcase that Snow was sent to recover/protect. In fact, throughout the film, Snow's side story is never fully explained and we never realise why finding out who was selling secrets to foreign countries was so important.

In the meantime, Emilie aka the President's daughter is on a humanitarian mission to see how the outer space prison is effecting the inmates. Prisoners are given sentences called 'stasis' where they are put to sleep for their jail time. However, when they wake up, they are disorientated and mentally unstable. A prison breakout means all the prisoners are let loose to create havoc in the prison and making Emilie a hostage.

This film did have the potential to be a great movie, hence the three stars but there is so much wrong with it that i don't know where to begin. Firstly, the ending totally does not make sense at all as none of the loose ends are tied up. Guy Pearce is at his best as a rogue agent getting trigger happy on a rescue mission and does fulfil his role pretty well. Maggie Grace enacts the President's daughter to the best of her ability but throughout the film, her emotions are always the same. This film could have been so much more as the key concepts are all there but could not help but feel that the script was written more as an afterthought rather than a priority.

Superwoman Syndrome

Superwoman syndrome. It happens to the best of us. As women, we are expected to do everything. Take care of the home, family and deal with the pressure of work too. Sometimes, that can get on top of the best of us and things can get out of control. You start finding that you are more switched on at work, then you are at home. At work, i am so put together. Wearing cute little outfits, being able to have intellectual conversations and hitting every deadline with both hands tied behind my back. As soon i get home, i get cranky, grumpy and making an effort to do anything apart from have dinner and go to bed just seems exhausting. The 'office me' is sassy, witty and on top of everything. The 'feet up' me would not be recognised by my workmates. I am like a bear with a sore head and sadly my family and friends get the brunt of it.

Work does suck the life out of me and it really is my social kryptonite. When it comes to the weekend, i am more than happy to hibernate in my house with trashy tv and no other human being able to speak to me. No i don't want to be at my friends and family's beck and call in my spare time when i do that all day work answering calls, emails and running around after people. Yes that means i am labelled anti-social, however, i can't be 'switched on' all the time. I know i need to use my superwoman strength to be more social but i am not going to apologise for having a high powered job. So people, just give us a break and let us have our breathing space. We can't do everything but we're trying. Help us out a little and let us come back to you in our own time.

Songs i rate at the moment

As a bollywood fanatic, i am totally obsessed with music but that doesn't mean that's the only type i listen to. So here's my top 5 at the moment:

1.Piya O Re Piya -Tere Naal Love Hogaya

Not only this song perfectly sung but the two actors look gorgeous in it. The best part is that they are a couple in real life who have overcome obstacles to make it together. Love everything about it!

2. Thug Le - Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

The film may have become a distant memory for most but this song is still rocking the airwaves and rightly so. I will be playing this loud come summer time! 

3. Take Care - Drake ft Rihanna

Aside from all of Rihanna's peppy tracks, this is one song that does soothe me and helps me relax.

4. Hogayi Tun - Players

Despite the fact that Bipasha Basu does look absolutely gorgeous in this track, the song is one of those fun girl tracks that i do enjoy. 

5. Gun Gun Guna - Agneepath

I wish someone would cheer me up after a long day at work. Priyanka Chopra shines in this song celebrating all things Bollywood in her sunny manner. 

Housefull2

Star rating: *

Director: Sajid Khan

Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Riteish Deshmukh, Asin, Jacqueline Fernandez, Chunky Pandey, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Zarine Khan, Shazahn Padamsee, Mithun Chakraborty, Boman Irani, Johnny Lever

Housefull 2 is one film which has left me speechless and that cannot be a good thing when it comes to someone like me. The second in the Housefull franchise, it follows the same strands with mistaken identities and family fueds. Each character is flawed and unscrupulous in it's selfishness to achieve their own goals. Two fueding brothers decide they both want their daughters to marry the richest son-in-law, each daughter believes she is marrying the richest son-in-law and each son-in-law is pretending to be the richest son-in-law.

The film is indeed mayhem just as the title suggests with lies causing more chaos as each minute of the film progresses. With such a huge star cast, you do feel a bit cheated. The actors are not utilised well at all. Akshay Kumar is at his comedic best as usual with the tired formula of crazed lover/thief. The actresses are there just being a pretty face, looking catwalk ready and wearing cute outfits. In fact, i don't think any of them play a big role in the storyline and we could have done without them, if the film wasn't about the boys getting married. Malaika Arora Khan is the saving face on the female front with her guest appearance in her item song 'Anarkali Disco Chali' and the few lines she is given. I do find it a shame though that the film has huge stars like Mithun Chakraborty, Boman Irani, Johnny Lever, Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor in it but they are made to look rather silly. It feels as though they were forced to choose these roles as a personal favour or simply because there was nothing better available.

The music score is the saving grace in this film, as it always is with 'Pappa to bandh bajaye' and 'Anarkali Disco Chali'. However, apart from that, i can't say nothing good about the film. Watch it for some mindless fun and i seriously mean leave your brain at home. Sajid Khan will need to pick up the pace with his films if he wants to continue to create hit films. 

Imli's

There are not many Indian restaurants i rate in Central London. It is mainly because i'm Indian myself so i see no reason for me to head outside for Indian food. However, i do have a weakness for Indian street food. For those of you who don't know what it is, see here

Ever since i first set foot on the beaches in Mumbai, India, at the age of 4, i was totally taken with their chana chaat, pakoras, pav bhaji and my favourite of all, Pani Puri. However, back in the UK, it is incredibly hard to find somewhere that keeps the pleasure of eating out and having authentic Indian street food at a reasonable price. One that comes vaguely close is Masala Zone, but as of late, they have become a bit bland in taste and let's face it the science beaker given with pani puri or golguppas, is a big turn off.

However, walking the streets of London after a busy day's shopping, i was pleased to discover Imli's in Wardour Street, Soho. It is rather unnoticeable among all the big Japanese chains but heaven awaits if you do find it. The food was pleasantly delicious, spices were just right and i can dare to say that my mother would have gladly eaten here without complaint. Pav Bhaji was hot with soft warm pav that melts in your mouth as you eat it. Each dish starts at £5 and goes up £15. Staff were polite and courteous and made sure we felt welcomed and even timed all our courses just right. It really is a must see for anyone craving a good Indian on the streets of London.

http://www.imli.co.uk/

Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif filming in London

After being a die hard fan of Shahrukh Khan, how exciting was it for me stumble him and Katrina Kaif filming for Yash Raj's yet untitled romantic film at Westminster. Not so sure how i felt about that the film crew did treat all onlookers like criminals and didn't let us take pics (i did) but it was a rather dramatic affair. Then again, this is Bollywood!

The Hunger Games trilogy

4 stars out of 5

I have to say, ever since the ill fated Twilight series and it's dreadful ending, i have been avoiding young adult books like the plague. There was a time where hopeless romantics and star-crossed lovers of other worlds really rocked my boat. You only have to mention Buffy, The Vampire Slayer and i could probably recount to you every single flirtatious look she ever received. However, Twilight did knock my confidence in young adult fiction and really put me off, i liked the books but then the movie came along and destroyed everything.

Anyway, as i don't want to stray off topic, The Hunger Games. Having seen the trailer a couple of months ago, i got excited at this film. The intrigue it built up with a very sturdy looking Jennifer Lawrence and handsome Liam Hensworth, i was keen to find out more. While i waited for the film release, i did the one thing only all respectful bookworms do, i read the book it was based on by Suzanne Collins. I do have to say, from the moment Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of this trilogy, wakes up in her wooden hut, i was hooked. I was desperate to learn of the moody Ms Everdeen after she volunteers herself as tribute. The tragic events that follow in the Hunger Games arena did leave me wanting more. I loved the book and its every dramatic moment. The most amazing part of this book is the fact that she is not longing for a man despite the love triangle she's stuck in, she is desperate to survive. She wants to save her family and do what is right.

Soon after reading the first book, i headed straight to the cinema. I do believe that each and everyone of the characters were well cast. Even Jennifer Lawrence did a great job 'acting' very awkward and then strong throughout her time in the arena. I do feel however that you did need to have read the book to understand all the underlying storylines otherwise you would spend all your time explaining them to people you go with.

After all of this, i read the rest of the trilogy and i honestly was happy with the ending. It does have lots of twists and turns and the second book does seem like a filler. You do have to remain faithful to the books and pay attention as all the strands are tied up but no one knows whether it is for the better. One things for sure, i will never smell a white rose and not think of President Snow ever again.

Sanoobar :)