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Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Mission: Impossible – Fallout Review

written by Souranath Banerjee

Mission: Impossible – Fallout Review: If there is one movie that is meant to be watched and awed only for its Stunts – this is the one!

My ratings: 4/5

‘The end you’ve always feared is coming. And the blood will be on your hands. The fallout of all your good intentions.’

Finally got to see the latest adventures of Ethan Hunt, a fresh set of impossible missions that of course was made possible by Tom Cruise and his IMF team (no suspense there) and this time they call it Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (his second MI directorial mission after Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation); the basic plot for this movie is simple enough, primarily hinging on Hunt’s emotional decision to save a life of his team member and while doing so complicating his original mission and risking lives of millions.

And speaking of his team members Ving RhamesSimon PeggAlec Baldwin – the original Impossible Missions Force (IMF) is back; and
yes, they all look pretty old and glum but still carry enough nostalgia
for the audience to look beyond those aged faces and enjoy their sentimental bonding instead.  

Henry Cavill fits in perfectly and proves to be a worthy opponent for Hunt. And beware – he is not a ‘scalpel‘ but a ‘hammer‘ and ‘He’s not Mission: Impossible - Falloutjust some observer. He’s an assassin.’

Both Vanessa Kirby as the sexy vicious White Widow and Angela Bassett as the calculative CIA head make their presences felt. Rebecca Ferguson is back with a twist of her own, Sean Harris resurfaces as the dangerous criminal mastermind, even Michelle Monaghan has a cameo, but unfortunately Jeremy Renner who was a part of both Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation was no where to be seen!

But remember this movie is not about the plot, not even about star-cast or the performances, not about the cinematography, the editing or the background music (which are all pretty much awesome though), and definitely not about the suspense of completing the final mission. Mission: Impossible – Fallout is all about the
unbelievable stunts that have been performed throughout the movie with incredible accuracy.

There have been enough media hype over this and I am sure by now you all must be aware that Tom Cruise does most of his death-defying stunts himself and that is indeed an extraordinary feat for any actor, but then at the age of 56 – now that is what I call an impossible mission to accomplish! And hat’s off to Mr. Cruise’s Mission: Impossible - Falloutdedication and fitness level that he performs these stunts in supreme style and perfection!

Let’s first consider the 25,000 ft High-Altitude Low Opening parachute jump performed in Abu Dhabi for which Tom Cruise trained for an entire year and it is the first time ever that any actor have risked trying such an antic for a movie!

Then there is the helicopter chase in New Zealand for which he actually learnt to fly a helicopter – got both private and commercial pilot’s license, and finally did a Downward Spiral which most experienced pilots won’t dare attempt!

Also a helmet-free high-speed motorcycle chase through the busy Paris streets against the traffic and that too without any safety rig!

Then of course the infamous London roof-top chase where Tom had to leap from one building to another, unfortunately broke his ankle as he landed, still pulled himself up and completed the shot – because he Mission: Impossible - Falloutknew that he’d broken his leg and they wouldn’t get a chance for
another take!

And also there are those deadly hand-to-hand combat sequences, risky rock climbing moments, hanging for your life from a helicopter situations and some intense car chases just to keep you attentive for the entire 2h 27min run time!

Trust me, these stunts are the real reasons to go for this sixth franchise Mission: Impossible – Fallout and it is totally worth watching them on the big screen!

‘How many times has Hunt’s government betrayed him, disavowed him, cast him aside? How long before a man like that has had enough?’

Honestly no idea how long before Tom Cruise has had enough or in other words how many more MI instalments will be coming up in future but then one thing is for certain – for Mr. Cruise ‘age’ and ‘MI instalments’ are just a number!

Keep them coming I say!

Similar Interest: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com.

Best Zombie Films of recent times (10+1list)

Best Zombie Films of recent times

written by Souranath Banerjee

The earliest Zombie movie ever made was White Zombie way back in 1932.

Till then hundreds of horror films have been made on this particular concept – reanimation of a human corpse by witchcraft or other White-Zombie-postersupernatural means who again loves eating other humans, turning them into ‘zombies’ as well!

Though entirely fictional but people seemed to be happy enough to watch these ‘bloody’ Zombie-movies and even get terrified by such a possibility in future!

Specially one director who is highly responsible for the popularity of the Zombie-genre is George A. Romero. His films Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Day of the Dead (1985) are some of the most recommended zombie-horror flicks ever!

A few other famous zombie movies I Walked with a Zombie (1943), The Last Man on Earth (1964) and Zombie (1979).

And finally, let’s have a taste of some of the Best Zombie Films of recent times! 

10. Planet Terror (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yij3I7G44o

Planet-Terror-posterGrindhouse movie directed by Robert Rodriguez and this time he is big time into zombies! 

An experimental bio-nerve gas accident that turns people into flesh-eating, mutating zombies, and then a group of people join forces to save the town from these terrifying creatures.

With a hint of comedy and enough gore, this is a tribute to the 70s exploitation films.

9. Maggie (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ5Vz8qE8R8

maggie-posterArnold Schwarzenegger decides to do a zombie movie, that too free of cost because he very much liked the script! 

A slow emotional father-daughter drama that tries it’s best to focus on the sentimentalities about close relations turning into zombies.

Directed by Henry Hobson, it’s not your regular blood-gore zombie flick – something different to offer.

8. I Am Legend (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtKMEAXyPkg

i-am-legend-posterDirected by Francis Lawrence, this is the latest remake of Richard Matheson’s novel by the same name- earlier ones being The Last Man on Earth (1964) and The Omega Man (1971)

A post-apocalyptic horror film where Will Smith is the last human survivor left in New York City and perhaps in the whole world; everyone else being transformed into mutant victims of a plague. Can he find a cure to this madness?

7. I Am a Hero (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZu3sVK3JOE

I-Am-a-Hero-posterA zombie outbreak happens and an ordinary man turns into a hero while fighting a battle of survival!

Based on Kengo Hanazawa’s massively popular manga by the same name, and directed by Shinsuke Sato, this Japanese zombie film doesn’t at all restrict itself from showing all that violence and bloodshed. Fast and gory, decent performances and pretty realistic effects!

6. Dawn of the Dead (2004) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j69OPw9nFHw

dawn-of-the-dead-poster1This one is the remake of George A. Romero‘s zombie classic by the same name. And it is bloody violent and much more realistic!

Zack Snyder‘s directorial debut, this gory film is set when a worldwide plague is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies all over the world and only a few survivors desperate to fight back take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.

5. 28 Days Later… (2002)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7ynwAgQlDQ

twenty-eight-days-later-posterAn incurable virus has spread from the apes and now humanity is in the verge of extinction!

Only a few survivors remain and they try their best to survive ‘staying alive is as good as it gets’.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Danny Boyle, the film has the look and feel of a sci-fi, and of course one of the most stylish zombie films I have seen in the recent times.

A sequel that can also be taken under consideration 28 Weeks Later (2007) by director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.

4. [Rec] (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGJ_jPKOj1c

[Rec]-posterAn apartment building where something terribly went wrong. A television reporter and cameraman follow the emergency workers into that dark apartment building trying their best to solve the crisis.

Directed by Jaume Balagueró,  Paco Plaza, this thrilling Spanish film is all blood and gore, shot in real locations and also chronologically filmed.

The second part of it [Rec] 2 (2009) and the US remake named Quarantine (2008) is also worth your time.

3. World War Z (2013)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwTxRuq-uk

world-war-z-posterWhen Brad Pitt stars in some zombie movie you know it will be of epic scale and it was!

Directed by Marc Forster, this story revolves around a man who is up against time to stop the Zombie pandemic threatening to destroy humanity.

Brilliant effects and crowd simulation and it is the highest-grossing film of Brad Pitt’s career!

2. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjGkB_oWTe0

girl-with-all-the-gifts-posterA dystopian future definitely after the zombie apocalypse, an army training base where certain kids are tutored regularly. But these kids are not exactly normal – they are zombies with human brains!

Directed by Colm McCarthy, this unique film is particularly about a zombie kid named Melanie and how she chose her battle of survival tagging along a few humans by her side! 

  1. Train to Busan (2016)

Busanhaeng (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyWuHv2-Abk

Train-to-Busan-posterDirected by Sang-ho Yeon, this film is about a group of people travelling on a fast train from Seoul to Busan while they find out that the outside world is getting affected by a virus that turns people into zombies! 

A kid and his father, a pregnant lady and her husband, a young couple and many more – all fighting for their lives in this horrific mess.

This South Korean zombie flick tops the list because of it’s super tight story line and brilliantly realistic visuals. Gory and believable!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most crazy one. A must watch)

+1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMitSKT-u_k

shaun-of-the-dead-posterAnd to end the list is the best Zombie-Horror-Comedy ever made!

Directed by Edgar Wright, a brilliant comic take on the zombie apocalypse and of course the several tips and tricks on how to survive through it. 

The hilarious combination of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is as always too funny – bloody tasty!  

Other popular Zombie-Horror-Comedies are Zombieland (2009) and Juan of the Dead (2011).

Similar Interest: Best horror Comedies.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.imdb.com.

Best Horror Comedies (10+1list)

Best horror Comedies

written by Souranath Banerjee

When two completely different genres intermingle and their individual flavours get infused into one – something very special happens and the Cinema-lovers rejoice!

Quality Horror Comedies actually work both ways – they not only make fun of the typical horror genres being the perfect spoofs (be it the vampires, zombies or the werewolves) but they also have a few scenes that has the potential to scare you for real.

So it’s Horror + Comedy – let the list begin!

10. Army of Darkness (1992)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vvJCg2JsIc

Best-horror-ComediesThis is one frightfully hilarious horror-comedy that has also brilliantly clubbed the themes of time-travel and fantasy!

A unique case of accidental back in time transportation of Ash (Bruce Campbell) and his battle with an entire army of zombies in order to return back to the present!

Directed by Sam Raimi, you shouldn’t miss this one.

9. Dead Alive (1992)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8LIug1cP04

Best-horror-ComediesHave you ever heard of a Sumatran rat-monkey and what happens if it bites you? Does it make you sick or kill you and then make you alive – again?

Well, to know more on this topic please watch this brilliant horror-comedy by the acclaimed director Peter Jackson.

How exactly can you kill somebody who is already dead – huh?

8. Warm Bodies (2013)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07s-cNFffDM

Best-horror-ComediesA cute perfect zombie love story! What?

This is probably one of the very few love stories based on the relationship between a human (girl) and a zombie (boy) – and how they together are determined to save the world.   

Directed by Jonathan Levine, one of the most innovative horror comedy ever!

7. Young Frankenstein (1974)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL9Q_0JtMNA

Best-horror-Comedies

Directed by acclaimed director Mel Brooks, this film is about a mad scientist who managed to bring back the dead!

The classic story of Frankenstein retold in a brilliantly humorous fashion, starring  Gene Wilder,  Madeline Kahn,  Marty Feldman.

A spoof so funny and witty that it becomes one of the greatest horror comedies ever!

6. Zombieland (2009)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1-jFLlHLPw

Best-horror-Comedies‘This is now the United States of Zombieland.’

Oh yes, and to survive you have to be real good in killing those zombies before they get to you!

Directed by Ruben Fleischer,  a hilarious zombie comedy featuring  Jesse Eisenberg,  Emma Stone,  Woody Harrelson , Abigail Breslin and also the ever awesome Bill Murray. A must watch! 

5. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw6QPThCqE

Best-horror-ComediesThis film as exactly the name suggests is about an American guy who gets attacked by a werewolf and then he becomes one – and all this on a walking trip in the ever peaceful London!

Directed by John Landis, one of the best horror comedies of our times – the film that not only often hit’s your funny bone but also creates enough drama to engage you and even scare you at times.

4. Beetlejuice (1988)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hovKm9oFiM

Best-horror-ComediesTim Burton probably has made more horror comedies than any other director in the world but this one is special!

A dead couple haunted by the alive, hires another dead (a bio-exorcist) to get rid of the alive – well, something very similar to this.

Alec Baldwin,  Geena Davis,  Michael Keaton create magic on the screen! 

3. Ghostbusters (1984)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vntAEVjPBzQ

Best-horror-ComediesThis film has achieved a cult status because of it’s huge fan following and popularity.

Directed by Ivan Reitman, it’s the story of a professional team of three former parapsychology professors all dedicated to investigate and eradicate any kind of supernatural activities!

Bill Murray,  Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver killing it!

2. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZEWtyhpes

Best-horror-ComediesThe routine vampire movies have become monotonous and vampire comedies are so rare to find.

But then I saw this film and was bowled over by it’s unique concept and brilliantly funny characters, dialogues and the overall treatment.

Directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi – one of the best in this genre. Watch it!

  1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMitSKT-u_k

Best-horror-ComediesWhen someone talks about Horror comedies the first film (and undoubtedly the most popular film) that comes to you mind is this one!

Directed by Edgar Wright, a brilliant comic take on the zombie apocalypse and the several tips and tricks on how to survive through it. 

The hilarious combination of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is too bloody good to be true. 

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg7OYuc7a5I

Best-horror-Comedies

A group of very entertaining and well behaved ghosts are currently in threat of being kicked out from their mansion by some unscrupulous builders!

A brilliant variety of characters and intelligent witty dialogues – writer/director Anik Dutta gives us probably the most popular Bengali film of recent times, and also a superbly crafted horror comedy indeed!

Similar Interest: Best Horror Films of recent times

Similar Interest: Horror Anthology films

Similar Interest: Best Asian Horror Films

Similar Interest: Best Japanese Horror Films

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.com

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation review.

written by Souranath Banerjee

My ratings: 3.5/5.

Ethan Hunt is back again and one more time he has a Mission to accomplish.

mission-impossible-rogue-nation-poster2The mission as usual seems quite Impossible but do have faith in him guys – after all he is Tom Cruise and then again he has handled such impossible missions a lot many times before (four times to be exact).

So, once more Ethan and his team, the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) come together and this time they are in search of a mysterious rogue organization known as the Syndicate (which if you remember was briefly mentioned in the fourth film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol).

The team (more or less the same from the last installment), Jeremy RennerSimon Pegg and of course Ethan’s old trusted friend Luther (Ving Rhames who has been there in all five films of the franchise). 

mission-impossible-rogue-nation-poster3In addition, we have the female spy Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) who saves Ethan’s life a couple of times in the film and even beats him in the pulse-racing bike chase!

Alec Baldwin appears as the head of the CIA and Simon McBurney as the dangerous Syndicate boss. 

(It is said that Benedict Cumberbatch was the first consideration to play the villain).

Overall Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (though somewhat predictable) is a 130 min roller coaster ride of thrilling action and incredible stunts clubbed along with the ever-popular Mission: Impossible theme music (originally composed by Lalo Schifrin).

mission-impossible-rogue-nation-posterInterestingly enough all the so-called good-guys drive BMW vehicles in the film while the crooks drive either Audi or Mercedes.

Tom Cruise reportedly performed most of his stunts himself (without the use of special effects or a stunt double). Even the dangerous one where he climbs on the outside of a flying airplane (an Airbus A400M) suspended on the aircraft 5000 feet in the air!

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the fifth installment is as good as any of it’s preceders. May be even better.

Action/spy films, Mission Impossible music, Tom Cruise hanging from a plane – if you like any of these, your entertainment is guaranteed.  

 Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.imdb.com.