Friday ticket: Shyam Benegal's 'Well Done Abba!'

There are mainly three options to choose from this weekend. For the Shyam Benegal's fans, this week has a treat in the form of Well Done Abba!. Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani starrer comedy Hum Tum Aur Ghost also releases. Hollywood has romantic film Love Happens to offer. The movie features AAron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston.

Bollywood-New releases

Hum Tum Aur Ghost

Arshad Warsi reigns supreme in the film and gives a lively performance. Comedy obviously comes naturally to him but he is equally good in the climax emotional outburst. However the writer in him hasn’t been able to do justice to the immense potential of the performer in him. Indiatimes

Kabeer Kaushik directed Hum Tum Aur Ghost film appears a fantastic idea on paper which in its execution could have been made into a hilarious film with some very good emotional moments thrown in. But sadly the film ends up being a long yawn inducing bore. Thaindian

It's in the second half that the director gets the genre totally confused. The film suddenly turns into a tearjerker. Agreed Arshad only wishes to help people who are in a genuine crisis. But did it have to be so melodramatic? Rediff.com
View the trailer here

Well Done Abba!

Despite being a trail and tribulation journey, Benegal’s direction has a feel-good charm to it. His storytelling is so straightforward that even when the film extends beyond its climax into a celebratory song, you don’t mind much. Indiatimes

The film is a sheer delight, with the events unfolding in a breezy, comic vein which keeps the ribs relentlessly tickling. But what's more alluring are the colourful characters and the multi-layered approach to the problems of a village which becomes a microcosm of the entire nation. The Times of India

All told, this is a film for hardcore Boman Irani and Shyam Benegal fans. The former will not be disappointed. The latter... it is a tougher call. If you liked the director's previous film, this one should meet with your approval. For the rest, there is always the IPL. Rediff.com
View the trailer here

Hollywood-New releases

Love Happens

The film loses grip mid way as it doesn’t seem to lead anywhere. Nothing really happens much in the film later on, let alone love. The message intended to be sent across of ‘moving on in life’ is significant no doubt but we wish the execution was as good. Indiatimes

On the whole, Burke-Eloise romance apparently isn’t fully developed till the movie ends, and it takes a back-seat when compared to the serious issues raised by the movie. Spicezee

The film is a glossy but uninspired production, with stock shots of the Seattle Space Needle to provide a sense of place. Editor Dana E. Glauberman, who did a crack job of editing "Up in the Air," can't find the right pacing for this lugubrious drama. Hollywood Reporter

View the trailer here

DVD Recommendation
 

For the lazy ones, Stuff India recommends District 13

District 13

Watch this for some of the most beautifully choreographed stunt sequences Parkour style. The action is furious and matched by perfectly timed background music. Don't forget to sip on some french wine for company. (Recommendation by Yatish Suvarna, technical editor, Stuff India)

View the trailer here