Circus of Follies

 

How little it takes to con our very own children! I absolutely detest reviewing low-quality movies – the effort of penning a few lines just does not seem to be worth it! With a mishmash of unattractive characters that form a circus cast winding their way across European cities, chased by gendarmes, and finding their bearings at long last, Madagascar 3 – Europe’s Most Wanted, is strictly children’s fare. And, by that, I mean fare for they-who-will-not-discern-poor-quality rather than a comment on well-produced children’s content. Off with the head of the producers of this one!

 8.5/20

Decisions, Decisions

Indian-born director Bharat Nalluri brings easy familiarity to his portrayal of a love quadrangle, and disentanglement by a governess short on luck thus far, in Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day. What is unexpected is the near-perfect casting and depiction of London society in the 1930's. A simple movie about choices - wealth, fame, or love? - and a resolution of the same in Bollywood-like morality tale style. Nor is Miss Pettigrew left behind in the derservedness sweepstakes as she finds a man who too would like to break free from the dilletante posturing world - and the fact that he is rich, successful and handsome does not hurt one little bit. This is a movie for a day when you are short of faith in the goodness of the world, but cannot quite tolerate the saccharine overdose of Bollywood. You will find it difficult to pin down a specific reason for overly liking or disliking a movie like this one, though.