Argo

Another tale of American hero-ship where the agency saves the day. There is the usual frustrated bureaucrat and the 007 minus the girls and cars in hostile territory and involving multiple governments. The American embassy in Tehran is run over and a select few have managed to escape to the Canadian embassy.
The movie is the story of escape of these men and women engineered by none other than Ben Affleck.

Watch it not for the Oscars but for engaging screenplay and slick editing.

Rating 4/5

Hotel Cary's Goa

We happened to stay in this hotel in April, 2013 and I am glad to say that we were not disappointed.
The rooms are not many, 19 in fact and travelers are advised to book early, if they don't want to be turned away. Located strategically at Calangute, it is a short walk away from the beach. The rooms are spotlessly maintained by well mannered staff. The swimming pool was an added attraction and we spent our mornings swimming before breakfast was served.  The only downside is the non-existent room service and guests have to come down to be served.

Website: http://www.carysgoa.com/

Rating 4.5/5

Django Unchained

Set at the dawn of the American Civil War, when the grass was green and the sky was blue, this film is a remake of the movie going by the same name.
Django, is an African American slave who is on a mission - to find his ladylove. He has an ally, A German doctor going by the name of Shultz, who is a bounty hunter. The duo become old fashioned righteous cowboys, who believe in honor. Enter Calvin Candie, the Mississippi plantation owner who is the current owner of Django's ladylove. The two almost get through, when the plan is busted and a lot of shooting ensues.
The good doctor and the plantation owner get killed. Django manages to break free and exact revenge and walk into the sunset with the lady.

The pace of the movie takes you by surprise, the action more so, especially all the gore. But a film that you would love to watch.

Rating: 4.5/5

Zero Dark Thirty

The hunt for the most wanted man on the planet, the devil incarnate by CIA based out of a country with fickle loyalties. The film starkly exhibits the torture cells and inhumane treatment met out to the Al Q operatives to extract information. It is also the story of Maya, the young CIA operative who relentlessly pushes herself to the limit meanwhile the body count keeps on mounting. Slick editing and realistic screenplay  make it a must watch.

Rating: 4/5

Charcoal Pit

If you want a taste of Pune of the old, Charcoal Pit is the place to go. With an amazing view this roof top restaurant has, the food is the perfect foil. Try the Charcoal Pit Special and you will not be disappointed. The rotis are delicious and are served in no time. A word of advice though, ask them to go easy on the spices if you are not into it.

Rating 4.5/5

Zikomo, Baner Road

This place has fantastic ambiance to match its food. Will not let you down. Order anything and it will come out just fine. I sampled it with friends when they had a movie fest going on. One could book a table in advance and dine and watch a movie on the projector. Decently priced too.

Rating 4/5

Kahaani

B(V)idya Balan has done it again! What a thriller!The movie is fast paced and lays stress on details. Kudos to Director Sujoy Ghosh for the magnum opus. Well defined characters who bring Kolkata alive on screen. Now who will not be nostalgic with the lanes of Manick Tolla and Burra Bazaar in Pujo? Does "Bhalo Naam" ring a bell? Will you now not be suspicious of the benign Bengali gent who is an insurance agent by the day and a smiling assassin in his alternate avatar? The Kokata policemen in their white uniforms who are IT illiterate but are hopelessly romantic? And the climax? Simply awesome!

That is not all, we have our good old Amitabh Bachchan lending his voice to that timeless song: Ekla Chalo Re!
Beautiful. Mesmerizing. Breathless.

Rating : A perfect 5/5