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Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind is complex yet touching wonderful story about a Mathematics genius John Nash who suffered paranoid schizophrenia. The film covers a lifetime of a man, his ambitions, his pain, his struggles and his discoveries. And the person who took the center stage is brilliant Russell Crowe. However, it is not safe to say that the film is flawless – particularly the direction - Howard's direction is focuses and tight in first two acts. But in third act, when the Nash gets old, the film goes like a conventional tear-jerker Hollywood schmaltz. Based on the book, the screenplay is very well written by Akiva Goldsman. The film does not entirely follows Dr. Nash's life and times, and did took some creative liberties showcasing his life. Also, I wanted to see a bit more of Nash's work – the film barely touches that.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins and composer James Horner contributed amazingly to the film. Editing in between the middle is slightly slow in pace, but I am nit-picking here. The man of the show is Russell Crowe. He brings great sense of humanity and emotions to his portrayal of John Nash. His body language, his dialog delivery is so effortless that you really think that he is John Nash. Jennifer Connelly also did a great job portraying Nash's loving wife. She was pitch perfect in many scenes, and perhaps her role itself defines the word 'Supporting'.

A Beautiful Mind is a well made film with wonderful performances. Although flawed, it is a film that will be remembered for Russell Crowe's beautiful performance. The film is a must watch, but it is certainly not a masterpiece.

8/10

No Country for Old Men is what I call a film with great potential. The potential of being a masterpiece, potential of reaching same heights of "Fargo" or "Blood Simple". But by the third and final act, the film loses its narrative arc and it resolves into just a good film.

The first, second and third acts of the films are truly gripping - genuinely thrilling. Every muscle on the faces of all the actors moves exactly the way it should, following the directors' vision; the actors' enunciation is 100% perfect, and the dialogs, frequently minimalistic, are flawless. But by the last act, the graph drastically falls, characters don't get their proper send off and the film basically ends without any conclusion.

The film is fueled with damn good performance by Javier Bardem, stunning photography by Roger Deakins and some great sound design which compensated for music score. Bardem is eerie, creepy and down-right chilling as Anton Chirugh, a ruthless psychopathic serial killer. His stone cold expressions are imported straight from hell. Bardem's Chirugh is one of the best on screen villainy I have seen. Josh Brolin is decent enough, Tommy Lee Jones is just there. Bardem outshines each and every cast member and steels the film.

Roger Deakins' (who unfortunately again didn't won Oscar) work is marvelous. The bleak, deserted region of South Texas is wonderfully framed and composed. Deakins played with shadow and light so well in jaw dropping sequence of Motel confrontation, that alone deserved an Oscar.

The film could have been so much more - only if the screenwriters/directors Coen Brothers could've made the ending of the film a little bit more cohesive. The biggest folly made by the directors was the off-screen death of Moss. In the end, the whole film resolved into nothing and you are left disappointed.

7/10

...and ends with a bang. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a near-perfect movie, with jaw-dropping visual effects, spectacular acting showcase by veteran British actors, grand production design and an emotional end.

The film starts out where the Part One ended - Voldemort now possess the Elder's Wand, Harry and his company set out for a mission to destroy all the remaining horcruxes. The first outstanding set piece in the film is the breakout at the Gringott's Bank and a bumpy ride on a enormous Dragon (very, very well made CGI).

The film will make most of the fans happy and a wee bit emotional as well. The film has certainly the most critically acclaimed film of the year, and sure the film will break many box office records.

Daniel Radcliffe is pretty decent as Harry (as always), Hermione and Ron don't have much to do except for supporting Harry. But the Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman stole the show - Ralph's vulnerable Voldemort is highly affecting - specially his hisses and heavy dialogs - are perfectly delivered. Rickman, although with even a with a screen time of some 10-15 minutes, gives a performance of his career. Among the others, Maggie Smith is awesome as McGonagall, Julie Walters finally gets a kick ass moment and Helena Bonham Carter, is just outstanding in the early scene where she plays Hermione.

The film is not flawless - specially after King's Cross scene onwards, the film feels a little rushed. The whole Elder Wand theory is not properly explained. And the final showdown feels a but anti-climatic.

But still, it is one of those rare films in which you have to over look the flaws - after all it is the end of a generation. Director David Yates, screenwriter Steve Kloves, production designer Stuart Craig, cinematographer Eduardo Serra, composer Alexandre Desplat and hundreds of other technicians gave the fans most fitting finale.

3D is a bit dim (as always), but not very bad. Still, there are some standout scenes in 3D - watch it in both 3D and 2D if you can.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 marks the end of an amazing era. I wished Jo wrote another novel.

10/10