Trailer

Monsoon (English & Hindi)Director: Jag MundhraCast: Richard Tyson, Matt McCoy, Jenny McShane, Gulshan Grover and Helen BrodieShowing at:...

Monsoon (English & Hindi)

Director: Jag Mundhra

Cast: Richard Tyson, Matt McCoy, Jenny McShane, Gulshan Grover and Helen Brodie

Showing at: Metro (English)

Monsoon is a cheap, exploitative film which does little justice to the monsoon or Goa, where the film has been shot. And for those familiar with the Donna Paula legend, it is nothing short of a mockery. An American naval officer, Kenneth Blake, comes to Goa with his fiancee Sally Stephens. Here they are met by police informer and friend of theirs, Oliver Labelle, who pretends to be a seminarian writing a book. Kenneth is attracted to a beautiful local belle, Leela, who happens to be the wife of a notorious smuggler, Brian Miranda. Leela is supposed to be the reincarnation of the fabled Donna Paula and a love triangle-of-sorts develops.

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The storyline is wafer-thin, the flaws innumerable and what transpires would put an insomniac to sleep. Sex is used to keep the viewer awake but there is little guarantee that it will succeed. Director JagMundhra’s great claim is that he has actors from three continents. But what about their quality? The acting is pathetic and so is the handling of the film. Eminently avoidable.

— Ervell E Menezes

Military Raaj

Director: Sanjay Sharma

Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Aditya Pancholi, Pratibha Sinha

Military Raaj has Mithun Chakraborty saving the nation, once again — this time from politicians. As Major Anand, he is the only man in India who can bring "happiness, peace and brotherhood" by army rule of course. The romantic angle is provided by Pratibha Sinha who plays the innocent daughter of a corrupt politician. Director Sanjay Sharma’s first film was inspired by his belief that after 50 years of democracy, "India needs military rule — which means discipline and awareness".