10. Chef:
Director: Jon Favreau
Actors: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson
Writer(s): Jon Favreau
Brief Plot Summary:After losing his job at a popular restaurant, Chef Carl Casper attempts to start afresh by fixing up a food truck. In the process, he ends up becoming closer to his family.
Why We Like it: A wonderfully heartwarming story. The chemistry between the cast takes you along this journey. And there’s food. Good food. I mean good looking food. Wouldnt know how it tastes. Havent tasted it. I want to though. See, now I’m hungry.
Aman’s Rating: 76/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 77/100
9. Crazy Stupid Love:
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Actors: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore
Writer(s): Dan Fogelman
Brief Plot Summary: Cal, a middle-aged man, is heartbroken when his wife asks for divorce. However, to get over his loss, he starts picking girls at a bar on insistence of his new-found friend, Jacob.
Why We Like it: Aryamaan’s ‘go to’ movie. He can watch this over and over again and never let the smile of his face. It’s just goddamned hilarious, with an interesting cast of characters and a wonderful though not always within the mile-wide margin for error that Rom-Coms afford. Still, an enormously fun movie. The one movie I can watch over and over again. For me, its a hard choice between this and Notting Hill for best Rom Com.
Aman’s Rating: 78/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 84/100
8. Good Will Hunting:
Director: Gus Van Sant
Actors: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Writer(s): Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Brief Plot Summary: Will Hunting, a genius in mathematics, solves all the difficult mathematical problems. When he faces an emotional crisis, he takes help from psychiatrist Dr Sean Maguireto, who helps him recover.
Why We Like it: One of my favorite films ever. Robin Williams makes me cry in this movie, every time. The oscar winning screenplay by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck couldn’t possibly be any better for this story.
Aman’s Rating: 86/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 85/100
7. The Bucket List:
Director: Rob Reiner
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes
Writer(s): Justin Zackham
Brief Plot Summary:Two terminally ill men left with only six months to live, decide to explore life and make a bucket list comprising all the things they have never tried before.
Why We Like it: Beautifully life-affirming and hopeful. Be it the heartfeltness of this film, the suave of the cast, or the witty screenplay, this film will make you smile.
Aman’s Rating: 80/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 78/100
6. Begin Again:
Director: John Carney
Actors: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine
Writer(s): John Carney
Brief Plot Summary: Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.
Why We Like it: Again, one of my all-time favourite films. Wonderful music, and characters to die for.
Aman’s Rating: 85/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 84/100
5. Ratatouille:
Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Actors: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt
Writer(s): Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Brief Plot Summary: Remy, a rat, aspires to become a renowned French chef. He doesn’t realise that people despise rodents and will never enjoy a meal cooked by him.
Why We Like it: Ingrained into my childhood. If you haven’t already seen this, the hell?
Aman’s Rating: 74/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 78/100
4. Aladdin:
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Actors: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
Writer(s): Ron Clements, John Musker
Brief Plot Summary: Aladdin, an urchin, falls in love with Princess Jasmine, but cannot marry her as he is not a prince. He finds a magic lamp that turns him into a prince, but first, he must face the evil Jafar.
Why We Like it: Possibly one of my favourite disney productions of all times. No movie can get you smiling like a classic disney musical. The animation and heartwarming music just makes you smile.
Aman’s Rating: 78/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 83/100
3. Grown Ups:
Director: Dennis Dugan
Actors: Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek, Kevin James
Writer(s): Adam Sandler, Fred Wolf
Brief Plot Summary: Five childhood friends take their families for a weekend trip to the lake house, when they reunite in their hometown to attend the funeral of their former high school basketball coach.
Why We Like it: Some hate it, some love it. Aman hates it, I love it. But it just brings a smile to your face. Yes, there is that bit overdone humour but you just have to love the characters in this film. This movie is simply about having fun.
Aman’s Rating: 42/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 73/100
2. The Intern:
Director: Nancy Meyers
Actors: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo
Writer(s): Nancy Meyers
Brief Plot Summary: Seventy-year-old Ben Whittaker realises that retirement isn’t an enjoyable experience. As a result, he decides to work as an intern at an online fashion store managed by an extremely sceptical boss.
Why We Like it: Simple and easy to watch, while having the added advantage of being funny, heart-tugging, and exciting. A must watch.
Aman’s Rating: 78/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 85/100
1. Saving Mr. Banks:
Director: John Lee Hancock
Actors: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Annie Rose Buckley
Writer(s): Kelly Marcel, Sue Smith
Brief Plot Summary: London’s Pamela Travers, a financially crunched author, visits Los Angeles to meet Walt Disney, who is very keen to adapt her ‘Mary Poppins’ for the cinema. But his methods do not meet her approval.
Why We Like it: One of the most beautiful movies. I mean Disney making a movie about Disney making a movie? This movie shows what Disney is all about – happiness, just bringing a smile to everyone’s face, which is why I love this movie. Tom Hanks ofcouse makes you fall in love with Walt but Emma Thompson shines throughout the movie making you hate and then love her character as the movie goes on. The emotions brought forth by Travers past countered with Ralph’s positivity throughout the film perfectly balances the film. The editing and directing added so much to story. Ok… I should stop talking. But it just brings a smile to your face.
Aman’s Rating: 75/100 Aryamaan’s Rating: 87/100
Assistant Director's Film Reviews 