What Nolan Could Have Learned from Schumacher.

So we all love 'The Dark Knight'. Possibly the greatest superhero film of our times. But you know what, as much as the Two Face is essential to the film - to showing how one can fall beneath one's own standards, forget one's code, etc, etc, he slows the film down. I mean, we all want more of the Joker. We want to see him push the envelope for crazy further. Nolan should have understood this and taken a cue from Schumacher's much-deplored flick 'Batman Forever'. All he had to do was write a scene where Batman throws a pile of coins on the Two Face and the crazy attorney is done for. See for yourself how effective the scene would have been.

Special Delivery - Watch Ritesh Batra's Short Film 'Cafe Regular, Cairo'

Ritesh Batra's 'The Lunchbox' is easily one of the most assured debuts of our times. Not only do the performances seem natural, but the way the camera closes in and captures every moment is amazing too. I never really get how so many filmmakers ignore what the real Bombay stands for - they forget, no, ignore Mumbai's filled-to-the-brim-and-spilling milieu.

Thankfully Ritesh knows what he's doing. You remember that scene when Irrfan gets bugged with the traffic and takes a rickshaw home - how he has to bend himself just to get off the bus? Well, when that scene was over, a friend sitting next to me said, 'I do that sometimes.' I could only wonder why wasn't this little moment captured on film before? Ritesh Batra is a man who carefully listens. To our world. To the stories we tell in whispers. Oh and he can use sound well too.  Did you listen to the loud thumping of the leaky tap when Saajan (Irrfan) goes to the washroom to check his shave? Did you notice how with each passing interaction, we show Ila and Saajan eagerly await the lunchbox.

Wait, hold on. 

There's so much about 'The Lunchbox' that needs to be lauded. But I am writing to you because I wanted to share this little gem with you. Cafe Regular, Cairo is the short film Ritesh made right before he made The Lunchbox. So if you were craving for more of his stories, this is the perfect little treat for you. Granted it's tad different from The Lunchbox. But even here the performances are just as assured and the role reversal between the man and woman is both entertaining and refreshing. Just hit play to watch. Add salt, sugar and compliments as per taste.

Yes, there is a scene after the credit rolls in Iron Man 3.

For those who are soon going to catch Iron Man 3, don't be eager to rush back home after the film. Marvel continues its excellent tradition of adding quirky fun scenes after the credit rolls. If you haven't seen any of these scenes before, then do go back to all the old films from Marvel. Right from Iron Man to the Avengers, these cinematic Easter Eggs are to be found in all the films. 

For the eager comic geeks out there, here are a few details. Don't worry, I won't spoil it for you. 

The scene subtly hints at some of the developments we will see in Avengers 2.

It features one of the most loved characters from Avengers.

And it's obviously written by Joss Whedon

since it has Joss Whedon written all over it.

The scene's caustic, full of dry wit and peppered with Joss Whedon's cheeky trademark banter. 

So, stick around after the film ends. Don't let the theatre security and cleaning staff dissuade you into leaving. Dig in your heels and you shall thank me later. 

Here's a cool Iron Man 3 poster to help you get even more kicked about the film.

 PS: Do share some of the cinematic Easter Eggs you have discovered and come to love.