Album of the Year
Beck, Morning Phase — WINNER
Beyonce, Beyonce
Ed Sheeran, x
Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Pharrell Williams, Girl
Best New Artist
Bastille
Iggy Azalea
Brandy Clark
Haim
Sam Smith — WINNER
Best R&B Performance
“Drunk In Love,” Beyoncé ft. Jay Z — WINNER
“New Flame,” Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross
“It’s Your World,” Jennifer Hudson ft. R. Kelly
“Like This,” Ledisi
“Good Kisser,” Usher
Best Rock Album
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams
Morning Phase, Beck — WINNER
Turn Blue, The Black Keys
Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Songs of Innocence, U2
Best Pop Solo Performance
“All of Me,” John Legend
“Chandelier,” Sia
“Stay With Me,” Sam Smith
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
“Happy,” Pharrell Williams — WINNER
Best Country Album
Riser, Dierks Bentley
The Outsiders, Eric Church
The Way I’m Livin’, Lee Ann Womack
12 Stories, Brandy Clark
Platinum, Miranda Lambert — WINNER
Best Pop Vocal Album
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
Bangerz, Miley Cyrus
My Everything, Ariana Grande
Prism, Katy Perry
x, Ed Sheeran
In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith — WINNER
Record of the Year
“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
“Chandelier,” Sia
“Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith — WINNER
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor
Song of the Year
“Chandelier,” Sia
“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
“Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith — WINNER
“Take Me to Church,” Hozier
Best Rap Album
The New Classic, Iggy Azalea
Because the Internet, Childish Gambino
Nobody’s Smiling, Common
The Marshall Mathers LP2, Eminem — WINNER
Oxymoron, ScHoolboy Q
Blacc Hollywood, Wiz Khalifa
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
“A Sky Full of Stars,” Coldplay
“Say Something,” A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera — WINNER
“Bang Bang,” Ariana Grande, Jessie J & Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
Best Rap Performance
“3005,” Childish Gambino
“0 to 100/The Catch Up,” Drake
“Rap God,” Eminem
“i,” Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
“All I Need Is You,” Lecrae
Best Alternative Music Album
This Is All Yours, alt-J
Reflektor, Arcade Fire
Melophobia, Cage the Elephant
St. Vincent, St. Vincent — WINNER
Lazaretto, Jack White
Best Rock Song
“Ain’t It Fun,” Paramore — WINNER
“Blue Moon,” Beck
“Fever,” The Black Keys
“Gimme Something Good,” Ryan Adams
“Lazaretto,” Jack White
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Blak Majik,” Common ft. Jhené Aiko
“The Monster,” Eminem ft. Rihanna — WINNER
“Tuesday,” I Love Makonnen ft. Drake
“Studio,” ScHoolboy Q ft. BJ The Chicago Kid
“Bound 2,” Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
Best Rap Song
“Anaconda,” Nicki Minaj
“Bound 2,” Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
“i,” Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
“We Dem Boyz,” Wiz Khalifa
“0 to 100/The Catch Up,” Drake
Best Country Song
“American Kids,” Kenny Chesney
“Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
“Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” Glen Campbell — WINNER
“Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Gentle On My Mind,” The Band Perry — WINNER
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood
“Day Drinking,” Little Big Town
“Meanwhile Back At Mama’s,” Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban ft. Eric Church
Best Country Solo Performance
“Give Me Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
“Invisible,” Hunter Hayes
“Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
“Something In the Water,” Carrie Underwood — WINNER
“Cop Car,” Keith Urban
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Sail Out, Jhene Aiko
Beyonce, Beyonce
X, Chris Brown
Mali Is, Mali Music
G I R L, Pharrell Williams — WINNER
Best Dance/Electronic Album
Syro, Aphex Twin — WINNER
While (1, Deadmaus
Nabuma Rubberband, Little Dragon
Do It Again, Röyksopp & Robyn
Damage Control, Mat Zo
Best Dance Recording
“Never Say Never,” Basement Jaxx
“Rather Be,” Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne — WINNER
“F for You,” Disclosure ft. Mary J. Blige
“I Got U,” Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones
“Faded,” Zhu
Best Latin Pop Album
Tangos, Ruben Blades — WINNER
Elypse, Camila
Raiz, Lila Downs, Niña Pastori & Soledad Pastorutti
Loco de Amor, Juanes
Gracias Por Estar Aqui, Marco Antonio Solis
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
American Hustle
Guardians of the Galaxy
Frozen — WINNER
Get On Up: The James Brown Story
The Wolf of Wall Street
Best Music Video
“We Exist,” Arcade Fire
“Turn Down for What,” DJ Snake & Lil Jon
“Chandelier,” Sia
“Happy,” Pharrell Williams — WINNER
“The Golden Age,” Woodkid ft. Max Richter
Best Music Film
Beyoncé & Jay Z: On The Run Tour, Beyoncé & Jay Z
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
20 Feet From Stardom, Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill — WINNER
Metallica: Through The Never, Metallica
The Truth About Love Tour: Live From Melbourne, Pink
Best Reggae Album
Fly Rasta, Ziggy Marley — WINNER
Back on the Controls, Lee “Scratch” Perry
Full Frequency, Sean Paul
Out of Many, One Music, Shaggy,
The Reggae Power, Sly & Robbie & Spicy Chocolate,
Amid the Noise and the Haste, Soja
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Cheek to Cheek, Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett — WINNER
Sending You a Little Christmas, Johnny Mathis
Nostalgia, Annie Lennox
Partners, Barbra Streisand
Night Songs, Barry Manilow
Best Americana Album
The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash — WINNER
Terms of My Surrener, John Hiatt
Bluesamericana, Keb’ Mo’
A Dotted Line, Nickel Creek
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Sturgill Simpson
Best Spoken Word Album
Actors Anonymous, James Franco
A Call to Action, Jimmy Carter
Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America, John Waters
A Fighting Chance, Elizabeth Warren
Diary of a Mad Diva, Joan Rivers — WINNER
We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song, Gloria Gaynor
Best Gospel Album
Help, Erica Campbell — WINNER
Amazing, Ricky Dillard & New G
Withholding Nothing: Live, William McDowell
Forever Yours, Smokie Norful
Vintage Worship, Anita Wilson
Best Rock Performance
“Gimme Something Good,” Ryan Adams
“Do I Wanna Know?”, Arctic Monkeys
“Blue Moon,” Beck
“Fever,” The Black Keys
“Lazaretto,” Jack White — WINNER
Best Metal Performance
“Neon Knights,” Anthrax
“High Road,” Mastodon
“Heartbreaker,” Motörhead
“The Negative One,” Slipknot
“The Last In Line,” Tenacious D — WINNER
Best R&B Song
“Drunk In Love,” Beyonce ft. Jay Z — WINNER
“Good Kisser,” Usher
“New Flame,” Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross
“Options (Wolfjames Version),” Luke James ft. Rick Ross
“The Worst,” Jhené Aiko
Best R&B Album
Islander, Bernhoft
Lift Your Spirit, Aloe Blacc
Love, Marriage & Divorce, Toni Braxton & Babyface — WINNER
Black Radio 2, Robert Glasper Experiment
Give The People What They Want, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Indian cinema often delivers stories that resonate on both emotional and visceral levels. Kill, a gripping action-romance now streaming on Amazon Prime, is no exception. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, this high-octane thriller blends heart-wrenching emotion with relentless action, leaving viewers at the edge of their seats.
Set aboard a speeding train, Kill tells the story of Amrit (Lakshya), a loyal soldier returning home with a promise to reunite with his childhood love, Tulika (Tanya Maniktala). The couple’s tender, budding romance is the heart of the narrative, with scenes of their innocent exchanges juxtaposed against the chaos that soon engulfs them.
Their journey takes a dark turn when a gang of ruthless dacoits hijacks the train, intent on robbing and killing its passengers. What unfolds is a gripping battle for survival as Amrit transforms from a man in love to a one-man army, determined to protect Tulika and the innocent lives aboard.
The romance in Kill is as compelling as its action sequences. Amrit and Tulika’s relationship is characterized by a delicate vulnerability. Lakshya and Tanya Maniktala’s chemistry brings authenticity to their roles, making their love story feel real and raw. Their shared dreams of a future together contrast painfully with the brutal violence surrounding them, intensifying the emotional stakes.
The heartbreak lies in Amrit’s constant struggle to protect Tulika while confronting the fragility of their dreams in the face of overwhelming odds. The film poignantly captures how love can endure, even amidst devastation.
Lakshya delivers a career-defining performance as Amrit. Initially portrayed as a soft-spoken and unassuming soldier, his transformation into a relentless protector is both believable and inspiring. The action sequences are brutal and stylized, reminiscent of martial arts thrillers, but with a distinctly Indian flair. Amrit’s fight scenes are raw and unrelenting, embodying the desperation of a man with everything to lose.
The narrative subtly highlights themes of duty, sacrifice, and the lengths to which love can push a person. Amrit’s journey from a lover to a savior is as emotional as it is exhilarating, making him a hero worth rooting for.
The confined setting of a train amplifies the film’s tension, with claustrophobic corridors and dimly lit compartments serving as the perfect backdrop for the story’s chaos. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s direction ensures that every shot is purposeful, oscillating between tender romantic moments and pulse-pounding action. The cinematography and sound design heighten the stakes, immersing viewers in the characters’ perilous journey.
Kill masterfully balances romance and action, offering a visceral experience that tugs at the heartstrings while delivering adrenaline-pumping sequences. Lakshya’s standout performance and the film’s emotional depth make it a must-watch for fans of Indian cinema and action-thrillers alike.
Kill is more than just an action movie; it’s a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. While its unflinching violence might not be for everyone, those willing to embrace its intensity will find a story that stays with them long after the credits roll. This film firmly establishes Nikhil Nagesh Bhat as a director to watch and leaves audiences eagerly anticipating what’s next for its talented cast.
Rating: 4.5/5 If you’re looking for a film that combines action, romance, and heart-pounding thrills, Kill is the perfect pick.
Violent Night (2022), starring David Harbour as a rugged, action hero Santa, delivers a wildly entertaining twist on holiday films. Combining dark humor, brutal action, and unexpected heart, the movie follows Santa as he defends a family held hostage on Christmas Eve. Harbor shines as a jaded yet surprisingly endearing Santa, bringing grit and charm to the role. The film’s blend of holiday magic and high-octane violence is reminiscent of Die Hard but with a festive twist.
Director Tommy Wirkola balances the chaotic fight scenes with moments of redemption and holiday spirit, creating a surprisingly satisfying narrative. While the film isn’t for traditionalists (its R-rating is well-earned), it’s perfect for fans of unconventional holiday fare.
Rating: 8/10: A bold, bloody, and refreshingly unique holiday film that’s destined to become a cult classic.
First aired in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas remains a timeless holiday classic that has captured the hearts of generations. Directed by Bill Melendez and based on Charles Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comic strip, this special blends simplicity, humor, and heartfelt messages in a way that few holiday films can match.
The story follows Charlie Brown, who feels disillusioned by the commercialism of Christmas. With encouragement from his friends (and a bit of sass from Lucy), he takes on the task of directing a Christmas play. Along the way, he discovers the true meaning of the holiday, culminating in Linus’s moving recitation of the Nativity story.
The film’s charm lies in its authenticity. The hand-drawn animation is modest yet endearing, the child voice actors bring an innocence that feels genuine, and Vince Guaraldi’s jazzy score—featuring “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time is Here”—is nothing short of iconic. Its themes of community, humility, and spirituality resonate just as strongly today as they did nearly 60 years ago.
While its pacing may feel slow to modern audiences, this is part of its charm; it’s a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the quieter joys of the season.
This timeless special is a must-watch every holiday season. Its enduring message and heartwarming simplicity remind us that Christmas isn’t about materialism but about love, kindness, and togetherness.
Rating: 10/10: A perfect blend of nostalgia, heart, and holiday spirit. A Charlie Brown Christmas is not just a holiday classic but a cinematic treasure that embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Kill on Amazon Prime – A Heart-Stopping Tale of Love and Heroism
Holiday Movie Review: Violent Night
Holiday Movie Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas
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