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Reviews
Memories (2013)
Gripping! Tense! Emotional!
What a masterclass from Jeethu Joseph! Absolutely stunning thriller! I'm just dumbfounded by the fact that I've been praising Western movies & decent Bollywood movies so much that I was insulated from the real genius much closer to home. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie and my heart kept racing. The way this movie keeps you guessing the identity of the killer is spectacular. The screenplay is the real hero here while Prithviraj Sukumaran is just the medium. He is lovable too but the writers are kings. I really enjoy the realism in these movies - the setup, the make-up, the surroundings etc. High praise all over, totally loved it. Highly recommended!
The Plot Against America (2020)
The past is an epilogue to the present & a caution for the future!
I was just blown away by the anxiety that this series gave me while I binged it. I could draw many parallels with what's happening in the world and in many countries right now with what was shown in the series. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The archival footages were a treat. The music, the writing, the incidents, the dialogues were extremely thought provoking. Herman's Family, the Rabbi and Alvin's storyline were in focus while playing out the alternate history. Loved that Seldon kid. My heart goes out to him. The finale episode is epic and the final moments are just genius with that song playing in the background. The series was totally worth the time and I highly recommend it!
The New Mutants (2020)
Great Performances! Good Ending! Decent Entertainment!
All the controversy around it fed the anticipation and the hype regarding the movie and when it came out, it turned out to be a pretty decent entertainer. A clichéd premise around the mutant movies with a good & young cast that give solid performances. It doesn't take itself so seriously and focuses on telling the story of bonding, friendship and self-realization. The occasional references to the X-Men were enjoyable. The VFX was good. It succeeded in introducing a whole set of characters that were never in the spotlight. I really hope they do something with the property & Disney gives the writers creative freedom. All in all, it was pretty good and I had a good time watching it.
Evil Eye (2020)
Tries Too Hard! Strong Female Characters!
I liked the basic premise of the movie and how the Indian culture, beliefs, myths and other aspects were layered into the story but rhe execution on the horror standard, that Blumhouse is known for, fell way short of the mark. Usha & Pallavi's characters are really strong just like their chemistry & bond. It was really funny how the Indian aspects were peppered in like the upbeat songs, the dance sequences from movies, the inclusion of "Arre!", "Na?" Etc in general parlance etc. However, it just didn't feel like a horror movie. It was executed poorly. Never even felt or heard the background music. Never got to know the significance of the "Evil Eye" that is so outrightly mentioned in the title. I had high hopes from this one and it just fell flat.
The Newsroom (2012)
Bold! Riveting! Funny! Genius!
I am so grateful to have found this show. Every minute I spent watching it, I always felt informed, educated & inspired. There was never a dull moment. The performances and the story arcs of every major character were praiseworthy. The show was constantly unpredictable. However, I was really let down by the constant decrease in the number of episodes every season and I cried my eyes when it ended. One of the finest, informative & well researched TV Shows of all time. All Hail The Genius Aaron Sorkin!
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2020)
Bold! Unapologetic! Hilarious!
It's fascinating to me how Sacha Baron Cohen writes & acts in such mockumentaries than when he is in a drama. The sheer range of this man is absolutely amazing. "Borat" took everybody by surprise for its narrative and "Subsequent MovieFilm" raises the bar and ends on a warm, touching note. It is hilarious from the get-go, all the punches land & obviously SBC doesn't pull his punches back. Some scenes are uncomfortable yet hilarious. Loved Maria Bakalova! Her chemistry with SBC is fabulous. The social commentary was a big addition to the political conversation. Loved everything about the movie and I'm sure I can watch it multiple times!
The Fugitive (1993)
Smart. Crisp. Entertaining.
"The Fugitive" is a thorough entertainer with a smart plot, good action and brilliant execution. With heavyweights like Harrison Ford & Tommy Lee Jones in the movie, there is never a dull moment. The music keeps you intrigued and the plot twists are well placed. Minor issues with the plot can be easily ignored. Overall, I had a great time watching this movie. A good thriller is hard to find but this one raised the bar and was so much better than most.
Skyscraper (2018)
Fast Paced! Entertaining! Action-Packed!
This movie has not much going for it. It's not making a statement, isn't sending a social message, nothing so important or poignant. Just plain old action drama that takes place atop, you guessed it, a Skyscraper. A lot of action, a lot violence, a lot of scare moments and a lot Dwayne frigging The Rock Johnson. He's a man whose family is caught in between a crime syndicate's extortion plan. It's good. It has its moments. Just don't think about it too much.
OMG: Oh My God! (2012)
Thought-provoking! Eye-opener! Captivating!
Simply put, this movie is one of the best contributions to Indian Cinema & to Indian Society. But sadly, I'm afraid that is all it will ever be. Brilliant acting performances, thoughtful screenplay & direction and overall just a thorough entertainer. This movie has the potential to change narratives, shape behaviours and contribute so much to society. I just wish such movies could disseminate deeper into the Indian conscience. Hopefully, the generation that is most affected & motivated by it would do something when it's their turn. Until then, keep recommending this movie to others!
The Loudest Voice (2019)
Disturbing! Shocking! Empowering!
I was really intrigued after watching "Bombshell" & that's when I found out about "The Loudest Voice" and now that I've watched it, I am just in shock on the disturbing & criminal abuse of power. The way news is made-up, use of half-baked facts, furthering political propaganda etc etc is just so appalling. It's a great series, loved it! The performances of the cast, the linking of acting with real footage, music and all of that was absolutely enjoyable & entertaining. The series showed what they aimed to and now it is completely up to the audience as to how they perceive it. But nevertheless, the amount of shock, greed, manipulation etc that is depicted in the show might only be a fraction of what happened in real life.
Yaara (2020)
Decent. Predictable. Dissatisfying.
It's an all round ok-ish movie considering the fact that it had to go through production hell and got delayed multiple times. Kudos to the team for getting it done and releasing it on an OTT platform. Simple story riddled with unnecessary complications. Acting performances were mediocre. Felt like most of talents were wasted including cameos and guest appearances. Tigmanshu failed to his the mark. Setting, costumes, dialogues were excellent. Loved the songs, their lyrics and the overall music. Apart from that, the movie was fine.
Apollo 18 (2011)
Uncomfortable! Unconvincing! Scary!
It is a decent horror movie shot in a found footage style. There's moments when you are really invested in the story and that conspiracy theorist within you is awakened but as the movie comes to an end so does the theories. The team deserves props for the setup and the realistic nature of the movie. It has jump scares, quite nicely used. Overall, it's a decent horror movie that has your attention but maybe not your appreciation.
That Girl in Yellow Boots (2010)
Unapologetic! Shocking! Well-Made!
Anurag Kashyap and Kalki Koechlin are the real geniuses behind this movie! Superb writing, direction & acting. Loved it so much! The concept was fresh for Indian Audiences. The dialogues are unapologetic which sometimes do make you feel uncomfortable. Gulshan Devaiah's comedic timing was bang on. What an amazing debut! The songs and the music give the movie are very unique feel. Hats off to Varun Grover for that. The twist was revealed so boldly! Of watched again you could actually see the foreshadowing that was quite evident. Very unique, very engaging! Loved it a lot!
Manorama: Six Feet Under (2007)
Classic! Underrated! Smart!
It was hurtful when I found that the producers didn't make an effort to market this movie. What a criminal attitude! This movie deserves to be in a "Hall of Fame" or on "100 Greatest Movies of the Decade" list. The movie is an extremely smartly written adventure set in the rural heartland of India. It exposes the corruption, greed & abuse of power by the rich & wealthy while the common man suffers. It has humour scattered around. The acting performances are so great. You feel for the characters and instantly relate with their emotions & ambitions. The story is very well set-up & executed. The twists & turns are properly placed. It keeps you intrigued throughout the plot which is highly unpredictable. Loved the climax! Loved the exposé! Highly recommended!
Madras Cafe (2013)
Riveting! Tragic! Thoughtful!
The only thing I felt after watching the movie is that the makers have tried to give us an honest chain of events that led to the ultimate assassination. It was quite chilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. Original names have not been used but you can obviously still make out the real ones. As a subculture it urges you to dive into the history after the movie ends. Acting performed are solid. The sound designing is something I quite enjoyed, kept the feel throughout. High on patriotic flavour that everyone that can enjoy wholeheartedly
Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Hilarious! Insane! Feel Good!
"Safet Not Guaranteed" is this hilarious time travelling movie that just makes you feel warm inside. It's a good mix of comedy and romance with a hint of sci-fi to keep you hooked and entertained. Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass make for an unusual yet amazing pair that are the heart & soul of the movie. Loved Karan Soni too! It keeps the story fairly simple, little twists & turns, little conflict towards the end and then the explosive finale. It has something for everyone and I highly recommend it!
Just Mercy (2019)
Thoughtful! Emotional! Riveting!
I am a big fan of real life legal dramas especially the one that punch up and depict the harsh reality of judicial discrimination. Simply put, I loved this movie! How the system works against a particular community and tortures & forces them to a life of trauma and injustice, how a young man tries everything he can to overturn such injustice and in the end succeeds against all odds - that's the perfect recipe for an amazingly beautiful movie. It did make me shed a few tears. Acting, music, storyline everything was amazing. Highly recommended!
The Game (1997)
Witty! Intense! Unpredictable!
Just watched this movie and realised how amazing a director David Fincher is! He is so good at these intense psychological movies that keep you on the edge. The cast & their performances are excellent. The writing is fantastic and add to it the excellent background score and you have yourself a solid entertainer. The ending was unpredictable and the perfect climax the audiences could have asked for. Definitely worth every second.
Dil Bechara (2020)
Shining Star That Left Too Soon!
The context of the movie makes it so emotional that everyone who is watching it has fallen in love with it. The cutest movie ever! It's non-filmy yet filmy attitude is what's so entertaining. Sushant is the star throughout and his performance has inevitably lifted off Sanjana & Mukesh's careers. AR Rahman's music touches your soul and is perfect for the movie. It's a tribute movie to the enigma that was Sushant Singh Rajput. Love you loads and miss you always!
The Way Back (2020)
Dramatic! Touching! Inspirational!
I'll be honest, it's not a perfect movie but it is one helluva an inspirational movie. It's all about redemption in this movie. Ben Affleck is this talented basketball player who had daddy issues and dropped out. Going down the darkest paths. But when he gets the opportunity, he turns it all around. He trains newbies from his alma mater and turns them into a fighting team that can win. Loved the basketball scenes, loved the overall music. It's a good movie. I felt the ending could have been better, but it doesn't matter, it still leaves you with a smile.
Gemini Man (2019)
Fast! Action-Packed! Touching!
I really feel the marketing of this movie could have been better. They pretty much revealed the best thing about the whole movie and didn't really have any other tricks in the bag. Regardless, it's a fine movie. Tons of Action, lots of Will Smith and amazing scenic cinematography. Obviously, Ang Lee is known for his big, wide shots but this felt great. Story was decent. VFX was good, too. Overall, I enjoyed the movie. It's a typical Will Smith entertainer!
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
Fast! Thrilling! Touching!
I think I have found a new favorite in this recurring series based on one of the most competitive & entertaining sporting events of the world - Formula 1. I came in knowing nothing about the sport and now suddenly feel like I have to track everything that happens in this sport & it's players. It's an amazing series and I love the unfiltered behind the scenes conversations & reactions that really make you fall in love with the entire process of the game. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Confession Killer (2019)
Gripping! Shocking! Bingeworthy!
The series takes a hard look at one of US' biggest criminal system hoax. One single man conned entire law enforcement agencies - that is just crazy. The series also exposes the deep-rooted corruption within some of the law enforcement which needs to be addressed & fixed. Truth is stranger than fiction and with well placed twists & turns, the series is extremely bingeworthy and worth every second.
Too Hot to Handle (2020)
Hot! Cliché! Melodramatic!
Another addition to "Hot People Being Horny" kinda reality shows. It is obviously hot, tons of objectification, sad attempt at women empowerment and tons of toxic masculinity. After a point you are so invested that you end up watching it till the end but it also ended up on a cliché finale.
Duel (1971)
Chilling! Fantastic! Scary!
Just the fact that this was Steven Spielberg's 1st Feature Length Movie is mind-boggling! This movie is just so good! It keeps you on the edge of your seat, it makes you bite your fingers off along wit your nails and that truck will haunt you long after the movie ends. The Sound Design & Editing sends chills down your spine. The initial truck overtake sounds really scared me! The movie was awesome. I urge everyone to watch it. It's just lovely!