Thoughts on movies, shows, books and life will be found here. Read at the risk of getting addicted.
What could have been an engaging film remained an interesting concept which was developed very poorly. Lead actors Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson have a naive chemistry which takes them on unrealistic adventures with no obstacles. Gary Oldman and Carla Gugino chase them into a climax that was as clear as day from the first frame. The result? Some scenic moments with an underage romance. A sad waste of talent with a lacklustre story.
1.5/5
John Lee Hancock, director of ‘The Blind Side’ and ‘Saving Mr Banks’ amongst others gives us an insight into what fast food started out as, and why it has ended up where it has today.
Micheal Keaton, effortlessly plays Ray Kroc, the ambitious visionary who craves success. A meeting with a client leads him on a journey of profit and nationwide business he never imagined. All this with a 15 cent burger. This was the humble beginning of McDonalds.
Just like a quality meal with real meat and milk became the fast food junk that it is now, the film too leaves a processed taste in your mouth once it’s over. It serves the harsh reality of growth, the cost at which it comes, how relationships and friendships expire or are broken like contracts, and what you are left with is a bunch of numbers with no real value.
For that, and the brilliant portrayal of Ray Kroc, the film is a must watch. Very soon Starbucks, KFC and others will show their stories, but no one was as far reaching and iconic as Mc’D’s.
3/5
Shaad Ali directed Saathiya, Bunty aur Babli, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Kill Dil and now this. What was this?
Mumbai has never looked better, but look for anything else and you will be disappointed. Adapted from the Tamil film ‘O Kadhal Kanmani’, the prolific Karan Johar and Mani Ratnam forgot that live in relationships are no big deal in Mumbai.
Moving on, we have some cute moments, in an otherwise sleep inducing movie. Humma Humma stirs us awake as the proceedings become a lullaby again. Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor are at best mediocre in roles that don’t require much else.
Naseeruddin Shah and his wife Leela Samson are a great example of a loving relationship, endearing characters in an otherwise dull tale.
1/5
The director of Imitation Game, Morten Tyldum, brings us a lonely sci-fi flick which has various ‘what would you do scenarios’.
Chris Pratt plays a difficult role, for he makes a choice which was questioned by many. What would I do? I kept asking myself the same question. Not being in the same place or circumstance, it wasn’t possible to answer it. On a performance related note, he was engaging.
Jennifer Lawrence was her usual dependable self. Having a larger graph in her character, she displays more emotion. I wanted to see the story her way and I was happy with its conclusion.
The film has its special effects moments, its individual and couple moments, but what you take away is the question I mentioned. If you watch it, your answers would be appreciated.
3/5
A stellar talented cast, comprising Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Tori Kelly, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Scarlett Johansson, this film is filled with a spectrum of emotions, celebrating music and voice!
Expect the unexpected! What can go wrong will go wrong! When you hit rock bottom the only way is up! Never underestimate anybody! Many such life lessons are presented in this film which has a mature approach to an animated story.
Adults and children will enjoy this film for it’s comedy, life philosophy, unpredictability and spirit of oneness and friendship.
A great way to start the year!
3.5/5
Scones on Emirates. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Part 1 & 2 Preview! Windsor, Bath and Beyond! Revna’s Graduation at Royal Festival Hall. 6 years in Mumbai. One year of sunshine! Poona retreat. Bajirao Mastani Nostalgia. Malhar Machi Monsoon Magic. 5am bonding. Dual Delhi Surprise. 3 Musketeers. 3 new Hogwarts books! Dubai Darshan. Pilates. Bhavika turns 20! Potter style Treasure hunt. Mughal-e-Azam. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Diwali with Family in New York. Old friends are gold. Walked the bridge, biked in the park. Connections in Connecticut. Fall foliage at Woodstock. Universal fun at Orlando. Rode the Hogwarts express! Birthday with Sidhu sisters in London. Lucky Enrich. Fantastic Beasts and where to find them. Doctor Strange. Movie Marathon. Vinod & Prathna celebrate 25 years! Diva 2017. Late night with owls and stars. Dubai spoils. Family staycation and friends who are love personified. DIFF red carpet. Super Mario Run. Dangal. Goa Surprise.
2016 was the year where many circles were complete. A year of letting go and welcoming new energies. A wonderful soul journey.
Many milestones await in 2017. Waiting to embrace all that’s good and all that comes with it. Be YOU, and don’t apologise for keeping it real 🙂
A laughaton packed into a deep message for moms, this film took me by surprise. I was expecting the usual tension/resolution, but thankfully directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore stayed away from the cliche.
Mila Kunis, Kirsten Bell, Kathyrn Hahn, Christina Applegate and Jada Pinkett Smith show us different faces of moms, essentially ordinary women trying to make the best of their trying and sometimes impossible circumstances. The comic quotient is high, with lots of surprise jokes and in-your-face reality checks which are much needed by struggling mothers.
A must watch for all moms, young and old, for dads to see how manic the world for many moms can be. For kids, to appreciate what their parents do for them while balancing a lot, all this in a non-preachy manner! Fun!
3/5
It took precisely 2 minutes to be drawn in to the world of Mahavir Singh Phogat. And there we stayed, engaged, spellbound and with insights into playful and emotional times, witnessing the staggering growth of the family, especially the girls, Geeta and Babita.
It is such a delight to see Aamir playing his own age, not romancing someone half his age, showing tremendous dedication to his craft with the weight gain. It was especially satisfying to see that he wasn’t self indulgent, we didn’t see him in every frame and he has limited lines. His presence as the patriarch is enough to demand constant and uninterrupted attention. This has been his most mature performance.
The focus and pride of the film are the girls. To start with, the younger Geeta and Babita played by Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar, who quickly show us how crippling the burden of carrying their fathers’ dream is. There is a larger picture, which even Sakshi Tanwar, who plays their mother, cannot see. The girls grow to become formidable wrestlers. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra are a product of discipline, their father’s foresight and rigorous training.
The film is tight, crisp, relevant and interesting. Never once does our attention waver. We didn’t want to miss a word, and devoured the authenticity and challenge presented. The decision taken by the father to transform and train his daughters is phenomenal in the time, place and circumstances he was in.
We have seen many Aamir films, but not a film which has Aamir in the feel, vibe and pulse of its every fibre. As mentioned before, he isn’t there in every frame, but you can sense the loyalty to the story in his unique manner at all times.
There are many sequences that stand out, and once is definitely not enough to process the film. The audience is educated about wrestling so that we too root for them as spectators of the actual fight. Director Nitesh Tiwari has made the message loud and clear for girls and women, and their families, to empower their destinies and live to their fullest potential.
A 7-course gourmet meal, with every flavour imaginable. Rich, pure, real and deep, it will tap into an adrenaline you didn’t know you had.
4.5/5
A musical set in the modern day, merged with Jazz music, dapper dressing and brilliant editing, it was an anticipatory watch.
We waited for something to happen. Yes a ‘seasonal’ journey was unfolding on screen, but it was nothing we hadn’t seen before. The only difference was, the occasional retreat into an imaginary world (hence the title), enjoying a dreamy state of affairs.
Performances are of high quality, Emma Stone is exquisite. Layered and nuanced, with her emotions on the surface, she keeps it real. Ryan Gosling looks the part and is an all rounded musician who plays the piano brilliantly. They both sing well and are complete actors, perfect for their roles.
The film has a style that weaves in and out of reality, with abrupt jolts to keep the audience sufficiently engaged, but I didn’t connect to it. While I enjoyed the feel of the movie, and the philosophy of choice, their romance or struggles didn’t move me.
Young director Damien Chazelle’s film has garnered great reviews and awards buzz, leading the Golden Globes nominations, but it fails to create a bond with the viewer.
2/5
Is there anything that Meryl Streep cannot do? Sheer genius talent is screaming in every off note of hers as an amateur soprano.
Stephen Frears has directed The Queen and Philomena amongst other films, this one needed a vision with very good writing to make it work. And work it did, at the perfect length with brilliant actors.
Hugh Grant plays a devoted husband to Meryl who supports her dream of singing and exhibiting her talent (or lack thereof). The surprise package is Simon Helberg (Wolowitz from Big Bang Theory), who is trained at concert pianist level in real life and gets to share his talent in a role that suits him perfectly.
Meryl Streep is on her 30th Golden Globe nomination with this film and I won’t be surprised if she gets her 20th Oscar nomination for it as well. A good singer herself, she sings in flat, shrill tones, exactly like the Florence, embodying a character who seeks validation via her continuous training and hope to perform. A socialite based in New York she dresses flamboyantly, and can afford her delusions as a heiress.
A warm story which is surprisingly funny with oodles of talent, it’s another Meryl Moment.
3/5
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