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Kalank (2019)

The film sets its period tone from the beginning, weaving its story slowly and introducing its characters.

The plot moves at a languid pace, some sequences are brilliant while others lack a punch. All actors have done their part well, Alia Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit and Varun Dhawan have a larger emotional spectrum. Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur lend able support. The story and dialogue don’t support them as they should have.

Director Abhishek Varman presents an aesthetic film which could have done with better editing and writing. It was sad to see many talents get wasted, their characters not well written and scenes and songs which drag on or are not required.

30-40 minutes shorter with crisper lines, the film would have had more appeal. As it stands it’s an average fare.

2.5/5

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Badla (2019)

A murder suspense story, it does not disappoint! Taut direction and short at 120 minutes, it delves into the the expert questioning of Amitabh Bachchan and the evasiveness of Taapsee Pannu.

Twists and turns keep you guessing till the end as the case is turned on it’s head and all possibilities are considered.

Effortlessly keeping you hooked, it’s a recommended watch!

3.5/5

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Breathe

Dumplin’

Hello, my name is Doris

I love you Philip Morris

Swiss Army Man

Identity thief

Behind the Candelabra

Boy Erased

Bird box

The emoji movie

Babu driver

Why him

The little prince

Geostorm

Breathe: Based on a true story, with effective leads Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, it speaks of the perils of polio and how a couple fought to survive it in the 1950s. A moving and triumphant film!

3.5/5

Dumplin’ : Jennifer Aniston plays a former winner of a local beauty pageant and the mom of a teenage girl, Danielle Macdonald. Perceptions of size and beauty are handled sensibly, while exploring the relationships of those who care for us and those who give birth to us.

3/5

Hello, my name is Doris: Sally Field plays an woman in her 60s, who hasn’t seized a moment in her life. Enter a much younger colleague Max Greenfield, who she tries to impress by stepping outside her comfort zone. What follows is a cute story of taking a chance, evolution and letting go.

2.5/5

I love you Philip Morris: Based on a true story, Jim Carey figures out multiple questionable ways to make money and escape from jail. His partner Ewan McGregor stands by him as he moves from phase to phase of life, till the law catches up with him. An entertaining watch.

3.5/5

Swiss Army man: Daniel Radcliffe makes an unusual corpse in this film, acting as a metaphor for how our survival makes many instincts set in. He inadvertently helps Daniel Scheinert rescue himself. A bizarre tale!

2.5/5

Identity thief: Melissa McCarthy is an expert identity thief, and poor unsuspecting Jason Bateman gets conned into a big mess. What follows is a wild goose chase with an unexpected end. A light watch.

2.5/5

Behind the Candelabra: The famous pianist Liberace is played by Michael Douglas and Matt Damon plays his partner, and together they show us a world of excess, deceit, talent, love, lust and power. A great insight into an icon, his eccentricities and his mind games.

3.5/5

Boy erased: This film explores a topic of controversy and how it impacts a conservative family. Nicole Kidman and Russel Crowe play the concerned parents of Lucas Hedges, who they coerce into trying conversion therapy. It’s effects on him and them are explored as the family fight to stay connected.

3.5/5

Bird Box: Sandra Bullock shows us once again why she’s at the forefront of good content. A novel concept, a kind of apocalypse is explored here, where the audience is invested from the first moment. She keeps it taut and tense till the end. A brilliant watch!

3.5/5

The emoji movie: The film explores something we use in daily life, but cunningly makes a world filled with challenges for emojis, giving them distinct personalities. A fun watch!

2.5/5

Baby driver: Has a cool Ansel Elgort who drowns out his intense and chaotic world, and Kevin Spacey who puts him there. Supported by Lily James, Jamie Foxx and others, it’s a tale of great love, great opportunities and great betrayals.

3/5

Why Him: Is a funny film which centers around the protests of father Bryan Cranston on his to be son in law, James Franco. He is eccentric and odd, with nothing conventional about him. A perfect flight watch.

2/5

The little prince: Based on the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, it’s a wonderful film which explores a rich world filled with metaphors and messages, giving proper homage to the source using stop motion animation woven into computer animation.

3/5

Geostorm: A disaster film starring Gerard Butler, it weaves a not so unreal scenario of drastic changes in weather caused by climate change. Filled with good special effects and set in many cities across the world, it sends a message loud and clear.

2.5/5

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Gully Boy (2019)

Zoya Akhtar grows from strength to strength, presenting Dharavi in a way which we have never seen before. She makes a complete film, which has everything one can hope for.

Ranveer Singh shows us that he’s an ever evolving artist. We don’t know what he will grow into next, but every act, every effort, every film, is different. This time round, a demure introvert Murad has a story, a voice, which needs to be heard. And we all sat on the edge of our seats, rooting for him, and his humble talent while he discovered himself.

Alia Bhatt is a fiesty, crafty, intelligent Safeena, who knows what she wants and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Their chemistry is palpable, and her inadvertent comic timing is perfect.

Siddhant Chaturvedi, who plays MC Sher, is a wonderful friend, mentor and guide to Murad, selflessly helping talent. The film wouldn’t work without the supporting cast, friends, family members, rappers, Kalki Koechlin, who have their own share in Murad’s journey.

The beauty of the film lies in its balance. In the way rap has been woven into thought, at times sublime like poetry and at others like ammunition for a comeback. Either way, the film is pure art, and presented so, unapologetically.

Not many films make me nostalgic, but this one did, for Mumbai, it’s struggles, the gift that it is, and the possibilities that lie there.

This film should be watched in every gully, suburb, town, city, village and country! #TeraTimeAaGaya

4/5

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The front runner (2018)

An underwhelming film with great acting by Hugh Jackman, it speaks of the real life of aspiring candidate Gary’s Hart, who was a favourite to win the presidents’ race in 1988. How a seemingly harmless challenge he presented to the press turned to be his downfall, changed the way politics and privacy have been treated since then. It could have had more impact, but left the audience with lukewarm sentiments and sympathy for the lead character.

2/5

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Vice (2018)

Christian Bale unrecognisably transforms into Dick Cheney, and is ably supported by Steve Carell, Amy Adams and Sam Rockwell to tell us about the most powerful Vice President in the history of the USA. Directed by Adam McKay, the film is edited in a way where the audience has to keep pace with it, with a novel mid-movie jest and many moments which question not only the politics but the methods employed to succeed by presidents past (and in that light the present as well). A brilliant docu-drama with many perspectives and insights which tell us how carefully we have to pick and support our leaders.

4/5

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Glass (2019)

Unbreakable and Split have a conclusion that you can digest but not fathom.

Why James McAvoy hasn’t won more awards for Split is questionable, but it’s this act that should definitely get some recognition for his outstanding performance.

Bruce Willis is in good form, playing a character that requires less words and more body language. Samuel L. Jackson employs his gifts of brain over brawn to lead us to a climax that stayed away from formula. It was pure genius in the way it tied up with comic books, which largely dominate movie production and consumption these days.

In signature M. Night Shyamalan style, there were many twists and turns, and more than one cliffhanger.

Thoroughly captivating and enjoyable!

3.5/5

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Ralph breaks the Internet (2019)

A film that takes us from arcade games to the dizzying world of the internet, it’s an appropriate way to teach younger children about the ever-changing world of social media. An apt message about rescuing Disney princesses is the highlight of the film, as are the new worlds, dreams and bonds of friendship which are explored so well. A fun watch!

3/5

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Spider-Man: Into the spider-verse (2018)

Expertly crafted animation in comic-book print style rendering, it speaks of a ‘leap of faith’, multiple dimensions, a ‘larger than life’ villain and a strong message of inclusion and diversity. A visual treat which is relevant for adults and children, it was a delight to watch.

3.5/5

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How to train your dragon: The hidden world (2019)

The wait was worth it for the last part of the series, which ties up the story and emotion beautifully. The night fury meets his mate, Hiccup is faced by more challenges and they discover a hidden world which is as majestic as it is mysterious. The end leaves your heart warm with the bond we have seen grow from the first instalment. A stellar film!

4/5