Thoughts on movies, shows, books and life will be found here. Read at the risk of getting addicted.
Mary Poppins Returns: a feel good film after a long time, a wholesome experience for all ages. Emily Blunt is charming as the lead, ably supported by the entire cast. The surprise was an appearance by Meryl Streep, who never fails to enthrall. Wonderful songs and visuals make it the perfect choice to start the year!
3.5/5
Is what I call a ‘paisa vasool’ (money’s worth) film. It packs in everything, fantasy, wayer worlds, disaster, dinosaurs and a great exploration of how we have destroyed our planet. Jason Momoa doesn’t have much to say, but his towering presence communicates volumes, Nicole Kidman leaves a mark and Patrick Wilson is effective. Vivid special effects make it a ‘wow’ ride!
3/5
Relatable: Ellen DeGeneres comes back to standup after 15 years, and she’s as funny as ever. Wonderfully using small nuances to shed light on everyday funny moments, to larger and deeper debates, she keeps it comic, relevant and as the title says, relatable.
Losing it: Vir Das makes some bold jokes on religion and makes quite a point with comedy. He speaks about his memories, most of them personal, putting a comic twist on them and adding some philosophy.
I was looking forward to this film as I have always been intrigued by Kedarnath temple. Having done most pilgrimages in India, this is one I am yet to do. The devastating events in 2013 were relived with dignity and terror in equal parts, as the film showcases devotion, love and divide effectively.
One word for debutant Sara Ali Khan, Phenomenal! She clearly has the genes for acting, a complete natural, but also looks so similar to her mother Amrita Singh in many scenes. She’s feisty just like her, and has tackled a character graph in her first film with ease. She displays a range of emotions flawlessly, so much so you wonder is this really her first film. If she makes the right film choices, she’s our next Alia Bhatt.
Sushant Singh Rajput is very good in a role that demands both balance and abandon. He’s endearing as the ‘pithu’ and loves with such surrender that he wins you over. There is one particular scene where they share their vulnerabilities. I haven’t seen such depth and purity of romance in a long time. Both leads are true to their characters till the end of the film, which makes it a delight to watch.
Abhishek Kapoor has managed to walk the tightrope with success, presenting a love story within the framework of devotion and a natural disaster. The scenes depicting the floods and cloud burst are executed very well. The film is short and to the point, with excellent music and lyrics.
I really enjoyed it.
3.5/5
David Yates has a difficult task of directing stories about the wizarding world with so many details and layers. He gives us a good second part with nostalgia and fuel to look forward to more installments.
JK Rowling gives us more from a world the fans love so much, that we soon get lost in the story and it’s many sub-plots. It was interesting to see a villain who makes Voldemort look tame, and is colder than he was. It’s easy to see why he wanted to follow in Grindelwald’s footsteps, as Johnny Depp sets the cruelty and treachery bar high.
Seeing Hogwarts and Albus Dumbledore again on screen is a joy only a potterhead would understand, and just for that alone, this film was worth it. Jude Law is perfect as Albus. The rest of the cast, old and new, with their back stories, all tie in well to the end, accompanied by many tiny glimmers of things we have learned in the potter world.
A decent way to tie in fantastic beasts to the wizarding world, which will eventually lead to events we eagerly anticipate. One thing we can count on for sure, is by the end of the five films, we will have new questions, but a whole treasure trove about a world we have come to love so much.
3/5
Directed by Bryan Singer, the film is a departure from his usual genres, but still shows his prowess and command over the craft.
We see a young Farrokh Bulsara, start his musical journey in 1970, establishing a career, reaching dizzying creative and popularity heights. Along the way, he loses touch with his family, his band members, and most importantly himself.
The film explores the nuances of his musical process, audacity, fashion leaps and career risks. His relationship with the band, and how many other things come full circle, are presented delicately.
While some are calling the biography historically inaccurate, I think it has fulfilled its purpose to enlighten us about the life, struggles and darkness of Freddie Mercury, brilliantly portrayed by Rami Malek.
The film’s strength is its authenticity , where all characters are perfectly cast, executing their roles with utmost sincerity, enriching the movie with flavour, depth and emotion.
For all lovers of music, film making and entertainment, this one cannot be missed!
4.5/5
Director of Dhoom 3, Vijay Krishna Acharya thought he could pull off another bad film on Aamir’s shoulders. This time round he had Amitabh Bachchan as well, but even after the big budget and supporting cast, he made a sub-standard film with no pace or thrill.
What worked for me is having no expectations, thinking I will hate it. What surprised me is that the film wasn’t that terrible, but definitely belongs in the bad category. Some jokes and scenes aside, and the excellent special effects, it was a predictable film, with not one or two, but three long scenes where I felt the film will end, but on it went.
Katrina has a few lines, and very odd outfits for the year 1795. Fatima Sana Shaikh has a few more lines and scenes. The action looks artificial, and the story is a rip off of Pirates of the Carribean, as are the characters and slapstick approach. The issue here is the backdrop of slavery and imperial rule which make it a serious affair, don’t work with the forced comedy.
Aamir is decent in a role which doesn’t demand much, and Amitabh, the man is faultless as an actor.
Should you watch it? No… the treatment is worse than formulaic, it’s stereotypical 90s where main leads dance in front of the villain.
Save money. He directed Tashan too. This makes 3 bad films. Wake up Yash Raj Films and Aditya Chopra.
1.5/5
Bradley Cooper has come a long way from his Hangover days. From being a blue eyed poster boy, he has evolved into one of the most versatile and powerful talents. Directing and acting in this soulful film, his performance doesn’t surprise, but cements his reputation as a solid actor and SINGER!
Lady Gaga is the revelation here. A complete natural on screen, you forget that she’s a one of the most well known performing artists, with a huge following and a penchant for the dramatic. Her journey as a talent yet undiscovered, to trying and grapple with her success and manage a volatile relationship is truly remarkable.
Though the performances are brilliant, as is the film making, it is the sheer sadness, intensity of love and knowing the reality of what is not seen, which stays with you much after the film. This is all thanks to the music which has the horsepower to keep racing into the future.
The story has been seen before, it’s the treatment that sets it apart, makes it relevant to the current time and gives you another much needed reality check on success, celebrity and love.
4/5
An interesting take on Neil Armstrong’s personal life and the challenges he faced makes for an interesting back drop of the technologically challenged 60s moon landing.
Conspiracy theories aside, the film explores Neil’s family life and his inability to communicate his feelings with his wife and family. Played brilliantly by Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy, it speaks volumes for the man sent into space and his mental strength despite what he had been through.
The 60s were a decade filled with many advances, a political climate that used Cold War, where NASA was at the forefront of achieving what no other space program had.
A creative balance is achieved as director Damien Chazelle captures the mundane, the despair, the wondrous, and the human elements in an unknown side of a historic story.
3/5
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