On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

A star is born (2018)

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

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

First man (2018)

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

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Venom (2018)

Venom is a marvel super hero with an interesting back story, possessing even more endearing and witty sides to his otherwise terrifying persona.

Tom Hardy is perfect for the title role, playing the transformation and discovery of his dilemma super cool, supported ably by Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed. The action has a nice backdrop in San Francisco, with many noteworthy sequences.

The best takeaway is the banter between Venom and Tom Hardy, who keep it real.

3/5

Sui Dhaaga (2018)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Director Sharat Katariya presents a simple story with hurdles for the common man who wants to achieve a dignified livelihood that resonates with him.

Mauji (Varun) and Mamta (Anushka) play a married couple caught in the routine struggles of life, when they are faced with some challenging circumstances. How they deal with them and create something they are proud of, forms the crux of the film.

The wealth of the film is in its supporting cast, ably led by the lead pair. They give the flavours required to move the narrative forward and evoke our connection with their plight. At just over 2 hours, it’s concise and authentic.

3/5

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

A simple favour (2018)

It’s always better to go watch a film without knowing anything about it. What a fun, twisted ride this was! Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively show us sides never seen before, and dial up the cray cray to entertain and surprise.

A murder mystery / dark comedy it is a recommended watch! Paul Fieg does full justice to capture the plot of the novel by Darcey Bell.

3/5

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Younger (2018)

Five seasons of binge watching this show showed me how fast ‘millennials’ incorporate terms, slang and fashion in their lives.

A great premise of a 40 year old trying to pass off as a 26 year old to get a job, and how she survives the steep learning curve, hiding her age, prentending to be ‘younger’, loving, living and learning along the way.

It’s fast moving, informative with some great characters and their many quirks. New York never looked better and there’s enough laughs, romance, heart break and ‘exploration’ to keep you entertained.

3.5/5

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ ।

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

The Nun (2018)

Rarely do spinoffs make money, and even more rarely are they decent. This gothic horror flick has its fair share of traditional scares and enough novel twists to keep you engaged. Tying up loose ends nicely with its predecessor, it provides the creeps and the chills in an eerie setting.

A deliverance to its horror starved audience.

2.5/5

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Book Club (2018)

Finding your feet (2018)

There is a beauty about films which explore aging gracefully and embracing one’s life, ambitions, desires, needs and dreams just as in middle age or youth. The following two films were a poignant reminder to prepare for, and enjoy our later years.

Book club: A casting coup with the talented quartet of Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen raise different elements that may be missing in their lives and how they deal with it through literature and each other’s companionship.

2.5/5

Finding your feet: Imelda Staunton is faced with life changing circumstances, and is helped by her sister Celia Imrie and Timothy spall to embrace a new life.

3/5

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

The Meg (2018)

What could have been a riveting shark tale turned into a tepid series of events with two notable moments and a lot of CGI.

A predictable villain and the stock beach scene makes us wonder at the lack of imagination and writing that goes into such films, which still become very successful.

Set in China and clearly showcasing it, the story takes us into unchartered territories and a cool underwater facility. The rest is just detail.

1.5/5