Bahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)

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Director S.S.Rajamouli doesn’t waste a moment to engage you and entertains you for every second of the 167 minute running time!

The film begins with a marble montage of the key events of the first installment. If you want to view part 2 as a spectacle then see it, but it is important to see part 1 to fully enjoy the story as a whole.

As soon as it starts, the film gets right to it. It was a pleasure to watch an Indian movie which moves things along with the blink of an eye, where we actually have to pay attention. Whether it was dramatic scenes or the stellar action, the timing and effects were exemplary.

The previous cast has left its mark, though this time round the story focuses on princess Devasena, the last one was on the warrior Avanthika. Prabhas and Rana Daggubati give us enthralling fight sequences, whilst Sivagami supports the proceedings with her eyes. The remaining characters do their bit to infuse humour, treachery and strength.

The scale of the film is larger than the first and is a fitting conclusion to the story. Embedding key references of scriptures, the film is full of symbolism. A visual treat and a quiz for the brain, the film is clean entertainment with just enough violence.

We were left with the gnawing question:
Kattappa ne bahubali ko kyun maara?
It is one spectacular answer to behold!

4/5

Begum Jaan (2017)

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Begum Jaan: Vidya Balan is back, in a bold and unapologetic film which speaks of a highly marginalised section of society, the oldest profession in the world.

Director Srijit Mukherji touches on many difficult issues, teaching us about the history of that era. At times the placement of the cast looks like a theatrical production, at other times the odd angles and half face shots don’t work.

The movie suffers from an inconsistent mood. Performances are ranging from average to good, with nuances into the lives and back stories of the 11 prostitutes. What could have been a stellar movie just misses the mark on leaving a lasting impression. Many scenes and instances are very intense, waking us to the realities of the time, but they are not strung together well. The censorship of language even though it is an ‘A’ rated film further weakens the impact.

The end result? A good film with many messages and a strong social stance. Stories of major influential women in Indian history are shown as montages, adding to the strength and courage of the protagonists.

2.5/5

The fate of the Furious (2017)

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The Fate of the Furious: The Eight instalment of the franchise by director F. Gary Gary has enough adrenaline to bridge you to a part nine, but isn’t a patch on part seven, which made a whopping 1.5 billion dollars worldwide, and rightfully so.

Yes they think out of the box and have shots and sequences which make for great action and stunts, but the bar was set high with the last film and it’s antics. The conflict has an interesting resolution but somehow the complexity doesn’t match the treatment.

F8 is fun in parts but bogged down by unnecessary drama and a villain trying too hard.

2.5/5

Boss Baby (2017)

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The perennial question, ‘where do babies come from’ is answered by director Tom McGrath with a cute premise.

Alec Baldwin plays boss baby, little brother to Miles Christopher and child to Lisa Kudrow and Jimmy Kimmel. With so many sister sibling stories, it was refreshing to see brothers reach their comfort zone.

The tension is surprising and adorable, as is the conclusion. A world is created and we understand and process it easily. Alec and Miles do a super job with their voices and have an endearing bond.

A fun film with ample laughs.

2.5/5

Naam Shabana (2017)

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The April Fools day curse continues. Director Shivam Nair puts us through an unreal premise with a laughable sequence of events.

Taapsee Pannu puts in a sincere effort into a role which has no head nor tail. The logic quotient quickly descends from comic to nonsensical. After a few rounds of action, you feel trained enough to punch the director for his assault on your senses.

Touted as the prequel to ‘Baby’ it rides on a film which was supposedly good. This one isn’t. Akshay gives you his second film this year with poor content.

0.5/5

Trapped (2017)

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Director Vikramaditya Motwane makes a small budget film about an incident that becomes a big deal in Shaurya’s life.

We have all seen movies where a person or people survive in adverse conditions. But how would you stay alive on the 35th floor of an abandoned building with your personal and professional life at stake outside?

Rajkummar Rao (Shaurya) is his usual self, dependable with his own style of histrionics. We question our modern existence so much, with many ‘what would I do?’ instances. He plays the naive, to the desperate, to the forsaken to the risk taker very well.

It’s not entertaining as it is thought provoking. You definitely learn a new thing or two about survival in a city tower if nothing else.

3/5

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

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The comfort with a tale oft told is the feeling it creates when you see it. That very comfort can work against you when the film doesn’t offer it. This time round however, director Bill Condon has a heart warming experience to share with us.

Disney took a big risk with Emma Watson, the lead star with many illustrious voices around her, to carry such an expensive fairy tale on her petite shoulders. She does so with unassuming talent and grace. The canvas is large, the work is detailed and they have managed to recreate the feel of watching a stellar musical which, to our advantage, plays in cinemas across the world.

Dan Stevens as the beast is ‘U’ rated, I must admit. Disney made it so, so that children would warm up to him rather than be afraid. Great care has been taken to craft his look, his introduction, evolution and his revelation, all of which make him endearing.

The supporting characters are made with stunning CGI and voices to match. Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Audra McDonald and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are wonderful inhabitants of the castle. Kevin Kline, Luke Evans and Josh Gad provide the drama in the village.

The music is a delight to the ears and eyes, with the title track playing in your head much after the movie has finished. The other songs have been given equally aesthetic treatment just like the broadway or the animated versions, a spectacular vision and execution.

It has been very well received, and for good reason, as it combines technology and art to produce a modern day masterpiece.

4/5

Life (2017)

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Director Daniel Espinosa packs a thrilling movie into a lesson devoid of science and logic on board a space station. We get a customary opening scene to set up jargon used in missions, which quickly escalate go ‘what the hell is going on here?!’

We thought the same thing! What is going on? The crew and their standard protocol are completely at ends. From a lazy writing point of view, we could argue how would the film continue if it were not for the lapses? But we expect better and tighter writing, with a logical progression.

It gets points for the thrills and the cast, all of whom have atleast one terrifying moment, if not more. Other than that we have a film which systematically breaks its own rules.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson do an average job, supported by the rest. It’s the cast that will pull it through, not the content.

2/5

Phillauri (2017)

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Debut director Anshai Lal creates a warm tale filled with love, comedy and above all a story. Good content is key, the small budget is an achievement and coupled with good acting and music, this film is a complete package.

Anushka Sharma is cute as the friendly ghost, understated and controlled, involuntarily tethered to Suraj Sharma because of ‘marry a tree manglik ritual’. It isn’t that simple of course, there is a back story, and a fulfilling one at that.

Diljit Dosanjh is appropriate in the role of a village singer, with a progressive arc to his character. Mehreen Pirzada is supportive and charming. Lots of scenes are communicated only via expression, which involve the audience at a deeper level.

It is refreshing to see solid content presented in an entertaining way, keeping the aesthetic and emotional quotient high. The film integrates history, music and love in a unique way.

3.5/5

Patriots Day (2016)

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Director Peter Berg recreates a terror attack with dignity, keeping the pace fast and the emotional quotient intact.

Based on the Boston Marathon bombings, it has a good cast which are there to say the story of their characters. Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, J.K.Simmons and Michelle Monaghan play their parts well, in a responsible way, having the real people at hand as a reference.

It’s a sad state of affairs which leads to anything like this, and we get a glimpse of one of the reasons this could have happened.

A gripping movie which highlights the resilience of community spirit above anything else.

3/5