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Sardar Ka Grandson (2021)
This is it. Arjun Kapoor should stop acting.
Sardar Ka Grandson is one movie that you need to avoid. The trailer looked bad and the movie is nothing but a non-stop trail of a poor and sketchy story that does not entertain.
Netflix has to rethink its strategy regarding Hindi movies. They are good with their English shows and foreign titles but they have bad Hindi movies in their catalog. Drive. Mrs. Serial Killer. Ginny Weds Sunny. Chopsticks. House Arrest. Maska. The Girl on the Train and now, this one.
Arjun Kapoor- Our so-called hero is the main reason why this movie is a complete failure. He is lazy as an actor. There is not a single shot where he is trying to impress you. Further, the writing is poor where we don't see meaty roles and dialogues.
John and Aditi managed to offer some relief. They look good as a couple. Further, you have Neena Gupta as the Dadi and Kanwaljeet Singh as Arjun's father and Neena's son. Don't have any major expectations here as they all have sketchy roles but at least, they look a little genuine.
The whole scenario where Arjun is in Pakistan is the worst part of the movie. The scenes and most importantly, the idea of lifting a century-old house looks plain stupid. I was hoping for some real sense but Nah, the makers did not make any effort here.
The premise is cheesy.
The twists are boring.
The pace is lackluster.
This kind of Bollywood is uninspired.
Please, do NOT watch this one.
Radhe (2021)
Radhe is our most un-wanted bhai
There's a saying in Hindi- 'Nakal Mein Bhi Akal Chahiye'. That's the right phrase to explain this debacle.
That's why this one is the no.1 movie to skip right now as Radhe is one of the worst movies to watch. Period.
There is nothing new. Nothing.
Everything is borrowed from Sallu's earlier movies where the story and Prabhudeva's direction are the real culprits.
The trailer looked terrible but in comparison to the movie, the trailer is a blockbuster. This is not a new phenomenon. Almost every Salman movie follows a similar pattern. No story but full-on Swag mantra. However, you end up enjoying his swag but here, there is no relief.
He looked tired. Not a single dialogue or expression or his moves are good enough to charm you. Further, Disha is the absolute right choice for a role that has no meat. She is perfect. There is no other name to replace her for this 'good for nothing' role.
Jackie is wasted as well. It is embarrassing to see him in such a bad role. The action scenes are boring. The villain played by Randeep Hooda is a disaster. There is nothing to save the movie.
Please, stay away from this one. Don't watch it. EVER.
_______
Silence... Can You Hear It? (2021)
Manoj saves this mystery that has no chill
Manoj Bajpayee saves the day a little otherwise, 'Silence...can you hear it?' is a boring affair that offers no thrill and mystery.
The action scene where Manoj is catching some culprits offers a sign of hope that disappeared very quickly. Manoj has proved his metal once again that why he is one of the finest actors in Bollywood. Sadly, the rest of the movie has no chill.
The suspense is missing in this mystery movie as everything is predictable. The story offers nothing new. The direction looks tired as the maker did not offer anything new. Everything looks borrowed from English movies.
I liked the part where we see Manoj's personal life that is a mess but it lacks depth and also, the presence of Prachi and Arjun Mathur disappoints. The characters have no depth or any meaningful personalities. It is only Manoj that offers some relief. The scene where he is angry and screaming at Arjun is the best in the movie. I had hoped to see more of those power scenes but unfortunately, nothing happens.
The ending where the real culprit is revealed is another example of mediocre treatment where I was able to guess everything in advance. Mind you, I am no genius here. It was something have seen in English movies. Multiple times. Further, the sequence where Manoj gets injured was added to increase the length of the movie as it fails to help the narrative to move forward.
This is the problem with the movie. Most of the scenes fail to add value. They are added for the sake of it. In the end, watch this one for Manoj Bajpayee only. He is solid and saves the movie that has no major mystery or freshness.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
This Justice League rocks lika a HURRICANE
Snyder Cut Justice League is way better than the original that came in 2017 and also, the duration is more than 4 hours.
The duration fits in well and complements the story. The original was a dud and I was extremely disappointed after watching it in a movie hall. That's why Warner Bros decided to spend an addition of $70 million to get this version of Snyder.
It works and honestly, I did not expect it to be this good. Joss Whedon, director of Avengers and Age of Ultron, stepped in when Zack had to leave the movie. His daughter died. What we got was a terrible mash-up that no one wanted for real.
This one is true to its DNA that's there in comics. The plot has major inspiration from these comics and it fits in well. Zack took this a step further and changed almost everything about the movie. The beginning. The Middle. The end. They look and feel different.
Zack has got rid of silly humor. It is more graphical. The expanded backstories of Cyborg and Flash are very nice. You have Martian Manhunter (no major help in narration but a treat for all the fans) and Deathstroke pop-up. Plenty of scenes around Darkseid as the ultimate villain. And, of course, there's a newly filmed epilogue that leans toward the story of the Injustice graphic novel series. All good. Very good.
Plenty of slow-mo and stretched scenes will spoil a bit of fun. Otherwise, it is a great movie. A movie that exists because of the fans and that's why it will appeal to all the DC fans big time.
I am going for my third-time watch!
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
One of the best Diney movies
What's so good about it?
-Story with some nice twists that I did not expect.
-Animations are too good to be true especially in 3D. Looks colorful and rich where you will thoroughly appreciate the attention to detail.
-Voiceovers by everyone fit in very well with the characters specially Awkwafina as sisu as her husky voice fits in so well.
What's not so good about it?
-The ending is a typical affair with plenty of cliches.
-The duration was short resulting in a restricted environment where we could not see the depth and richness that's required to truly celebrate this world of cute dragons.
In the end, I had plenty of fun watching Raya and her dragons in 3D at a movie hall so, go ahead and watch it right now.
(Do check out @madovermoveez on insta to enjoy more reviews and content regarding cinema)
Roohi (2021)
Roohi is no match to Stree
Roohi is the first Bollywood movie released across all movie halls in India post-pandemic. The one that offers comedy and horror on the lines of Stree. The one that re-ignited the trend of comedy-horror. Sadly, Roohi is not up to the mark and misses the magic of Stree.
The premise follows the trait of Stree where we have Janhvi playing a girl who is possessed by a demonic soul. Rajkumar and Varun are stuck with her and later, fall in love with her but with a twist.
There are plenty of comic reliefs in the first half. However, I was not ok to see 'Pakdaai shaadi' shown in the movie. It made me feel a bit cringy about it and I hate cringy things. The saving grace was the duo of Rajkumar and Varun where I enjoyed their scenes. They look great buddies doing sill things, saying silly things. Specially Varun who has plenty of such silly lines. I did not like many of those lines but I liked his innocent act. However, I am still not able to digest his blind love for the Chudail side of Janhvi. Ye to too much hi ho gaya.
The story has little scope to impress us. The supporting cast has no punch at all. The second half looks stretched that has plenty of unnecessary scenes and the movie is almost 2.5 hrs long. These are enough to make this movie a mediocre watch.
I was hoping for the same magic that I enjoyed while watching Stree but I was disappointed. Janhvi had nothing to prove her acting talent. She did not have enough to show us her caliber. Especially when turning into the chudail where she is staring at everything. no expressions. No dialogues. Just that stare.
I liked the end twist but again the execution is marred with cliches and stretched affair. Still, I feel that it will make you think and discuss it with your loved ones as the twist is something.
In the end, the comic timing of Rajkumar and Varun is the only saving grace as you would leave the hall in twenty minutes without these two.
Drishyam (2015)
One of the finest sequels
Mohan Lal is back with a bang. His act as a father who is ready to do anything to save his family looks so genuine. The movie has a solid grip and twists to make it a must-watch.
The story begins where the first movie ended. Mohan Lal is now the owner of a movie hall. He has a solid bond with his wife and daughters. Though his wife and daughter are still going through the mental trauma caused in the first movie. The police are still investigating the murder and Mohan has to save his family, once again.
The subtle beginning may look a little stretched but the movie offers an engaging plot that has plenty of twists. Another thing about the movie is that it doesn't look desperate to cash in the success of the first movie.
Knowing that one day they will get caught, the natural element of fear and anxiety will be felt throughout. The writing retains empathy for the family without making them look like villains. Further, Murli Gopi as a strong-headed policeman and Anjali in a supporting role is another gem to check out.
In the end, Drishyam 2 is a rare movie that manages to complement its origin.
Whatte story.
Whatte acting.
Whatte movie.
Watch it right now.
Do like and share it with someone who's a mad fan of movies.
The White Tiger (2021)
Movie belongs to Adarsh
This movie is based on Aravind Adiga's bestseller and Booker Prize-winning novel where it attempts to address the contrast between class division and India's rapid economic evolution. I remember someone gifted me this book and I enjoyed it a lot. Sadly, I could say the same about the movie.
There are many parts where I thought of this Korean masterpiece- Parasite that came last year. A movie that swept the Oscars and brilliantly showcases the class division.
Adarsh- The new kid on the block is the real show-stealer here and it was so good to see him playing the miserable and also, the naive part with such conviction. His frustration, happiness, sadness look believable. A scene where he is scolding an old lady asking for money was a good surprise. The reason why you will like him is that he blends in every scene and scenario.
Priyanka has also acted well and I guess, this is her best since Dil Dhadkne Do. Her role is well written and she manages to add the right amount of depth.
Rajkumar, on the other hand, leaves no major impact as there is no punch in his role. A role of a loser. A role of a spineless person but he failed to bring that dumbness and numbness on the screen. The scenes where he is drunk are the worst. I guess he was trying hard to act like an NRI that did not work. And his accent is another sour point.
You can feel the losing grip as we head towards the second half of the movie. The Director took a lot of time to show us real action and build up. Further, the end is nothing like the beginning as it has no punch to make a solid impact.
In the end, I recommend this one for Adarsh and Priyanka only. We have seen this in India. We have seen this story of rags to riches a million times. We have seen the class divide a lot so, until there something grippy or striking that the moviemakers have to offer us, will keep on surfing one title after another.
The Dig (2021)
One of the finest drama movies by Netflix
What's so good about it?
Carey and Ralph- The way they commit to their characters is splendid. There is no emotional extravaganza. the simple and genuine acting is impeccable.
Balance- first half focuses on the real dig and the second half is about the people behind this dig. Such a fine balance.
Monica as Ralph's wife has a limited but very strong supporting role that I loved it.
The ending- sply when the kid is expressing his anger and that long shot when the credit roles...Now, that's so cinematic.
What's not so good about it?
Slow pace- Such simple and quiet stories can only be enjoyed when you go slow so, it may test your patience.
Romance- between the young characters was unnecessary and I wanted the makers to spend more time on central characters.
In the end, The Dig is a pathbreaking movie with such vivid acting. I did not want this movie to end so, go ahead and watch it right now.
Jallikattu (2019)
JALLIKATTU is JAW DROPPING.
Jallikattu is not your typical movie fare. It is raw, gritty, shocking, and jaw-dropping. The first 20 minutes and the last half-hour are simply outstanding. The cinematography and direction are done in a way that manages to bring out the raw and rustic appeal of the storyline.
In a small village in the south of India, the fabric of civilization breaks down after a buffalo gets loose and the villagers bring down the whole village while trying to hunt the animal. It is adapted from a short story by S. Hareesh, the movie magnificently build a dark tempo of dangerous primal instincts with the crescendo of violence. It reminded me of movies like Jaw, Raat, Mad Max: Fury Road, Parasite, and Tumbbad. All of them are my all-time favorites and now, JALLIKATTU joins the list too.
The director Lijo Jose Pellissery follows the theme of mob violence that he showcased in his earlier title- Angamaly Diaries. He will quickly immerse you into his world of chaos and that I believe is the main reason I like this movie. It is his idea of showing the Buffalo on the loose but in reality, it is the men behind this carnage. This reflection itself is stunning.
The poor animal just wants to live, but the men want to eat it to fulfill their hunger, craving, ego, masculinity, and greed. The movie follows a wild rhythm from the start and does not lose its tempo till the end. The sound design makes it a bit too heavy at times but that's just a small hiccup.
In the end, a must-watch for everyone who's looking for a world-class cinema. This is why Jallikattu deserves an Oscar. It is brave. Bold. Wild. Rustic. It is a rollercoaster ride. It is a classic.
Jeet Ki Zid (2021)
Amit Sadh will blow your mind
This show is all about Amit Sadh. It is not a great or terrific show, to begin with, but the presence of Amit makes the canvas bigger and brighter. Further, he has solid support from one of the finest actors we have, Sushant Singh. Both of them have made this slow-paced and weak story an interesting watch.
The story is based on a real hero- Major Deependra Singh Segar who fought during the Kargil war and was shot five times. Not only he survived, but he also managed to re-write the script of courage and the true spirit of 'never give up'. This is where his wife and his senior training officer played by Sushant come into the picture.
His wife Jaya played by Amrita Singh had a great amount of contribution to make him walk again but sadly, you don't get to see that in this show as it focuses on Amit, his struggles, and how Sushant helps him to get out of that wheelchair.
The first episode establishes a good pace and grip but as we move forward, this grip loses its steam as the makers focus on building Amit's character and what all he has to go through becoming an elite member of our Special Task Force. His training scenes are delightful and look almost real as the makers have focused a lot on Amit than perfecting everything about the show.
For instance, there is nothing spectacular about this show if you keep Amit and Sushant out of the frame. You will see a weak and sketchy star cast that adds nothing to entertain and engage us. No major plot twists. No major visuals. Nothing but Amit.
Suggest you skip episodes 2, 3, and 4 as that would take you straight towards real action but mind you, it is a slow-paced show so, have patience because the result is extremely positive, emotional, and motivating.
In the end, Amit Sadh and support from Sushant Singh has made this one a great show to watch. It looks real but also flawed. It has only Seven episodes but also a slow-burner. It has a weal script but also, terrific performances by Amit and Sushant so, go for it.
So, if you are looking for something that celebrates the gritty lives of our soldiers fighting for us then 'Jeet ki Zid' is for you.
W lesie dzis nie zasnie nikt (2020)
A tribute to classic slasher movies gone wrong
It is not a terrible movie but there is hardly anything new to enjoy it. I get the idea where the makers are paying tribute to all the slasher movies of the 80s and I kinda liked the idea but the execution is a big let down. The plot is the same old where you have a group of teenagers getting lost in a forest and you have someone chasing them.
There are plenty of violence and gore scenes. Cutting, chopping...all in. Mind you, there is no problem with the bloodfest but adds nothing scary or exciting. The story is a dull affair too where you are stuck with plenty of cliche scenes and cliche acting. The villain or the monster here is cringy and looks really-really stupid.
The background music plays a very important role in a horror movie and this is where the makers have gone wrong by adding a music score that is more cringy and less spooky or chilly.
If you just need a slasher or bloodfest kinda screen time then go ahead and enjoy it. Just in case you need a movie with some storyline and an engaging plot with some cool twists to spook you out then please stay away from this title.
The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
A great Ghost story to creep you out
NETFLIX'S THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR is a good show offering an interesting ghost story. The acting is great where the cast will surely cast a spell on you. Music is another big thing about this show and helps in creating an intense setup and ambiance. Plus, they have this show in Hindi audio as well.
The starting of the show will test your patience where it takes nearly four episodes to set the pace and build that grip but once it is done, there is no looking back. Mind you it is not for everyone as there are not plenty of jump-scares. This show relies on story and characters to create that suspenseful and creepy environment.
There is enough creepy darkness that will keep you engaged until the end. Even when no ghost or scary stuff is going on you will like the flow and stay. Now, for a horror show that is an accomplishment.
I would recommend you to watch this though I still feel that the first show or its predecessor - The Haunting of Hill House is better.
Ginny Weds Sunny (2020)
This wedding is not to attend!
Looking at the trailer, the only thing that was exciting about this one was the leading pair- Yami and Vikrant. Sadly, it failed to deliver where you get just a glimpse of their chemistry. The story and direction are a little dull and frustrating at times and the climax is so disappointing.
The supporting cast offers some relief and the middle part has some pace and funny moments. Vikrant and Yami did not get a chance to show their full potential as the story is outdated.
They even have prominent product placements for Haldiram and Manyavar and it looked bad. The music is boring and the background score is cheesy. The twists are stupid and the writing is lame.
Suggest you do not even think about attending this wedding at all!
Emily in Paris (2020)
Emily in Paris is binge worthy
Show rating- 7/10. Read the caption. NETFLIX'S EMILY IN PARIS is a fun and quirky show that you will enjoy. It is like a dish that you will order basis the fancy name. You are not sure if it is going to be a good choice but you are surprised by the taste and end up enjoying it.
The story is simple and straightforward- An American in Paris and her daily struggles while exploring the city and also, herself. The writing works like a little magic where we see believable characters and acting by everyone. Now, that is something to cherish as you always have this problem of watching some silly things with shows like this. Another good thing is the way they tell you these small but interesting things about French people and their likes and dislikes. May sound too harsh but it is a fun commentary with an American point of view.
The pace is just right. Nothing looks like a drag or rush job. I think that worked for me where I was not sure about the show but started enjoying the characters and the pace of the show.
The problem is with the main lead Emily. Her dressing style is a turn-off. You can call me a fashion-illiterate but it is too silly for me. Plus, her cringey smile as it looks fake at times. Another problem is the way they show the whole social media scene. It is like you just take pictures in Paris and you are an influencer! Trust me if it is that easy to be an influencer then everyone is famous. Further, things solve easily for Emily and that looks unreal. Wanted to see some struggle for real.
All said and done...The show is enjoyable. Simple and easy to watch. Waiting for season 2, Netflix!
Serious Men (2020)
Serious Men is outrageously splendid
Movie rating- 9/10
NETFLIX'S SERIOUS MEN is outrageously splendid. One of the best commentaries on the corrupt notion across religion, caste, politics, and science. That's what cinema should be doing. Bring out thought-provoking real stories to reel. This is Nawaz's award-winning act where his body language, dialogue delivery are able to bring out the pain, agony, suffering, frustration, happiness, ambitions, and above all- love for his son.
His son played by Aakshath Das is another gem to watch as he shines like a diamond. He is able to bring out all the emotions that a small kid would feel.
The climax is gonna make your heart skip a beat in a subtle way where we have Nawaz explaining his action and also, course correction. I was overwhelmed. Nowadays, I hardly see a movie with an ending that offers a complete closure. 'Serious Men' has that ending.
This is one of the finest movies that Bollywood has to offer and would like to recommend it to everyone. A true celebration of movie making that can not be missed. And that I am saying on a serious note!
Enola Holmes (2020)
Elona Holmes is a fun easy-breezy new age detective
NETFLIX'S ELONA HOLMES is an easy-breezy fun ride that truly belongs to Millie Bobby Brown. She is also one of the producers of the movie...wow! The movie is available in Hindi as well.
Enola Holmes is a fresh take on Sherlock's legacy and Bobby managed to leave her stamp on this Baker Street. I truly believe that this movie will help Netflix to have an entertaining franchise in the movie category. Something that they don't have it. Plus, this movie will help to get a lot of attention from the young audience towards the Sherlock saga and that my friend is a good thing.
She enjoyed her role and that truly reflects in her act. I can not say that Henry as he did not leave a strong impression as the new Sherlock Holmes. He is emotional, caring, and did not display any sign or a glimpse of a mad man that Sherlock is famous for.
Elona is the star here and her interaction with us while breaking the fourth wall is a delight to watch. The movie has a diverse star cast where Susie Wokoma is damn impressive. Just two scenes but you will remember her.
The story is simple and effective. The Direction is right and there are some nice funny moments to laugh. There is a bit of action as well and it is all good. Though I wanted to see some real suspense and mystery. That was missing.
#Saraitda (2020)
#Alive is like a shot of adrenaline
NETFLIX'S #ALIVE is a joy-ride for all the Zombie lovers and the main reason is not Zombies but the lead actor Yoo Ah-in. He is pure gold playing the role of a helpless soul trying best to survive the Zombie scare. Yoo has no idea and now, he is stuck with limited resources to live in isolation (I guess, we can relate to that feeling).
A well-paced action where nothing feels like a drag and that my friend, is a great achievement. The action starts immediately where we don't know why this Zombie-ness is all over in this Korean saga. But we don't care coz the flow is really smooth and there are no dull moments. Though there is nothing new to offer that can redefine the genre, Alive is a really good watch.
Thanks to the sharp narration by the Director- Cho Il-hyung, there are genuine moments to make it an engaging affair for the audience. Nothing creepy or a bloody mess. Just pure play fun ride to enjoy.
Sadak 2 (2020)
SADAK 2 is no match to the original Sadak
Hotstar's SADAK 2 is no match to the original Sadak. Except for Sanjay Dutt and Jisshu Sengupta's acting, the movie has nothing exciting to offer. Sanjay looks solid in his role but had limited scope to prove his full acting skills. It is the same case with Jisshu. He is a terrific actor but again, no scope of improvement. The original had depth and great characters, sply Sadashiv playing the role of Maharani. This one has a character that looks like a comedian. What a waste of talent.
The movies' background score is another villain here that makes this movie a dull affair and depressing. Pooja has no scene here. Just her voice. Alia and Aditya's roles are sketched so badly that you wonder if the writers were just filling the blanks.
The movie is anyways marred with nepotism and on top of it, the poor direction and story will make it just a bad experiment.
Suggest you skip this and stick to the original Sadak!
Project Power (2020)
PROJECT POWER- a great popcorn entertainment
NETFLIX'S PROJECT POWER is pure entertainment and a rare superhero movie that centers around Black characters (after Black Panther). It is a great mix of a fast-paced storyline, terrific acting, and amazing stunt effects. Mind you, Project Power is no masterpiece but offers a strong dose of popcorn entertainment that will make this one a blockbuster hit for Netflix.
(Hindi mein bhi hai).
The set-up is gritty. It is about this pill that unlocks different superpowers in every person who swallows it. Results may vary and the power will last for five minutes only.
There is so much happening that you will not realize the duration of two hours. The direction is dynamic and fast along with brilliant work by the stunts and VFX teams. The pace of the movie is quite engaging where you have playful antics of Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback. This chemistry between the three main leads- Jamie, Joseph, and Dominique are enjoyable.
The plot has borrowed materials from comics like DC's Hourman and movies like Bradley Cooper's Limitless and also, X-Men. It mixes all of these and gives it a fresh spin of pure adrenaline.
There are some weak points as well. The movie gets clumsy and looks messy at times. There is great chemistry between Jamie and Dominique but you don't get to see more of it. The action in the climax looks little 'less actionable' and the villains are just not that awesome.
But you will ignore all of these errors as Jamie won't let you think of anything else when he is there on the screen. He is on fire and his role as a person looking for something (or someone) is simply brilliant. You will feel a strong sense of anger, desperation, and heroism at the same time.
Joseph is no less than a great example of someone with raw and easy-going acting skills. The movie also belongs to Dominique Fishback as her acting is pure gold.
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020)
Gunjan belongs to Pankaj Tripathi
NETFLIX'S GUNJAN SAXENA is not a war movie and also, it is not a Jahnvi's movie. It belongs to Pankaj Tripathi. This emotional saga is a good watch and the main reason is Pankaj Tripathi. Jahnvi, in the acting department, is still work in progress but she is showing a spark and looks convincing as the first Indian female air-force pilot in combat. Though i was disappointed to see the lack of conviction during her base training where her physical abilities were tested. However, she looks comfortable during the rest of the movie where she has tremendous support from Pankaj Tripathi as a supportive father. Honestly, he is the real hero of the movie. His controlled and simple act is a delight to watch.
Next comes Vineet Kumar Singh with his believable act of a chauvinistic officer. His body language and dialogue delivery is spot on. The same is with Manav Vij as the commanding officer. He's tough as a coconut who is also considerable works beautifully.
Angad Bedi as a protective brother represents a class of mentality that we see in our daily lives. In fact, that is the intention where the narrative feels personal and you will engage in a movie that has nothing but simple and tight story to offer.
The direction of our debutant Sharan Sharma helps in bringing out the nuances of all the characters and a plotline that is simple but works like magic.
This is the kind of biopic that reminds you of movies like Dangal where the narrative, characters, narration were extremely relatable and engaging.
Raat Akeli Hai (2020)
Raat Akeli Hai is... a killer thriller
NETFLIX'S RAAT AKELI HAI is simply outstanding. Honey Trehan's directorial debut is an ultimate desi crime thriller that will mysteriously mesmerize you from start to finish. The runtime of almost 2.5hrs will not bother you as the story along with fine performances by one of the assembled star cast will keep you engaged till the end.
It was a refreshing sight to see Nawazuddin as Inspector Jatil Yadav who is fearless but also, less confident about his looks and being single. His equation with his simple but witty mother, effortlessly played by Ila Arun, highlights the normal and relatable life of an Indian cop that has been glorified by these over the top antics of all the Chulbul's and Singham's of our Bollywood. He delivers a performance that is beyond looks and physical stature. It is about body language, dialogue delivery, and his acting. Nothing else and thank god for that.
Jatil is sent to investigate the murder of a rich guy and he immediately senses that the family members a hiding something as they all have reasons to kill. This is when we are introduced to this magnificent star cast of the movie including the ravishing Radhika Apte.
The chemistry between Nawaz and Radhika is off the chart and sply, the end scene was a whistle worthy short for all those 'Nawaz-Radhika' fans... no spoilers, please!
Nawaz's act is one of a kind. He is far away from any fun and humor in his life but has a strong determination to do his job with complete honesty. Radhika, on the other hand, looks so genuine and effortless. And did i say that there is no trace of overacting..at all?
Honey has utilized his experience as the casting director to choose the line up of fine actors including Tigmanshu Dhulia, Shweta Tripathi, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Nishant Dahiya, Ila Arun, Swanand Kirkire, Aditya Srivastava. It was a treat to see such talent coming together and also, played their roles with complete honesty.
The darkness referred to in the title is felt throughout the movie. The visuals, the twists all of it has this dark tonality that only brightens up the narration. There are no dull moments till the climax where the revealing part of the murder mystery was conveyed just like that. Don't get me wrong as i have no intention to see over the top melodrama kind of nonsense. It was too simple.
It is a killer thriller that deserves a second watch and bug time recommendation to anyone looking for a terrific crime thriller.
Shakuntala Devi (2020)
Shakuntala Devi...is all about Vidya Balan
AMAZON's SHAKUNTALA DEVI is a great watch where Vidya has proved her metal once again. She owns this movee and dominates it from scene one. Supporting is also a delight to watch where Sanya Malhotra is the next solid lead giving tough fight to Vidya's role. Her act of anger looked a bit too much. This is followed by Amit Sadh and Jisshu Sengupta as supportive husbands.
A Guniess Book of Records holder, Shakuntala Devi had an extraordinary life and the movee manages to display that with a dash of creative liberty. The movee has a promising start where you see Vidya's childhood and her journeyof becoming world famous. The movee takes an emotional turn once she gets married and later, becomes a mother. This is nicely narrated as a tale of mother-daughter bond between Vidya- her mother and Vidya- her daughter.
Vidya did justice to the role where she looked extremely convincing as a math genius. Her insane love for maths and her vulnerability as a mother and wife are extremely engaging. The story goes flat from time to time but thanks to Vidya, movee comes back on the track to entertain us.
Yaara (2020)
Yaara is no fun... at all
Zee5's YAARA lacks a punch that you would expect from an ace director like Tigmanshu Dhulia. The one who made magnificent movies like Haasil and Paan Singh Tomar but that was not the case with the 'Chaukadi Gang' of Yaara. Vidyut, Amit, and Vijay are great actors but here, they were nowhere.
The movie clocks 2 hrs to show a saga of four friends that are stuck in a time warp. The first 30 mins were dull as the storyline was all over the place. Furthermore, Tigmanshu wasted a chunk of his time showing us the blooming romance between Shruti and Vidyut.
i am guessing the main problem is the patchy editing as the movie failed to establish the plot and make the characters believable. There was plenty of offer as the story is all about the testimony of friendship but sadly, it is disappointing.
Vidyut as the lead had most of the screen time followed by Amit Sadh. Both are talented but not in this movie. None of the characters were fleshed out and that my friend, is tragic as Tigmanshu is famous for movies with strong characters.
The movie has a screen time 2 hrs to show a saga of four friends that are stuck in a time warp. Mind you, Yaara is not a disaster as it has its moments, but they are simply too few and fail to make any impact. There is no single frame that will be remembered and that makes Yaara, Tigmanshu's failure.
Dil Bechara (2020)
DIL BECHARA is... a silver lining amidst so many dark clouds.
SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT's DIL BECHARA is outstanding and so, damn heart-breaking at the same time.
A simple but tragic love story of Kizzie and Manny that will be remembered forever. Sushant is the life of this movie and the irony... he is not in this life anymore :(
Based on John Green's bestseller- The Fault in Our Stars (The book was adapted into a movie of the same name), Dil Bechara is about Kizie (has thyroid cancer) and Manny (had osteosarcoma) and the crazy journey that they take together while embracing life's imperfections.
Sanjana's acting debut is worth it. A cancer patient with great support from her parents (wish they had more scenes) has done a great job playing a young girl who craves a simple life like any other girl. And then she meets Immanuel Rajkumar Junior aka Manny who is high on energy and also, cockiness.
The chemistry they strike is so cutesy. But as they move forward, a tragic twist awaits them and how they deal with that problem, as a couple, is beautiful.
I also like the role of Sahil Vaid as Manny's best friend- JP who wants to make a Bhojpuri movie.
All of this makes for a very emotional watch and that's mainly because of acting by Sushant and Sanjana + great direction by Mukesh Chhabra. The way he narrates the story of hope and going all out despite knowing the inevitable.
Sushant with his infectious smile looked vulnerable, energetic, and simply outstanding by giving a stellar performance. Sanjana supported Sushant with her acting skills. She looked confident. Swastika Mukherjee (worked with Sushant in Detective Byomkesh Bakshi) and Saswata Chatterjee as Kizie's parents are terrific. Saif Ali Khan is the only major problem in this movie as his cameo role added no major impact.
Dil Bechara will always be a very special movie and Sushant will be missed... terribly :(
(one extra mark for Sushant's acting).