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Reviews
Sleeping Dogs (2024)
NEEDS A BETTER RELEASE
I was carried away by the reviews and the ratings at the rotten tomatoes but found the film extremely gripping and possibly deserved a better release. Russel Crowe was outstanding.in every aspect. The plot was so gripping and so much better than the book it was based on. To be critical maybe the pace was a tad too slow and the non linear storytelling was a bit Nolan kind without the finesse of Nolan. A tighter screenplay may have been better. The plot was a bit too thin and the main reasons to the protagonist's search wasn't effective to the viewer. Wish the other stars cast was as effective with their acting as Crowe. Still recommend a serious watch. I enjoyed it.
Afwaah (2023)
PAINFUL WATCH
It's extremely rare that a film with some great performers not only falls flat on its face but possibly also produces pedestrian performances by Nawaz and Bhumi and left me wondering why the hell they agreed to do the film. After suffering the painful 2 hour 2 minute ordeal I understood why Tapsee possibly decided to give the film a miss. A wafer thin concept of effects of a viral rumour on Social Media one wondered weather the film maker was high on drugs when he wrote the screenplay ? Jerky delivery and an attempt to vomit own filthy mindset on presumably dirty politics by a section of the political scene in the country goes woefully wrong. The supposed attempt to call out on the Right and Right of Centre political scene including dynastic political system attempts to glorify left lean and not to forget appease a particular ( most appeased) religion. It's funny that the movie arrives on screen just when a more serious and relatively much more authentic portrayal of 'Love Jihad' is making news. No wonder this one sank without a whimper. All in all I regretted wasting my time and money and thankfully didn't waste cash on popcorn. This one's not even worth a watch on a FREE OTT platform. Time for Anubhav Sinha to smell the coffee that films portraying such a political shade have a lifespan and with 'Mulk' and 'Article 15' you have already expended patience. It's some dimwits like me among 20 odd others who were suffering the ordeal on a Sunday evening regretting having paid hard earned money for this. My main reason was to see Nawaz and Bhoomi together. And not to forget the generous sprinkling of Cuss words and a crude unnecessary sex scene possibly to make a statement that we are now getting used to all filmmakers getting into possibly to meet the expectations of OTT platforms like Netflix for all international audiences but end up making the actors uncomfortable speaking out the cuss words. Both Nawaz and Bhoomi's efforts to use the 'F' word appear deliberate and forced and indicates their discomfort using them. Time for ppl like Sudhir Mishra to be shown the door and possibly this venture could be his swan song. Cringy, Crude, Claustrophobic, experience which is better missed. I regret that rather than wasting money on this film I should have donated the amount in charity elsewhere. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON THIS ONE.
Boston Strangler (2023)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES, DESERVED A THEATRICAL RELEASE
I watched the film with no expectations, have always been a Keira fan and find her performances always above the rest in her class. The film and the story perhaps has little relevance for today's audiences that have the social media and internet blogs and Vlogs to look at. The effort of the women portrayed in the story comes out so loud and clear due to exceptional performance by the entire cast. The husband wife relationship appears to be over the top as also the over extension of Loretta to the case avoiding her family. The Boston strangler has always been a cult and has only got revived by this film. Way to go Keira keep entertaining us with such clean gripping films.
Black Friday (2004)
A MARQEE MOVIE
This was the kinda film that should go t the oscars, wish someone remakes it with the type of budget it actually deserves. Great script, well executed, and exceptional acting by the whole cast. I feel this may have been Anurag's best creation till date, but he too followed the book sincerely. Some scenes needed more budgetary support and some effects appear crude yet well executed. The plot to create sensation in Mumbai has never ever been so well shown in any movie. I only wish Anurag takes up the 26/11 book and makes it also into a film. Sincere acting by the entire cast. Truly deserves to be amongst the top 100 Hindi films ever, KUDOS.
Dead for a Dollar (2022)
NOT AS BAD AS THE REVIEWS SAY
I Quite enjoyed the film, the cast was worth half the rating and the plot was quite interesting. Looks like some reviews are plainly off mark or the reviewers haven't seen enough westerns to enjoy it. I feel Hill was working on a shoestring budget, probably a bigger studio may have made the result more positive. Yes some stars in the film are more known today as support cast but they are great actors and they have responded positively in the film. I would have preferred a little more pace in the narrative like the older westerns but the art of storytelling decides on that I guess, a little more action may have kept the audiences glued I suppose. Overall a refreshing western after a long time.
Mehbooba (1976)
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE TO WATCH AFTER 45 YRS
When I last saw this movie it was the first movie screened at our neighbourhood new Cinema hall and we were 12 yr old immature kids who were more interested in the swank pushback seats and air conditioning and perhaps were a tad too young to enjoy movies of this kind. Then thanks to IMDB i found that its available on prime video. Hema Malini's act was very composed in all characters she played and not to miss out her dance performance. The rest of the cast performed as they did in all movies of the 70s and 80s era. The locales chosen for the film were grand and the story telling lucid as expected when a Novel gets adapted, though one wishes that rather than the reincarnation drama the makers had stuck to the original script.
The strongest part of the film was the soundtrack, I wish someone can remaster the same in digital stereo for each track is a classic and the overall track is an ideal fusion between classical and western music and appears still contemporary. Strongly recommended to watch.
The In Between (2022)
PEOPLE HAVE UNDERRATED THE MOVIE
I am looking at the film as a simple story told in a non linear manner and kept the interest of the viewer till the end. King is very sweet and fits the part of Tess to the T. Rest of the cast were just about OK. I feel most critics have given it a lower rating comparing it with normal big budget films, whereas this one is an out and out made for OTT. Hence I have given an additional star than what I'd normally do. Can there be a sequel?
The Great Indian Murder (2022)
GREAT ADAPTATION; COULD HAVE BEEN SHORTER & TIGHTER
I am writing a review just to counter some very poor reviews to this show. I felt the story has been superbly adapted to suit an OTT show, though felt it could have been three episodes ( 120 mins) shorter, maybe a better editor and a tighter screenplay would have made it better. Each episode is unique and I felt after a good opener, one episode for every two suspects and two episodes to tie up the story may have been better. The Non linear story telling is great and keeps one glued to the events to come. The Champi track is wasted and so is the avoidable numerous chase scene in the slums. Shashank Arora is the show stopper in this show and he deserves an award as does mani who plays Ekati. Richa Chadda is the big disappointment and someone more appropriate was needed. Raghuveer Yadav and Ashutosh Rana are in fine form. I sincerely wish Tigmanshu Dhulia edits the show to a 240-260 mins feature film. I expected More from Prateek Gandhi though he's in great form in an effortless essay of Suraj Yadav's role. I enjoyed binge watching the show over two days and rate it as one of the better Indian OTT show to have aired in the recent months. For those who expect a second season to reveal the actual killer I'd advise to see the show a second time, the clue is well within the show itself albeit a few episodes earlier, identify the six suspects and follow them carefully. One of the dialogues has the clue. Great work Tigmanshu.
The Card Counter (2021)
VERY SLOW DRAG
Not enough reason to justify the hate at Abu Gharib. Fantastic performances by the limited cast Oscar is excellent. Huge potential let go. Need lots of patience and understanding of the cause to stay engaged. People who relate to the agony may be able to connect better. I feel the movie could have been thirty minutes shorter and more tight to hold the attention of the audience. Limited cast and repetitive scenes make it a tough watch.
Scenes from a Marriage (2021)
A Great Adaptation
Brilliant acting and tense drama make this one a binge watch all through. Can't imagine how a series can be executed so brilliantly with just two main and four to five supporting characters. I felt it could have been compressed to four hour long episodes, numerous scenes look repetitive and slow down the narrative I feel many separated and divorced couples would find the right understanding of the narrative. In simple terms it's not easy to just switch off from a long time relationship and move on. It's my first time watching a story of a steamy affair between two divorcees. " Sometimes it's difficult to separate great sex with love" & " what the difference between Living together and Marriage" somewhat sums up the whole storyline.
Cry Macho (2021)
Clint It's time to Retire
Actually I was very impressed with The Mule as a film & was expecting a sequel from Clint. But he chose to film he rejected ( possibly correctly) three decades back. The story is weak, screenplay ( rightly rejected by 20 th century Fox in 70s) is awful and for once Eastwood's direction is weak and his narration is draggy and boring. As for his acting it's tired and weary. Possibly the last Eastwood movie and the end of an era. Wish he'd have closed with a masterpiece like Unforgiven. Sat through it just for him as a die hard fan. All 5 stars for CE.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Great Acting
Loose script and not so convincing story rescued by some great acting and a tight screenplay. Questions still remain as to why Cassie begins her tirade after meeting Ryan? The targeted people turn out to be damp squibs the moment she shows she ain't drunk enough. Where does she get the finances to do what she does? The entire storyline is thin and unconvincing. Yet my rating is just for the performance of Mulligan who got into the skin of the character and stayed throughout. Rest of the cast was more of ' also rans'. My rating is a 7.5 for the film 1.5 just for Carey.
A Perfect Enemy (2020)
An Enthralling Film
Dark, a tad dragging but exceptionally well acted, the film left me thinking what would it be if Texel were. Boy in the film. Well for starters it won't make sense for the lift to the airport to happen. The beauty in which the story tells the feelings of the person is marvellous. I guess the film benefits from a very strong story but suffers from a poor screenplay and hence becomes draggy. At times one lost interest with some scenes which made perfect sense later. Hence one wishes if the director had kept the script more tight and non linear since the basic structure in itself was linear in nature. Still I will strongly recommend a watch. One of the best movies I've seen for a while.
Panchayat (2020)
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN; REFRESHING DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
Yes the tag line is " Thumbs Up" that's why the title of this review. beautifully crafted and novel in approach I rated it 9 because I expected a longer season, eight episodes are too less to rate any show higher. Great timing and spontaneous acting by the ensemble makes the whole show a natural experience. Hope another set of episodes follow in the current season itself.
The Sky Is Pink (2019)
PRETTY DISAPPOINTING
Frankly I went into the movie with high expectations but was disappointed basically with the treatment of an extremely great story. I feel both Aditi and Naren would be devastated in the manner that they were portrayed in the film. Needless lateral story telling and failed attempts to infuse humour the film didnt even leave an impression to last for even one night.
There was immense potential but abstract story telling and superficial treatment and acting makes it a painful watch. I go with 3 out of 10 with an added 1 for poor Farhan for his earnestness in portraying the only character that appeared somewhat relatable. Frankly the film is almost twice as much longer than what it should have been at 85- 90 mins it may have left a better impression than the boring 149 minutes.