Right off the bat, three things that need to be appreciated about this series are its marvellous animation, how they deal with the concept of the multiverse, and the widening of the scope of the Spiderman character beyond anything that could be imagined.
Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse was a great entry point into introducing the character of Spiderman beyond what we already knew, and while that wasn’t enough… Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse goes beyond, making it more complicated but in a fun and good way.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.)
For the majority of the film, you’re in awe of the brilliant animated sequences, the frames, and the minute details here and there – and so many of those are just missed because of its fast pace… even then the animation and the thought behind some of these creations is next level.
While that is an aspect to highly appreciate, there’s quite a bit of maturity and thought behind the storyline, the depth and freedom they get to explore and widen the realms of what could be is at the core the strengthening aspect of the film.
The music and the timing of it have been incredible too, in the previous one and this one too, and quite nicely elevates a lot of scenes. Otherwise, the film has much emotion to it, with some light-hearted moments, and some moments of goosebumps too – which are surprisingly unexpected – the fight scenes are well choreographed, and the icing on the cake is the characters.
There are so many… some at the core, some as cameos, but each character has something to add. The foundational characters have become quite the favourite, yet again, the depth being explored is something to watch… but even the newer characters, the iconic ones… bring a whole new layer to the film.
That’s not to say the film has no flaws… some major ones and some here and there, but in the bigger picture all that is forgotten when you get to watch a spectacle of this kind.
Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse, the film and the series, is one of those once-in-a-while films that we get and completely enjoy as well; the boundaries that it breaks and explores all make sense and never get enough! It’s a well-definition of a Spiderman/ superhero film and a multiverse film and how to do it right! Must-watch!
While it’s still difficult to digest that the show is over, the creators quite beautifully described it as a tragedy, and it was always designed to be one…
I still remember the day the pilot had come out, and it was a bet to start watching the show amongst the many that come out, not knowing it would become the best qualitative show to be ever seen…
We forget why we love the show and whilst there’s a lot of corporate drama, takeovers and succession, it’s also the dysfunctionality, the trauma, the abuse, the hurt, the will to prove and get a pat on the back, the inability to break the cycle – probably the reasons many of us related to the show and loved it so much and loved seeing a part of us in many of the characters… 🤫
It was always a show that had to be broken down from a psychological perspective and looked upon the characters and the scenes from that lens and the beauty to understand the behavioural patterns and the reasoning behind every decision – it was all a beautiful aspect of the show.
Speaking of which, there was nothing like this before and nothing again – the quality, the depth, the real-life parallels – the culmination of writing, acting, and directing, time and again they have tested the boundaries and shown us, layers upon layers, how much better can this show become.
The creators, directors, and writers deserve the utmost credit for what they have delivered… and for putting all those words to a voice, what can be said about the cast. Kendall Roy has now become one of the best characters in tv history and credit to Jeremy Strong for all his incredibleness we didn’t know was possible with a character. To mention each character and everything they delivered, probably a book could be written… Brian Cox as Logan Roy, Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy, Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy, and Matthew MacFayden as Tom Wambsgans, amongst others, have etched their names in history as the best for these performances.
Over the four seasons, there have been so many momentous performances/ events which will always be remembered – the moments we fell in love with the show even more. And the icing on the cake, for all these episodes, will be Nicholas Britell’s music.
Spoilers Alert henceforth: Coming to the finale, four years later with an unexpected twist… knowing that the siblings aren’t going to get it, but how it unfolded was beyond painful to watch. They gave us quite a nice glimpse of the siblings’ bonding and in no time showed the real nature between them as well as what lay at their core.
It was beautiful to watch the full-circle moments, from the first dialogues spoken by these characters to each other in season 1 and how it all makes sense now. Some characters had good endings, some maybe not but in a way may be yes… all in all, it was devastating to watch. It’s been a few hours since the show ended, but it’s all playing in the mind, with an emotion of numbness and incompleteness that we won’t be seeing the characters anymore, this beautiful combination of the writing and the acting…
We are living in the Wambsgans world and we just didn’t know it yet! 🌚
When you like a film, it’s usually for the storyline, the cast’s performance, or the cinematography, but rarely do you appreciate a movie for its vibe. Air checks those boxes of the story and screenplay, and the performances too, but the even more likeable aspect of the film is the vibe it exudes…
(Here’s the official synopsis: Sonny Vaccaro and Nike pursue basketball rookie Michael Jordan, creating a partnership that revolutionizes the world of sports and contemporary culture.)
While there are a ton of such micro and yet great stories at Nike, this was a great portrayal of such an iconic story and also what became a historic moment of how Michael Jordan signed with Nike… the role of the characters, the vision they had, the tiny nuggets here and there and the ideas that were thrown around, whilst we had some idea of the headline that came out of this, it was good to see the behind-the-scenes of what transpired to such a moment.
Sometimes all we remember is the brand and what it did, and the people behind it are forgotten, and this is one of those films that not only highlights the efforts that were put in by those people but also highlights their journeys.
Matt Damon has the most screen time here, with a great performance in Air… the film has quite a cast, and the chemistry between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon – the actors and characters is a fun one to watch. Viola Davis with a short yet important role, quite nicely portrays the strength and support of the vision she had in her son, which exudes with her body language and dialogues. Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman are always good at what they do.
Ben Affleck has a vision of how he wants to portray this storyline and he knows his stuff when it comes to his direction, and with the filmography under his belt in the category of direction, I am a fan of his work.
Air is quite a short film, and you never know how soon it finishes… yes, the real-life chaos leading up to the decision-making and the process of making this happen would’ve been much more tumultuous… but maybe showcasing all of that would’ve stolen the vibe or the grippiness of the film that the audience was feeling.
In all, it’s a great choice of film to watch, irrespective of how much you know about the sport or the particular story or not… you’ll surely enjoy what you see, with a bunch of comical and some of those high-energy/ victorious moments mixed in as well.
It’s been a while since a Marvel film not only made you satisfied watching it but also left you in awe of the marvellous output that you see on the screen with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3… James Gunn sure knows how to deliver a film hitting all the checkpoints a good film should have.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If the mission is not completely successful, it could possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.)
One of the brilliant aspects of the film is its storytelling, it has a great storyline, with the central plot around the background of a particular character and the events that play out after, the depth of which and its execution are quite appreciable here and also keeping a balance in the present with every character, and the dynamics between them… giving some wholesome moments with the OGs and also giving light to the newer entrants.
Hitting the checkpoints, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 had a little bit of everything – a bunch of comical moments, action sequences which power through another level with the 4DX experience, some emotional moments which hit all the up and down notes… a complete package of a film, in all. Sure, some moments are only to serve the flow of the storyline, but that’s in most of the films, and not something to be nitpicked when in the macro you have something so good to watch.
The choice of music and how it merges with the moments of the screenplay are both exceptional… the trilogy has always had a good music integration and that happens with the third one too. It’s good to see the gang back together, each of the cast members have their moments to shine, and you can also see the growth and development of the characters throughout the previous films until this point and in this one too, brownie points to the writing behind it and the acting as well.
Another appreciable aspect of this film was its individuality, not playing a role in the grander scheme of things, keeping its focus locked only on the Guardians and making sure this particular fan base leaves the theatres satisfied. James Gunn sure knows how to deliver a film, pick out any of his last films and they were all a delight to watch… right from how the story plays out to its execution with the huge micro-moments, you realize every department’s work and how deeply integrated all of them are to each other in his films.
Trilogies have always been a tough one for any franchise, but this will turn out to be one of those few ones which were fantastic to watch and one to remember for sure! This was a good farewell to the trilogy. Good job, James Gunn and good job, Marvel.
Just when you think how superficial could this story be, you realize that the film is based on true events, and not only does it blow your mind, but that tiny ounce of humanity that was lost on you, is now regained because of Ayothi…
(Here’s the official synopsis: A family from Ayodhya goes on a spiritual trip to Rameswaram. What follows is a series of incidents that transform the life of one of the family members.)
While it seems like a simple film, its complexity is realized when looked at from a realistic lens and how complicated this same story would look when played out in real life… the hardships faced are already an integrally touching point of the film, its also the layering and emotional pinpoints of the characters that hold weightage throughout the film.
The good, the bad, the impact of the bad, the realization of the bad, the impact of the good… the chain of events when one individual decides to help another and it then spreads to the point where more people join in to help also shows the power of kindness and what can happen when even one human being decides to help another rather than ignore… the film in its short storyline touches upon several elements and in quite a beautiful manner too.
And amongst all of this, while the story has been captured realistically, and there’s some rawness and authenticity that the actors bring to the characters, there’s also no hiding how complicated our real life is, and how the system more than ever puts you in a position to lose and there’s no escaping it. The film thereby does a brilliant job portraying all of that, with great emotions, but also portrays that sometimes even during the worst of times, not everything is all bad.
Whilst the Indian OTT content is booming with quantity, there are few with quality that can be watched and even fewer that can mark their level one higher than the others and can set themselves apart, Jubilee is one of them.
We are all aware of Vikramaditya Motwane”s filmography and now there’s another gem added to that list… one of the most appreciable elements of Jubilee is it’s world-building and how engrossed you become when the storyline starts running.
(Here’s the official synopsis: An ensemble of characters and the gambles they’re willing to take in pursuit of their dreams, passion and ambition.)
Set in the late 1940s/ early 50s, the era, the style, the look, the costumes, and the dialogues have been captured beautifully and add a pretty nice advantage to the watching of the show. Speaking of the story, while it seems a little slow at times, and a bit stretched on rare occasions, the slowness equates to the times being showcased, and when the story starts running, then you’re quickly encapsulated into it.
But more than the storyline, it’s the world-building (as mentioned) that is one of the starry factors of this show, the depth of some of the scenes, or the finesse with which the characters are written and how we get to explore their highs and lows, the importance of the locations shown, there’s so much to showcase even if nothing is being told, or that you have to carefully observe not just what’s being said, but also what’s being shown is something worth appreciating here.
The cast is quite well-chosen, each character has such beauty to them, the actors chosen to portray them beautifully capture the highs and lows of each of them, and it’s such a joy to watch them perform. No character is forgotten while writing the show, and each one gets to play an important part here… Siddhant Gupta stands out quite significantly, with a brilliant performance and with quite a story arc as well, but it’s also an amalgamation of everyone and their great performances that make the show what it is, Aparshakti Khurana, Aditi Rao Hydari, Waqmika Gabbi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Ram Kapoor, amongst others…
While the music which is captured right according to its era, has a few hits and misses… the cinematography of the show is another thing that stays in your mind while watching Jubilee, the frames and the flow of the shots are just so spectacular to watch.
There’s something about movies or shows that are based on film-making and how well the essence of the movies or industry is captured, and while not every such release is able to hit that mark; Jubilee sure does. Right from the world-building to the story, and the characters and their depth, the dialogues, the production design, this show is a complete package from the minds of Vikramaditya Motwane… it’s quite a beautiful watch indeed.
It is a rare sight to witness the right mix of the cast selection and their performances, the storyline and the premise of the show, the execution of it, the wide range of emotions explored and the authenticity of them, the thought and the quality that can be seen, and that rare mix is this show called Shrinking.
You will start watching it, and fall in love with the vibe of the show within a few minutes of it… a show that explores topics/ relationships/ emotions and deals with them in a newer, better, and more authentic version than seen before.
(Here’s the official synopsis: A grieving therapist starts to break the rules by telling his clients exactly what he thinks. Jimmy has lost his wife and wants to try a new approach to his loss, but it is unclear how this will help others.)
While I picked it up right from its first episode airing, over time I’ve seen psychologists recommending this show, especially because of the notes that it hits… it’s not that it’s educative, but the way they’re showcasing the premise of the show, the story, and how are they dealing with the minor character and story arcs is quite beautiful to watch, and more so when the show has such a heartful vibe to it. There are a few scenes that play out so well or rather showcase the right approach to a situation, things like these are why you fall in love with it even more.
The cast is so rightly chosen, each actor fits perfectly well with their character and the chemistry between two different actors or even as a whole adds a bunch of layers to the show that makes it even better than what it already is. The star of the show, in my opinion, is Harrison Ford who is just so amazing whether it’s his one-liners, his attitude or his expressions, his vibe gives the show a whole different layer altogether. Said that each character is so well-written and thereafter, well-acted that you start liking each of them for their particular traits.
Am I appreciating the show a bit too much? Maybe so. There are a few flaws here and there, some you oversee, and some you are waiting to see how it plays out. All in all, it’s a show of great quality, and Apple has been hitting it off the park lately with a lineup of shows that have delivered quite well, and Shrinking stands off a little more than the others.
There are two ways to approach this film, either tear it apart for all of its problems or unsee the problems to then watch what would be a fun, masala film.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Madness ensues when a ‘player’ in the world of romantic relationships finds a girl who’s a worthy opponent, that believes love is a battle of wits.)
Going with the latter, the film is fun in bits and pieces, and quite stretched and unnecessary in others… Luv Ranjan wasn’t able to fine-tune the screenplay, especially the first half of it, which is all over the place, and the songs became the saving grace of it. The second half has its highs and lows, but still takes you through a range of emotions without really exploring any of them.
While the film had a good premise, it fails to delve into it at any point in the film, except in one dialogue that explains the said premise and then throws it away for the sake of the storyline. (more about this in the spoiler section below)
What works for the film is also what goes against it… While Ranbir Kapoor is back as the OG lover-boy and his charmingness is what makes the film what it is, there are also a bunch of shots where you cannot hide that the actor isn’t in his 20s anymore. Shraddha Kapoor was good in her role and so was Bassi; the two cameos were quite well-fitted; but here’s the problem, the director had such a good cast here that he, unfortunately, didn’t make good use of them except in the final 10-15 minutes where their real talent comes out and gives a good vibe to the film. Dimple Kapadia’s performance was again quite notable in the film.
It has been a while since a film had these many songs, and most of them worked out quite brilliantly (in the film and generally too), and most of the time a film-saver whenever they played out on screen.
But it’s 2023 and you cannot simply accept whatever is being thrown at you and turn a blind eye to the most obvious of things, so let’s break that down in what is now going to be filled with spoilers… so spoiler-alert.
A. The film’s premise focuses on the aspect of family, and how one individual is not able to stay without them and another who doesn’t want to stay with them, and how it affects when these two want to be together. Here’s the problem, neither did the film explore Tinni’s family and the problems she faced that paved the path to her said choice (except in one small scene that wouldn’t have lasted a minute), and neither did they then proceed with her choice in the storyline making her character compromise and adjust in the new family space, where she mentioned that she didn’t want to be.
B. Mickey’s family are showcased to be this perfect family without problems between them, and who are quite understanding and good with giving space amongst themselves – which is the reason Tinni should adjust here. One, the unrealisticness shown is quite absurd here which is to be accepted as it makes for the ‘good family’ and ‘comical’ moments in the film. Second, that reason isn’t strong enough for one to completely out-of-the-blue change their views on independence and completely do something opposite of that.
C. Mickey and Manu are supposed to be break-up consultants, what in the hell is that even supposed to mean? So the film is trying to showcase that two adults aren’t mature enough to talk to each other, thus they come up with tips and tricks to get rid of each other. And even if that is acceptable, it’s all okay as long as it is done for other couples. But as Mickey says, it is unacceptable when it’s being done to you and now the topic of communication comes up, is no one else seeing the hypocrisy here!?
D. Manu’s character, in the early parts of the film says that he isn’t ready for marriage and will not be able to love the character. Maybe he was getting cold feet, but that is not what they showcased in the film. They showed that Mickey is in love with Manu’s to-be-wife’s best friend so now Manu and Kinchi should get married so Mickey and Tinni’s love can prosper and in case of a problem, he’ll get them divorced. Cut to Manu and Kinchi having a baby and now all is okay between them because they had a baby?
E. A guy falls in love with a girl in 24 hours and the girl suddenly accepts too, and is now ready for marriage without having spoken of their living conditions and their financial conditions and what not, is it because the guy comes from a “rich family” or that communication isn’t up to the rom-com standards?
It is 2023 and sometimes there are obvious things that you can’t unsee for the sake of the storyline, for the sake of comedy and for the sake of Ranbir Kapoor getting back to his roots. At the end of it, it felt like a closing of a screenplay and not a closure to what could have been a good storyline. Modern stories require modern viewpoints and for the sake of rom-com, you cannot go back to the older times, especially when it’s a “working formula” because the mass audience is simply going to accept what they are seeing and living for years and sees no problem in any of it.
Problems aside, I liked the film in bits and pieces and loved the vibe in bits and pieces too, but I cannot unsee some of the most obvious problems simply so I can like the film or applaud for what they have done here.
Nowadays, sequels don’t work enough, let alone the trilogies… and here comes the fourth part of an action franchise focused on a singular character and his ability to not die amongst all the bullets flying… Does John Wick 4 deliver?
Film after film, the franchise is levelling up its action, its grittiness, and its ability to leave the viewers stunned with what they’ve just witnessed and John Wick 4 is no less… A high-octane adrenaline-filled action overdose that irrespective of too much action never feels too much or too little…
While these intense action/ fight sequences look entertaining on the screen, the technicalities with which they have designed the entire sequences and the eye for detail are quite commendable here. Two elements that are upgrading these fight sequences to an even higher level are the cinematography and the score… both such appreciable aspects that when they come together deliver a blast on the screen. Multiple times you’re simply awestruck by the framing of the shots, each singular picture has the ability to tell a story.
John Wick 4 is more action and less story, and yet it delivers… there are few films when you’re sitting there, holding your breath, and the film has taken over you, and that rare instance is this film, especially with the 4DX experience, making you feel involved with the film.
While the action, cinematography, and score all make John Wick 4 what it is, the ultimate reason it works is, Keanu Reeves… how he has ingrained the character and especially what lies at his core, how he delivers his fight sequences, and how he showcases the pain endurance of the character, is all the reasons we love him as John Wick and love these films too.
There’s a balance of story and action with which the franchise had started, and soon after, the scales started tilting a bit, with here the scales are heavily titled towards the action… but there’s no complaining because it’s some of the best stuff we’ve seen. John Wick 4 is great to watch, it’s one for the theatres for sure – the bigger, the better. Baba Yaga is back after a long time!
The thing about Malayalam films is their beauty of storytelling and the impactful execution of that story, it always stuns you and stays with you, and now Iratta is added to that slate of films.
(Here’s the synopsis: After a cop is found dead, a policeman’s investigation sparks a chilling search for the truth connected to his estranged twin and their fraught past.)
A simple story moulded into a brilliant script, with all the suspense, it makes you think, it makes you wait and then when you’re done with it, you’re in awe of it. Not only is this a brilliant script on paper, but very well executed by Rohit MG Krishnan, the format with which it has been showcased, the pace of the film, the characters and how nicely all of them connect with the story, it’s all quite appreciative.
The review is incomplete without mentioning the magnificence of Joju George, what an actor, who never fails to amaze you with his talent. The way he has portrayed the twin brothers, and the journey that they go through, with all the emotions and especially the depth is simply amazing. His films are a class apart and will amaze you every time, no matter which one you pick.
While this is not a spoiler, I can guarantee that you won’t be able to predict the ending, and the punch in the face it is going to bring with it. Iratta is a brilliant film, with a unique way of expressing the story. All I can say is, you’ll be amazed by this film.
While this is the third film of the franchise, Creed III is the first one which finally focuses on only Adonis Creed and a story about his life, and while it felt refreshing to watch something different, it was equally entertaining as well, with the experience being taken to the next level when watched in 4DX.
(Here’s the synopsis: Adonis has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight.)
Speaking of the story, it was great to watch an in-and-out story about Adonis Creed, no strings attached with any other character, solely focused on his life, his decisions, his relationships with the family, and how his early life experiences shape the storyline of this film.
While the film is extremely short, with how they’ve kept you gripped throughout the film, they had an opportunity here to extend the duration a bit, establish the story with a little more depth and play around with the emotional bandwidth; instead being a boxing film, they went with a fast pace and occasional emotional drops in pace, and a lot of the emotional headspace that the characters are supposed to feel is concluded with a few sentences that the viewers have to grasp and get on with.
Meanwhile, Michael B Jordan is excellent as usual, if not better, and has taken the Creed mantle on his shoulders now… he has truly absorbed that Creed character and it shows on the screen, right from the fight scenes to the ferocity and class his character exudes, it’s brilliant to watch him act. While that wasn’t enough, he has directed this one too and very well executed it… it’s such a mystery as to how one would approach two heavily tasked jobs in a fight film, where both the directing and acting are the make-and-break factors of the film. But Michael B Jordan delivers in both those aspects.
Tessa Thompson delivers a good performance as well, her character dynamics with Creed have become an essential part of the film and those are the areas where she, as an actor, shines. We have a new entrant in the franchise, Jonathan Majors, who has been showcasing his acting range and excelling at it in various other films, and now, shows he has what it takes to excel in a boxing film as well. While there was a lack of foundation or rather the core of his character was lacking and it felt like it was speeded through a bit, the notable aspect is the physicality of the character, and the authenticity shown in the fight scenes, there are quite a few of those tiny nuances that he brings as an actor that adds to the brilliance of the character.
Creed III is a boxing film and it shows how they have levelled up in that genre, especially the final fight scene… it feels so intense, so raw and authentic… the directing has a huge role to play in this aspect, but so is the acting. The score, however, took a backseat here and didn’t feel as accounted for as in the previous films of the franchise.
All said and done, Creed III is an exciting film to watch, with all its entertainment and action… it was a different take, more personal, and I’m glad they’ve tried something different with the franchise, and hopefully, they grow into bigger and better directions from here.
The Academy Awards 2023 are upon us. While there were hundreds of films to watch in 2022, these few set themselves apart with their powerful performances, strong messages and just how beautiful the films were to watch. Some not such much, but since they were nominated, well I wasn’t going to not watch them.
Before the awards set the stage, I’m reviewing all the Oscars 2023 nominated films.
– Top Gun: Maverick
How many times has a sequel disappointed us, specifically more when it was to a classic? Top Gun: Maverick has totally rewritten the script on that end, by possibly making one of the best films, especially for the theatres.
One of the best decisions made was to watch this film in 4DX, which eventually turned out to be one of the cinematic experiences of my life. Not only was the film brilliant in every aspect, with regards to the story, the direction, the cinematography, and the music, but the 4D element took the experience to a whole new level.
Before breaking down any other aspect of the film, can we even talk about how amazing Tom Cruise is…? He’s magnificent on the screen, his physique is beyond amazing and the efforts that he puts into the film are clearly visible. Every frame he’s in is a beauty to watch.
The cast has been brilliantly chosen, with all the major characters giving a remarkable performance, and one who shines, even more amongst the rest, turns out to be Miles Teller. The role suits him like anything, and he fills the shoes of his character remarkably well. Also, a huge cheer for Val Kilmer for appearing in the film, continuing the streak of nostalgic moments in the film.
Speaking of which, and there are already so many amazing aspects of this film, another element that makes Top Gun: Maverick a masterpiece is the authenticity of the film. Right from how the jets have been shot (for example), to feeling a close first-person view in those action scenes, giving you the chills and the anxiousness in key moments of the film, to how Tom Cruise is riding the jet himself and how he even pushed the cast to train and do so as well, so the authenticity maintained in the film is unlike anything ever seen before.
Top Gun: Maverick gives you the nostalgic feels of its classic predecessor, and provides a great mixture of a feel-good film, emotional moments along with some hardcore action sequences. The screenplay is something to be quite appreciative of, considering it’s not easy to find a story given the foundation of the film. Maverick also keeps you on the edge the entire time, especially with the third act of the film.
I don’t remember a previous time when I was this happy after watching an English film in the theatres, my emotions were running peak-high and moments of the film kept running in my head for quite some time… Top Gun: Maverick is definitely one of the best films of 2022 and there’s nothing that cannot be appreciated enough in this film.
– The Fabelmans
There was a lot of chatter around this film, and when it came out, my only reason to go ahead with the film was Steven Spielberg, not having read the synopsis nor watched the trailer. To my surprise, the film was so interesting, and the delightful part was the progression of the storyline.
One, the film is based on Spielberg’s life which is quite fascinating in itself. Second, it highlights the love one has for cinema, and how grasping its power is in one’s life. But, not just that, but the environment of the family, the bond between the members and how it was showcased, or the college life of the central character, small moments add up to the beauty of the film.
Whilst the writing and the direction of the film were great, the cast – Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen – all add to the brilliance of the film. The Fabelmans has quite a few moments that touch your heart and stay in your mind; the micro storylines play a huge role in the overall experience of the film.
In all, The Fabelmans is an amazing watch, which couldn’t be recommended more. The era it showcases, the tiny nuances, the micro storylines, the direction and the storytelling, multiple factors make the film this great.
– The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin isn’t what you’d expect at all in the first place; while it is slow and heavily dialogue-driven, when you’re patient with it is also when you start appreciating the film.
The film revolves around the topic of friendship and the events that occur when a close friend suddenly cuts off their ties, as the synopsis reads, and how the storyline portrays that is quite a watch. How such an event affects the parties involved, and how it plays out is the fascinating factor of the film.
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson have played such fantastic parts, and how their chemistry unravels throughout the progression of the film, it’s a delight to watch them together. By the end of the film, you’re equally amazed at how the film turned out and at your reaction to the film.
The film is a frontrunner for the awards season, along with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson up as contenders too, and is surely going to make some noise.
– Everything Everywhere All at Once
Only a handful of films have the ability to test the boundaries of logic, and yet make sense; packed with the power of storytelling, cast and cinematography; and in this case, checking off all the items is Everything Everywhere All at Once. Mesmerising! Powerful! and moreover, Extraordinary!
Right off the bat, let’s start with the storytelling, the thread that keeps this film intact right from the start to the end, whether it’s the focus on the message of life, how its experience/ impact is measured; and how such a serious message is told in a fun, quirky way with the concept of multiverses – a concept which has been mishandled by bigger players, but here, so beautifully put together.
Not for a second would you feel what’s happening or an element of confusion. Everything Everywhere All at Once is told in simple language, with a mix of quirkiness, laughable/ sad moments (alongside a bunch of many other emotions), deep thinkable moments and sometimes just say-to-day relatable stuff.
Putting that storytelling on a pedestal is the appreciative production design and the framing of the shots, anything less and the end experience would’ve been just mild and not been the strength of the film.
Speaking of strength, Michelle Yeoh is FANTASTIC in this film, what an applause-worthy performance! To enact this complex character, going through this wide range of emotions and then expressing all these character traits whilst also staying true to the core of the character/ the message of the film – it’s not an easy task and she has simply excelled at it. Another shout out to Ke Huy Quan whose character is equally important and core to this film and delivers remarkably well.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is mesmerising, and its concept is even more. The storyline itself and at the back end what it’s actually trying to convey, both are equally great to watch and at the end of it, you’re simply glad that you chose to watch it.
– The Whale
WOW! To be mesmerized by this film is an understatement… how The Whale has brought forth its message, the cause and effect, the characters, their relationships, every factor was a beauty to watch.
First and foremost, Brendan Fraser take a bow! WHAT A PERFORMANCE! To get into the skin of this character and to convey all those emotions is no easy task and the way he has showcased it all is simply remarkable. You’re in awe of his performance whilst also getting absorbed in that storyline, and the mix of the two is just fantastic.
Speaking of which, the layers of the story and its effect on the character behaviours, the habits and repercussions, the dynamics between different relationships, there’s something to be seen and spoken of for everything… The cause and effect of the emotional takeaways and addictive behaviours were one of the most fascinating and realistic aspects to watch in this film.
While the film seems compact, Darren Aronofsky shows us how can you do more with less… One location but there’s something to be noticed in every shot; few characters but each with different characteristics. While Fraser is already brilliant here, Sadie Sink and Hong Chau are no less, both with characters and their personalities interesting to watch.
The film is short with a slow pace, but you’re too invested in the film to notice that or let that bother you. In all, The Whale has so much depth and so many emotions, there’s much to absorb here. Be ready to shed some tears at the end… Absolutely recommended.
– TÁR
Powerful! The rise and fall of an artist/ a known individual in the public eye, and their relationship with power, people and the dynamics of such life is brilliantly showcased in TÁR.
The most appreciative and brilliant aspect of this film is Cate Blanchett’s performance – while the pace of the story seems slow at times, or while it may seem flaking away from its core, or at times feels too dialogue-driven, it is her performance that holds the film together and carries you through the emotional journey of the character and the message of the film.
Through the storyline, it’s not just about the progress of it that is speaking out, but the tiny details of the character behaviour and the environment that add to the depth of what’s being showcased – and while it was from the creators or the cast, the little additions did add to the appreciating factors of TÁR.
It is long, there’s no denying that and sometimes stretched – yes, the creators wanted the viewer to get into the depths and absorb the emotions, but that approach then becomes limiting and not for everyone.
The last 15 minutes were a show of brilliance; mainly how the film starts and the words being spoken and then how the film ends speaks volumes; it wasn’t only shocking, but the reality check was a daunting sight to see. In today’s times, it seems like a recurring story in reality, and TÁR takes you on that journey quite well.
– Triangle of Sadness
I did not know what to expect going into this film, but it was weird, not knowing what was going to happen next, with this eerieness in the background and yet, the film keeps you hooked from the first frame onto the last.
Triangle of Sadness is a satire, commenting on a lot of topics, including power dynamics, capitalism, Marxism, socialism, relationships, and the perspective with which it is shown is great to watch. The subtlety with which it syncs with the flow of the story, and how this storyline keeps building up, building the tension is another appreciating factor of the film.
There are a bunch of laughable (dark) moments in the film, which may not be counted as comedy, but because they seem true and real, you cannot help but giggle a bit during those scenes.
From the entire film’s perspective, there’s so much happening, and so much to process, that you don’t realize how you’re already halfway through the film or when it’s over too. Sometimes it’s not only about the pace or the duration, but the material, and that’s the beauty of Triangle of Sadness.
Various characters in the film, all with shared limelight and each representing their respective personalities and flaws, which is understood after watching the film and getting a grasp of the story.
In all, Triangle of Sadness is a great watch, loved the tone of the film, and the only suggestion would be to not watch it while eating food, or while travelling. Other than that, a recommended watch.
– Elvis
We’ve heard of Elvis Presley and his songs, but do we know his journey or the events occurred that shaped his life, this film Elvis does a great job at it, keeps you engrossed throughout and moreover, what’s the sign of a good film? If it gets you so invested, you become tearful at the end of it… that’s Elvis!
Baz Luhrmann has done a brilliant job with this film, right from the flow of the storyline to the showcasing of the emotions, of the characters and from the scenes that speak more than the words. There’s some right and so much wrong that occurs throughout that those moments keep pinching you, and it shows how powerful the film is to watch.
The film, I feel, does justice to the man and brings to light a perspective through you which you get to view Elvis’s journey and everything that happened around him. Another factor responsible for this output is the power-packed performance from Austin Butler, the efforts put in for the role can be clearly seen and appreciated. Right from capturing the style to the energy on stage, Austin Butler quite brilliantly performs the role of Elvis Presley and rightly gets the Oscar nomination for the Best Actor Role.
Tom Hanks hasn’t been seen in such a role before, and while there could be a lot to say about the character, Tom Hanks has done quite a good job at it.
With all the songs, and the story, the film Elvis is a delight to watch, along with Austin Butler’s performance, the final result is something. All in all, it was a vibe to watch!
– Avatar: The Way of Water
One year, you receive a gift with exciting packaging, but when you open it, it is all shiny but a generic gift. Another year, there’s another gift with some catchy packaging, only to find the exact gift within. That’s Avatar: The Way of Water.
You can keep peeling the layers of an onion, but it will still remain an onion. James Cameron tries to introduce a new world and introduce new characters and arcs that come along with them, but at its core, it feels like a newly packaged Avatar 1.
While I personally don’t understand the hype around the film, what I can agree upon and also appreciate is that Avatar: The Way of Water is truly a film for the theatres and even more so, when experienced in 4DX… it gives you a first-hand experience of the film, making you a part of it and that’s the only enjoyable factor of this film.
Another appreciative factor is the detailing that has gone into creating this world, and the tiny nuances of the environment, creatures etc. While the film is 3 hours and 12 minutes LONG, the amount of development around this detailing and the exploration of it is what keeps you engaged through the film (along with the 4DX experience).
Remove James Cameron’s name from the film, and it’d be quite interesting to see if the film receives the amount of appreciation that it gets. When it comes to the characters or the storyline, there’s really not much to explore or talk about… it all seems very generic in nice packaging and we’re probably going to get the same in the future parts as well.
The Oscars contention was my only reason to watch this film, and while I’m not extremely dissatisfied with it, I’ll only suggest that if you have to watch it, then it’s one for the theatres and not for the home screens.
– Women Talking
Women Talking is one of those films which you feel you won’t be watching and you end up liking it once you’re done with it; a film with a great premise and is quite powerful indeed…
While the film clearly states that it’s a tale of imagination, there are two aspects where the film shines – one, a perspective into the lives of women (and generally the people representing a certain point of view/ in a certain location). Second, the showcasing of a stark difference between the point of view/ world we are aware of vs a world of a smaller community elsewhere and what their lives could be like.
Sarah Polley sets the structure of the film in such a way, that within a few minutes of the film, you know what you’re in for, and while the film is purely dialogue-driven, the emotions/ the depth/ the insights that are coming out of those conversations are what’s interesting to watch; mixed with a few playful scenes to keep up with the highs and lows.
Since the film is all dialogues, the background or the other elements have a lesser role to play, and it all comes down to the emotional expression of the characters and the state of mind with which they’re expressing – herein, we get a great cast who do quite a good job with their performances, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, amongst others.
The film is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea; few will be able to watch and fewer will be able to absorb what’s being expressed, but if you do, you’ll be able to experience a great film indeed.
– To Leslie
While To Leslie was a good film to watch, I also felt that it was too generic, and there was nothing unique about the story; we’ve seen it before and we’re seeing it yet again. Does it resonate with the real world? Yes. But then again, there’s a limit to how many times can you watch the same stuff again and again.
On top of that, add all the Oscars controversy surrounding the film and the nomination of Andrea Riseborough in the Best Actress category, and it’s just a buzzkill. Good acting from Andrea Riseborough, notable performance, but contender material, I’m not sure.
The only thing I’d appreciate about the film is how it ends, and that final phase is the only good thing about it. Otherwise, other than the perspective with which they’re showcasing the film, I didn’t find any depth in the emotions, any of the relationship dynamics, or even the characters.
A forceful film that had to be watched, as it was Oscars nominated, but other than that, I won’t be recommending it to anyone.
– Aftersun
While not every film is everyone’s cup of tea, some have their genres aligned, and some are open to all, and while I prefer to be the latter one, there are only a few rare occasions when the film is good but it simply didn’t align with my tastes, and Aftersun is, unfortunately, one of those for me.
Knowing what the story is, and knowing what the filmmaker is trying to convey, one – is quite appreciative, and second, I can also understand why a lot of people are loving the film; the story has a lot of depth to it and requires an emotional bandwidth to grasp what is being told and is quite relatable to a lot of people (when you understand the perspective that is being told).
Speaking of depth, Aftersun has quite a powerful message and a bunch of powerful moments throughout the film, also knowing that the director, Charlotte Wells, is speaking from a personal experience adds a lot of weightage to it.
Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio are brilliant across the film, with strikingly mesmerising performances, making you fall in love with their characters. The camaraderie and chemistry between this father-daughter duo is quite a sweet aspect of the film.
While there’s much to appreciate about the film, it all comes down to a matter of personal taste and whether you were fully able to watch the film with enthusiasm and enjoyment, and both of those factors remained unticked for me… but I’d still recommend this film to those who have an interest in indie/ off-beat kind of films because, at the end of it, it’d be a good film to watch.
– All Quiet on the Western Front
Every year we get a few films based on the two World Wars, either from the front-end war point of view or from a behind-the-scenes strategy/ analytical point of view; this time, with All Quiet on the Western Front, we get a fresh and different perspective – shown through the eyes of this solder, Paul Bäumer.
The film progresses through how Paul and his friends are filled with enthusiasm to serve their country and participate in the war, only to then witness the reality and the life that is lived on a day-to-day basis.
All Quiet on the Western Front not only shows you the bureaucracy and the impact of the decisions that a few people in power take and their results on a majority of people, but it very well takes you on a journey of emotions that a soldier goes through, at various points in such war. Those story points, and those emotions captured, especially with the perspective they’ve shown it is what makes this film special and a great watch.
There are quite some films in this genre, and a lot more stories still to be told, but apart from the screenplay, there are two other aspects that set such films apart – the cinematography and the sound. If those aspects are equally focused upon, then you’ve got a great mix of a product to deliver and so is the case with All Quiet on the Western Front.
Because there are moments of darkness, sadness, regret, victory, pressure, relief and more, it is those aspects which complement the storytelling, along with the cast’s performance of course. Speaking of which, Felix Kammerer the central character in the film has performed remarkably well and holds the film quite firmly on his shoulders (overall, the entire cast has done a great job here).
The film sets a new benchmark for the storytelling of war films, it was a great perspective to watch, not only is it enjoyable, but the takeaways from it are something that stays with you/ something to ponder upon.
– Argentina, 1985
It is, only a few times when the important/ historical moments of a particular place are known globally, and through films, that entire process and outcome is then shared beautifully – you’re not only getting to watch a good film but also learning something new in the process – and that is Argentina, 1985.
The main attraction point of this film is their focus on the delivery of the story, not just the flow of it, or its emotional strength, but also how it is presented to the audience. The viewers will not know the history of this story, or the events around the democracy of Argentina, but Argentina, 1985 opens the doors giving you a glimpse of that.
It was quite an interesting film to watch, while I may not be aware of the cast members, their performances were one to appreciate. Again, from the duration point of view, once it begins, there’s so much happening with all the information to process, that the movie runs at quite a good pace, not realizing how that time has already passed. There are quite a bunch of moments that stay with you, sometimes for their comical timing, sometimes for their emotionality, and sometimes just for the power that is showcased on the screen.
As Bong Joon-ho famously said once, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”, and yet again that quote is proved right, as this was my first Argentine film to watch, and I’m glad I did watch it. Argentina, 1985 is a great one to watch, and at the end of it, you’ll not only be impressed by it but also inspired by it.
– BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
When you watch an Alejandro G. Iñárritu film, you realize that he is his own genre, his style of filmmaking and what he is trying to express is completely different from the rest of the films, and like or hate his films, but there’s some uniqueness to them and they always leave you in awe.
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths – is another film that is added to that list. At first glance, you’re so invested in the weirdness of the scene that you don’t even understand what you’re watching, and then you realize the title of the film and then try to understand the layer beneath the scene and what is being expressed here. And not just one, but there are quite a lot of weird scenes that take a moment to digest, but when you see the entirety of the film, you know it’s different and you didn’t dislike it, but I still don’t know whether I liked it or not (somewhere in that middle ground).
The cinematography of the film and how well it gels with the highs and lows of the flow of the storyline is the most appreciable aspect of the film. Alejandro G. Iñárritu has a lot to say in this one, and quite powerfully too, those statements or rather the meaning of those statements won’t have the same impact in generic simple scenes; but here, with all the extravaganza with which it is shown, you’re not only taken aback for a moment, but those scenes stay with you, plus you go into the depth of those scenes – thus, the output of an impactful scene.
The film is not for everybody, and won’t be understood by everyone as well… It takes a while to settle into it, and some time to get into the minds of the creator and what they’re trying to showcase… Throw in the long duration of the film, and it becomes a game of patience. If you can endure it, then you’ll watch something unique, with a strong punch that comes with the storyline.
– Empire of Light
With the trifecta of Sam Mendes, Roger Deakins and Olivia Colman, there were a lot of expectations with the Empire of Light, but it turned out to be a massive disappointment.
Mendes tries to touch upon a lot of important topics in an era we are less aware of, but unfortunately, those issues fail to hit the mark in the larger scheme of things, i.e. the storyline. The story speaks something else, and the different sub-stories are at different wavelengths.
It’s not all bad, it’s a decent watch but when you have those names involved you expect something more. Amongst those three names, the one that shines is Olivia Colman, with yet again, an incredible performance, getting into that character with different emotional wavelengths at different points in the film and showcasing them all too well.
Touching upon the element of cinematography, I didn’t find anything great in this one… I’m not sure why Deakins is nominated here apart from the legendary status that is attached to his name.
Did I like the film? I’m not sure. Could it be better? I think so. Am I recommending it? Not quite; unless you’re also watching all the Oscar-nominated flicks.
– Living
There was such an intriguing factor attached to the film, Living; the moment you start watching it, it dwells you into it and as the story progresses, not only are you enamoured by the film and the characters but the ulterior motive of the film as well.
It has such a soft, innocent and loving tone and approach to it, that’s one of the first things you notice and appreciate. Not only that, but it has so much to speak – about life, your perspective towards life, about relationships, towards a connection with yourself – and the story, quite nicely, hits all those points.
Since it is based in the 50s, the direction has a pivotal role in this one, not only to capture the vibe of that era but to capture the human characteristics of that time – an important factor that plays towards the storyline.
There were quite a few actors who are appreciable of their performance, but mainly Bill Nighy spectacularly nailed his performance… quite gripping, to be honest… how the character evolves with the story, and a showcase of his before and after characteristics were brilliantly acted out by him.
Going into the film, I didn’t think I’d be as impressed by or as appreciative of it, but Living is genuinely an enjoyable film to watch and Bill Nighy’s performance is as well. Recommended!
– Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Whilst watching the film, I wasn’t as appreciative of the film, as I was while watching its behind-the-scenes/making of the film, which added a little more appreciation to it than before.
The amount of effort and creativity with which they’ve created this stop-motion film is staggeringly impressive. The core of the storyline is quite heartfelt, but the progress and its execution felt too stretched, in my personal opinion.
Guillermo del Toro tries to showcase the story of Pinocchio from a humane lens, the expectations of such a character from the people around it, and a perspective of looking at the world from the characters’ eyes; while it was all good, it didn’t feel extraordinary enough.
This film could’ve been made much more maturely and with the same message expressed in a better manner. Reviewing it, there’s quite a battle between the fact that it was beautifully created vs the fact that the execution of the storyline could’ve been much better, and that chaos between the two didn’t make me a fan of this film, although I do understand why it is a frontrunner in the Best Animated film category and why it may win too.
– Babylon
The best thing about Babylon is the truthfulness of its storyline and the worst thing about the film is its duration.
The first half of the film stands out for its quirkiness and messiness, capturing the vibes of the 1920s when filmmaking was a whole different ball game. Right at that half mark is when the pace starts to drop and with all the multiple character arcs running, some of them now start to feel overstretched and some unnecessary.
The focus on the journey/ progress and an outlook of an actor’s life, especially during a time when films were evolving is the standout factor of this film.
But at the crux of it all, Damien Chazelle’s style of filmmaking has its mark all over Babylon – right from the vibe of the film, to the expression of it, those aspects are the appreciating factors of this film.
The cast is quite fantastic here, Brad Pitt is incredible, Margot Robbie is the central highlight of the film, and amongst others, Diego Calva does a good job as well. Tobey Maguire’s cameo is one to watch.
With a good premise and a good cast, the film probably fails in its overextended duration, and a few storytelling areas where it simply fails to hit the mark; at a point when the viewer starts to feel what’s the point of watching this… But from a macro lens, it was a good attempt at making something interesting and showcasing a story that’s not often talked about.
– Blonde
The thing about Blonde is that it’s not a biopic, but a fictionalised story about a real person, and not any person, but one of the most popular names in Hollywood, so then does it deliver?
Where Blonde worked for me was a perspective with which it showcased the trauma, the turmoil, and the exploitations of Marilyn Monroe… was it all true? Probably not. What we do get here is a top-view of what her life at that stage and level could’ve been like… but at the end, it’s all a perspective of looking at things – which at most times becomes too much to watch and might I add, unnecessary. Most importantly, if it’s fiction about a real person, then why are we even watching it – and that question becomes the highlight here for many viewers!?
The only place where Blonde shines is with the performance of Ana De Armas, there’s that middle line where the story becomes the problem for the film but it’s Ana De Armas who saves Blonde for whatever is left of it. She is incredible in her role, showcasing all that pain and trauma (as per the story) and expressing all those emotions.
Another killing aspect of this film is that long-suffering storyline through which you have to survive to reach the end of the film; not knowing why you’re even watching it.
Had this been a film about a random film star and then showcased a perspective of what the popularity at that level brings with it, with a better flow and sense of the storyline and a decent duration, then this film could’ve been better. But Blonde is not.
– All That Breathes
It takes a certain level of skill set to hint at multiple different important topics through the lens of a story which in itself is meaningful and interesting to watch, and that is this documentary, All That Breathes.
It showcases, quite beautifully, this story of two brothers who are dedicated to saving this species of bird, the black kite. That particular story is touching, inspiring and optimistic to watch. But in that outer storyline, its layers that include the relationships between the characters shown, a glimpse of the changing city, the environment, climate change, religion, politics and mainly how that story speaks so much is beautiful to watch.
At times it felt like the pace of the documentary dropped rapidly, and felt quite slow, but a different perspective could also be that you’re able to absorb everything that’s shown more clearly rather than skipping those moments that captured the essence of the story.
What’s particularly to like about All That Breathes is the tone with which it is expressed, the message behind the name and the story, and the inspiring story of these individuals who are doing such incredible work that goes unnoticed in the world.
– Causeway
A simple, straightforward film, which at the brim feels like nothing’s happening, but at the core of it expresses so much that therein lies the beauty of Causeway.
Speaking of what the film is expressing and its storyline, how it talks about not only a soldier’s life and the aftermath of when they are not able to serve anymore, but the perspective that leads to the decisions of life, the topics of trauma, and relationships and life, in general, come out of the simplicity of this film.
Causeway is short, but with a slow pace, however, it works here because while not everything is said directly, it’s the silence and the emotions expressed that bring out everything.
Jennifer Lawrence, yet again, proves the talent powerhouse that she is… the tiny nuances, the emotions, the character portrayal, it’s all superb. And another actor who equally balances the film, and steals the film for many, whose character is of such importance to the story, Brian Tyree Henry is remarkable in the film.
Causeway is not for everyone, you have to absorb what’s being showcased and only then will you be able to appreciate the film and the talent that is being shown here.
– RRR
I watched RRR in the theatre, and I’ve got three words for it… WHAT A SPECTACLE!
SS Rajamouli sure knows how to make the film extravagant for the big screen, moreover, this film was more about that cinematic experience, enjoying those visuals, the cinematography along with the background score on the big screen, which wouldn’t have been even remotely enjoyable at home.
Ram Charan and NTR Jr shine with their stellar performances, absolutely brilliant. The fieriness and the calmness that their characters portray on screen, and through the progress of the storyline is quite something to watch. P. S. Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn have some good roles in there, contrary to the “just cameo performances” flying around.
What can you say about the songs… the beats, the lyrics, the rhythm, the setup, the choreography, and the mix of it all is such an experience, both in audio and video form.
The duration is three hours long, but you don’t think about that for a second… The film touches upon a bunch of topics including the British rule and their torturous regime, the journey and the struggles of those who fought for their country, and mainly, brotherhood and friendship – which is the crux of the story, mixing it all up into a nicely knitted storyline, along with those visuals and the music and the cast, making this into a complete package film for the big screen.
– Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
There are a few rare moments when a character becomes an actor’s legacy and in this case, Chadwick Boseman will always be remembered for his role as King T’Challa and the Black Panther, the duo of roles he fitted in perfectly. A big question loomed over the sequel how Ryan Coogler/ Marvel would address him but how they continued his legacy and mourned his loss whilst also moving forward with the storyline was something they did a great job at.
Right from the introduction of the film to Marvel’s opening credits, it was quite tearful to watch. Speaking of the cast, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke all performed magnificently. Another beautiful aspect of the film was the songs and the background score that was really good to listen to and synced quite well with the depth of those particular scenes.
In the grand scheme of things, Black Panther Wakanda Foreveris a great watch, moving forward the storyline well, keeping a balance of emotions and action throughout the film, whilst also honouring King T’Challa’s legacy. Nothing too forceful when looked at from a macro lens.
Now, when the film is broken down in the micro, is when you can see a few cracks that are the real issues here. The film has quite an uneven pace, where sometimes it feels too slow and sometimes it jumps so quickly, what feels like the important bits of the story and other times, feels forceful/ just for the sake of the storyline.
Not just that, but while the macro emotional essence is aptly expressed, it’s the micro important scenes which lack an emotional element and doesn’t quite connect with the audience. Speaking of which, the third act of the film seemed quite unsatisfactory and forced upon and the topic of uneven pace gets attached to as well.
Could the film be better than this? Yes. Did they honour their central character’s legacy and not butcher the story? Yes. Over the years, would you feel it’s a good watch? Maybe. But, when it’s Black Panther how can you not watch it in the theatres and also continue with the flow of watching each and everything that Marvel releases… Meanwhile, Wakanda Forever!
– The Batman
What changes every few years And yet amazes us every time?
The Batman.
We have a solo Batman film after a decade, and a new Batman/ Bruce Wayne too, this time being played by Robert Pattinson and directed by Matt Reeves. Of course, the expectations are high, but does it deliver?
Matt Reeves has brought to the screen what the Batman is at its core, giving the film a retro and a dark vibe. Reeves’ Batman is all about vengeance and there’s fear and chaos in the air, and the world’s best detective is doing what he does best.
A perfectly-casted Robert Pattinson who delivers quite magnificently, his character is wounded, scarred and the vengeance and darkness can be seen in his eyes – what a performance. He knocked it off with the role of Batman as well as of Bruce Wayne’s.
But that’s not all. Whether it’s Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, John Turturro, oh what castings and brilliant performances all around.
The film is three hours long, and not for a second can you take your eyes off the screen, wondering at the end where did all that time go… What gives it the extra boost is that stunning background music which keeps us constantly amped up, from Michael Giacchino.
The cinematography’s outstanding, some of the shots are just impeccable. Overall, the story, the direction, the music, the casting… Everything’s on point. Without giving into the specifics, another extraordinary aspect of the film was the storyline’s arc, which was quite refreshing to watch.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a solo Batman film and the excitement can be clearly seen, but it does deliver and out of the world too. Maybe the DCEU is finally reviving itself, and there’s some brilliant stuff already incoming from Matt Reeves himself, so all eyes on that now!
It’s that time of the year, the Academy Awards 2023 are due in less than 36 hours!
Having watched all the nominated films, with some really great ones, and some not so much, some being the popular frontrunners and some still not known on a mass level…
Here are my predictions for the Oscars 2023 –
• Best Picture – EverythingEverywhere All at Once
(Everything Everywhere All at Once is a unique and a complete package of a film, one which comes outquite rarely, right from the story to its execution and the cast and their performances, the direction, the cinematography, everything is spot on – which is why it might just win the Best Picture award. Top Gun: Maverick is my favourite filmfrom last year (along with this) and it’s a close second here, if EEAAO is not winning, then it’s Top Gun: Maverick)
• Best Director – The Daniels (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
(This was a close call for me, because ever since I watched The Fabelmans, I thought Steven Spielberg is surely winning this. However, what The Daniels have achieved here, and rightly accomplishing the director’s role with this film, ensuring each department syncs perfectly well with each other, and hitting that vision is absolutely remarkable.)
• Best Actor – Austin Butler/ Brendan Fraser
(the Best Actor category is the toughest to choose from, according to me… all brilliant and rememberable performances… however the two that stood out from the rest were of Austin Butlerin Elvis – who dons the role of Elvis Presley quite magnificently and its quite unimaginable to grasphow pressurizing this role would have been for him. The other performance is of Brendan Fraser, who simply stuns you and leaves you in awe with his performance in The Whale – one that surely stays with you for a while.)
• Best Actress – Michelle Yeoh/ Cate Blanchett
(This Category only has two frontrunners – Michelle Yeoh with her incredible performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Cate Blanchett with a masterpiece portrayal of this fictitious character, Lydia Tár. It’s difficult to choose between the two, but if I was an Academy voter, I’d have put Michelle Yeoh first and Blanchett second in my list.)
• International Feature Film – All Quieton the Western Front
(Argentina, 1985 is another great pick in this category, with a story that should be watched. However, All Quiet on the Western Front is a clear winner for me, to set themselves apart in a plethora of war films that comes out is no easy task; plus the film is worth watching, especially with the perspective that they’ve captured).
• Best Original Song – Naatu Naatu [RRR]
(While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had a great set of songs, and the vibe of those songs are a different class altogether, I’m going to be a little biased here with Naatu Naatu. One, I really love the song, but more than that, I’m loving the global appreciation that it’s receiving and all the awards too. Hopefully an Oscar soon).
(Angela Bassett had such a powerful performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she exuded class in her role; portraying all that ferocity, anger, grief… she’s a clear frontrunner in this category.)
• Best Supporting Actor – Ke Huy Quan(Everything Everywhere All at Once)
(Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan both had great roles in The Banshees of Inisherin, and either might pick a win, if not for Ke Huy Quan, what he has performed with the multi-layered roles he had to play was absolutely fantastic to watch).
• Best Original Screenplay – The Banshees of Inisherin (Martin McDonagh)/ Tár (Todd Field)
(After the Best Actor category, this is the second toughest category to choose from; what a brilliant set of nominated films and to be an original screenplay and to then choose one seems so unfair, but I’ve narrowed it down to two – either The Banshees of Inisherin or Tár, two films with quite a unique story and execution, both hit differently and appreciative outputs at the end).
• Best Adapted Screenplay – Women Talking (Sarah Polley)
(Top Gun: Maverick is a close second here… but what Sarah Polley has executed with Women Talking is something of brilliance, the perspective with which it is told and showcased is not just for that era, but speaks so much for today’s times as well, and that is one of those incredible aspects of that film.)
• Best Cinematography – BARDO, a False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (Darius Khondji)
(One of the most appreciative elements, which also holds the key to the output of BARDO is its remarkable cinematography, the framing of the shots to the flow of those shots to the next frame, or what each frame signifies are all a sight to behold; this film is a good indicator of how important good cinematography is to a film.)
• Best Documentary Feature Film – All That Breathes
(While I have not seen all the nominated documentaries,I’m being a little biased here with All That Breathes, a film from India, with not only a good direct story, but has a lot to tell with all its underlying layers).
• Best Animated Feature – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley)
• Best Production Design – Avatar: The Way of Water (Production Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole)
(However my personal opinion for this film might be, there’s no denying that this, amongst this list of nominated films in the category, or throughout the year, is a clear frontrunner here. James Cameron has a way of world-building in Avatar: The Way of Water, the minute details with which those worlds are designed are amazing to look at and especially how it blends into the storytelling of the film is all quite appreciative.)
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Elvis (Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti)
• Best Costume Design – Elvis (Catherine Martin)
• Best Film Editing – Top Gun: Maverick (Eddie Hamilton)
(Top Gun: Maverick has achieved a lot and excelled in multiple aspects, but one of its less-talked about aspects is the film’s editing – the cuts of the film, or how the sound and the visual scene add to the adrenaline pump in the film, or how it keeps the film fast-paced and invested in for the viewer, the editing in this film is quite brilliant and should be able to win here)
• Best Visual Effects – Top Gun: Maverick (Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson and Scott R. Fisher)
• Best Sound – Top Gun: Maverick (Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor)
• Best Original Score – All Quiet on the Western Front (Volker Bertelmann)
The best thing about Babylon is the truthfulness of its storyline and the worst thing about the film is its duration.
(Here’s the synopsis: Decadence, depravity and outrageous excess lead to the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers in 1920s Hollywood as the industry begins to transition from silent pictures to the world of sound films.)
The first half of the film stands out for its quirkiness and messiness, capturing the vibes of the 1920s when filmmaking was a whole different ball game. Right at that half mark is when the pace starts to drop and with all the multiple character arcs running, some of them now start to feel overstretched and some unnecessary.
The focus on the journey/ progress and an outlook of an actor’s life, especially during a time when films were evolving is the standout factor of this film.
But at the crux of it all, Damien Chazelle’s style of filmmaking has its mark all over Babylon – right from the vibe of the film, to the expression of it, those aspects are the appreciating factors of this film.
The cast is quite fantastic here, Brad Pitt is incredible, Margot Robbie is the central highlight of the film, and amongst others, Diego Calva does a good job as well. Tobey Maguire’s cameo is one to watch.
With a good premise and a good cast, the film probably fails in its overextended duration, and a few storytelling areas where it simply fails to hit the mark; at a point when the viewer starts to feel what’s the point of watching this… But from a macro lens, it was a good attempt at making something interesting and showcasing a story that’s not often talked about.
A simple, straightforward film, which at the brim feels like nothing’s happening, but at the core of it expresses so much that therein lies the beauty of Causeway.
(Here’s the synopsis: Lynsey, a U.S. soldier, experiences a traumatic brain injury during her tour in Afghanistan which forces her to return home. She struggles to return to her daily life with her mother as she waits for her eventual redeployment.)
Speaking of what the film is expressing and its storyline, how it talks about not only a soldier’s life and the aftermath of when they are not able to serve anymore, but the perspective that leads to the decisions of life, the topics of trauma, and relationships and life, in general, come out of the simplicity of this film.
Causeway is short, but with a slow pace, however, it works here because while not everything is said directly, it’s the silence and the emotions expressed that bring out everything.
Jennifer Lawrence, yet again, proves the talent powerhouse that she is… the tiny nuances, the emotions, the character portrayal, it’s all superb. And another actor who equally balances the film, and steals the film for many, whose character is of such importance to the story, Brian Tyree Henry is remarkable in the film.
Causeway is not for everyone, you have to absorb what’s being showcased and only then will you be able to appreciate the film and the talent that is being shown here.
It takes a certain level of skill set to hint at multiple different important topics through the lens of a story which in itself is meaningful and interesting to watch, and that is this documentary, All That Breathes.
(Here’s the official synopsis: As legions of birds fall from New Delhi’s skies and the city smolders with social unrest, two brothers race to save one of the casualties: a majestic black kite, a bird of prey essential to their city’s ecosystem.)
It showcases, quite beautifully, this story of two brothers who are dedicated to saving this species of bird, the black kite. That particular story is touching, inspiring and optimistic to watch. But in that outer storyline, its layers that include the relationships between the characters shown, a glimpse of the changing city, the environment, climate change, religion, politics and mainly how that story speaks so much is beautiful to watch.
At times it felt like the pace of the documentary dropped rapidly, and felt quite slow, but a different perspective could also be that you’re able to absorb everything that’s shown more clearly rather than skipping those moments that captured the essence of the story.
What’s particularly to like about All That Breathes is the tone with which it is expressed, the message behind the name and the story, and the inspiring story of these individuals who are doing such incredible work that goes unnoticed in the world.
Whilst watching the film, I wasn’t as appreciative of the film, as I was while watching its behind-the-scenes/making of the film, which added a little more appreciation to it than before.
The amount of effort and creativity with which they’ve created this stop-motion film is staggeringly impressive. The core of the storyline is quite heartfelt, but the progress and its execution felt too stretched, in my personal opinion.
(Here’s the official synopsis: A father’s wish magically brings a wooden boy to life in Italy, giving him a chance to care for the child. However, the two of them have to struggle to find a place for themselves as Italy becomes embroiled in fascism.)
Guillermo del Toro tries to showcase the story of Pinocchio from a humane lens, the expectations of such a character from the people around it, and a perspective of looking at the world from the characters’ eyes; while it was all good, it didn’t feel extraordinary enough.
This film could’ve been made much more maturely and with the same message expressed in a better manner. Reviewing it, there’s quite a battle between the fact that it was beautifully created vs the fact that the execution of the storyline could’ve been much better, and that chaos between the two didn’t make me a fan of this film, although I do understand why it is a frontrunner in the Best Animated film category and why it may win too.
There was such an intriguing factor attached to the film, Living; the moment you start watching it, it dwells you into it and as the story progresses, not only are you enamoured by the film and the characters but the ulterior motive of the film as well.
(Here’s the official synopsis: LIVING is the story of an ordinary man, reduced by years of oppressive office routine to a shadow existence, who at the eleventh hour makes a supreme effort to turn his dull life into something wonderful.)
It has such a soft, innocent and loving tone and approach to it, that’s one of the first things you notice and appreciate. Not only that, but it has so much to speak – about life, your perspective towards life, about relationships, towards a connection with yourself – and the story, quite nicely, hits all those points.
Since it is based in the 50s, the direction has a pivotal role in this one, not only to capture the vibe of that era but to capture the human characteristics of that time – an important factor that plays towards the storyline.
There were quite a few actors who are appreciable of their performance, but mainly Bill Nighy spectacularly nailed his performance… quite gripping, to be honest… how the character evolves with the story, and a showcase of his before and after characteristics were brilliantly acted out by him.
Going into the film, I didn’t think I’d be as impressed by or as appreciative of it, but Living is genuinely an enjoyable film to watch and Bill Nighy’s performance is as well. Recommended!
Only a handful of films have the ability to test the boundaries of logic, and yet make sense; packed with the power of storytelling, cast and cinematography; and in this case, checking off all the items is Everything Everywhere All at Once. Mesmerising! Powerful! and moreover, Extraordinary!
(Here’s the official synopsis: A Chinese immigrant gets unwillingly embroiled in an epic adventure where she must connect different versions of herself in the parallel universe to stop someone who intends to harm the multiverse.)
Right off the bat, let’s start with the storytelling, the thread that keeps this film intact right from the start to the end, whether it’s the focus on the message of life, how its experience/ impact is measured; and how such a serious message is told in a fun, quirky way with the concept of multiverses – a concept which has been mishandled by bigger players, but here, so beautifully put together.
Not for a second would you feel what’s happening or an element of confusion. Everything Everywhere All at Once is told in simple language, with a mix of quirkiness, laughable/ sad moments (alongside a bunch of many other emotions), deep thinkable moments and sometimes just say-to-day relatable stuff.
Putting that storytelling on a pedestal is the appreciative production design and the framing of the shots, anything less and the end experience would’ve been just mild and not been the strength of the film.
Speaking of strength, Michelle Yeoh is FANTASTIC in this film, what an applause-worthy performance! To enact this complex character, going through this wide range of emotions and then expressing all these character traits whilst also staying true to the core of the character/ the message of the film – it’s not an easy task and she has simply excelled at it. Another shout out to Ke Huy Quan whose character is equally important and core to this film and delivers remarkably well.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is mesmerising, and its concept is even more. The storyline itself and at the back end what it’s actually trying to convey, both are equally great to watch and at the end of it, you’re simply glad that you chose to watch it.
Every year we get a few films based on the two World Wars, either from the front-end war point of view or from a behind-the-scenes strategy/ analytical point of view; this time, with All Quiet on the Western Front, we get a fresh and different perspective – shown through the eyes of this solder, Paul Bäumer.
(Here’s the official synopsis: When 17-year-old Paul joins the Western Front in World War I, his initial excitement is soon shattered by the grim reality of life in the trenches.)
The film progresses through how Paul and his friends are filled with enthusiasm to serve their country and participate in the war, only to then witness the reality and the life that is lived on a day-to-day basis.
All Quiet on the Western Front not only shows you the bureaucracy and the impact of the decisions that a few people in power take and their results on a majority of people, but it very well takes you on a journey of emotions that a soldier goes through, at various points in such war. Those story points, and those emotions captured, especially with the perspective they’ve shown it is what makes this film special and a great watch.
There are quite some films in this genre, and a lot more stories still to be told, but apart from the screenplay, there are two other aspects that set such films apart – the cinematography and the sound. If those aspects are equally focused upon, then you’ve got a great mix of a product to deliver and so is the case with All Quiet on the Western Front.
Because there are moments of darkness, sadness, regret, victory, pressure, relief and more, it is those aspects which complement the storytelling, along with the cast’s performance of course. Speaking of which, Felix Kammerer the central character in the film has performed remarkably well and holds the film quite firmly on his shoulders (overall, the entire cast has done a great job here).
The film sets a new benchmark for the storytelling of war films, it was a great perspective to watch, not only is it enjoyable, but the takeaways from it are something that stays with you/ something to ponder upon.
While Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam seems simple and confusing, it actually is complex with a lot of layers to unpack and that is the beauty of a Lijo Jose Pellissery film.
(Here’s the official synopsis: A group of Malayali travelers were returning to Kerala by bus after their visit to Velankanni, doze off in a lazy nap. When James stops the bus in a village in Tamil Nadu, Sundaram behaves like him and confusing them. He walks amidst faith, delusion, dream and trance.)
There are a few flaws/ unanswered questions that are skipped/ looked upon, with an expectation for the viewer to do the same probably; but that doesn’t affect the overall experience and the impact of the story. A look into how two different groups of people/ communities live and how they react to a common experience; the types of thoughts they have towards each other… basically, an insight into the functioning of society from two different angles.
The shots of the film – the framing, the cinematography is an aspect to focus upon, since it plays a huge role in the showcasing of that perspective which the filmmaker is trying to express.
Mammootty is the central part of the film, with the entire execution of the story relying around his character and he performs the role of two different characters brilliantly. What’s to appreciate is the type of films that he has been doing recently, how experimental they are and pushing the boundaries of cinema.
NNM is a film that has to be viewed beyond what’s being showed on screen, it’s deep, with a sense and tone of simplicity. There’s always something great to expect from Malayalam films and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam is no exception.
With the trifecta of Sam Mendes, Roger Deakins and Olivia Colman, there were a lot of expectations with the Empire of Light, but it turned out to be a massive disappointment.
(Here’s the official synopsis: The duty manager of a seaside cinema, who is struggling with her mental health, forms a relationship with a new employee on the south coast of England in the 1980s.)
Mendes tries to touch upon a lot of important topics in an era we are less aware of, but unfortunately, those issues fail to hit the mark in the larger scheme of things, i.e. the storyline. The story speaks something else, and the different sub-stories are at different wavelengths.
It’s not all bad, it’s a decent watch but when you have those names involved you expect something more. Amongst those three names, the one that shines is Olivia Colman, with yet again, an incredible performance, getting into that character with different emotional wavelengths at different points in the film and showcasing them all too well.
Touching upon the element of cinematography, I didn’t find anything great in this one… I’m not sure why Deakins is nominated here apart from the legendary status that is attached to his name.
Did I like the film? I’m not sure. Could it be better? I think so. Am I recommending it? Not quite; unless you’re also watching all the Oscar-nominated flicks.
WOW! To be mesmerized by this film is an understatement… how The Whale has brought forth its message, the cause and effect, the characters, their relationships, every factor was a beauty to watch.
(Here’s the official synopsis: From Darren Aronofsky comes The Whale, the story of a reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.)
First and foremost, Brendan Fraser take a bow! WHAT A PERFORMANCE! To get into the skin of this character and to convey all those emotions is no easy task and the way he has showcased it all is simply remarkable. You’re in awe of his performance whilst also getting absorbed in that storyline, and the mix of the two is just fantastic.
Speaking of which, the layers of the story and its effect on the character behaviours, the habits and repercussions, the dynamics between different relationships, there’s something to be seen and spoken of for everything… The cause and effect of the emotional takeaways and addictive behaviours were one of the most fascinating and realistic aspects to watch in this film.
While the film seems compact, Darren Aronofsky shows us how can you do more with less… One location but there’s something to be noticed in every shot; few characters but each with different characteristics. While Fraser is already brilliant here, Sadie Sink and Hong Chau are no less, both with characters and their personalities interesting to watch.
The film is short with a slow pace, but you’re too invested in the film to notice that or let that bother you. In all, The Whale has so much depth and so many emotions, there’s much to absorb here. Be ready to shed some tears at the end… Absolutely recommended.
While I was eagerly waiting to watch Varisu, and while it is generically entertaining, it, unfortunately, is not a film to stand on its own. By generically entertaining, I mean that when watched with an open mind, and letting go of a few things, and if you’re a Thalapathy fan, you won’t be entirely disappointed by it.
By not being able to stand on its own, I mean that with a great number of flaws, it has a heavily generic storyline which is being repeated for years – either with the flow of the storyline or its overall message, there are only misses and no hits.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Vijay, the prodigal son of business tycoon Rajendran agrees to take over the reins of the business, much to the chagrin of his brothers. But can Vijay prove himself to be a worthy varisu and also reunite his now-broken family?)
As usual, Thalapathy shines with his acting, his vibe, and his dance moves – but the story is so weak that even the surrounding cast or himself aren’t able to do much with it. To specify three more performances in particular that were notable are of Yogi Babu, Prakash Raj and R. Sarathkumar.
The songs of the film are extraordinary as usual, I have hardly come across a Vijay film where the songs weren’t above a level of good.
The only reason to watch this film and the only reason you’ll be able to slightly enjoy this film is only if you are a Thalapathy Vijay fan. Otherwise, it’s a hard skip.
Women Talking is one of those films which you feel you won’t be watching and you end up liking it once you’re done with it; a film with a great premise and is quite powerful indeed…
(Here’s the official synopsis: Do nothing. Stay and fight. Or leave. In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith.)
While the film clearly states that it’s a tale of imagination, there are two aspects where the film shines – one, a perspective into the lives of women (and generally the people representing a certain point of view/ in a certain location). Second, the showcasing of a stark difference between the point of view/ world we are aware of vs a world of a smaller community elsewhere and what their lives could be like.
Sarah Polley sets the structure of the film in such a way, that within a few minutes of the film, you know what you’re in for, and while the film is purely dialogue-driven, the emotions/ the depth/ the insights that are coming out of those conversations are what’s interesting to watch; mixed with a few playful scenes to keep up with the highs and lows.
Since the film is all dialogues, the background or the other elements have a lesser role to play, and it all comes down to the emotional expression of the characters and the state of mind with which they’re expressing – herein, we get a great cast who do quite a good job with their performances, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, amongst others.
The film is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea; few will be able to watch and fewer will be able to absorb what’s being expressed, but if you do, you’ll be able to experience a great film indeed.
While To Leslie was a good film to watch, I also felt that it was too generic, and there was nothing unique about the story; we’ve seen it before and we’re seeing it yet again. Does it resonate with the real world? Yes. But then again, there’s a limit to how many times can you watch the same stuff again and again.
On top of that, add all the Oscars controversy surrounding the film and the nomination of Andrea Riseborough in the Best Actress category, and it’s just a buzzkill. Good acting from Andrea Riseborough, notable performance, but contender material, I’m not sure.
(Here’s the official synopsis: A single mother turns to alcoholism after using up all the prize money she received after winning the lottery. She soon finds the chance to turn her life around when a motel owner offers her a job.)
The only thing I’d appreciate about the film is how it ends, and that final phase is the only good thing about it. Otherwise, other than the perspective with which they’re showcasing the film, I didn’t find any depth in the emotions, any of the relationship dynamics, or even the characters.
A forceful film that had to be watched, as it was Oscars nominated, but other than that, I won’t be recommending it to anyone.
Powerful! The rise and fall of an artist/ a known individual in the public eye, and their relationship with power, people and the dynamics of such life is brilliantly showcased in TÁR.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Set in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and the very first female director of a major German orchestra.)
The most appreciative and brilliant aspect of this film is Cate Blanchett’s performance – while the pace of the story seems slow at times, or while it may seem flaking away from its core, or at times feels too dialogue-driven, it is her performance that holds the film together and carries you through the emotional journey of the character and the message of the film.
Through the storyline, it’s not just about the progress of it that is speaking out, but the tiny details of the character behaviour and the environment that add to the depth of what’s being showcased – and while it was from the creators or the cast, the little additions did add to the appreciating factors of TÁR.
It is long, there’s no denying that and sometimes stretched – yes, the creators wanted the viewer to get into the depths and absorb the emotions, but that approach then becomes limiting and not for everyone.
The last 15 minutes were a show of brilliance; mainly how the film starts and the words being spoken and then how the film ends speaks volumes; it wasn’t only shocking, but the reality check was a daunting sight to see. In today’s times, it seems like a recurring story in reality, and TÁR takes you on that journey quite well.
When you watch an Alejandro G. Iñárritu film, you realize that he is his own genre, his style of filmmaking and what he is trying to express is completely different from the rest of the films, and like or hate his films, but there’s some uniqueness to them and they always leave you in awe.
(Here’s the official synopsis: A renowned Mexican journalist and documentary filmmaker returns home and works through an existential crisis as he grapples with his identity, familial relationships and the folly of his memories.)
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths – is another film that is added to that list. At first glance, you’re so invested in the weirdness of the scene that you don’t even understand what you’re watching, and then you realize the title of the film and then try to understand the layer beneath the scene and what is being expressed here. And not just one, but there are quite a lot of weird scenes that take a moment to digest, but when you see the entirety of the film, you know it’s different and you didn’t dislike it, but I still don’t know whether I liked it or not (somewhere in that middle ground).
The cinematography of the film and how well it gels with the highs and lows of the flow of the storyline is the most appreciable aspect of the film. Alejandro G. Iñárritu has a lot to say in this one, and quite powerfully too, those statements or rather the meaning of those statements won’t have the same impact in generic simple scenes; but here, with all the extravaganza with which it is shown, you’re not only taken aback for a moment, but those scenes stay with you, plus you go into the depth of those scenes – thus, the output of an impactful scene.
The film is not for everybody, and won’t be understood by everyone as well… It takes a while to settle into it, and some time to get into the minds of the creator and what they’re trying to showcase… Throw in the long duration of the film, and it becomes a game of patience. If you can endure it, then you’ll watch something unique, with a strong punch that comes with the storyline.
While not every film is everyone’s cup of tea, some have their genres aligned, and some are open to all, and while I prefer to be the latter one, there are only a few rare occasions when the film is good but it simply didn’t align with my tastes, and Aftersun is, unfortunately, one of those for me.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t…)
Knowing what the story is, and knowing what the filmmaker is trying to convey, one – is quite appreciative, and second, I can also understand why a lot of people are loving the film; the story has a lot of depth to it and requires an emotional bandwidth to grasp what is being told and is quite relatable to a lot of people (when you understand the perspective that is being told).
Speaking of depth, Aftersun has quite a powerful message and a bunch of powerful moments throughout the film, also knowing that the director, Charlotte Wells, is speaking from a personal experience adds a lot of weightage to it.
Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio are brilliant across the film, with strikingly mesmerising performances, making you fall in love with their characters. The camaraderie and chemistry between this father-daughter duo is quite a sweet aspect of the film.
While there’s much to appreciate about the film, it all comes down to a matter of personal taste and whether you were fully able to watch the film with enthusiasm and enjoyment, and both of those factors remained unticked for me… but I’d still recommend this film to those who have an interest in indie/ off-beat kind of films because, at the end of it, it’d be a good film to watch.
It is, only a few times when the important/ historical moments of a particular place are known globally, and through films, that entire process and outcome is then shared beautifully – you’re not only getting to watch a good film but also learning something new in the process – and that is Argentina, 1985.
(Here’s the official synopsis: The true story of how a public prosecutor, a young lawyer, and their inexperienced legal team dared to prosecute the heads of Argentina’s bloody military dictatorship.)
The main attraction point of this film is their focus on the delivery of the story, not just the flow of it, or its emotional strength, but also how it is presented to the audience. The viewers will not know the history of this story, or the events around the democracy of Argentina, but Argentina, 1985 opens the doors giving you a glimpse of that.
It was quite an interesting film to watch, while I may not be aware of the cast members, their performances were one to appreciate. Again, from the duration point of view, once it begins, there’s so much happening with all the information to process, that the movie runs at quite a good pace, not realizing how that time has already passed. There are quite a bunch of moments that stay with you, sometimes for their comical timing, sometimes for their emotionality, and sometimes just for the power that is showcased on the screen.
As Bong Joon-ho famously said once, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”, and yet again that quote is proved right, as this was my first Argentine film to watch, and I’m glad I did watch it. Argentina, 1985 is a great one to watch, and at the end of it, you’ll not only be impressed by it but also inspired by it.
I did not know what to expect going into this film, but it was weird, not knowing what was going to happen next, with this eerieness in the background and yet, the film keeps you hooked from the first frame onto the last.
Triangle of Sadness is a satire, commenting on a lot of topics, including power dynamics, capitalism, Marxism, socialism, relationships, and the perspective with which it is shown is great to watch. The subtlety with which it syncs with the flow of the story, and how this storyline keeps building up, building the tension is another appreciating factor of the film.
(Here’s the official synopsis: In Ruben Östlund’s wickedly funny Palme d’Or winner, social hierarchy is turned upside down, revealing the tawdry relationship between power and beauty.)
There are a bunch of laughable (dark) moments in the film, which may not be counted as comedy, but because they seem true and real, you cannot help but giggle a bit during those scenes.
From the entire film’s perspective, there’s so much happening, and so much to process, that you don’t realize how you’re already halfway through the film or when it’s over too. Sometimes it’s not only about the pace or the duration, but the material, and that’s the beauty of Triangle of Sadness.
Various characters in the film, all with shared limelight and each representing their respective personalities and flaws, which is understood after watching the film and getting a grasp of the story.
In all, Triangle of Sadness is a great watch, loved the tone of the film, and the only suggestion would be to not watch it while eating food, or while travelling. Other than that, a recommended watch.
The Raj and DK name has become synonymous with good content, great characters and an enjoyable storyline – a combination of three elements that together hit the sweet spot of a great movie/ tv show and this time, it’s Farzi that hits the target yet again.
(Here’s the official synopsis: An artist who gets pulled into the murky high stakes of a con job and a fiery task force officer on the mission to rid the country of his menaces in a fast-paced, edgy one-of-a-kind thriller.)
Whether it’s the character building, and speaking of a great cast, in the likes of Vijay Sethupathi, Shahid Kapoor, Raashi Khanna, Bhuvan Arora, Kay Kay Menon, Zakir Hussain, Jaswant Dalal and the many others who all played a key part in the storyline, and either with respect to their individual strengths or the chemistry they’d with other characters, everyone was a delight to watch on screen. (s/o to the Vijay Sethupathi-Zakir Hussain dynamic, every time they’re on screen together, it’ll a laughter riot)
While the storyline may seem generic from a macro perspective, the approach and the twists and turns in the micro, along with the Raj and DK Universe building, all make Farzi a complete package to watch.
While the cast and creators are brilliant, the story is too, one element of Farzi that makes it great is its dialogues, esp the one-liners and the beautiful process of how they sync with the flow of the story as well as each character getting to say something brilliant at some point.
All in all, Farzi is a fun, binge-able series, another masterpiece added to the filmography of Raj and DK, a brilliant cast with great chemistry and dynamics, and memorable + hilarious moments/ dialogues. Highly recommended.
We’ve heard of Elvis Presley and his songs, but do we know his journey or the events occurred that shaped his life, this film Elvis does a great job at it, keeps you engrossed throughout and moreover, what’s the sign of a good film? If it gets you so invested, you become tearful at the end of it… that’s Elvis!
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks)).
Baz Luhrmann has done a brilliant job with this film, right from the flow of the storyline to the showcasing of the emotions, of the characters and from the scenes that speak more than the words. There’s some right and so much wrong that occurs throughout that those moments keep pinching you, and it shows how powerful the film is to watch.
The film, I feel, does justice to the man and brings to light a perspective through you which you get to view Elvis’s journey and everything that happened around him. Another factor responsible for this output is the power-packed performance from Austin Butler, the efforts put in for the role can be clearly seen and appreciated. Right from capturing the style to the energy on stage, Austin Butler quite brilliantly performs the role of Elvis Presley and rightly gets the Oscar nomination for the Best Actor Role.
Tom Hanks hasn’t been seen in such a role before, and while there could be a lot to say about the character, Tom Hanks has done quite a good job at it.
With all the songs, and the story, the film Elvis is a delight to watch, along with Austin Butler’s performance, the final result is something. All in all, it was a vibe to watch!
Before watching Trial By Fire, I wasn’t aware of the exact events of this incident and the aftermath that occurred, and therein lies the appreciation of the show, of how brilliantly they shot the series, taking you through the experience and the emotions of it; the depth with which they’ve researched and executed for the show is all praise-worthy.
(Here’s the official synopsis: After the deadly Uphaar cinema fire, two grief-stricken parents navigate the loss of their kids and a dogged fight for justice. Based on true events.)
To first highlight a story of this stature for the masses and then execute it well, keeping you on the edge, keeping you engrossed with the characters’ journeys is no easy task. Speaking of the characters, the creators of the show have again done a great job at showcasing all the characters, ensuring that as a viewer, you’re able to grasp and experience each character’s emotions throughout.
Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande have performed their roles brilliantly, capturing the scenes quite perfectly… in every scene, you’re able to make out what their character is going through at that moment.
While the event was horrific in itself, and the turmoil that people involved in it would’ve gone through, to first showcase it – shot wise, execution wise, and the events leading up to it and the aftermath, how it should be packaged and served, Trial By Fire is one of the best shows to come out of the Indian OTT ecosystem. If you’re able to sit through the events that unfolded, it’s firstly quite an eye-opening and secondly grasp-y show to watch that takes you on an emotional roller-coaster journey.
One year, you receive a gift with exciting packaging, but when you open it, it is all shiny but a generic gift. Another year, there’s another gift with some catchy packaging, only to find the exact gift within. That’s Avatar: The Way of Water.
You can keep peeling the layers of an onion, but it will still remain an onion. James Cameron tries to introduce a new world and introduce new characters and arcs that come along with them, but at its core, it feels like a newly packaged Avatar 1.
(Here’s the synopsis of the film: Jake Sully and Ney’tiri have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together. However, they must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora. When an ancient threat resurfaces, Jake must fight a difficult war against the humans.)
While I personally don’t understand the hype around the film, what I can agree upon and also appreciate is that Avatar: The Way of Water is truly a film for the theatres and even more so, when experienced in 4DX… it gives you a first-hand experience of the film, making you a part of it and that’s the only enjoyable factor of this film.
Another appreciative factor is the detailing that has gone into creating this world, and the tiny nuances of the environment, creatures etc. While the film is 3 hours and 12 minutes LONG, the amount of development around this detailing and the exploration of it is what keeps you engaged through the film (along with the 4DX experience).
Remove James Cameron’s name from the film, and it’d be quite interesting to see if the film receives the amount of appreciation that it gets. When it comes to the characters or the storyline, there’s really not much to explore or talk about… it all seems very generic in nice packaging and we’re probably going to get the same in the future parts as well.
The Oscars contention was my only reason to watch this film, and while I’m not extremely dissatisfied with it, I’ll only suggest that if you have to watch it, then it’s one for the theatres and not for the home screens.
In the shortest amount of words to describe An Action Hero, what a great film it was! I’m not sure why this film is not spoken of much, or why it didn’t do the box office numbers, but it is easily one of the top films of the year.
Right off the bat, the film reels you in nicely and starts setting up the characters and their characteristics/ traits. One of its advantages is its combination of short duration (2 hrs) and being quite fast-paced, a combination not usually seen, mix with that a good storyline and you’ve got quite a nice package there.
The meta-ness of the film is one of the loveliest factors to watch, the parallels that are being run with the media angle and the public opinion angle are quite brilliant to watch… throughout the film, there’s an arc that speaks more about us than what we are just seeing on the screen.
Another aspect that has to be mentioned is the authenticity of the action sequences, they had a rawness in them that wasn’t seeming over the top at all and was quite enjoyable to watch. The direction and cinematography are to be appreciated here since it plays such a massive role in these scenes.
Speaking of the cast, Ayushmann Khurrana and Jaideep Ahlawat have performed remarkably well and thoroughly held the film on their shoulders. The background music to the scenes and characters was another appreciative factor that gave their performances a boost.
All in all, there’s much to appreciate about this film, and simultaneously has flaws as well, but overall, it’s such a good watch that you overcome them and look at how much you enjoyed the film, how you were hooked to the screen not wanting to move at all, loving the meta-ness and the core of the storyline. Loved An Action Hero, and cannot recommend it enough.
First and foremost, SRK is back on the big screen and that in itself is a celebration. It was a delight to watch him, right from his entry scene (and that great meta dialogue), to his action sequences, through and through this film is SRK and what a grand way to be back…
Speaking of the film, Pathaan is designed to be a massy film, so you get some romance, some one-liners, and an overdose of action. Just when you think this is the most you’d see, there’d be another scene that’ll go overboard with the action.
Sometimes it was good to watch, and sometimes it did feel overextended. Now, the storyline. While the highlight remains the cast and with their primary focus on action, they didn’t know when to hit the pause button. The storyline isn’t unique, just a few ingredients mixed with the same old formula, filled with back story after back story, leaving you with a need for a second to understand the progress of the storyline.
When it comes to the cast, we’ve already spoken of SRK, but another actor stealing the light is the performance of John Abraham, who does a stellar job with his role. Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana have lesser screen time, but still significant roles. The one who falls back is Deepika Padukone, who gets her share of important scenes and action scenes, but not a performance to remember.
While it was already teased that this is a part of the YRF Spy Universe and we already had a few expectations in that area, and without spoiling anything, the expectations do deliver and in style.
In all, Pathaan is a good watch, it’s criticisms and breakdowns are from the perspective of the film generally. But this is SRK’s Pathaan and although it’s a one-time watch, you cannot miss his comeback.
The Banshees of Inisherin isn’t what you’d expect at all in the first place; while it is slow and heavily dialogue-driven, when you’re patient with it is also when you start appreciating the film.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.)
The film revolves around the topic of friendship and the events that occur when a close friend suddenly cuts off their ties, as the synopsis reads, and how the storyline portrays that is quite a watch. How such an event affects the parties involved, and how it plays out is the fascinating factor of the film.
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson have played such fantastic parts, and how their chemistry unravels throughout the progression of the film, it’s a delight to watch them together. By the end of the film, you’re equally amazed at how the film turned out and at your reaction to the film.
The film is a frontrunner for the awards season, along with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson up as contenders too, and is surely going to make some noise.
If you weren’t already convinced of Janhvi Kapoor’s acting talent after Gunjan Saxena, then here’s another film where her character shines though, where her acting prowess is tested and she delivers.
(Here’s the synopsis of the film: Young Mili is abducted and finds herself trapped in a freezer with no way out, and every ticking second lowers her chances of survival.)
Mili is a simple, straightforward film, where the first act sets up the characters nicely, and the main storyline begins soon after, but it is not one of those where predictable outcomes come into the way. This film is more of watching it in the process, how it’s shot and directed, how the audiences’ emotions change with all the ups and downs throughout, and waiting to know how it’s going to play out in the next second… The third act is quite praise-worthy in the film.
Janhvi Kapoor and Manoj Pahwa make as the central characters of the film, where we have already spoken of one, and Manoj Pahwa is someone who completes the film and makes it wholesome. Without his presence, without his character, the film and his emotional strength may have fallen into another tangent altogether. Sunny Kaushal plays a small yet good part in the film.
Mili is a film which takes you across a wavelength of emotions, from start to end keeps you eyed on the screen, and doesn’t disappoint at all as a choice of film to watch.
The less you read about the film before watching it, the better; there’s a lot of curiosity as to where the film is heading when you are watching it, and while the final act may or may not be agreed upon, the message of what The Menu is trying to convey and how that message is delivered is quite intriguing.
(Here’s the synopsis of the film:A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.)
Beginning from the powerful appeal of how food is showcased in the film, to how exquisite the dishes look is one of the strong points of the film. Not just that, but how it was used as a medium to explain the connection between the art and the artist and the perception of that art from the consumer’s viewpoint, and the correlation between the two points was quite fascinating to watch.
1) When does art stop becoming art for an artist? 2) Does the consumer of the art really able to appreciate the art or the artist?
Two questions, or rather two lessons that stay with you, whilst and after watching The Menu are something to think about, considering the world that we live in and how it evolves.
1) When does art stop becoming art for an artist? Art doesn’t specifically limit to a painting per se, but anything that the artist is creating (food dishes from the chef, as shown in the film; songs from the singer/ songwriter; films from the director/ writer). Such creations are then put out for the world to consume, and at some point during the artist’s journey into their creations, a commercial value starts attaching to their work. With time, if the art is good, then there’s a rise in the value as well and maybe/ maybe not, but it starts to consume the artist as well.
The question that arises in such a journey is when does the art stop becoming art for this artist… and when are they doing it simply to not even gain, but to deliver the said commercial value that is attached to the art. The artist creates their art as an expression of something that they want to convey, and when that stops, they’re basically acting as a machine delivering the output, but somewhere they are not invested in the process anymore.
2) Does the consumer of the art able to appreciate the art or the artist? This particular point has the strength to stand alone, as well as correlates with the point of the artist becoming a machine. This second point thus breaks down further into two more points…
A. The initial consumers that consume the art are the biggest appreciators of it, who see the art for what it is, and because of their word, the said value starts getting attached to the art. Now, there’s an influx of consumers because of the value that is attached to the art, which means these second or third set of consumers are now appreciating the art not for what it is, but because of the value that is attached to it. Thereby the question that pops up, is whether these consumers are appreciating the art or the artist, or just the buzz or the value that is attached to it.
B. Correlating all the factors leads to this point where the influx of consumers increases, and the buzz and the value of the art and the artist increase too… but because there’s so much value to it that there’s now a demand to do the same every time. Herein comes the point when the artist becomes a machine producing the same output for a different set of people, because the new bunch demand the same that the previous bunch liked.
Amongst all of it, is a correlation where all the threads join, is the art being produced still art for the artist and whether the one consuming it is able to appreciate it as art or just the value of it?
The Menu, brilliantly directed by Mark Mylod does a great job at highlighting this through a ‘questionable’ storyline, which again will be appreciated by some and not by some (artception). Ralph Fiennes portrayed his role of the chef/ artist remarkably well and hats off to him for the execution of the final phases of the film. While the cast had been chosen effectively in portraying the role of such consumers (as explained above), Anya-Taylor Joy is another highlight of the film who is creating a balance between the two above-mentioned factors of the film and her character stands out outstandingly well, when you see how the story plays out in the film.
The Menu is a must-watch; each viewer shall surely be having their own takeaways to this.
The last week of December period is the time when I mainly focus upon sharing my recommendations of the year, be it the top songs or podcasts, or the top performances, or the top tv shows or films… with everything that I’ve consumed, it gives me the opportunity to share what I liked the best from all that consumption, in those respective categories. Here’s my list of the top 10 films of 2022…
45, 339 minutes was the amount of time I listened to music on Spotify this year, and having listened to different artists, different genres, songs of different languages, I not only had a lot of playlists created, but also explored a variety of songs, and amongst all that listening, here’s my list of the top 10 Tamil/ Telugu/ Hindi/ Malayalam/ English Songs of 2022…
Top 10 Songs of 2022:
English –
Hard Drive Gold (alt-J)
Potion (Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Young Thug)
Con La Brisa (Foudeqush/ Ludwig Grandson – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Do It Better (Felix Jaehn)
My Myself & I (5 Seconds of Summer)
Everything But You (Clean Bandit/ A7S)
It Isn’t Me (22Bullets, TIA RAY, KSHMR)
AEIOU (Justin Quiles/ Robin Schulz)
Somewhere (Andrah, Syn Cole)
All That Really Matters (Illenium/ Teddy Swims)
Hindi –
Toofan (Sandesh Datta Naik – KGF Chapter 2)
Nain Ta Heere (Guru Randhawa/ Ashes Kaur – JugJugg Jeeyo)
Sulthan (Brijesh Shandilya – KGF Chapter 2)
Deva Deva (Arijit Singh – Brahmastra Part One: Shiva)
Mera Love Main (Amit Trivedi – Chup: Revenge of the Artist)
With the crazy good content that came out this year, including the movies and the tv shows, with the all the good writing and direction, it doesn’t limit to those two categories, but the cinematography, the music/ sound, and mainly the cast too. Whilst I list out the best movies, tv shows, podcasts etc of the year, this is a list of the top 15 performances of 2022 (according to me).
Top 15 Performances of 2022:
1. Karthi (Sardar, Viruman, Ponniyin Selvan – 1)
2. Shefali Shah (Human, Delhi Crime – 2, Darlings, Jalsa, Doctor G)
3. Mrunal Thakur (Sita Ramam)
4. Dulquer Salmaan (Sita Ramam, Chup: Revenge of the Artist)
5. Rishab Shetty (Kantara)
6. Harshvardhan Kapoor (Thar)
7. Alia Bhatt (Gangubai Kathiawadi, RRR, Darlings)
There was a lot of chatter around this film, and when it came out, my only reason to go ahead with the film was Steven Spielberg, not having read the synopsis nor watched the trailer. To my surprise, the film was so interesting, and the delightful part was the progression of the storyline.
(Here’s the synopsis: Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother.)
One, the film is based on Spielberg’s life which is quite fascinating in itself. Second, it highlights the love one has for cinema, and how grasping its power is in one’s life. But, not just that, but the environment of the family, the bond between the members and how it was showcased, or the college life of the central character, small moments add up to the beauty of the film.
Whilst the writing and the direction of the film were great, the cast – Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen – all add to the brilliance of the film. The Fabelmans has quite a few moments that touch your heart and stay in your mind; the micro storylines play a huge role in the overall experience of the film.
In all, The Fabelmans is an amazing watch, which couldn’t be recommended more. The era it showcases, the tiny nuances, the micro storylines, the direction and the storytelling, multiple factors make the film this great.
The thing about tv shows is that even though it requires a considerable amount of time and patience to watch them, the depth that can be explored, with its characters and storytelling is at a different level, and has its own set of perks over say, films or short-films or anything else. Every year, a certain number of new shows come out, each with something different to say, or a new focus or a different tone. And from those, some catch your eye and stay in your mind for a while…
Amongst the bunch of tv shows that I came across, I thought why not share a few recommendations that can be watched before the end of the year.
5. Severance
Synopsis: Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives; when a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.
Reason: While it may seem that why are you watching this at first, give it some time, and let that maze of curiosity unravel; and when that happens, it’ll open your mind to more and more questions. Not just that, but it also gives you a great outlook on decisions made towards your personal and professional lives and the impact of them.
4. Rocket Boys
Synopsis: The story of two extraordinary men, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha and Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, who created history while building India’s future.
Reason: While we may have heard of these individuals and what they’ve built and achieved, this show was a great insight into their lives, their journey, and the choices and decisions made to pave such a path, and everything that it took.
3. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Synopsis: The story of one of the most notorious serial killers in the United States, largely told from the points of view of his victims.
Reason: While a tv show of this nature could be extremely dark for most people to watch and especially with how its shot, why you should watch this show is to get into the mind of such a character, what made him do why he did, the environment that he created for his victims, and from the victims’ point of view too, and what led to the events that occurred.
2. Bad Sisters
Synopsis: The Garvey sisters are bound together by the premature deaths of their parents and the promises they made to always protect one another.
Reason: The best and the worst aspect of the show is how emotionally strong it is, so when they have to portray a certain emotion towards a character, you very well feel it too. From how well-written it is, from the story’s and every character’s perspective, to how brilliantly the cast has been chosen and acted, there is just everything to appreciate about a show of this caliber.
1. The Bear
Synopsis: A young chef from the fine dining world comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop after a heartbreaking death in his family.
Reason: Some shows don’t need a reason and you just have to watch them to witness the excellence of the show. Where every character’s performance is raw and authentic, to the brilliance of the cinematography, you’ll simply fall in love with every minute of this show. It’s a masterpiece.
Amongst the many films, I saw this year, in different languages and self-proclaiming myself to be a movie animal, I wondered why not create a list of some of the best films I watched, a combination of multiple languages and share it in time to watch before the end of the year.
The beauty of this particular selection of films is that not only do they have a good storyline, good direction and a good cast, but they also touch upon either a good message or concept that is different with layers beneath to take away something from.
10. Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil)
Synopsis: A delivery driver navigates life while living with his strict policeman father and sassy grandfather. Meanwhile, he’s caught between two women.
Reason: A sweet film that takes you across a wide range of emotions, scenes that will make you smile and sometimes make you cry. The most special aspect of the film is the connection and bond of (the different types of) relationships that it touches upon and how the beauty of the storyline brings out such a well-rounded film that will make you glad that you watched it.
9. Everything Everywhere All at Once (English)
Synopsis: A Chinese immigrant gets unwillingly embroiled in an epic adventure where she must connect different versions of herself in the parallel universe to stop someone who intends to harm the multiverse.
Reason: Everything Everywhere All at Once is mesmerising, and its concept even more. The storyline itself and at the back end what it’s actually trying to convey, both are equally great to watch and at the end of it, you’re simply glad that you chose to watch it.
8. Malayankunju (Malayalam)
Synopsis: In the aftermath of a terrible landslide in Kerala, an ill-tempered electrician struggles as a neighbour’s newborn child stirs up unwanted memories from his past.
Reason: Rarely do you see a film with such awe and amazement, especially in how it’s shot and moreover tells you how circumstances change something within you, at those times you understand what’s important and what you thought was isn’t.
7. Hridayam (Malayalam)
Synopsis: Arun, a young man, enrols in an engineering college but falls prey to bad habits. As he grows up, he decides to turn over a new leaf and become a responsible adult.
Reason: The beauty of the film is that it touches upon multiple layers, with a storyline that feels natural and authentic. Whether it’s friendship, love, or the connections of life, it quite beautifully depicts the importance of it and simultaneously the evolution that occurs and the maturity that comes with it, that is the core of Hridayam.
6. Gargi (Tamil)
Synopsis: A school teacher tries to prove her father’s innocence, after he’s accused of assaulting a child, with the help of a junior lawyer who has little experience in court.
Reason: If it seems like a story already seen, look again, because not everything is what it seems. That and the rawness of the film make it a combination you might not want to miss.
5. Chup: Revenge of the Artist (Hindi)
Synopsis: A psychopath killer, targeting film critics. The film is a fast-paced thriller that raises many questions of the ethics of criticism.
Reason: Amongst the list of things to appreciate, starting with the storyline, its flow, and progress is appreciative in itself, there are some things that the story says directly and some indirectly, but each of those topics surely makes a mark while watching it.
4. 777 Charlie (Kannada)
Synopsis: Hope emerges when Charlie, an abused dog, stumbles upon Dharma, a jaded man. As their connection grows, horrific news sends the two friends on a journey together.
Reason: The bond between the man and the dog is unlike anything seen before, and it’s emotional depth is so powerful, it’ll make you feel joyous at several occasions and also make you teary-eyed at times. But that’s not all, the message of relationships and bonding and trust that it speaks is its strength and the reason to watch it.
3. Kantara (Kannada)
Synopsis: It involves culture of Kambala and Bhootha Kola. A human and nature conflict where Shiva is a rebel who defends his village and nature.
Reason: One of the biggest plus points of the film is its lore and the authenticity with which they have showcased the deep roots of Indian culture. There are quite a few scenes that are downright brilliant and make you spellbound, an example of the beauty of cinema.
2. Sita Raman (Telugu)
Synopsis: Upon returning to Pakistan, Afreen sets off to fulfil her grandfather’s wish of delivering a letter from Ram to Sita. Along the way, she finds Ram and learns about their love story.
Reason: Right from its vibes to the tone of how the film is expressed, from the macro storyline to the micro elements of beauty and simplicity, Sita Ramam strikes out a variety of emotions within you and you love the film even more for it.
It’s hard to come by a film with a good story, let alone a love story, which shows how well this film has been written and shot. The shots of the film, the chemistry of the actors to the progression of the storyline all tie into this strong thread that makes Sita Ramam a complete film.
1. Top Gun: Maverick (English)
Synopsis: After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.
Reason: Top Gun: Maverick gives you the nostalgic feels of its classic predecessor, and provides a great mixture of a feel-good film, emotional moments along with some hardcore action sequences. The screenplay is something to be quite appreciative of, considering it’s not easy to find a story given the foundation of the film. Maverick also keeps you on the edge the entire time, especially with the third act of the film.
A powerful film with such a strong emotional appeal and with innocence at its heart is what the Last Film Show/ Chhello Show is. At some point, you’ll start relating to the storyline and there on would be your connecting factor to the film.
(Here’s the official synopsis: When the magic of movies conquers nine-year-old Samay’s heart, he moves heaven and Earth in pursuit of his 35mm dreams. However, he is unaware of heartbreaking times that await him.)
A story which is so pure and down-to-earth, and speaks of the power and beauty of cinema that enamours us from childhood to fall in love with films and how. There are times when a few of the scenes simply melt your heart, which not only shows the brilliance of the writing but also how authentically and engagingly the cast has performed.
Speaking of which, the young kid who is the central character of the film, Bhavin Rabari is perfect in the role, his output of emotions is felt across the screen. But, it’s the entire cast really, where each individual leaves their mark and makes that story even stronger.
The Last Film Show is one for all cinema lovers, it’s a film which tells you why you love watching films and why you will continue to as well. I’m glad it’s chosen as India’s selection for the Oscars 2023 and hopefully, there are more eyes on the film because of that. (P.S. watch it in the original language to get the feel of the dialogues and emotions)
I could probably count the number of good Hindi films this year on one hand and Chup: Revenge of the Artist makes the cut for it. Right from the first frame, till the last, the film is gripping and thrilling, the way it keeps you engaged throughout is a great hallmark of it.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A psychopath killer, targeting film critics. The film is a fast-paced thriller that raises many questions of the ethics of criticism.)
Amongst the list of things to appreciate, starting with the storyline, its flow, and progress is appreciative in itself, there are some things that the story says directly and some indirectly, but each of those topics surely makes a mark while watching it. To top it off, with R Balki’s direction, the film has quite a lovely vibe to it, along with some scenes that are captured so beautifully.
Two of the favourites in the film, and with an unbiased opinion are fabulous in the film. Amongst his many great roles, this one will stay as Dulquer Salmaan’s brilliantly portrayed roles, simply in love with his performance. Equally the role of Shreya Dhanwanthary is incredible to watch, her energy brought to each frame can be felt across her performance. It’s been a while since I’ve watched Sunny Deol’s work and what a role this was, glad to see him on the screen again.
Does all of this feel too appreciative? Maybe. But when you watch this film, and especially if you’re a film buff and also love reviewing films, you’ll notice why it’s one of the best things I’ve seen this year. It checks off the box in every department and is going to stay on my mind for a while. Absolutely recommended!
If there’s one film I’ve been hearing about for the past few weeks/ months, it was Kantara, and since I wanted to watch it in the original language with subtitles, I awaited its OTT release with bated breath and now that I’ve watched it, it’s quite an experience.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: It involves culture of Kambla and Bhootha Kola. A human and nature conflict where Shiva is a rebel who defends his village and nature.)
One of the biggest plus points of the film is its lore and the authenticity with which they have showcased the deep roots of Indian culture. There are quite a few scenes that are downright brilliant and make you spellbound, an example of the beauty of cinema. The credit here should go to the cinematographer, Arvind Kashyap, the crew and of course the director.
Speaking of whom, the writer/ director/ actor Rishab Shetty has done a phenomenal job in all three categories, but especially more in the magnanimous role, he’s playing – one that cannot be re-portrayed by anyone else – right from the start to the end, the look that has captured and how he has portrayed it is a performance beyond anything else.
A couple of drawbacks that were quite noticeable was the unnecessarily long duration, and it’s correlation with a bunch of generic scenes in the middle that probably add some depth to the storyline, but at times it becomes quite tedious to wait for the scene to play out.
Overall, Kantara is quite an experience to watch, and the touch of authenticity and how true the storyline plays out with reality is quite remarkable, mix to it the incredible background score that adds suspense to the scenes and keeps you on your toes, Kantara is a brilliant watch which one should probably see in one go, without any pauses.
There’s something about this film, that you’re hooked on to it right from the first frame of the film. It has kind of a retro vibe to it, and add to it the mysterious storyline, and Achint’s songs make this film an unexpected jackpot.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A young man desperately tries to make it big with some unlikely allies and a dastardly diabolical plan to pull off the perfect murder.)
The film shifts its spotlight from time to time on every character, and each member of the cast has done a fabulous job at it. There could be an individual appreciation for each of them, and that’s the beauty of the film too, right from Sikandar Kher (the tonality and the vibe of his character), Huma Qureshi (stuns you with her performance), Rajkummar Rao (does what he does best), Sukant Goel (ensures that you’ll remember his performance at the end of it), and a special shout-out to Radhika Apte who, when on-screen, just steals the frame with her role).
Vasan Bala has quite a unique way of making his films, and Monica O My Darling is no different, and what makes it stand out is also what makes it good. Whether it’s the framing or the flow of the shots, or the editing, the film keeps you on your toes which is another of the positives of the film. If you want to watch something Bollywood and something quirky, then go for it.
There are a few rare moments when a character becomes an actor’s legacy and in this case, Chadwick Boseman will always be remembered for his role as King T’Challa and the Black Panther, the duo of roles he fitted in perfectly. A big question loomed over the sequel how Ryan Coogler/ Marvel would address him but how they continued his legacy and mourned his loss whilst also moving forward with the storyline was something they did a great job at.
(Here’s my official synopsis: Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.)
Right from the introduction of the film to Marvel’s opening credits, it was quite tearful to watch. Speaking of the cast, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke all performed magnificently. Another beautiful aspect of the film was the songs and the background score that was really good to listen to and synced quite well with the depth of those particular scenes.
In the grand scheme of things, Black Panther Wakanda Forever is a great watch, moving forward the storyline well, keeping a balance of emotions and action throughout the film, whilst also honouring King T’Challa’s legacy. Nothing too forceful when looked at from a macro lens.
Now, when the film is broken down in the micro, is when you can see a few cracks that are the real issues here. The film has quite an uneven pace, where sometimes it feels too slow and sometimes it jumps so quickly, what feels like the important bits of the story and other times, feels forceful/ just for the sake of the storyline.
Not just that, but while the macro emotional essence is aptly expressed, it’s the micro important scenes which lack an emotional element and doesn’t quite connect with the audience. Speaking of which, the third act of the film seemed quite unsatisfactory and forced upon and the topic of uneven pace gets attached to as well.
Could the film be better than this? Yes. Did they honour their central character’s legacy and not butcher the story? Yes. Over the years, would you feel it’s a good watch? Maybe. But, when it’s Black Panther how can you not watch it in the theatres and also continue with the flow of watching each and everything that Marvel releases… Meanwhile, Wakanda Forever!
It happens only a few times when you watch a film and it stays with you for a longer time (after it’s done), and Ponniyin Selvan was that film for me. It’s not easy with the kind of pressure that was attached to this film, and the width and depth of its storyline, but for the first part, Mani Ratnam has done a remarkable job at it.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: Vandiyathevan sets out to cross the Chola land to deliver a message from the crown prince Aditha Karikalan. Meanwhile, Kundavai attempts to establish political peace as vassals and petty chieftains plot against the throne.)
While this first part sets up the world beautifully and introduces the characters – their personalities, strengths and weaknesses, there’s already so much to digest and anything more could’ve made it a tad bit much. Everything is showcased in the right consistency here, with all eyes now set up for the second part.
The film has a great ensemble cast, and spectacular performances all around, amongst all Karthi shines the most and steals the film. Right from the set design to the costume design and especially the lovely background music, with AR Rahman behind it, the era and lore of Ponniyin Selvan are set perfectly. In addition, what completes that set is the direction and approach of storytelling that Mani Ratnam takes, which also provides quite a bit of depth to the film. The word ‘beautiful’ is a great one to describe this film.
Having films come out recently that showcase historical eras and wars, unfortunately, the film grabs headlines for comparisons, and suggestions with what could be better here when compared to those, but in reality, Ponniyin Selvan has a great history which is fascinating in itself, indeed when seeing the film only through its own lens can you then start appreciating it too.
It is a great film to watch in 2022, and right in time now before you have to ready yourself again for the much-awaited second part in April 2023.
The problem with sharing an opinion is that people latch onto others pretty quickly and say it as their own. Apart from Brahmastra’s (Part One: Shiva) micro flaws that involve rushing the good scenes that could’ve been shown better, and the oversimplification of a few scenes thinking the audience won’t be able to connect the dots (or just scene fillers)… the film’s quite likeable (especially when you watch it with an open mind).
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A young man on the brink of falling in love gets his world turned upside down when he discovers he has the power to control fire and a connection to a secret society of guardians.)
The moment you connect with the filmmakers’ vision and what they want to (macro) showcase, it is that moment that you are ready to forego everything else. Whether it is the mythological aspect of the storyline or the fantasy mix, there’s something about Brahmastra’s vision/ concept that became its most likeable factor for me.
Ayan Mukerji relies heavily upon three major factors here, namely the mythology, the VFX and the message/ power of love, and as soon as you agree/ accept any or all of those, you’re going to love the film. Could the film be better? 100% Could minor tweaks in the storyline/ storyboard have made it better? 1000%. But that’s the thing too: the filmmaker has a vision, and you’ve to see whether you can align with it.
Ranbir Kapoor is outstanding, but that sequence of SRK and just the fact that he’s doing that appearance, what a guy and he made the film so much better. The VFX is phenomenal, and that is quite a stand-out factor here. There’s something about Ranbir Kapoor’s films and how the songs are so likeable every time. Overall, a few hiccups and a few flaws (keeping in mind the budget of the film), but you watch it with an open mind and at the end of it, I liked it.
I know for a fact that the second part is going to be ten times better than this, betting long on Ayan Mukerji’s vision and hopefully the storyline too, and am super excited about it.
Thiruchitrambalam is such a sweet film that takes you across a wide range of emotions, scenes that will make you smile and sometimes make you cry.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A delivery driver navigates life while living with his strict policeman father and sassy grandfather. Meanwhile, he’s caught between two women.)
The most special aspect of the film is the connection and bond of (the different types of) relationships that it touches upon and how the beauty of the storyline brings out such a well-rounded film that will make you glad that you watched it.
There’s something about Dhanush’s films that whether they work or not, and while this one works fantastically, you always remember his performance for sure. Nithya Menen and Prakash Raj, specifically, and in their respective and important roles, bring out an equally powerful performance that gives a boost to the film. Bharathiraja was a delight to watch as Pazham’s grandfather, touched the heart with his performance.
Everything, from the story, to the casting and their performances, the emotions, the impact of the message, to just how fun the film is to watch, it checks all the boxes. Add to that the songs of it, that are great to listen and you have got a complete package right here. You will be extremely glad you chose to watch this film if you do so, highly recommend it.
What seems like a simple film slowly starts unravelling into something more, the storyline grips you pretty early and you’re hooked until the end, not knowing what’s going to happen the next second… that’s the beauty of Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A young low-caste village boy travels to Mumbai to earn a living and to study. His quest takes him on a series of unexpected events, where he gets involved in the underground activities of Mumbai’s Tamil gangsters.)
Its simplicity is its greatness, and it has been been a while since a good gangster film came on the screen, both top points for the film. While the duration of the film seems long on paper, the film’s emotional depth is captured in its scenes which you’re already hooked on to and you’re not even going to worry about the time once it starts to unravel.
Silambarasan Rajendar is playing the central character of the film and has done such a remarkable job with his role, pretty much in awe of what he has accomplished here, throughout the progress of the story.
If the story, or how it has been captured, or the performance of the actor isn’t enough, what gives the film an extra boost is AR Rahman’s songs and background music, which adds quite a bit of complexity to the scenes.
While I’m not one for spoilers, how this film ends is quite fantastic, and truth be told, I did not expect that. Two hours and forty-seven minutes later, and now such a fan of this film, clapping behind the screen.
When the trailer of Laal Singh Chaddha came out, I was a tad bit disappointed as to why there’s an Indian adaptation of the classic film, Forrest Gump. I enjoyed and admired that film, and its unique storytelling and didn’t want to see it get adapted.
Then came the release of the film and with that came a set of ruthless/ biased/ agenda-driven reviews that made me turn my eye away from it.
Sooner than later, Laal Singh Chaddha makes its way to OTT, and being right there at the touch of a button, I thought, “Why not?”
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: An earnestly optimistic man recounts his journey through life, love and momentous milestones in Indian history.)
To my surprise, as the film began its course, I was quite hooked on it, and as it ended made me enjoy what I watched. Laal Singh Chaddha was nicely written and shot, there was some softness to it that gave it a nice vibe, whilst bringing an onset of smiles as well as some teary-eyed moments that in all, made it a good watch. Another appreciative aspect was the addition of Indian events that gave a nice touch to the storyline.
While the songs were a bit much, and a few moments stretched (even though it’s quite understandable why these scenes needed to be super slow, to grasp the exact emotional value of the scene), I don’t think the film’s worthy of the overall reviews it received.
Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh, and Chaitanya Akkineni, along with the others, did a great job at the film.
While I was initially apprehensive and pre-judged the film, I am also glad that I finally gave it a chance and even liked it. Laal Singh Chaddha, when watched with an open mind, is a satisfactory watch, and even though it’s a tiny bit long, when you immerse yourself into the storyline, you wouldn’t nitpick at the end of it.
A bunch of films releases every week, but only a few are able to make a mark, and even fewer stay with you for a longer time, and that film is Sita Ramam. Right from its vibes to the tone of how the film is expressed, from the macro storyline to the micro elements of beauty and simplicity, Sita Ramam strikes out a variety of emotions within you and you love the film even more for it.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: An orphan soldier, Lieutenant Ram’s life changes, after he gets a letter from a girl named Sita)
It’s hard to come by a film with a good story, let alone a love story, which shows how well this film has been written and shot. The shots of the film, the chemistry of the actors to the progression of the storyline all tie into this strong thread that makes Sita Ramam a complete film. Anything different and the outcome could be different.
Speaking of chemistry and actors, how good and stunning and fantastic is Mrunal Thakur in this one, she has captured her role perfectly and stuns with her performance on the screen. Dulquer Salmaan is already becoming one of my favorites, such a great actor who blends perfectly into his role and brings out a performance that you can remember forever. Not only have they individually been great, but together on the screen create this beauty that makes you fall in love with them even more. While they are the central characters, the rest of the cast deserve an applause too who add so much to the film and the story.
While there is everything to appreciate about Sita Ramam, its story, its characters, its cinematography, another thing that gets added to that list is its songs and background music that make the cherry on the top of this delicious cake that you not only cherish at the moment, but its taste stays with you forever.
I have been watching Stranger Things since its pilot episode and while there has been a certain kind of awe and curiosity attached to the show, there’s also an ‘okay, there’s nothing too mind-blowing about this’ vibe which made it just another tv show to watch (interesting but not too interesting, you get what I’m saying).
Then passes by two to three years, and it’s almost time for the FOURTH season of the show. I’m not sure what transpired throughout this time, but there was a certain hype before this season, or maybe it was because of the progress of the storyline and the expectations from the fans.
Here comes SEASON 4, divided into two volumes and it just hits the ball off the park. To say it blew my mind or was beyond my expectations would be an understatement when it comes to this season. The creators of the show, The Duffer Brothers have created something so marvellous, that not only can you appreciate the season so much, but in hindsight also appreciate the quality of the show and what it always has been.
They have made the show darker, grittier, better and bolder than before, and while every episode exceeds the one-hour limit barring the finale which goes beyond the 150 min mark, you not only applaud and appreciate the material that they’ve come up with and how it serves the storyline, but are watching every minute with equal excitement just wanting more at the end.
Right from the sound and the music, to the production and the story, there’s a significant level up that can be seen and adds to how extravagant they’ve made the show this season. The cast members and their individual plot points with the story have evolved better than before and I cannot seem to stop enjoying or remembering moments of the show or just incredible this season was, in all (and that’s not a common scenario). The finale had everything and it was nothing short of a film, truth be told, catering to every emotion there could be whilst also keeping you on the edge of the seat not knowing what’s going to happen the very next moment and it’s at times like these when you understand the quality of the show.
While there were a couple of flaws here and there, I’m also taking into account how the writers played it safe and also put the fandom first, but can be overlooked thinking of the grander things in play. Everything has been built and hyped for the final season, and while it’s going to be a long while before we see that, I’m sure the hype and the craziness of the show are only going to increase by that time, cannot wait for more Stranger Things.
Highly-anticipated Vikram with a star-studded cast, of Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil, delivers throughout, firing on all fronts. It’s high on energy and the pace is fast, a balance of both is maintained keeping you charged up and wondering what’s going to take place next, mixed with some slow but required moments that serve the storyline.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: Members of a black ops team must track and eliminate a gang of masked murderers.)
While the vision for the story and what could be next can be seen in moments, and the story which was already magnificent, what made some of those crazy scenes even better to watch is Anirudh Ravichander’s music in the background that keep you on the edge wanting more.
Being the central character of the film, Kamal Haasan is fantastic in his role, along with the fiery roles of Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi… It was such a cool moment to see all three of them together in a film, not to forget Suriya’a cameo too, which is quite public knowledge now after the film’s release.
Lokesh Kanagaraj has created something brilliant here… Right from the concept to how things can be taken forward from here and the LCU, Lokesh Kanagaraj Cinematic Universe which has been popping up is bringing a lot of excitement to what will happen in the future. Until then, don’t miss out on Kaithi, another one from the same universe having a few reference points in this film, and of course, don’t miss out on Vikram.
There’s a beauty in the films from the South where they engage in multiple tangents and deliver a takeaway that is equally powerful and one that you don’t see coming… One such film is Don, in the Tamil language, starring Sivakarthikeyan.
The official synopsis says, ‘Seeking a sense of purpose, a wayward college student navigates life on campus while enduring a controlling father and a disciplinarian professor.’
As mentioned, the film touches upon a number of tangents as well as emotions, you’ve got comedy, a couple of action scenes, a romantic narrative, along with some family issues and college drama, and not to forget, finding some passion as well. The film will not only make you laugh, cry, and think, but also entertain you.
A bigger question is, how can the film make you emotional at this level, that you cry your heart out towards the end? The film does touch a chord within you, but whether it is the focus on the education scene, professors’ treatment of students, or the father/ mother’s approach towards their children, one thing is for sure there are always two sides to a story (one may not necessarily be right, but even looking at the other perspective opens your eyes).
Cibi Chakaravarthi has created something quite remarkable, at times you feel it’s just another generic film, to a few moments later thinking that’s a nice approach to the story. Anirudh Ravichander always makes sure the music sits just right with the story and makes you hum to his songs.
While everything has been touched upon, a major element of the film that groups together the story and the emotions and its presentation on screen is the cast. Sivakarthikeyan has been brilliant throughout, he knows how to deliver a scene so seamlessly… SJ Surya shines in his role and is quite remarkable right from the start. While everyone delivers well, another highlight is Samuthirakani playing the role of the father and doing a stellar job at it.
Sivakarthikeyan’s Don is recommended for its story, its emotions and its takeaway, this is a good one.
How many times has a sequel disappointed us, specifically more when it was to a classic? Top Gun: Maverick has totally rewritten the script on that end, by possibly making one of the best films, especially for the theatres.
(The official synopsis reads: After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.)
One of the best decisions made was to watch this film in 4DX, which eventually turned out to be one of the cinematic experiences of my life. Not only was the film brilliant in every aspect, with regards to the story, the direction, the cinematography, and the music, but the 4D element took the experience to a whole new level.
Before breaking down any other aspect of the film, can we even talk about how amazing Tom Cruise is…? He’s magnificent on the screen, his physique is beyond amazing and the efforts that he puts into the film are clearly visible. Every frame he’s in is a beauty to watch.
The cast has been brilliantly chosen, with all the major characters giving a remarkable performance, and one who shines, even more amongst the rest, turns out to be Miles Teller. The role suits him like anything, and he fills the shoes of his character remarkably well. Also, a huge cheer for Val Kilmer for appearing in the film, continuing the streak of nostalgic moments in the film.
Speaking of which, and there are already so many amazing aspects of this film, another element that makes Top Gun: Maverick a masterpiece is the authenticity of the film. Right from how the jets have been shot (for example), to feeling a close first-person view in those action scenes, giving you the chills and the anxiousness in key moments of the film, to how Tom Cruise is riding the jet himself and how he even pushed the cast to train and do so as well, so the authenticity maintained in the film is unlike anything ever seen before.
Top Gun: Maverick gives you the nostalgic feels of its classic predecessor, and provides a great mixture of a feel-good film, emotional moments along with some hardcore action sequences. The screenplay is something to be quite appreciative of, considering it’s not easy to find a story given the foundation of the film. Maverick also keeps you on the edge the entire time, especially with the third act of the film.
I don’t remember a previous time when I was this happy after watching an English film in the theatres, my emotions were running peak-high and moments of the film kept running in my head for quite some time… Top Gun: Maverick is definitely one of the best films of 2022 and there’s nothing that cannot be appreciated enough in this film.
Trust me when I tell you there was not a second to blink, not a second to breathe, the film is 2 hrs 48 mins on paper, but the film is so fast-paced, you won’t realize what all has happened and there’s so much to absorb.
(Here’s the official synopsis: In the blood-soaked Kolar Gold Fields, Rocky’s name strikes fear into his foes. While his allies look up to him, the government sees him as a threat to law and order, and Rocky must battle threats from all sides.)
The KGF Universe is unlike any other, the storyline has been written with so much gravitas, the depth to which they take the film is astonishing. At every turn, just when you feel there could no more, the creators surprise you even more.
KGF Chapter 2’s cinematic appeal is massive, mixed with its heart-throbbing music, hard-hitting one liners and the fiery swag of Yash. Speaking of which, Yash is simply magnificent, the way he carries this role and makes it even better with every frame, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Most of the cast is retained from the previous one, doing great jobs, along with the addition of Sanjay Dutt who does what he does best, and Raveena Tandon shines with her performance.
They’ve really upped their game with KGF 2, everything is just bigger and better, more captivating. I’m in love with the KGF Universe. Cannot recommend this enough, especially in the theatres.
I’ve got three words for this film… WHAT A SPECTACLE!
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A tale of two legendary revolutionaries and their journey far away from home. After their journey they return home to start fighting back against British colonialists in the 1920s.)
SS Rajamouli sure knows how to make the film extravagant for the big screen, moreover, this film was more about that cinematic experience, enjoying those visuals, the cinematography along with the background score on the big screen, which wouldn’t have been even remotely enjoyable at home.
Ram Charan and NTR Jr shine with their stellar performances, absolutely brilliant both of them are. P. S. Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn have some good roles in there, contrary to the “just cameo performances” flying around.
The duration is three hours long, but you don’t think about that for a second… The film touches upon a bunch of topics including the British rule and their torturous regime, the journey and the struggles of those who fought for their country, brotherhood and friendship, mixing it all up into a nicely knitted storyline, along with those visuals and the music and the cast, making this into a complete package of a film.
The late Rishi Kapoor stole our hearts once again one last time with Sharmaji Namkeen, his character is so sweet and heartwarming. There’s joy in every scene he’s in.
While this hasn’t been seen enough, kudos to Paresh Rawal for completing this film and continuing the role of the central character, the mix-up felt flawless, he brought his own skillset to the role and ended up doing an amazing job at performing that role.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A light-hearted coming-of-age story of a lovable 60-year-old-man.)
Sharmaji Namkeen is one of the most heartwarming, innocent, lovely feel-good films I’ve seen… You’ll constantly be smiling while watching it. The storyline touches upon a number of topics – fatherhood, self-love, routine, and it was quite nicely incorporated into the story. Moreover, I loved how so much and so little is expressed over food, how it is used as a connecting factor and just generally, the talk of food.
I wish circumstances were different and we could have seen him perform his role in its entirety, but that is life… I’m glad about how they completed the film and how it was delivered.
The world of Dune is so mesmerizing… Having been a stranger to that universe altogether, Denis Villeneuve has done a remarkable job presenting this film, wrapping up every aspect of it quite well for the audience.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: Paul Atreides arrives on Arrakis after his father accepts the stewardship of the dangerous planet. However, chaos ensues after a betrayal as forces clash to control melange, a precious resource.)
There’s more to appreciate about this film than to focus on any of its flaws… The cinematography and the sound, both of those elements are some of the best I’ve come across while watching a film, and with Dune, its cinematography is simply perfect, and that score by Hans Zimmer is just the best, no two ways about it.
It’s a power-packed cast, with all these huge names appearing on the screen, delivering brilliant performances… Oscar Isaac’s role was top-notch amongst all, and being the central character in the film, Timothee Chalamet has performed his role fantastically, with all the ups and downs, every emotion that his character is facing, shown quite beautifully on the screen.
Yes, there are future parts to this universe, but does that take away from how amazing Dune Part 1 is, absolutely not… The film has the capability to stand out on its own and it does too. While I cannot wait for that Part 2 to release soon and to know more about what more does this universe hold… I’m back to listening to those Hans Zimmer tracks.
CODA has been one of the standout films of 2021, so unique and emotional, sweet and powerful, it speaks volumes and also shows the power of silence. Each member of the family plays an important arc in the story, how their lives are lived individually vs when tangled with each other is another aspect that’s shown wonderfully.
(Here’s the official synopsis: As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family’s fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her passion at Berklee College of Music and her fear of abandoning her parents.)
There are problems, there are challenges, there are hardships, but what happens when each voice is heard and how do you move forward from there… the film has some beautiful lessons as it progresses, mixed with some emotional moments, that are quite relatable too. The core aspect of communication is its emotion, not the language, not the words, and when you realize that while watching CODA, it just hits you differently.
Every cast member could be named here, but all of them have done such a brilliant job in the film, s/o Troy Kotsur. Sian Heder, the director has approached the film quite well, making it into quite a complete package of a film. I had already expected this, but glad to see this film get its recognition, bagging the Oscars 2022 Best Picture award… This film will give you all the emotions, and moreover, it’ll set your mood just right when you watch it – super recommended.
Right from the metaphorical and real punches all around to some beautiful, emotional and moving moments and some iconic reunions… We finally had the hosts back and the trio, Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes did have their moments, some flaws here and there, plus there will always be things to improve… but overall, this will be a ceremony to remember!
To start with… 12/ 19 of my predictions came right! (here are the wins I’d predicted before the Oscars) I also reviewed all the nominated pictures here.
Amongst the media and the critics, the eyes were certainly elsewhere, and while this was surprising for most, I expected this and was glad to see CODA win Best Picture, what a beautiful film with an even better cast! Also, Troy Kotsur won Best Actor in a Supporting Role and (director) Sian Heder won for Best Adapted Screenplay! Big wins for CODA and also the first Big Picture winner from a streaming service (AppleTV+).
Will Smith had his (debatable) moments but the spotlight should still fall on his deserving first Oscar win, winning the Best Actor award for King Richard.
This particular film was quite lovely, with Jessica Chastain smashing her role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and bagging the Best Actress award for it. The film also bagged the Best Make-up and Hairstyling award, won by Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh.
Dune, while it was expected to win in several categories, surprised us all by sweeping the floor with SIX Academy Awards – Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer WON), Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects.
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell with their song, No Time to Die won in the Best Original Song category.
While Belfast only won one award, it still was a significant one with Kenneth Branagh winning for Best Original Screenplay.
Jane Campion took home the award for Best Director for The Power of the Dog. That was an expected one.
Ariana DeBose won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for West Side Story, a brilliant and rememberable performance with an equally powerful winning speech.
International Feature Film went to none other than Drive My Car, while the film was also nominated in the Best Picture category, this was still a big win for them.
Let’s not forget the popular film everyone’s been raving about… Encanto won the Best Animated Feature award, another win for Disney.
While these particular awards were so hyped about, they were given the least importance, but at least it shows the power of the fanbase and what they vote for. The Flash entering the speed force towards the end of Zack Snyder’s Justice Leaguein order to save the world has been awarded as the Most Cheer-Worthy Moment at Oscars 2022. Army of the Dead won the Fan-Favourite Movie Award. Both are Zack Synder flicks. 🙂
Amongst the other awards, Jenny Beavan won Best Costume Design for Cruella, Summer of Soul won for Best Documentary, The Queen of Basketball won Best Documentary (Short), The Long Goodbye won Best Short Film (Live Action), The Windshield Wiper won Best Short (Animated).
What a great wrap this was to the 2021 season, some beautiful films recognized and now, onwards to the next set of brilliant films that make their mark this year!!!
The Academy Awards 2022 are upon us. While there were hundreds of films to watch in 2021, these few set themselves apart with their powerful performances, strong messages and just how beautiful the films were to watch.
Before the awards set the stage, I’m reviewing all the Oscars 2022 nominated films (that I’ve watched).
(Here are my predictions of what’ll win in which categories – link)
– CODA
CODA has been one of the standout films of 2021, so unique and emotional, sweet and powerful, it speaks volumes and also shows the power of silence. Each member of the family plays an important arc in the story, how their lives are lived individually vs when tangled with each other is another aspect that’s shown wonderfully.
There are problems, there are challenges, there are hardships, but what happens when each voice is heard and how do you move forward from there… the film has some beautiful lessons along with its progress, mixed with some emotional moments, that are quite relatable too. The core aspect of communication is its emotion, not the language, not the words, and when you realize that while watching CODA, it just hits you differently.
Every cast member could be named here, but all of them have done such a brilliant job in the film. Sian Heder, the director has approached the film quite well, making it into quite a complete package of a film. I won’t be surprised if CODA takes home the Oscar for the Best Picture category, just saying!
– King Richard
How can a film be so emotional and motivational simultaneously? Sure, the film is shown through a certain perspective, and there are a few flaws and misses here and there, but one cannot deny how powerful King Richard, the film is.
Right from the moment it begins, it’s got you hooked, and with all the ups and downs happening throughout, you’re constantly invested in the storyline and the characters. Speaking of which, Will Smith is a powerhouse in this one, I’m not sure which was his last role that turned out to be this fantastic… Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton both of them portraying Venus Williams and Serena Williams are equally great, smashing their performances of those two iconic legends. Jon Bernthal is another one who can be not mentioned, this is going to stand out as one of his best performances.
King Richard quite brilliantly portrays the vision of this one individual, the constant push and strictness and positivity that was needed to see through his vision, simultaneously the extremely hard work and efforts that had to be put in by the kids at that age. The film shows what it takes to reach that level, the resilience that is needed, and how to tackle ahead even you’re face down in the ground. Hard-hitting!
– Belfast
Belfast speaks so much, but with so much love and kindness, and overall, it’s such a raw and emotional film. With the semi-autobiographical approach, Sir Kenneth Branagh has captured the essence of the film so beautifully and the output is just brilliant to watch.
(Here’s the official synopsis of the film: A semi-autobiographical film which chronicles the life of a working class family and their young son’s childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital.)
While the entire cast is so good with their performances, and their relationships in the film are so heartwarming, the center point of the film remains Jude Hill’s performance. He’s so natural with his role, you’d confuse it for a documentary.
You’re seeing the film with his eyes, and how he sees the world. And that perspective from the eyes of a child is what makes this such a great thing to watch.
Belfast is beautiful, the essence of the relationships amongst the kind of environment around is enthralling to watch and truly stands out as something quite unique.
– Don’t Look Up
Those familiar with Adam McKay’s works know the subtleties in his storyline and the volume they speak, and Don’t Look Up is no exception to that.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.)
How he has approached the film is simply excellent, the satire is impeccable. The film talks about climate change without even referring to it, whilst also quietly taking a dig on the left-wing vs right-wing of politics, and how people are so easily manipulated… I mean the film touches upon so many points and can be applied to so many categories, it’s just brilliant.
It’s quite interesting right from the get-go, freaking hilarious, and you simultaneously feel the underlying disappointment beneath the laughter too, something you understand when you watch it.
What else makes this film such a great watch? THE CAST. You’re seeing these faces after such a long time and all of them together is just applaud-worthy. Leonardo DiCaprio with another excellent performance, Jennifer Lawrence does what she does best, Meryl Streep just killed it in her role… And Jonah Hill’s comic timing is everything, whilst it’s difficult to single out one individual performance in this collective effort, Jonah Hill was just too good in his role.
The takeaway from the film, the perspective, speaks a lot, especially when compared to the reality we live in. The meta approach was another plus point, and well, there’s only so much you can appreciate about a film… in my personal opinion, well done.
– Dune
The world of Dune is so mesmerizing… Having been a stranger to that universe altogether, Denis Villeneuve has done a remarkable job presenting this film, wrapping up every aspect of it quite well for the audience.
There’s more to appreciate about this film, than to focus on any of its flaws… The cinematography and the sound, both of those elements are some of the best I’ve come across while watching a film, and with Dune, its cinematography is simply perfect, and that sound by Hans Zimmer is just the best, no debate on it.
It’s a power-packed cast, with all these huge names appearing on the screen, delivering brilliant performances… Oscar Isaac’s role was top-notch amongst all, and being the central character in the film, Timothee Chalamet has performed his role fantastically, with all the ups and downs, every emotion that his character is facing, shown quite beautifully on the screen.
Yes, there are future parts to this universe, but does that take away from how amazing Dune Part 1 is, absolutely not… The film has the capability to stand out on its own and it does too. While I cannot wait for that Part 2 to release soon and to know more about what more does this universe hold… I’m back to listening to those Hans Zimmer tracks.
– Drive My Car
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room, shall we? Drive My Car is 2 hours 58 minutes long, and while it would turn people away from watching this, here’s an honest take on it… The pace of the film has been handled so well, especially with how the storyline is progressing and everything that you, as an audience must take away from it, you never know how the time flies by while watching it.
Drive My Car has quite a unique perspective on addressing love, loss, acceptance, and peace and it’s brilliant to see the role of the powerful catalyst in the film, the red Saab 900 Turbo. For a second, it may feel like there’s too much dialogue in the film… But, on the contrary, it’s the exact opposite scenario, because it shows you the power of communication, and not just in two-person dialogue, but you understand more of that when you watch the film.
The film has quite a few layers to it, and not everything is just black and white. It’s only with the progress of the storyline that everything uncovers, keeping an eye on each element that occurs throughout, with a power-packed third act that is equivalent to an emotional punch in the face. There are a lot of emotions to feel, or rather even understand throughout the film, and that’s the entire point of it too. Speaking of emotions, the film wouldn’t have stood just on its storyline or its takeaway, but there’s an equally important element, i.e the cast (Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tôko Miura, amongst others) who have delivered a stellar performance here. Drive My Car has a different approach to it, and it’s also brilliant to see a Japanese film being nominated for the Oscars Best Picture category, so that says a lot too.
– Nightmare Alley
When you notice the standout films of 2021, there’s a certain similar approach to those films, not that there’s anything wrong with it, but when something comes out with a totally different approach, it’s quite noticeable, i.e. the Nightmare Alley.
Guillermo del Toro has a pattern of approaching his films in his own unique manner, and this time is no different with Nightmare Alley. Just from an outer perspective itself, the film has a very interesting storyline, that we don’t get to watch usually… but, take a deep dive into it, and you notice the special del Toro perspective to it.
It’s actually quite fun to watch this one, with a keen interest to know how the story evolves, so even if someone misses the underlying layers to it, it’d still be a great watch. Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, and Rooney Mara keep the film and the storyline gripping with their performances.
At first, I was surprised to see Nightmare Alley get nominated in the Best Picture category, especially with all the ones that were snubbed… But, as difficult as those snubs were to bear, it’s understandable why this got nominated amongst its other nominees.
– West Side Story
Musicals are not everyone’s cup of tea, and sometimes they turn out to be a good watch and sometimes, not. To see a musical approach from Steven Spielberg was quite interesting in the first place, so irrespective of how it turned out to be, West Side Story had to be given a watch.
When it’s a musical, it’s not just about the songs or the dance, but how those songs are adding to the storyline, and what do the songs represent. While some felt a bit overstretched in this film, some were quite exceptional, and also were a core aspect of the storyline. Speaking of which, one could say that the story arc is quite serious and one that has a lot of history, and with this musical approach, they could dial down the tone, and yet keep it extremely powerful.
The film, overall, felt a bit longer than usual, especially with more songs than one could imagine, but as a film that’s a one-time watch, it can be digested. West Side Story is different from the usual, it speaks to you differently, with its tone and cinematography and its dialogues and a new cast, watch it for a different perspective.
– Licorice Pizza
Back in November 2021, there was all this hype around Licorice Pizza and how it was considered “the best film of 2021”, with all these over-the-top reviews coming for it. I’m not sure whether it was the weightage of those expectations or just the film in general, but Licorice Pizza didn’t deliver for me.
While it is said that the film is adapted from real events/ has a semi-autographical take to it, as the film progresses, it simply wears you out and confuses you with why are you even watching it in the first place.
Paul Thomas Anderson brings out a different identity to this film, the tone of it is quite unusual, and the cast performances are actually good to watch, Bradley Cooper’s performance, even though a cameo, was phenomenal. But irrespective of all of that, where is the film leading you to? Not that every film needs to have some kind of takeaway to it, but in general the storyline needs to work too, which it doesn’t in this case.
I was really hoping for this film to work, or to try and understand it from a different/ deeper lens, but Licorice Pizza is quite skippable.
– The Power of the Dog
Every year there’s a Western genre film that makes its way towards the top frontrunners of the year, and with 2021, it turned out to be The Power of the Dog. But things are not always the way they seem to be, because this one isn’t just a simple Western genre film, but has quite a few powerful punches that come with its exceptional storyline.
While the film seems to have a slow pace, it is a deliberate move from Jane Campion, just to let that particular emotion seep in, or for you to truly get in the character’s shoes and understand their perspective. The entire duration of the film wasn’t the issue, but its pace sometimes did, but something that can be overlooked with what the film is trying to say and along with it, its commendable storyline. Some of these particular films, in particular, The Power of the Dog, have these underlying psychological arcs that, once understood, make the film elevate to a higher level, and if not, you may completely miss the whole point of the film itself.
Making the storyline powerful are those performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirsten Dunst, and Jesse Plemons. Kodi Smit-McPhee, in particular, has been the central point of the film, with quite an exceptional stand-out performance. While the film may not be for all film enthusiasts, it has its own individual identity, and some may like it for what it is and some may have preferred it to be better.
– tick, tick… BOOM
How can a film be so powerful, so mesmerizing, and so moving as well? tick, tick… BOOM is all of that. Lin-Manuel Miranda has created a musical masterpiece here, and of course, the one on whom the film is adapted, Jonathan Larson, whose story is so moving and simultaneously inspiring as depicted in the film.
Andrew Garfield plays the role of Jonathan Larson, and what a power-packed performance that was. Right from the start to the end, you can see the character he’s playing, and not him as the actor, and that says a lot about the kind of work and effort he has put into the role. So much so, that I’m predicting an Academy nomination for him (written at the time of the film release).
Speaking of the film (musical), it touches upon Larson’s life and his journey to writing his musicals, whilst touching upon the areas of love and relationships and work and passion, and how it all intersected. As the film progresses, it touches upon a lot of emotions, especially towards the latter half, it does leave you teary-eyed upon a number of occasions.
Not only that, but as it touches upon those subjects of his life, it’s not just a depiction of his life, but there are multiple takeaways that can be looked upon in one’s own life and that’s one of those powerful aspects of this film.
(Here’s the official synopsis: Based on the autobiographical musical by playwright Jonathan Larson. It’s the story of an aspiring composer in New York City who is worried he made the wrong career choice, whilst navigating the pressures of love and friendship.)
The film’s fast-paced, the songs are quite wonderful, and you do have to keep an eye because as a musical, the storyline revolves around them. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Andrew Garfield have done a stellar job with this one and I’m actually glad I watched this one. I’m a fan.
– Being the Ricardos
Aaron Sorkin has a pattern of choosing quite unique topics/ subjects for his films and this time is no different with Being The Ricardos.
The show ‘I Love Lucy’ has so much history and culture, but with that also comes the behind-the-scenes, the drama, the problems that are not visible in the front… And this film does quite a good job of showcasing that.
Right from the history of the characters to their relationships to tackling the norms at the time, how the show came into place and the problems it faced, Being the Ricardos does a good job at addressing all of that.
Not knowing the original show or having watched it either, this also served as a great introductory platform to that entire world and you end up wanting to know more.
What made it deliver on the screen was not just the writing, but the fiery performances from Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, JK Simmons, their chemistry, their individuality, their flair was all quite noticeable and made the difference in making this a good watch.
– The Tragedy of Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is certainly one of those films which people who connect with the Shakespearean works would love, and have an opposite effect if they don’t.
Right from the style to the tone and the language, everything was captured perfectly… But it’s not for everyone. It was difficult to stay patient with the Shakespearean language and to always understand the dialogues or the happenings throughout.
What is commendable about The Tragedy of Macbeth are two things… One, the cinematography was brilliant. Right from the movement of the characters, to the camera angles that bring out the tension on the screen, to those black and white visuals, everything about how the film was captured was truly brilliant. Second, Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Macbeth was oozing magnificence. What can this man not do… Every emotion is expressed through his performance so beautifully, he ends up being the reason why you stay with the film and watch till the end (if the Shakespearean stuff wasn’t capturing your attention).
– Spencer
Right off the bat, I’m not aware of the “Royal history” or everything that has taken place, except maybe heard a few things here and there. Knowing that I felt Spencer was a great film, dramatizing a few things maybe… But also because they had to highlight years of perspective and experiences and emotions and mix it all up into a film of 111 minutes.
Kristen Stewart was quite amazing portraying the role of Princess Diana, the look, the talk, the mannerisms, and moreover the troubles she was experiencing, and everything else that she was going through.
The film captures the emotions well because as the audience, you end up feeling exactly what the character is feeling, and you can empathize with every step she takes thereafter.
Maybe, there’s a lot of dramatization in the film, I’m not sure how much is it relatable to the real-life story… But if what we’ve heard/ read is right, then the portrayal of emotions did come out right, and for that Spencer and Kristen Stewart need some applause.
– The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Adapted from a true story, The Eyes of Tammy Faye was a brilliant film to watch, to know such a story exists and to watch it from this perspective was a spectacle in itself. It’s quite gripping, and as it progresses, there’s a tense atmosphere you can feel wanting to know how the story is going to evolve (for someone who doesn’t know what happened in reality).
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is going to be one of Jessica Chastain’s masterpieces, she was fabulous in her performance right from the first frame to how her character evolved throughout, she was absolutely the focal point of this film.
What can you say about Andrew Garfield, that man is knocking his roles off the charts, and this time is no different either.
This turned out to be a great one-time watch, a definite front-runner in the Oscars Best Costume category and Jessica Chastain as the front-runner in the Best Actress category.
– Parallel Mothers
There’s no denying that there’s a lot going on in Parallel Mothers, but someone said it right that life is messy and maybe the director, Pedro Almodóvar was approaching it with that motive.
Parallel Mothers hits upon a number of topics, motherhood, love, loss, connection, relationships, closure, respect, support, family, history, and culture. While it may seem like a lot, Almodóvar has tied up those aspects quite beautifully with the storyline. The film isn’t perfect, for sure, but you got to appreciate those elements that did go right.
Speaking of which, Penélope Cruz has been phenomenal with her performance, right through and through, she’s the glue holding the film together, as the storyline is revolving around her and she delivers. Parallel Mothers turns out to be a great watch because of a number of factors, including her, and sometimes the pros outweigh the cons.
– The Lost Daughter
There’s so much that’s visible in front of you, and so much that isn’t… What isn’t makes so difference that you don’t even realize it, that’s the beauty of The Lost Daughter.
So much is said and so much is unsaid, there’s so much going on and yet on the brim, everything seems normal. To be particular, the tension in the film has been depicted so well, it almost feels real. The Lost Daughter is quite a beautiful film in itself with an amazing story to tell, backed by brilliant performances from the ever-so-great Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, and Dakota Johnson amongst others.
There are questions to be asked, probable scenarios that are debatable, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that Maggie Gyllenhaal has done a fantastic job with her directorial debut here.
– The Mitchells vs the Machines
The Mitchells vs the Machines is such an uber-cool, feel-good film, that serves good on the story, the message, the character traits, the emotions and ultimately becomes a really good watch.
The film touches upon a number of subjects, including technology (there’s a fun dialogue that summarizes the film quite well, “Who would have thought a tech company wouldn’t have our best interest at heart?”), family dynamics and the essence of relationships.
The Mitchells vs the Machines is fun, quirky, teary-eyed at moments, and along with the few takeaways here and there, you’re able to relate with the characters, their traits and that makes it the most fun to watch.
– Luca
Luca is a heart-warming, feel-good film that hits the right emotions, sends the right message and just makes you glad you watched it.
What’s the film about?
“Luca is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: he is a sea monster from another world just below the water’s surface.”
Luca is discovering his identity in this film, who he really is, what does he want, how others would perceive him and irrespective of that, to own his identity when others don’t. Somewhere in that storyline, you get absorbed by his character, relating with him and finding yourself in that character and that’s the most epic thing about this film.
The character, Luca is full of curiosity, is innocent towards most things, and at the same time constantly discovering new things. You just tend to connect this with how every child is at this age, and how, with adulthood, much of those things change with time, but watching this film also shows the essence of those character traits that is somewhere deep down hidden inside us.
Moreover, amongst all his characteristics and the storyline, another inspirational aspect of the film was the determination shown by the character towards his dream. And not just that, but as he learns new things, how that dream changes, yet the determination remains the same.
His friends are a constant support in his life, helping him learn new things, right there by his side, and even when they aren’t on the same side, the aspect of friendship deep within still remains the same.
Point after point, if there is one thing to notice, it’s that there is so much to learn from the film and the character, Luca. It’s just a brilliant film to watch, with a number of takeaways, and moreover, the time is well-spent and well-invested.
One-line Review: Pixar hitting it on target yet again with Luca!
– Encanto
It always surprises me when an animated film has so much to offer, and yet it’s so much fun to watch at the same time. Lest we forget it’s the season of musicals, this one’s Encanto – focusing ever so beautifully on the concept of family, the bonds between them, the expectations and the constant pressure, and many more tiny nuances that you get to notice when you watch the film.
The thing about musicals is they have to be done right or it’s no fun at all. But when it’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, you can always expect the best and that goes for the songs of Encanto as well. They not only gel well with the storyline but have their own individuality to them too.
Encanto is one of those complete package films, it’s got a little bit of everything and it all checks off in the right manner. It’s a beautiful watch which cannot be recommended enough, for its story, for its takeaway, for its songs, for its emotions… we won’t talk about Bruno in this review.
– The Worst Person in the World
Sometimes life makes decisions for us, some turn out to be right, some we realize later that they aren’t, sometimes our choices are confusing and sometimes come with extreme clarity. Do we really need to have everything figured out or do we experiment and go with the flow and see what happens? How do our decisions affect us and others?
The Worst Person in the World hits upon all of that and more with a storyline that some may or may not connect with, but its hidden layers are certainly relatable.
What is the film about? The chronicles of four years in the life of Julie, a young woman who navigates the troubled waters of her love life and struggles to find her career path, leading her to take a realistic look at who she really is.
Renate Reinsve, portraying the central character in the film, has performed quite well because you’re watching the entire film from her perspective and her lens, the confusion or the decisiveness before making a decision make her character so much better and more relatable, and that says a lot about the actor performing the role.
The Worst Person in the World is a Norwegian film written and directed by Joachim Trier and is certainly something different to watch.
It’s that time of the year, the Academy Awards 2022 are due in less than 48 hours!
Having watched all the nominated films, with some really great ones, and some not so much, some being the popular frontrunners and some still not known on a mass level…
Here are my predictions for the Oscars 2022 –
• Best Picture – CODA / Belfast
(While The Power of the Dog seems to be the frontrunner in this category, amongst the ten nominated films in the category, Belfast and CODA stand out far higher than the rest, for me. Either of those wins, I’ll be glad)
• Best Actor – Andrew Garfield
(Every performance in this category is simply incredible, Will Smith in King Richard may win here and will be second in my list, but Andrew Garfield was exceptional in tick, tick… BOOM and I loved that film, so personally biased to predict his win here)
• Best Actress – Jessica Chastain
(A bunch of power-packed performances in this category… do we really have to choose? One that stood out and I would pick for the win is Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, her role was fantastic in that one, just wow!)
• International Feature Film – Drive My Car
(While it already is a great film, if it has been nominated for the Best Picture category, there should be no surprises it would win here too)
• Best Original Song – No Time to Die (Billie Eilish, FINNEAS) [No Time to Die]
• Best Animated Feature – Luca
(The Best Animated Category is such a tough one this year, usually, there seems to be a frontrunner here, and I’m predicting Luca for the win… But highly likely Encanto could be the one or any of the others too)
• Best Supporting Actress – Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
• Best Supporting Actor – Troy Kotsur (CODA)
(Kodi Smit-McPhee is another favourite in this category, but all my bet’s on Troy Kotsur for the win, what a performance in CODA)
• Best Director – Sir Kenneth Branagh (Belfast) (I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jane Campion take this award, and she seems to be the favourite in this category too, but I’m hoping for a surprise here)
• Best Original Screenplay – Belfast
(No doubts about this one, Belfast is far ahead in this category and taking the award)
• Best Adapted Screenplay – CODA (Sian Heder)
• Best Visual Effects – Spiderman: No Way Home
(While Dune is an equal match for the win, Spiderman: No Way Home is all visual effects and would be a surprise if it doesn’t win here))
• Best Cinematography – Dune (Greig Fraser)
• Best Original Score – Dune (Hans Zimmer has created magic here, and it’s a riot if anyone else wins here ;))
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling – The Eyes of Tammy Faye
• Best Costume Design – Cruella
• Best Film Editing – tick, tick… BOOM (Andrew Weisblum, Myron I. Kerstein)
What changes every few years And yet amazes us every time?
The Batman.
We have a solo Batman film after a decade, and a new Batman/ Bruce Wayne too, this time being played by Robert Pattinson and directed by Matt Reeves. Of course, the expectations are high, but does it deliver?
(Here’s what the official synopsis says: Batman ventures into Gotham City’s underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.)
Matt Reeves has brought to the screen what the Batman is at its core, giving the film a retro and a dark vibe. Reeves’ Batman is all about vengeance and there’s fear and chaos in the air, and the world’s best detective is doing what he does best.
A perfectly-casted Robert Pattinson who delivers quite magnificently, his character is wounded, scarred and the vengeance and darkness can be seen in his eyes – what a performance. He knocked it off with the role of Batman as well as of Bruce Wayne’s.
But that’s not all. Whether it’s Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, John Turturro, oh what castings and brilliant performances all around.
The film is three hours long, and not for a second can you take your eyes off the screen, wondering at the end where did all that time go… What gives it the extra boost is that stunning background music which keeps us constantly amped up, from Michael Giacchino.
The cinematography’s outstanding, some of the shots are just impeccable. Overall, the story, the direction, the music, the casting… Everything’s on point. Without giving into the specifics, another extraordinary aspect of the film was the storyline’s arc, which was quite refreshing to watch.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a solo Batman film and the excitement can be clearly seen, but it does deliver and out of the world too. Maybe the DCEU is finally reviving itself, and there’s some brilliant stuff already incoming from Matt Reeves himself, so all eyes on that now!
When anyone was asked for the best Indian web series from the Indian roster, most would say Scam 1992, and well… Now we have another one to add to that list of series, something with great quality and depth… Rocket Boys.
The official synopsis reads, “The story of two extraordinary men, Homi Jehangir Bhabha and Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, who created history while building India’s future.”
To know the story of our two great scientists, wonderfully acted by Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh. The cast has been well-chosen, but in particular, the two of them have given a spectacular performance and moreover, their chemistry and camaraderie are one to watch out for.
Rockey Boys just sets the mood right when you start watching it, and episode after episode you are in awe of the beauty of the show, so well-crafted, with an element of curiosity as well as of inspiration. There are multiple moments that give you goosebumps, and fill your heart with pride… and that just shows how nicely they have depicted the reality on the screens as well.
All in all, a job well done by Abhay Pannu and the team… Achint Thakkar delivering yet another great BGM to the show, you just cannot skip that intro once it comes on. SonyLIV has been delivering some great content, and as word of mouth spreads, there’s going to be some crazy hype for the second season.
This show is a great watch, and you should definitely not miss it.
There are quite a few performances where you cannot identify the actor anymore, and all you can see is the character in the film… And Allu Arjun does just that in Pushpa: The Rise.
Right from the first moment he enters the frame, until the end of the film, you simply cannot take your eyes off him, what a gripping performance. Whether it’s his one-sided dripping shoulder look or his attitude or his style, Allu Arjun is all swag in the film.
Where the entire film’s casting and their performance was on point and pretty much adds to the intensity and the tension in the film, one of the important factors in the film remains the storyline, which may seem so basic from a macro lens, but there’s so much happening in the three-hour duration, you never know where did all that time go. The cinematography of the film also adds to that aspect, with some really good frames and the slow-motion shots that gave the scenes the gravitas they needed.
Each of the cast members had something to add to the storyline, but one of the individuals who stood out with his performance was Fahadh Faasil, for the little time he was on screen, he was just magnificent in that role and the duo (him along with Allu Arjun) was just fiery.
Where this was simply just the first part of the series, it didn’t feel incomplete nor did it leave the audience hanging at any point in time. Pushpa: The Rise (Part 1) is brilliant, and I just cannot wait for that second part to be released soon.
With an interest in entrepreneurship, and also trying to understand the breakdown of how companies work, in different sectors, their approach, etc., one of the things that I’ve been hooked onto, is Shark Tank US for a while now.
What are the new ideas that people are pitching, how unique are those ideas, what kind are the investable ones, what do the Sharks have to say about them? There’s a lot to learn and understand when you watch it.
So having watched that for a while now, there was always a thought buzzing in my head, time and again, how would such a show work in India? Clearly, there’s been an uprising wave of entrepreneurs in the last few years, people are now experimenting, getting into new sectors. Now that we are finally having a Shark Tank India, how well will it stand on its own vs when compared to the popular Shark Tank US?
To be frank, when the news first came out, I was a little hesitant as to how the creators would be approaching the show, and would a show of this stature be ‘Bollywoodized’ as well and be like another reality show amongst many others that air on television? (Bollywoodized: adding an extra flair of entertainment to what’s already entertaining, taking it to a whole new level)
Having this preconceived thought process, I approached the first episode of Shark Tank India and got exactly that, or rather my eyes only saw what I wanted them to see. Watching that first episode, I wondered how different are the types of questions being asked by the Sharks, in comparison to Shark Tank US… How different are people’s presentations and is every minute of it looking like just another reality show?
And then I see on Twitter, people mocking the show and calling it ‘cringe’, saying why is this show even happening, and picking out flaws here and there. At first, I agreed and thought, well someone else agrees too. But, the exact second thought was… “I got to give it another try, check out another episode, remove those preconceived judgments and then notice what I think about it”.
Maybe that was exactly what was needed. As soon as I watched that second episode, multiple thoughts arose in my mind… 1. Well, of course, everything is going to be different from what we’ve been seeing on Shark Tank US because our mindsets are different, our approaches are different, our environment is different. 2. We are coming from a place where people are told what they have to do, there are societal notions against entrepreneurship, against people starting up on their own, worries about the risk that is involved, and moreover, the formula of doing a job and getting a promotion because that’s been going on for years (not that it’s wrong, but when it’s forced upon people or when they think that’s the only way forward)… And to break all of that, especially to the people who have these notions, this is exactly the simplistic, basic, to the face kind of approach that the show needed. 3. In Shark Tank India, entrepreneurs aren’t just pitching to the sharks, but are also pitching to the people watching it, opening them up to this rising wave of entrepreneurship in our country. For that to happen, it is difficult to explain, but there’s an Indian touch to all the pitches, which matches the tone that was needed for mass acceptance. Plus we also get to see what other Indians are thinking, how unique or not their ideas are, what’s working, and what’s not, so that’s another pro-point. 4. When it comes to the sharks, there’s some good chemistry and camaraderie that can be seen, sometimes adding that extra touch of spiciness that will get the viewers excited as well. My own take has shifted from an initial approach of skepticism to loving every shark and wanting to know what they have to say about each idea that gets pitched. 5. Finally, there are always going to be flaws here and there. There are always going to be lessons learnt and then applied to the future seasons. Even the other Shark Tanks have worked the same way, and there are improvements seen over time, and so will the case be with this one as well.
This is exactly the right time for Shark Tank India in our country, the right kind of entertainment mixed with some good ideas and investments, that’ll get the audience hooked to the show, opening up their mindsets towards this space. Not only that, but giving people, of all ages, from all locations, the confidence to begin (if they want to).
I’m hooked to the show and quite glad about how it’s turned out to be. Back to watching more episodes in my free time.
Having watched (+ read) Harry Potter, with the timeline of growing up into teenagers and adults and the release of these films quite matching up, I don’t think there’s going to be anything more relatable in my life, than the Harry Potter series.
All the emotions that have been experienced watching them, all the takeaways and character connections that have been felt, there’s always going to be a soft spot for this franchise and no amount of reruns are going to ever be enough.
So, when after all these years, the news came out, of a Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Reunion, which was less of a reunion and more of a look back at the series, it was quite exciting to see what’s in store.
Sure, it always feels like you just saw the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yesterday itself, and the timing of this would’ve always felt sooner, but it was their 20th anniversary… “It feels like no time has passed and loads of time has passed,” as said by Emma Watson at the beginning of the special. And to be honest, I’m up for anything more that comes out of the world of Harry Potter.
Releasing on the 1st of January, the timing of it couldn’t have been better… Is there a better way to start the new year than your eyes gleaming with excitement at the start and then ending up emotional and teary-eyed towards the end of it, and that’s a very summarized version of the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
Most of the characters back together, especially the main trio, reminiscing the ones we lost, taking us on a journey right from the start to the end, including untold stories and action from behind-the-scenes, all-in-all, it was quite nostalgic to watch the reunion. Some stories leave you with a reaction of ‘Whaaaatttt’ and some leave with you a tear in the eye… And especially the bonding of the actors, over all these years, and the bond that you share over the screen with them, having watched them hundreds of times and feeling connected with a trait or two, this was indeed special.
Having watched the series, right from the time the first one was released, celebrating a 20th year anniversary does feel different and how the time has just flown by, it feels like we’ll blink our eyes, and there’ll be a golden jubilee special too.
Robbie Coltrane, who plays the character of Hagrid, says quite a special line in the documentary… “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children so you could be watching in 50 years time, easy… I’ll not be here sadly… But Hagrid will, yes!” and I felt that.
So on continues the magic of the Harry Potter World, now back to rewatching the series.
