finnalex Reviews

Shaitaan (2024)

This film is sure to leave audiences spellbound till the very end.

[7/10 · 8 March 2024]

Anngad Raaj is wonderful as the smart and sensitive Dhruv. Janki Bodiwala, reprising the role she played in Vash, is the most compelling performer. Bodiwala memorably conveys Jhanvi's anguish at obeying Vanraj's demented demands while trying to hold on to her true self. As Vanraj, the aptly cast R Madhavan is smug, sadistic and sinister in equal measure.

Shaitaan is that old, tired God-over-evil adage that has been revamped and rehashed in Hindi cinema for ages. This time, like most other times, it just does not land on the Devil's den.

Shaitaan is a passable affair if you are intrigued by psychological thrillers. Even though it manages to induce goosebumps, the slow build-up of the narrative can come across as a hiccup. However, impressive performances by Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, R Madhavan make it a watch worth once.

This movie had all the potential of being an excellent supernatural thriller. The first half is so-so, but it's the second half where the story becomes shoddy and a confusing mess. The climax leaves you with a bitter aftertaste, and you feel cheated as you don't get the desired and significant answers.

Shaitaan stands out as a riveting horror-thriller, headlined by stellar performances from Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Jyothika, and others. With its seamless blend of intense drama, supernatural elements, and occult intrigue, this film is sure to leave audiences spellbound till the very end.

Laapataa Ladies (2023)

A delectable blend of heart, mind, and humour, this one's an absolute winner.

[6/10 · 1 March 2024]

Laapataa Ladies is a small film with a big heart... One of those films you fall in love with... Right from the novel premise to the interesting sequence of events, stellar performances and superb finale, Laapataa Ladies deserves the HIGHEST PRAISE for its originality, honesty and sincerity... DON'T MISS IT!

Laapataa Ladies, starring Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta - is a charming feminist tale set in 2001's fictional Nirmal Pradesh is a smile-inducing, tear-jerking ode to the strength and struggles of women, leaving you hopeful for their triumphant journey. Director Kiran Rao crafts a grounded fairy tale with sweetness and simplicity, using humor as a not-so-secret weapon. Lapata Ladies made me smile it also made me tear up for the strength and the struggles of women everywhere.

A girl is never smart, she is over smart. A woman is not clever, she is cunning. Laapataa Ladies tramples these age-old narratives by stating loud and clear, "A 'respectable' girl is the biggest fraud in society', as it conditions her to not question the status quo. The story doesn't allow women to play the victim card either. It sternly says, "It's not shameful to be a fool but being proud of one's ignorance is a shame." A delectable blend of heart, mind, and humour, this one's an absolute winner.

Guntur Kaaram (2024)

It suffers from outdated sequences and a lack of emotional depth.

[3/10 · 12 January 2024]

"Guntur Kaaram" can be classified as a formulaic commercial family entertainer. While the film avoids gratuitous violence commonly found in today's big star movies, it suffers from outdated sequences and a lack of emotional depth. There is no humor either. The film largely hinges on Mahesh Babu's star power and his performance.

Even the climax makes no impact when leaving the theater. But despite all this, there is only one positive factor, and that is Mahesh with his free-flowing ease. The dialogues written for him work, even though intermittently. The mass song that comes in the second half is fantastic and raises the energy. Overall, Guntur Kaaram can be watched once with low expectations during the festive season, without expecting much originality, action, or emotions, other than Mahesh's energy.

Merry Christmas (2024)

Director SriramRaghavan delivers an out-of-the-box, absorbing tale that teases your mind, besides keeping you engaged and entertained.

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

Serpentine twists and turns. Nail-biting suspense and tension-filled moments that keep you on edge. A masterstroke finale... Director SriramRaghavan delivers an out-of-the-box, absorbing tale that teases your mind, besides keeping you engaged and entertained. MerryChristmas could've done with faster pacing and slight trimming for an enhanced impact... Also, this film depends entirely on a strong word of mouth, so don't expect fireworks at the BO on arrival.

In the coming days, one word that's sure to be associated with Merry Christmas is 'slow burn'. In the past few years, we, as an audience, have become so accustomed to a fast-paced narrative that anything remotely unhurried feels like it's demanding a lot from us. In Merry Christmas, Sriram Raghavan takes his own sweet time to tell the tale of a woman in an unhappy marriage and a man with a mysterious past while also making sure that his characters have abundant time to breathe, talk, and even go for a walk around town.

On the whole, MERRY CHRISTMAS is a well-made thriller and is laced with a fine performance by Vijay Sethupathi. At the box office, it'll need a strong word of mouth to succeed as it appeals only to the multiplex audience in the urban areas.

Hanu Man (2024)

Hanu Man successfully merges elements of mythology with contemporary action, offering a unique viewing experience in Indian cinema.

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

Director PrasanthVarma crafts a solid entertainer... HanuMan is ambitious and exciting - packs drama, emotions, VFX and mythology skilfully... Loaded with goosebump moments + extraordinary finale... Recommended. The VFX plays a pivotal part, garnishing the goings-on wonderfully, but not once does it overpower the story... Dubbing of all principal characters is appropriate... Only hiccup, the run time could've been shorter.

With solid storytelling, impressive visuals, and strong performances, the film successfully merges elements of mythology with contemporary action, offering a unique viewing experience in Indian cinema.

Ever since, we were kids, for us, Hanuman was not just a deity but a superhero in his own right, who is a testament to his deep devotion, loyalty, and dedication to Lord Rama, making him a revered figure in Hindu mythology for his selfless service and unwavering commitment to dharma (righteousness). And, the film Hanu Man amplifies that sentiment, making it a delightful experience for audiences of all ages."Wherever there is righteousness, Lord Hanuman prevails."

Salaar (2023)

All those who haven't had enough of the action, violence, blood and gore on the big screen, here's the perfect flick to end your year with a bang.

[6/10 · 22 December 2023]

Prabhas looks dashing and his swag is unmissable. As a Darling fan, you will have many seeti maar moments and some which will leave you on total awe of the Rebel star. It is an out an out treat. If you loved KGF then there are high chances you will find Salaar appealing too. And all those who haven't had enough of the action, violence, blood and gore on the big screen, here's the perfect flick to end your year with a bang.

It combines political drama with high-stakes action and champions brotherhood. It is a riveting watch for those with a taste for grand and epic narratives. Fans of Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran will find much to admire in this intense and captivating film. It's a film that will entertain and impress with its scale, but might require some patience in the initial stages, mostly establishing the world of Khansar and its inhabitants and setting the stage for Salaar: Part 2.

Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire stands out as an intense action drama that features a terrific performance by Prabhas, especially in action parts, and Prithviraj. The well-executed stunts contribute to the film's overall appeal. However, the simple narrative, a somewhat dragging second half, and excessive violence are the notable drawbacks. If you are a fan of Prabhas or enjoy high-octane action-packed movies, Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire is worth a watch this weekend.

Joram (2023)

It is actually a festival film worthy of awards.

[5/10 · 9 December 2023]

Devashish Makhija makes movies about people on the margins, compelled to switch on their survival mode in the face of great odds. His fourth feature 'Joram' reunites him with Manoj Bajpayee who was terrific as a retired low-level policeman in 'Bhonsle': here, the latter plays a tribal on the run, keeping at bay inimical forces from within his own people, as well as those who are hunting him from the outside. Is there anyone left on his side?

From the bucolic and tranquil forests of Jharkhand to a cacophonous and bustling urban jungle, the forced transition that Dasru Kerketta (Manoj Bajpayee) and his wife Vaano (Tannishtha Chatterjee in a special appearance) make in Joram, an immersive and disturbing man-on-the-run drama written and directed by Devashish Makhija, is excruciatingly and expectedly painful.

Joram is a gritty tale that will stay with you for a long time. Although it strays from being a survival drama as the socio-political facet overpowers the narrative, it's a must-watch for its intense storytelling and performances. The poignant movie will also make you think about what we are doing to Mother Nature in the name of development and progress. It deserves to be watched on the big screen.

Kadak Singh (2023)

Kadak Singh would have had far greater tensile energy had its edges been sharper

[2/10 · 9 December 2023]

This may have seemed like an interesting premise, but the execution is anything but. The actors, especially Tripathi and Thiruvothu who can both be relied upon to give us joy, are comprehensively let down.

The role that Pankaj Tripathi plays does not push him out of his comfort zone but he does just enough to hold the film together. The actors around him - Jaya Ahsan, Sanjana Sanghi, Dilip Shankar and Paresh Pahuja - have largely reactive roles, confined as they are to closed spaces physically and creatively. Not outright humdrum, Kadak Singh would have had far greater tensile energy had its edges been sharper.

The film's momentum picks up in the last half hour as it connects all the dots and Srivastava closes in on the main culprits of the financial scam and the mystery behind his colleague's suicide. But by then one may have already guessed some of the suspects in the game. However, on the whole 'Kadak Singh' does qualify as a decent one-time watch over the weekend.

The Archies (2023)

While the era, the look and feel have been created well, the movie ends up a tad underwhelming.

[5/10 · 7 December 2023]

The movie loses steam in the second half and could have been more engaging as the conflict escalates. Solutions are convenient, and the resolution is trifling. Overall, while the era, the look and feel have been created well, the movie ends up a tad underwhelming. What is delightful is watching a bunch of fresh new faces put their best food forward - whether for emoting on screen or doing some rock n roll the 60s tunes.

Adapting a story is a daunting task, and while we commend Zoya and Reema for their effort, will 'The Archies' reach the global acclaim achieved by 'Squid Game' for South Korea? Only time will tell! Catch 'The Archies' on Netflix.

The film could have also been a tad bit shorter. Some scenes like Betty finding out about Veronica and Archie could have been written tighter. By the time the film reaches the climax, you are already zoning out of it. The climax is also done in a bit of a hurry and is predictable. With The Archies, it is evident that Zoya had a lot in store for the young generation and wanted to balance out every character but the task of it took a toll on the overall story. Should you watch The Archies? Give it a shot for the cast, look, and feel of the movie.

Farrey (2023)

An impressive big screen debut and occasional flashes of thematic relevance apart

[4/10 · 3 December 2023]

The rich-in-content Farrey catches you with complete surprise as it explores the dark side of greed convincingly... Smart storytelling, several nail-biting moments and inspiring performances are its biggest strengths. RECOMMENDED. Before I conclude, I must add, it deserved a catchy, easy-to-comprehend title.

On the whole, Farrey is a well-made and engaging film but if it still does not get the box-office numbers, it will be because of gross lack of promotion of a new star cast film, a difficult title (which is understood mainly in North India only) and a screenplay which leaves some important questions unanswered (as mentioned above).

Director Soumendra Padhi, previously known for his notable work on the Netflix hit series Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega and the National Award-winning film Budhia Singh - Born to Run, demonstrates his exceptional suitability for this film. His direction is especially commendable with the debutant cast, prominently featuring Alizeh. For those who haven't experienced Bad Genius, Farrey provides a captivating series of twists and turns.

Sam Bahadur (2023)

It's okay, sweetie! Better luck next time.

[3/10 · 1 December 2023]

Sam Bahadur' endeavours to encapsulate the chequered career of a decorated Army officer who epitomized bravery and nationalism, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of the Indian Army as a larger-than-life persona. However, the film only partially succeeds in capturing those moments, lacking a cohesive portrayal of the protagonist's illustrious journey. Vicky Kaushal emerges as a saving grace for the film, delivering a performance that goes a long way in redeeming its shortcomings. Vicky Kaushal has delivered a commendable effort, but 'Sam Bahadur' falls short of being a cinematic experience to be savoured in its entirety, offering enjoyment only in fragmented segments.

Sam Bahadur is a brave attempt, but it aimlessly meanders in most parts, trying to give us an insight into the life of one of the most revered and celebrated army officers. Perhaps, if the valiant Manekshaw had seen the film, he would have said, "It's okay, sweetie! Better luck next time."

Animal (I) (2023)

The performances and the novelty in Ranbir and Bobby's characters make it worthwhile.

[6/10 · 1 December 2023]

In the first half, Vanga is in complete control. We get a quick tour of rural Punjab, which is just an excuse for a dozen burly 'puttars' to jump in: more boys, more toys, more risible jokes featuring the male nether regions. A kinetic sequence featuring a gigantic bazooka, and Ranbir Kapoor pumping hundreds of bullets into hundreds of bodies is the kind of gleeful comic-book action which is fun while it lasts. But then comes the endless second half in which everything is thrown at the kitchen sink in the hope something sticks. In the end, there's nothing to this pointless, vile tale: if I have to, I'd rather watch real animals.

Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh helmer Sandeep Reddy Vanga had said that he will teach Bollywood how to make a violent movie with Animal and trust me what he said, he delivered that without an ounce of doubt. On the whole, Animal is an adrenaline experience which will have polarising views but you can't deny its entertaining quotient, breathtaking performances and storytelling.

Watch Animal for Ranbir Kapoor. He doesn't let you down in even one frame. If you are a hard-core action movie fan, Animal has enough and more to keep you hooked to the screen. The story is engaging and though, long, the performances and the novelty in Ranbir and Bobby's characters make it worthwhile.