madanmarwah Reviews

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024)

Overdose of action scenes and extended runtime

[5/10 · 19 June 2024]

This movie takes its name from a musical comedy released some years back and that's just about what is common. This movie is a world apart dealing as it does with terrorism, jingoism and high octane overdose of action. Too many vehicle crashes and explosions for comfort. Director Ali Abbas Zafar has made an out and out hard core action movie and the average audience is likely to get bored while watching it for the runtime of 2 hours 43 minutes. ( Maybe that is the reason why the movie has not done so well commercially). This is in spite of an interesting plot and a couple of song dance sequences which extend to the end credits too. Why do I get the feeling that the movie would have worked much better if around 30 minutes was edited out?

We see more work of the action director in the movie because action takes centre stage. Both Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff seem to have had a blast ( pun intended) while acting out the action scenes which are truly awe inspiring. They have shown good chemistry and utter a couple of amusing one liners. Ronit Roy does well as the patriotic senior Army officer. Three gals Alaya F, Manushi Chhillar and Sonakshi Sinha provide the support to our tough guys. The plot is a familiar one with the good guys versus the baddies. Typically the former are trying to save the country while the latter are on a vendetta mission and are out to create mayhem. Prithviraj with a half burnt face makes a menacing and a cruel antagonist. The film has high technical qualities.

Do Aur Do Pyaar (2024)

Marital issues dealt with in a light-hearted and humorous way

[7/10 · 17 June 2024]

This movie is a romcom with a difference in the sense that the lead couple Kavya ( Vidya Balan) and Aniruddh ( Pratik Gandhi ) have been married for quite some time ( beyond the seven year itch ) and they now find that the fun, romance and spark are no longer there. ( Years earlier they had dated, fallen in love, eloped and got married ) . Now on a rebound they get involved with outsiders, she with Vikram ( Sendhil Ramamurthy) a foreign based photographer and he with Rosie a budding actress ( Ilena D'Cruz) and both are able to keep it a secret from each other. Due to an unexpected turn of events during a visit to Ooty they gradually become attached to each other once again after many years and after some time realise the futility of engaging in extramarital affairs.

Director Shirsha Guha Thakurta has made an interesting movie. The plot is fairly appealing but what makes the movie quite watchable is the realistic unfolding of the narrative, the relatable plot, the acting and the intermittent bits of humour which makes sitting through it an enjoyable experience. Normally marital issues in movies deal with conflict and distress but this one focuses on the lighter side of the manifestations of marriage. The everyday happenings in the life of a young married couple like the bickering, the arguments, the disagreements etc are all depicted in a humorous way. This makes viewing the movie a pleasant experience and one does not get bored. Both Pratik and Vidya have shown great chemistry in the scenes and have pulled off the humorous scenes with panache.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Awesome special effects are the attraction

[7/10 · 14 June 2024]

I remember seeing one of the first of Godzilla movies in 1954 and like millions of others I was overwhelmed at the sight of the huge creature creating havoc. Now in 2024 I got interested to see award winning special effects and I am not disappointed. At the risk of repetition I thought of explaining the intriguing title. Considering Japan was at zero after the WW2, the damage caused by Godzila brought it to minus one.( At least this is what I understand from the trivia I read). The plot relates to kamikaze pilot Shikishima ( Suicide bomber) who gets cold feet and lands his plane on an island feigning technical defect. There he and other technicians are attacked by a huge mutant creature Godzilla. Here again Shikishima freezes in fear and does not operate the aircraft guns.. All but one of the technicians are killed and Shikishima carries this guilt for life. His mission in life is then redemption and he gets the chance when he joins the veterans group who have planned to eliminate Godzila using high technology and strategy.

Director Takashi Yamazaki has provided sufficient stuff by way of entertainment with awe inspiring special effects and a heart tugging emotional story too to keep a balance in the narrative. The way the creature throws out heat rays, repairs itself and regenerates its body parts reminded me of the monster in the movie "Predator" though in this case it is a giant lizard many times bigger. The technical aspects including cinematography, editing, sound etc are top class.

Manjummel Boys (2024)

An emotional and thrilling rescue mission

[8/10 · 13 June 2024]

Rescue dramas are normally thrilling and keep the audience riveted since someone in trouble is getting is getting rescued, there are hurdles and it is a race against time. The movie is based on true events. A group of 10 young men from Kerala are on a tourist trip to Guna caves near Kodaikanal where one of them accidentally falls into a very deep pit. ( Legend has it that in other earlier cases no one could be rescued). The friends launch a rescue mission with the help of local officials and the police. The movie reminded me of a movie called " 13 lives " which was about a similar rescue mission.

The movie has an round excellence right from direction, storyline, acting , cinematography and set creation. One gets fully absorbed in the narrative, the acting is natural and so are the characters. Director Chidambaram has done an excellent job no doubt and has made the movie an emotional and touching experience giving one goosebumps at places. The young actors have conveyed their helplessness and distress very realistically. The set of cave and the underground portion are realistic indeed and one does get the claustrophobic feeling intended. The cinematography is top class with most scenes in night effect. There may be a few technical inaccuracies but that can be ignored keeping in mind the overall excellence.

Hit Man (2023)

An engrossing plot about a hitman who isn't.

[7/10 · 11 June 2024]

This movie could have been titled " The hitman who isn't " or " A different kind of hitman " and both would have been fine. Definitely a novel plot where a quintessential University Professor Gary Johnson ( Glen Powell) who teaches psychology/ philosophy and whose hobby is tinkering with electronics lands up as an undercover agent with the local police department. He has the dubious job of trapping desparados who are ready to pay hitmen like him to eliminate people. He does well, the cops like him but his infatuation for a pretty female client creates problems for him and the police department. Things get messy when a murder takes place, an investigation is ordered and he is a suspect too.

Director Richard Linklater had impressed me in " Boyhood " but this tale of intrigue and crime is totally a different ball game as far as narratives go. Nevertheless it is a riveting plot and the situations get murkier as the storyline unfolds. Glen Powell is at ease with the changing hues of the character he plays. (Interesting to note that he has collaborated as the writer with Linklater.) The movie could be termed as a dark thriller with the protagonist in a twin personality of the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde type. Adria Arjona as the love interest and Austin Amelio as the colleague have given strong support.

Maidaan (2024)

Excellent, touching and emotional

[8/10 · 8 June 2024]

There are some very talented and totally involved film makers who shoot around six hours or more duration movie and then try to to make a final cut of around three hours ( A difficult task) not realizing that the audience of today has an attention span of around 2 hours unless it is an " Avatar" or " Black Panther". Sometimes an otherwise excellent movie does not work because of a long runtime. This movie of three hours falls into this category and maybe that is the reason why it hasn't done as well as expected. Based on a true story it is about a football coach Syed Abdul Rahim who is determined to train the Indian football team to win medals in international tournaments. This is not easy for him since he has to overcome resistance of a few jealous elements in the All India football federation and also battle a life threatening disease troubling him.

Director Amit R Sharma has no doubt made a fine film which is exciting and motivating while being touching and emotional too. The narrative covering years 1952-62 has some fine story telling. As I said, it needs pruning by at least 30 minutes to make it gripping in totality. Ajay Devgn turns in a remarkable performance which should fetch him him a few awards. He is brilliant as usual. As the antagonist we have some good acting by Gajraj Rao playing the sinister senior sports journalist. The football games have been photographed superbly and the cinematographer may pick up a few awards too.

Yodha (2024)

Plenty of action and thrills in this entertainer

[6/10 · 6 June 2024]

This movie is for those who like action and excitement which it has in plenty and has lots of entertainment for the masses. I am a little surprised as to why this movie didn't do well commercially since there are worse movies which have done better. Is it because of a not so well known heroine and director( s) or because of a hackneyed storyline?. The narrative though familiar is absorbing, the pace is fast, the action scenes are done well, the jingoism and chest thumping is kept in check. It's all about the hijacking of a passenger airliner by terrorists and things do get complicated as the bureaucracy of two countries are involved.

Directors Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha have packed in sufficient thrills in the narrative giving a fast pace to the plot.( I learn that both have been assistant directors for movie " Pathan " which explains their good work). A few developments in the plot are cringy and bizarre to say the least but what the hell, it's all for entertainment. Our energetic and brave soldier Sidharth Malhotra is out to kick terrorist ass and save the 200 odd plane passengers, a few VIPs and the nation. He definitely makes it believable in some situations and is a one man army who never says die even in critical moments. Disha Patani is the flight attendant providing glamour while Raashi Khanna is the distraught wife and a bureaucrat who has to take tough decisions. They have all acted fairly well and no complaints on that.

The Fall Guy (2024)

A fabulous homage to the stuntman

[8/10 · 31 May 2024]

This movie pays homage to the stunt men ( and women) of movies who go through hell while getting filmed doing dangerous stunts. They jump from heights, they get banged up in car crashes, get burnt in fire scenes but at the end of the action scene they show a "thumbs up" to the relief of the director and crew. So is the life of stuntman Colt Seavers ( Ryan Gosling) who goes through this ordeal with supreme confidence and coolness. His ambitious director Jody ( Emily Blunt) is making this movie about cowboys and aliens within the movie. Fabulous is the word for this movie with eight and a half car rolls in the action sequences.

There is something fascinating about a movie which is showing a movie being shot within a movie. There is plenty of stuff for the movie buff. There are a number of "behind the scene" revelations specially from the stuntman's point of view. There are references to iconic movies like " Pretty woman", " Notting Hill", " The fugitive " ," Thelma and Louise" among others while the stuntman and the director converse. An interesting scene is when they discuss the pros and cons of a split screen and the visual goes into split screen. Another scene shows improvisation of dialogue on the set of a sea beach in the midst of chaotic action when director Jody asks Ryan what should be his reaction in a scene and he in turn asks the co actors. A democratic way to shoot a movie indeed. One tends to think thinks that movie making is now more technology centric and less content oriented. The stuntman's job is described as "nihilistic" by the director Jody. There is plenty of action, comedy, self spoofing and parody for continuous entertainment. Towards the end a song brings out an appealing thought of a stuntman who says he doesn't want a statuette for his work, the scars are enough reward.

Director David Leitch's homage to the stunt man makes for an excellent movie. The exciting visuals, the peppy songs, the sparkling dialogue are all engrossing. A thrilling climax is shot in Sydney. The cinematography and editing are top class. Ryan unleashes his charishma and swagger all throughout as only he can. ( A much needed contrast to Ken of Barbie). Emily acts well as Jody the animated director of the movie. Together their chemistry is great and carries the movie splendidly.

Kaagaz 2 (2024)

An emotional narrative with good acting

[7/10 · 29 May 2024]

I saw this movie because it was the last one of late Satish Kaushik who was an extremely talented actor known for his comic acting in Hindi films. He had done serious roles too with distinction. He was unique in transforming himself seamlessly to the character he portrayed and this is also true in this movie where he plays a grieving father determined to get justice for his daughter. A truly super performance as his swan song. The main plot has a few entwined subplots. Young Uday ( Darshan Kumaar) is undergoing training at the Indian Military Academy and he feels he is not cut out for Military life. He leaves the training, goes home to his single mother Radhika ( Neena Gupta). After a tiff with mom on an impulse he decides to visit his estranged lawyer father ( Anupam Kher) who is ill and who is fighting a case to deliver justice to the late daughter of Satish Kaushik. She had died due to delay in reaching the hospital caused by a traffic jam because of a political rally.

Director VK Prakash makes use of three veteran talented actors available to make an emotional narrative which is appealing no doubt even though long winded. The message of fundamental right for freedom to travel unhindered ( Specially in emergencies) on roads is put across effectively and will resonate with the common man. All four actors have put in admirable performances. Old timer Kiran Kumar impresses as the judge. As Darshan's love interest Smriti Kalra has done well in a brief role. There are a few well shot scenes of training at the Indian Military Academy which impress.

Madgaon Express (2024)

Some good laughs in this well made crazy comedy

[6/10 · 28 May 2024]

This train chugs along merrily raising laughs and also goes into rollercoaster mode for some time. It could be called Mad express. The story is about three school mates who dream of going to Goa on a holiday but it works out only when they have grown up. Two of them Pratik Gandhi and Avinash Tiwary are now settled abroad but Divyendu Sharma the third friend is struggling to make ends meet in Mumbai. Divyendu pretends to be rich and organizes the trip to Goa from Mumbai. All three then set off on a holiday but fate has other plans for them. Pratik's bag gets exchanged with a gangster's bag, unknown to them their hotel room has drugs, they are caught by the gangsters, they nearly get killed while escaping and go through many misadventures.

Debutant director Kunal Kennu ( the actor) has attempted to make a full length rib tickling comedy and has done a good job. The fast moving narrative has many comic situations to keep the audience absorbed. All characters have been given a quirky and eccentric colour to produce gags and humour. There are some witty one liners, crazy goings on, madness, chaos, comedy of errors etc. There is glamour in the form of Nora Fatehi which works. The madness continues for 2 hour 23 minutes and there is no option but to sit back and enjoy. In addition to amusing comedy by the three main actors, some hilarious comedy is provided by Upendra Limaye as a blundering don. Watch him do a head stand to "speak face to face" with the captives hanging upside down. Chaya Kadam also has done good comedy. Intermittently the movie starts dragging when the characters start getting serious and utter long winded dialogue to propel the story forward. The movie has excellent music, camera work and editing.

Crew (2024)

Misadventures of flight attendants

[5/10 · 26 May 2024]

The plot is based on real events relating to the financial problems of an Airline when the employees did not get salary for some months and there were other complications too. Three women flight attendants who are buddies are finding it difficult to make ends meet and are looking out for opportunities legal or illegal to make a quick buck. They even try to do a bit of smuggling but get caught. They then try to get away stealing a large consignment but get inadvertently involved in different types of misadventures.

The movie has a fast paced narrative made faster with some brisk editing at breakneck speed. The fun element is on an overdrive and clearly overdone. I don't know about the audience but the girl trio on screen is definitely having lots of fun plotting heists, wearing stylish clothes, enjoying life in upscale hotels and moving from one caper to another. Inspite of their problems it is one big holiday for them. All three actresses who are accomplished artists appear to have thoroughly enjoyed the making of this fun movie with bits of comedy thrown in. They exude coolness and exhibit a likable chemistry. The plot is a "no questions to be asked" type with some outlandish situations created. There is a message that you may be down in the dumps but that should not prevent you from having fun.

Mission Raniganj (2023)

A rescue mission to save trapped miners

[7/10 · 24 May 2024]

Based on true events, this movie is about a brave sardarji, a mining engineer JS Gill who was responsible for planning and executing a rescue mission to save 65 miners caught in flooded coal mines in West Bengal in 1989. The movie is fairly well made and riveting enough for average audiences. It is surprising as to why it didn't do well commercially because it has all the elements which normally audiences like. In a noble rescue mission of this type we normally do not have local politicians and other villains creating obstacles, sabotaging and trying to scuttle rescue efforts specifically when there is a race against time. However this happens here, our hero Akshay Kumar doesn't lose his shirt and carries on in a cool manner with total faith in God. His optimistic wife Parineeti Chopra is pregnant and Akshay finds time to monitor her progress in the midst of hectic rescue activity.

Director Tinu Suresh Desai has made an exciting movie which keeps the audience glued to the screen. There is enough of action and melodrama even though the VFX is not the best. A host of well known character actors play supporting roles competently. As in movies of this genre the focus is on human resilience, distress, grit, pain/ injury, jealousy, hope, triumph etc and these are present in full measure. Akshay plays the lead role with conviction while Parineeti in a brief role is convincing as the supporting wife.

Laapataa Ladies (2023)

High class storytelling, a must watch category

[8/10 · 23 May 2024]

There are only a few movies which I have been tempted to call " Almost perfect ". This movie is one such. It bowls you over with its devastating simplicity and classic storytelling. It demonstrates the power of the small film like " 12th fail" had proved earlier.( I remember seeing a movie " Ghunghat" in the 60s which had a similar plot.) . Set in rural India some years back the plot is about two brides Phool (Nitanshi Goel) and Jaya ( Pratibha Ranta) who get exchanged in a train and unknown to them go along with the other marriage party because they are wearing veils ( ghunghat). The complications which follow make for the story. The two other characters on center stage are one of the husbands Deepak ( Sparsh Shrivastava very lovable indeed ) and the police Inspector Manohar ( Ravi Kishan in an outstanding role).

Director Kiran Rao has done an outstanding job. This is what good cinema is about. There is no department of the movie which is not top class. It has no stars, no villain, no comedian, no dance, no action, no skin show, no profanity, no VFX. We only have pure, simple high class cinema with a engrossing and uncomplicated narrative, relatable and realistic characters, down to earth acting and dialogue, a few good songs, heartwarming scenes, enjoyable humour etc. In a subtle and soft manner the director touches upon issues like patriarchy, superstition, misogyny and women empowerment without sounding preachy. The movie is heartwarming and has emotional scenes to stir you. The narrative is told from the point of view of the women characters all helplessly bound by orthodox tradition.

Thank You for Coming (2023)

Incoherent and jumbled up narrative

[4/10 · 22 May 2024]

The movie is difficult to sit through because of a jumbled up, skewed and erratic narrative. It is one big cringe fest. Its target is the urban elitist audience who also may not like it. The mixed up, clueless and dumb 30 plus heroine( Bhumi Pednekar) feels that the world is collapsing around her because she has not experienced orgasm. Even her mother and grandmother are of no help here.(Towards the end however her mother asks her to practice " self help" to solve her problem).

The movie's director presents a skewed view of the storyline and the movie falls flat inspite of best efforts. The acting is loud, unduly boisterous and irritating. There is a crude stereotyping of Punjabi families. They have been reduced to caricatures. There is an excess of parties, after parties, drinking, dancing etc. The movie shows a misplaced perspective of women's liberation. A few scenes appear sleazy and cheap. All actors have overacted without exception including Bhumi who is clearly miscast. And what was Anil Kapoor doing in this movie ? Though the production values are good the songs and dances are too loud and garish. The climax in the school auditorium was atrocious and ridiculous to say the least.

We have no problems with movies on subjects considered taboo but they need to be handled with care and sensitivity. The message of the movie should take into account broad societal norms.

8 A.M. Metro (2023)

Trauma stricken strangers on a train develop friendship

[7/10 · 20 May 2024]

This movie is not for all types of audiences since it deals with two trauma stricken persons who meet and discuss their personal problems with each other over cups of coffee and have endless conversation as they take long walks. Iravati a mother of two has come to look after her pregnant niece in hospital. Preetam an office goer has a wife and two children. They meet at the train station and develop a friendship. Both are have their own trauma to deal with, are withdrawn, introverted, sad, pensive, bitter and nothing seems to be going well in their lives. They find relief and happiness in each other's company while discussing general problems of life. Some among the audience may find viewing this movie a moving and a therapeutic experience.

Director Raj Rachakonda has a serious subject at hand and his two main characters have sorrowful and gloomy expressions for most of duration because they have been through a lot of bad experiences in life. There are bits of dialogue which are motivational in nature and there is a message for all like he tells her to do deep breathing when she has a panic/ anxiety attack, she tells him to talk to a colleague to cheer him up, he wants to attend a cremation to atone for his faults, both dance in the rain for a few happy moments etc etc. There are a few light moments but the overall mood is of stress and distress. Both Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyani Kher have given fine performances.

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023)

A nice family movie

[7/10 · 18 May 2024]

Family movies do well in India because family audiences are able to relate and resonate with the main and supporting characters. If the direction is good the movie will cover all situations from life in a realistic way so the audiences of all age groups can say that " It has happened/ can happen to me". All young people in their 20s have dreamt of having their own home. While the affluent among them easily manage it is the people from the poorer class who find it difficult because of high cost. The story of this movie is about one such middle class, not so well off, newly married couple Soumya ( Sara Ali Khan) and Kapil ( Vicky Kaushal) who live in a joint family in Indore. Since they dont get privacy in their small home, they try to buy a Government flat through an unscrupulous middle man who asks them to go through a fake divorce but the plans backfire and the young couple is left high and dry.

Director Laxman Utekar has targeted family audiences with this simple story which will appeal to them. All scenes are presented well. However the movie is a notch below his earlier directorial efforts like " Luka Chhupi" and " Mimi". I feel that the ending/ climax is disappointing and unconvincing. Maybe the advantages of staying together in a joint family needed to be put across in a clearer manner. In acting both Vicky and Sara are impressive and have brought out the happy and sad moments with great authenticity. Rakesh Bedi and Sharib Hashmi are excellent as usual in supporting roles. Srishti Rindani impresses in a small role.

The Idea of You (2024)

Romance between a 40 year old single mother and a 24 year old celebrity

[6/10 · 17 May 2024]

Yet another of those romcoms but with more of rom and very less com in it not without the cringey scenes and clichés. However those who like this genre will not go disappointed. There is a minor twist however. It is a story of romance between Solene a 40 year old single mother to a 14 year old girl and Haynes a rich and famous 24 year old lead singer of a boy band. They meet and mutual attraction follows or is it infatuation one can't tell. She is very apprehensive as she gets involved because she is much older and he is a celebrity. He is however totally besotted with her and comparatively unfazed. When she says " I am too old for you" , he says " I don't care". When she says " I could be your mother ", he says " But you are not ". They are drawn into a torrid relationship and there are the usual hassles with strong disapprovals in social media because he is a famous and thanks to ever present paparazzi every activity gets exposed. The daughter Izzy gets teased in school and upset with her mother she goes back to her father causing Solene to rethink her relationship.

Director Michael Showalter has a "May December" and a " Notting Hill" storyline which he converts into a reasonably convincing and entertaining movie even though the plot it is predictable at places. Anne Hathaway does well and will please her fans. Nicholas Galitzine as the handsome hunk and a glamorous lead singer is totally believeable. The movie has some nice music and hummable songs specially the title.

Article 370 (2024)

An engrossing political thriller

[7/10 · 16 May 2024]

It is always difficult to review a politically based movie because one has to invariably accept the facts as they unfold on the screen. So also is the case of this movie which chronicles the events which took place a few years ago leading to the passing of an important bill in the Parliament. One can assess the movie by a few standard parameters. Did the director present the narrative in an interesting manner giving a realistic look to the locations ? Were the dialogues able to help the flow of the plot and did they match the personality of the characters? Was the acting of all actors of a good standard ? The answer is a "yes" to all these questions.

Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale has made an impressive movie and apparently there are no compromises for the box office. It is clear that a lot of research and hard work has gone into the making of this political thriller of sorts. There are no jarring sequences, there is no jingoism and everyone acts appropriate to the characters they play which include the top most members of the government bureaucracy. Only those knowledgeable of the related facts can comment on the authenticity or otherwise of the depiction of events. Nevertheless talented actors like Yami Gautam, Mohan Agashe, Priyamani and Arun Govil have given fine performances which add to the realism of the scenes.

Shaitaan (2024)

Madhavan gives a spirited performance as a sinister antagonist

[7/10 · 15 May 2024]

In some movies the performance of the antagonist is so overwhelming that the protagonist and other characters pale in comparison. This is one such movie where Madhavan delivers a superb performance as a ruthless hypnotist who strikes terror in a family after hypnotizing their teenaged daughter. Ajay Devgn is the distressed father of the possessed girl Janki Bodiwala while her helpless mother is Jyotika.( It appears that Janki had played the same role in the earlier Gujarati movie on which this movie is based. Also Ajay is on familiar territory since he has done a very similar role in Drishyam.) The movie on the subject of black magic (Vashikaran ) is not for the faint hearted.

Director Vikas Bahl has built up a suspenseful and tense narrative with the plot unravelling in a gripping manner. Both actors playing parents make their actions relatable and believable. They have shown the correct amount of desperation and helplessness called for. Janki delivers a realistic performance as the possessed girl. The highlight is of course Madhavan who is successful in striking fear and sending shivers in the audience. His cool candour as he keeps making sinister demands one after another makes the movie gripping. The suspense is also well maintained throughout and the thrilling scenes are well executed.

Monkey Man (2024)

Plenty of action for the masses

[6/10 · 10 May 2024]

If you like a movie with lots of action and violence with plot and subplots in between then this is the one for you. Our desi boy Dev Patel who has done well in Hollywood does a John Wick type of suppressed anger unleashed on the baddies and the movie will keep you engrossed. The movie has flashes of " Slumdog millionaire " with a smattering of Hindi dialogues and songs used in the background. The plot is a hackneyed one used many times over in movies, about an oppressed boy Bobby growing up to seek vengeance with a one point aim of annihilating the antagonist, a cop Rana ( Sikandar Kher ) who had burnt down Bobby's dwelling and village for the land mafia. A smouldering performance from Dev who systematically and ruthlessly destroys the villain, his many goons and their vice den during the second half of the movie. He is anger personified, he takes inspiration from Lord Hanuman's valour as described by his mother in childhood, he trains on the punching bag to the beat of the tabla ( played by virtuoso Hussain ), and he fights in the ring wearing a monkey mask.

Director Dev Patel has clearly targeted the masses and it should work as money's worth for them. There are extended fight scenes with lots of mayhem to watch. The editing makes an overuse of fast cutting which becomes irritating at times. There in an overuse of close ups too in most scenes.

Three of Us (2022)

A serious movie on memories revisited

[8/10 · 3 May 2024]

After seeing this movie you will have a strong desire to visit your childhood home and school. This is the story of Shailaja, a lady marriage counselor who has just retired ,she suffers from dementia and decides to visit Vengurla a small town in Konkan where she lived and studied in school many years back. Her husband Dipankar, an insurance agent accompanies her. At Vengurla she visits her home, school, dance school, temple and sea beach refreshing long forgotten memories a few bitter, a few sweet. She meets her classmate Pradeep ( now married with children) and spends time reminiscing past times. In all these visits and discussions they are joined by Dipankar. It is a melancholic and poignant tale of nostalgia, guilt, regret, grief, loss and redemption. Plenty of serenity and sadness in the narrative and the movie is clearly not meant for all types of audiences.

What's good.

1. Masterclass performances of Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat. They live in their roles. In support Swanand Kirkire and Kadambari Kamat as the respective spouses have acted well. Director Avinash Arun has done a good job but for slow pace.

2. Superb mesmerizing cinematography by director cinematographer Avinash Arun .The visuals of town, greenery, seashore are awesome.

3. Intermittent spells of profound discussion on poetry and philosophy of life 4. The background songs on a classical base have a soothing effect. The dance sequence is also good.

5. The simplicity of the movie is endearing.

What's not so good

1. The movie is not for all. It is too serious an affair for a commercial feature film. The morose expression of the heroine is overdone. A little related humour would have done no damage.

2. The movie has a very slow unhurried pace and it tests your patience at times. 15 minutes need to be reduced.

3. The 3 main characters are too introverted for comfort. Maybe Jaideep's character could have been made lighter.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Robbery goes wrong, blame game starts

[7/10 · 2 May 2024]

It is throwback Thursday again and this time I saw Tarantino's first movie of 1992. As per trivia he was not so well off with funds at that time and had difficulties in making the movie. The production, costumes, filming etc were all a make shift arrangement and initially he planned to make it in Band W. Apparently he could finally make it in the way he wanted. All the Tarantino touches including stylistic picturisation, non linear narrative, violence filled scenes, excessive conversations on mundane issues, profanity in dialogue, an extended cameo by Tarantino himself etc etc were possibility formulated in this movie. Few scenes were familiar like discussion in a restaurant and a grievously wounded guy in the backseat of a car. Almost half of movie is set in a warehouse where extensive discussions take place and it appears like a photographed stage play at times. One notable aspect in this movie was that the background music was not though an orchestra but playback of recorded songs of the 70s. The plot was about a group of gangsters who blame each other after a jewellery heist goes horribly wrong specially after they come to know that one of them was an undercover cop who had informed the police.( It seems the title refers to dogs fighting amongst themselves in a closed reservoir). Just like " Pulp fiction" ( his later movie) one has to put the episodes in a chronological sequence to understand the plot. This one is comparably simpler though. I find that there are no stars in this movie not that it matters since stylistic picturisation is the star in Tarantino movies.

Dhak Dhak (2023)

Four women bikers on a road trip

[7/10 · 30 April 2024]

This is a story of four women of different age groups and backgrounds who have a common passion of going on a road trip riding their motorcycles. The eldest is Mahi a grandmother out to prove she is something to reckon with, the second is Uzma a middle aged housewife with a dominating husband and a teenaged daughter, the third is Shashi a young woman vlogger recovering from a broken relationship and the fourth is Manjari an orthodox, timid young woman on the threshold of getting married. They all their reasons to be a part of this 7 day road trip from Delhi to Leh organised by Shashi as an assignment to present to her boss so that she can move to Barcelona for a project.

The movie will specifically relate to women, bikers and to road trip/ adventure lovers in general. The plot is fairly predictable since we all know what happens on a road trip and just about everything happens here. The tyre puncture, the breaking down of bike, the minor accident, the roadside dhabas, one of them lost enroute and then found, the bad weather/ terrain, falling sick ---they are all there. Of the good experiences there is friendship, bonding, the spirit of adventure, self discovery and good times spent not forgetting the helpful truck drivers and fellow travellers. The movie has a well directed, fairly interesting narrative, some good acting by the four actors and excellent cinematography of the picturesque locations. It is not without flaws and cringe worthy moments but then which movie doesn't have them ?

The Teachers' Lounge (2023)

Tension filled narrative in a school

[8/10 · 29 April 2024]

The movie is set in a school in Germany. Carla Nowak is a lady teacher of the 7th grade and teaches mathematics. She is quite happy in her job but recent theft of money from the teachers' Lounge has been disturbing for her. She decides to investigate, places a video recorder, identifies the clothes worn by the person stealing and confronts an administrative colleague wearing similar clothes. What could have easily closed the issue now spirals out of control as the colleague refuses to accept the blame and higher authorities of the school get involved.

With this plot director Ilker Catak spins a tense and gripping narrative taking place within the premises of the school. With the help of some fine acting by Leonie Benesch as the harassed teacher, a very taut and tension filled screenplay and superb cinematography highlighting attention to detail ( a single location throughout) the director has used Hitchcock type of dramatic filming to keep the audience riveted. ( The aspect ratio of 4:3 helps). One definitely remains glued to this story of teacher- student dynamics and teacher- colleague relationship even while character assassination takes place and the search for truth continues. The movie is moving and thought provoking. The aspects of racism, adolescent behaviour, toxicity of strained relations, underlying suspicion, the anxiety of parents, the anger and the anguish of all are very palpable. One may find fault with the development of the script as there are a few loose ends and one feels the investigation could have been done more professionally. The open ending of the movie is also debatable and the movie throws up questions rather than give answers.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)

Simple, sweet, endearing

[8/10 · 28 April 2024]

This is a coming-of-age story of a 12 year old American girl Margaret who has a Jewish father and Christian mother. She is happy at school with her secret club of 3 other girl friends who are all coming to terms with the changes taking place in them and all around. All the girls are at the threshold of puberty, their bodies and hormones are changing and they somehow want to become attractive ladies as early as they can. They even tell lies when they want to impress the other girls. Margaret is confused with religion, family relationships, societal norms and also with the physiological changes in her body. She has just learnt that her mother was disowned by her parents after her marriage with a Jewish man. Margaret is not affiliated to any religion and everytime she has a confusing issue bothering her she exclaims " Are you there God ? This is me, Margaret " and then hopes God would give her a solution. She is close to her paternal grandmother who loves her dearly. In due course she meets her maternal grand parents. The movie is cute and heartwarming. The subject about adolescence is relatable.

Director Kelly Fremon Craig has made a simple, sweet and endearing film without making it complicated with sub plots. Maybe the movie has turned out so well since the director is a lady and so the "girlie" problems are presented realistically. Additionally the movie is based on a story whose author is a lady. Acting wise the little girl Abby Ryder Fortson has performed nicely projecting the correct amount of innocence and the expression required. Rachel McAdams is good as usual as the mother expressing her apprehensions and affections very well indeed.