jordansteel Reviews

The Great Indian Kapil Show (2024– )

Typical but watchable

[6/10 · 8 April 2024]

Kapil has own style, its one of a kind. His loyalists will always watch and itll be pretty ordinary for the others.

Its bound to get repetitive, how long can you carry out such stuff, jokes will end eventually. That theyre still carrying it on is a big deal.

The surrounding is changed a bit and thats the best repackaging they can do.

Cant get much more from a show like this.

Grover is a great return, the other starts are fine but badly misses Chandu and Simona. Hope they come back. Will add two more stars to the rating. Its the overall combination over the years that has grown into the audience.

Even if your not a fan, a bit of unlinked comedy never hurt. Give us more.

Animal (I) (2023)

Unique weird watchable crap

[6/10 · 30 March 2024]

I like it and hate it at the same time. This was a very unusual movie.

Its more a portrait of a psycho (and a small bit of another psycho). And yes, he throws a lot of crap with his behavior, attitude, tantrums and what not....but the purpose is to present him as that. (not to give us a misogynist movie). Most negative reviews apparently couldnt come to terms with Ranbir playing such a character and expected something else.

But it goes on as it is, presenting Bobby (much lesser background) and then the finale shot just as uniquely but much more realistic than the earlier fights and then the (raving ranting drama) finale.

I surely wouldnt watch it again, but it left a lasting impression on me for its uniqueness and is recommended for a one time watch (as long as you are not easily offended).

The Beekeeper (2024)

Statham is a genre of his own

[8/10 · 10 February 2024]

Truth be told, he has his haters, was talking to a fellow movie critic and she said he has no expression.

Dunno, she maybe right, but his style kinda rocks for me. And this movie (as his regular movies) rocks and just gets better.

Bottom line, typical Statham action, nothing intellectual or extra explatation worthy. He's a genre of his own and i like it. Statham as a do gooder, an action specialist, imparting justice his own style talk less kick more kinda action.

If you like this genre, watch it, if not, you shouldnt even be here, let alone reading this.

No spoilers possible or necessary. Statham rocks.

Justice League: Warworld (2023)

So close yet so far

[5/10 · 29 July 2023]

Close in terms you try something different and it takes time to understand, Far because it gradually gets boring. Im a die hard JLA fan and didnt believe i would ever hit the ff button in a JLA movie.

DC has given us some really good ones and you have the playing field to do that with the characters and their powers. Doom and crisis on 2 earths are some such amazing works. But here it just like another simulation favoring a few characters. I say it time and again, the martian is ithe most underutilized character in DC considering his powers.

Hope to see better over time. This was a fine offering but doesnt utilize its full potential and is watchabe but a bit dull. DC fans go ahead but dont expect too much.

Present rating of 5.5 is precise.

'83 (2021)

Hard to review this one....

[6/10 · 28 March 2022]

I am going to be on the fence but wont lean on the positive side. As i said above this movie is hard to review.

Most sports films have more of a story, this one stays grounded, sticks to the actuals, avoids any masala, but.......felt kind of unsatisfying at the end.

Also feels more like Kapil story than Indian cricket story.

It is said all actors took great pains to mimic their counterparts. However, only those who are close to the team members would know. The general audience would never know this.

Kudos for the effort and performance, but what did we end up watching?

I cant lay a finger on it, but something was missing. It just didnt catch my attention throughout. Like one other reviewer mentioned its more like a docu drama.

Leverage (2008–2012)

If this were real Hardison would be the richest man alive

[8/10 · 22 December 2021]

Have to suspend logic a little bit, this is still fun to watch.

The pacing reminds me of burn notice. They take up a job, plan their way about, then something goes wrong and it all comes down to how they improvise.

Theres quite a bit of plot development here and there, but the overall combination of actors is good.

The characters are stretched at times. Parker can jump from any height and enter any safe. Elliot can easily knock out multiple trained operatives. Sophie can enter any place as any person she desires (without shape-shifting skills). Hardison (This one takes the cake) can empty any account by following a trail. I wonder what hes doing here. He could empty all the banks in the world, hire his own private army and be virtually (pun intended) untouchable.

Ford takes the cake. His acloholism and dominance are a turn off, but thats part of the character. His logic and deduction are brilliant at times and are most acceptable part and what i look forward to the most.

Overall a decent watch.

Antim: The Final Truth (2021)

Sorry Aayush, you are not hero material

[4/10 · 4 December 2021]

I watched this with the same expectation as Satyameva Jayate 2. But i found that much more acceptable than this. Aayush just doesnt do it. Niktin (probably) would have done it better.

Dude just bulking up and ripping in the gym doesnt make you an action hero. And his acting is not that bad, but he just doesnt work here. Emphasis on muscle and action and much less on performance works in specific and rare cases eg Arnold, Van Damn. Salman might have pulled this off much better. This guy just doesnt.

Plotwise, expected nothing got nothing. Action wise expected better....,,, but only Salman works here, he earned the 4 stars of my rating as a divided lead.

Those involved may rate this higher.

Satyameva Jayate 2 (2021)

Standard action with a dash of patriotism and muscle but still entertaining

[6/10 · 27 November 2021]

Standard action, actually good action movie. Just what it says it is, nothing less or more.

Pretty much in line with SJ1, added the dual role, and well done at that. Johns still pretty beefed and cut out for an almost 50 year old. Degraded a shade from the force look (Shoulders there were much better) but still has it, in terms of physique and acting more or less the same, no oscar winner but pretty good in his own rights. Divya not bad but needs a little more work. Didnt expect a intellectually stimulating plot so got what i paid for.

Overall, a treat for action movie fans and John fans. Pl avoid if you are expecting something else.

For genre fans itll be an 8, for balanced others it would be a 5 so the 6.5 rating on imdb appears perfect.

Sanak (2021)

Good for its genre, could be better

[6/10 · 1 November 2021]

As most say, its an action movie. So if you not an action movie fan, you shouldnt be here.

Story has been done many time before.

That said, the actions scenes are very well done. Could've had a few more and he could've shown some more muscle.

Nothing else to complain about. Complete Vidyut show and everything else including the story is supporting. But still fun to watch.

Dybbuk: The Curse Is Real (2021)

Whats the point of a frame by frame copy?

[5/10 · 29 October 2021]

If youve seen the Malayalam film Ezra, youll get nothing new here. Just some better stills in few frames. Story is identical. Even if not be a frame by frame copy, the differences are negligible.

If not, you could go for it as an above average horror / possession movie. Some good visuals, worth a single watch for horror genre fans.

But if i wanted to see it, there was already one to watch, Producers, if you are investing why not try something with its own identity or at least give the audience something new or different? Here only the cast is unique.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Why is the Martian so underutilized?

[8/10 · 6 September 2021]

This ones good. Really good.

Theres so little negatives so lets be done with that first. Primarily its long, really long. (worth the time) but still long. Secondly the Martian and Lantern are way underutilized.

At least the lantern had his own movie but why is the Martian used so scarcely? Shapeshifting, strength, flight, intangibility, telepathy....theres so much to use and hes got like a guest appearance.

That apart theres not much else to complain about. Good character development, good plot development, good setting, climax everything.

Just go in with time in hand and you wont be disappointed,

Hope Martian and Lantern are used better next time. Take a cue from the animated series. All characters were optimally utilized. You have a gold mine for plot development.

Radhe (2021)

Mindless action is a genre

[5/10 · 14 May 2021]

Totally unbiased and im no Salman fan. But a lot of his movies,,,,, and a lot of action movies are just like this, Plenty of Van Dam, Segal, Arnold and for that matter plenty of Salman and several other Bollywood movies are just like this.

But they were reviewed differently, These are pure masala entertainers and nothing else.

So go if you want it or ignore it. Dont prejudge then go and watch and criticize.

I didnt find it out of this world or anything exceptional. My rating is also average. Maybe id add a star, give it a six. But i got exactly what i expected.

The Hunter's Prayer (2017)

Typical action movie but not enough action

[5/10 · 1 October 2020]

This movie is the typical action movie type. The hero/anti hero gets a reason to kick ass of a bunch of baddies and sequences ensure. In such movies not much goes into the plot. Its more about the action sequences and fights that make the movie. Its typically movies of this kind which made several action heroes like Van Damme, Stallone, Arnold, Statham etc. But the sad part was the action was not sufficient / upto the mark. No good hand to hand or shootot which leaves us a dud. Good cinematography and cast which makes the audience expect more, but leaves us disappointed, Only fans of the lead cast would maybe like it.

Uncle (I) (2018)

A fine effort

[6/10 · 13 September 2020]

Firstly, I have seen this called a thriller in certain places which is not true. Those who perceive tension building or questioning uncles character have not got the gist of the movie. It is made abundantly clear that Uncles character is never in question. He could have manipulated the girl at any time if he wanted to. Waiting for anything on that line is a misunderstanding of the plot. The movie us more to be looked at from the point of view of the journey and the social message it sends. Not from a plot perspective cos there isnt much there. The scenery, the surrounding are the icing to it. Could have trimmed the length a little, apart from that its a fine effort.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Senseless, meaningless, pointless

[3/10 · 30 August 2020]

Just like art, where what appears to be just a set of dots for one goes out in millions of dollars to another, similarly for films, you can get investors and an audience for just about anything. But.....i know the kind of movies that appear to a specific kind of audience (the not for everyone type, where the audience is divided) and try all i want, i just cant see where this leads to. If its a supernatural movie there should some sort of cure or revenge pattern, but it just develops into......nothing. The simple summary, a person whose father dies on the operating table, takes revenge on the doctor by...placing a curse on the doctors family, that all would die if he didnt kill one of them. SPOILER The doctor does just that and............its over. And........people like it. Its rated a solid 7. As i said above, like art.

Bird Box (2018)

Looks like the loopholes were deliberate

[5/10 · 13 February 2020]

Yeah, but how many! Other reviewers have pointed them out in tonnes so i need not go all the way. But what were you expecting as a member of the audience. Even creatures or aliens are acceptable, but just no explanation whatsoever. ie no review can contain spoilers since the movie itself did not deliver any. Effects fine, engaging story only to see whats next and we wait and wait and wait and..........culminated into end credits. We deserved better. Heck, the movie itself deserved better.

Drive (I) (2019)

Too many twists spoil the plot

[5/10 · 25 November 2019]

While i didnt find it as bad as most people would, there are large, large holes in the plot and a lot of unacceptables (I know a lot has to be accepted since its a movie, but still....) First and most obvious is the cars used for racing. Even with a low budget you could have got believable wheels for racing. Secondly, the location of the central heist, both in terms in terms of getting the loot in and taking it out. Its impossible. Then the impersonation and the end twist just ddnt fit in. For that matter there were just too many twists. Some pretty cool, but just too many for its own good. Still some were pretty good, performances were fine. We have to suspend logic for such movies and its worth a one time watch, with its fair share of "what the..."

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Movie as mechanical as the machines

[5/10 · 3 November 2019]

Serious character development issues. Cant relate to / care for any of them. The girls just dont kick it that well and the villian is more comical. Not a patch on even the average terminator movies, let alone the good ones. Only thing good (as usual) is the effects. Consistent throughout. Skip it, not worth even a rental.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Transporter : Perfect successor

[7/10 · 4 August 2019]

Pretty much get what you expect here. Fine pacing, just the right emphasis on the cars and speed, great action, good cast, its all there. Like many reviewers say, dont come looking for something else. These guys are actions stars, they do this the best, they are Oscar winners in their own segment in their own right. Introduction of some comedy, in the bickering between Johnson and Statham is a pretty good addition. The only negative one could think of would be the length. Could have cut a bit of the banter and wouldnt lose anything in the process. Also Roman could use a little more exposure. Overall worth a watch. Statham couldve carried this solo, for that matter so could the Rock. Look forward to more form them.

Romeo Akbar Walter (2019)

All John, but no John here

[6/10 · 30 April 2019]

Yup, John carries it all the way, but doesnt put up a show. The good part of this movie is it doesnt try to be something it is not. No posing or exceptional stunts by John. Does what he does as a trained operative under circumstance. Plot pacing is fine, some angles seem unnecessary. The female lead appears to be there just for.......the sake of being there. Ddnt add much value. The end did appear a bit exaggerated. All said and done, core action and thrills, worth a watch.

Amavas (2019)

Same old......

[2/10 · 16 February 2019]

Honestly, its rather dull in places and many places for that matter. You can go for a short walk in the first half and then another and another if you want to burn some more calories and still wont miss much. Standard couple and song and dance stuff with a little introduction to the horror element. The plot moves to the horror part gradually but nothing new here. Standard run of the mill stuff, all the way to the end. The lead dealing with his demons with a little help from his girl and an aide. Plenty of holes and nothing interesting. Feel really sorry for Nargis. Why does she have to accept such poor assignments? They wont take you anywhere....only further down i guess. Wouldnt even recommend it fans of Nargis or horror. Dont think theres any other target audience left.

My Birthday Song (2018)

Good but has missing pieces

[6/10 · 6 February 2019]

Mild spoilers Good effort by all. But couldnt help but feel that i missed something. Played it again but still had the same feeling. Or maybe i just ddnt get it (unlikely). For starters, this gentleman has a birthday party at his house, missed by his wife, post which he has a fling with a guest and she accidentally dies. In shock he gets drunk falls asleep and wakes up the next day to find himself reliving the same day (apparently a bad dream). Some part spills over. However, towards the end they try to give it an appearance like a Hollywood movie "The Game" wherein the entire scenario was enacted as a birthday surprise for him. But it didn't add up. Firstly, he way more than just flirted with the girl, he took her to bed. Even if he didn't go all the way, there is no way his wife would be so cool with that and accept it before everyone. To make it believable, she should have died the moment she went to the bed. Secondly they couldn't possibly change the date in every single place and device. As such the viewer would never buy that. Sadly it could have been presented in a way that would make it realistic before the final reveal. The big reveal after that, once again appeared forced. The first part (where the second days events were a dream) was fine. The second (relating the characters) they could do without or maybe add something more to lead to that reveal. All said, a fine job, but you could have made it much much better.

Zero (III) (2018)

SRK can fly, but not become Superman

[4/10 · 22 December 2018]

Acting out a role where you dont actually fit (literally), would in itself be a challenge. Apart from concentrating on your part, you also have to be conscious of positioning, the effects team would take care of the rest. Must admit SRK did a really good job at that and his fans are in for a treat there. That said, there was no real need for that gimmick in relation to the plot, except maybe to advertise "hey look what this midget is doing". Logic is just thrown out of the window in multiple places. I know you cannot expect total logic from a movie and im considerably forgiving. But this is one of those which asks to stretch your imagination a bit too much. Katrina, fabulous as always, has to take trouble to look bad and is totally wasted here. Dunno why she agrees to such meaningless roles. Anushka did a decent job, SRK the star of the movie, without a doubt. But i dont see anyway they could have saved it. Not like tweaking this or that would make it acceptable. Watch for a light hearted movie too kill some time, if you have it.A must watch for SRK fans. Rest of you can skip and you wouldnt be missing much.

Gerald's Game (2017)

How many movies did i just watch?

[5/10 · 19 December 2018]

The primary element of any movie is the plot and thats where many many makers lose out by small errors which effectively ruins something with good potential and a good cast. How many movies did i watch here? Its begins with a survival story, then goes to issues from a troubled past and goes a different path in the climax, a total misfit here. The makers may argue that dealing with the demons from her past made her strong enough to figure out the escape. But c'mon guys....this is the last place on earth to sit down and ponder on past demons. Anyone would push and push to find a way out. So maybe she was weak, gave up then developed the strength........nope, doesnt work for me. With hours lost in that position, you only grow weaker and not stronger. There was no other way out. Either go Jigsaw or die. Overcoming the demons would have worked in some other setting (maybe a hostage situation, where waiting is an alternative) but not here. And the end was a completely different movie altogether. Good performance by the female lead though. Jut couldnt build up to anything solid. A unique premise, just took the wrong path. The positive reviews imply it worked for some. If you have the patience to sit through a long mental dialogue of a female protagonist caught in a trap, go for it.

Phobia (I) (2016)

Not original but well done

[5/10 · 13 December 2018]

WARNING : SPOILERS The concept of premonition of ones own death has been used in Hollywood on a few occasions. So its not original, but then its not a frame by frame copy either and has adequate originality of its own. That said, it has its fair share of holes. Eg, it ddnt make sense as to why she saw the suggested victim on one of her trances when she ddnt belong there. That scene appears to be for no reason than to mislead the audience. Also the events in the climax could have been placed better. Her friend \ person with whom she had the ordeal had no real malicious intents. Since it was all a mere accident, the climax failed to hold water. It could have been avoided with so much ease for that matter (just if she had not panicked). Kinda makes the entire climax unnecessary except for that part where it made her get out of the house. That apart the buildup and performances were good. Direction and pace were also fine. Just lost its way towards the end. Sad, since a few adjustments could have made it a solid product.