Merry Christmas has good performances, glorious cinematography and spicy dialogues however a torpid screenplay and an underwhelming climax are the key drawbacks. Will get confused between being a black comedy or a thriller and finally ends up being neither. Strictly a one time watch, ideally on Ott, 3/5
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Accomplished. Good, stable docu drama movie the chronicles the life and occasions of Area Marshal Manekshaw in a hagiographical format. His equation along with his IMA batchmates, his spouse in addition to ex PM Indira has been precisely & adequately portrayed with out an excessive amount of melodrama or shenanigan.
The movie excels in its portrayal of the assorted regiments of the Indian Military in addition to the mutually admirable equation the Area Marshal shared along with his Jawans & officers.
The principle complaints – Nothing about his childhood and college life. Its a bit problamatic to painting such a wealthy illustrious life in 2.5 hours however his early days, his equation along with his mother and father & faculty life deserved to be touched upon.
Additionally, completely no actual life footage of the Area Marshal by means of the movie regardless of good path of apt utilization of actual life footage in portrayal of the ’71 conflict.
Price Watching movie however. Kudos to Kaushal and Meghna in equal measure.
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THE SPY on Netflix –
Maybe a bit late within the day, however a backbone chilling, nerve wracking spy drama that after once more reinstates how nicely espionage thrillers might be if made with the correct quantity of realism and gradual burn.
Good efficiency by Sacha Baron Cohen, glorious departure from his humorous man gigs. An ideal tribute to the “nation earlier than self”, “nation earlier than household” stone chilly method of the Israelis that defines and makes them what they’re within the publish WW-2 world (one thing most Indian civilians are incapable of even of their desires!).
Should Watch
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Watched Tiger 3 right this moment morning. Like I stated earlier, good script, needlessly prolonged screenplay that wasn’t crisp sufficient, glorious motion sequences & stunts (esp by Katrina), substandard Visuals (persevering with from the place Pathaan left off), mediocre performances (Emraan did nicely however his make up and shallowly written character didn’t assist, SRKs cameo being a whole waste of time on the identical traces as Salman’s in Pathaan), dialogues that oscillate between the hilarious, sarcastic to tacky.
Higher than Tiger 1, at par with Pathaan (general) however not a patch on Tiger 2 and Warfare.
5/10
*Displaying a Pakistan PM in good gentle isn’t gonna go down nicely with the audiences (rightfully so) however within the general scheme of issues I’d nonetheless take it since the actual villain of the piece, The Pakistan Armed forces and the ISI have been appropriately demonized together with a “light” reference to the rogue insurance policies of Turkey and China.
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AN ACTION HERO :
Tremendous Enjoyable “popcorn” entertainer with excessive meta references and black comedy that’ll make you rofl and facepalm on the identical time. A movie inside a movie with water tight screenplay and spicy dialogues, its relentless tempo covers up for its predictable goof ups whereas the gorgeous camerawork and stylized motion is a murals.
Performances from Ayushmaan and the ever dependable Jaideep Alhawat are image good for the job at hand and regardless of Ayushmaan’s lack of enchantment within the motion style (one main purpose why the movie flopped) he’s delivered considered one of his profession finest publish Andhadhun and Vicky Donor.
7/10 – Price Anticipating its enjoyable tropes with a pun.
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****Could include spoilers***
Khufiya – One other mediocre common product by Vishal Bharadwaj. A script stuffed with potential and thrill will get entangled in a messy net of obnoxious VB shenanigans (addicted semi bare housewife, a lesbian intelligence officer, a prime of the invoice double agent so dumb, he’d put havildars of Delhi Police to disgrace).
Performances by a proficient forged are the one factor going for this movie alongside some good cinematography and a handful of procedural scenes involving real espionage.
The same old irrelevant and predictable Bharadwaj anti nationalistic pandering about how nationality and borders are the foundation reason for all wars (yet another toast for the commies after Jawan) that we’ve develop into used to since that terrible propaganda piece of writing from a Kashmiri militant that we name “Haider” doesn’t make issues higher.
Strictly a one time watch you probably have nothing higher in your listing.
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The Vaccine Warfare :
A nicely intentioned movie general narrating the trials and tribulations of our scientists and their skilled and private struggles by means of the horrifying pandemic.
Clearly being a Vivek Ranjan movie there are events the place there’s subtlety of a sledgehammer in rightly calling out the crooked left wing media cabal and their NYC masters however I do want he will get a bit smoother and refined about it going ahead.
Its finally the scientific lab R&D and testing scenes (nicely shot and edited) the place the center and soul of the movie lies and superlative performances from Nana Patekar and Pallavi Joshi with admirable assist from Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sapthami Gowda and Anupam Kher solely rise the movies requirements.
All in all The Vaccine Warfare won’t be an incredible movie however positively an important movie and a befitting tribute to our scientists and virologists in addition to a convincing slap to deprave pharma cos like Pfizer and Moderna for his or her treacherous opportunistic insurance policies. Identical to the makers final, its a troublesome movie to look at and would have labored higher as a docu-drama format or a 5 half net sequence however kudos to Vivek Ranjan and Pallavi Joshi for presenting us this important movie. 8/10
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***A Haunting In Venice**
Extra of a tribute than an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel. That seamlessly blends in parts of horror and fantasy. Regardless of the gradual paced and partly torpid screenplay, simply the most effective of Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot movies and a far superior improve from the lackluster Orient Specific and Demise on the Nile. A great stable 7/10.
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Watching Jawan.. directionless vigilantism that results in extra chaos than order is all the time problamatic, be it Rang De Basanti or Gabbar and even Joker. Its totally different from unidirectional and private vendetta vigilantism like Indian & A Wednesday. The great stable Vfx & popcorn moments apart Jawan is sort of senseless enjoyable solely once you don’t strive taking it too severely. A concoction of too many characters & arcs, none of which have sufficient growth. 2.5/5
Solely somebody who really is aware of easy methods to smoke a cigar would know the badassery of the interval sequence btw.. 😜
Jawan is mainly a mass interesting Tamil movie starring Srk & higher manufacturing worth. He would possibly as nicely have chosen Ajith Kumar with ditto outcomes
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Accomplished watching OMG2. A good entertainer coping with a particularly necessary & delicate matter in a particularly naive and preachy methodology, akin to half 1. And similar to its prequel its unable to let go of a completely weird climax involving considerable goofiness and suspension of disbelief. Akshay is simply being Akshay as common, sadly Pankaj and Yami are the identical. Pawan Malhotra is the present stealer (according to judges in Hindi courtroom dramas).
A onetime look ahead to its theme and crisp presentation for the primary 3/4th of its length. 3/5
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Oppenheimer–
1. Nolan’s return to his roots. Sluggish burn screenplay that retains you engrossed proper from the primary body to the final regardless of its excruciating tempo & size. Torpid pacing is perhaps a flip off except you’re keen to speculate your self utterly and are mentally ready for an exhaustive & informative narrative.
2. Heavier reliance on drama, dialogue and a non linear narrative with diversified color scheme.
3. Sound design is prime notch however in contrast to Nolan’s theme based mostly narratives (since Inception) Oppenheimer has a background rating that’s extra inclusive as a part of the story telling course of than an announcement in itself.
4. BRILLIANT dialogues, star of the present. Profession finest performances by Murphy & Downey Jr balancing their flawed characters with a toned down aptitude you seldom witness. Emily Blunt is par excellence within the climax scene.
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Mission Majnu – Obscure, confused and fairly cheesy at occasions. A movie dealing with advanced Indo-Pak espionage relations with child gloves. Fairly watchable in case you want to watch a political/espionage thriller in a masala format with caricatured performances and infantile dialogues.
Sid Malhotra is first rate and charming as a confirmed Majnu, Rashmika does nicely, Parmeet Sethi is okay as Kao whereas Zakir Hussain is totally wasted as a superb for nothing sarkari oaf. The most effective half in regards to the movie is its no holds bar in exposing the treacherous traitor Morarji Desai, India’s best shame as a PM and one whose insurance policies are maybe a poster for the likes of Kejriwal, Stalin & Mamata. The injury carried out by Indira’s self obsessive lapse in imposing the Emergency & the aftermath of the electoral defeat in 1977 had been felt proper till Siddharth’s final movie based mostly on the ’99 conflict hero Capt. Vikram Batra.
Ranking : 3* ; okay as a one time watch however not a patch on the likes of Mukhbir and Raazi based mostly on comparable themes.
PS : Evergreen Byomkesh babu Rajit Kapur has one other feather in his cap as Zulfikar Bhutto after enjoying Gandhi, Modi and Nehru. Some background.
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Barring the gorgeous visuals and cinematography, Avatar 2 is an extended by no means ending snoozefest that appears extra like a celebration of America’s despicable expansionist & invasive insurance policies than about story telling and screenplay.
Since bombing continents and international locations isn’t sufficient anymore, time for the White home’s Hollywood stooges to go about bombing & invading fellow planets beneath the garb of movie making. As with virtually each main studio now, spending huge bucks on visuals with zilch story telling & recycling the identical rubbish in a franchise format is the one factor left of Hollywood now, in occasions when Indian & Asian cinema’s making fast strides. No surprise even nearly first rate stuff like Parasite & RRRs leaving them in awe.
✯✯ /5
Favorite films of 2022 :
Main : 9/10
Drishyam 2 : 8/10
Vikram Vedha : 8/10
777 Charlie : 7/10
The Kashmir Recordsdata : 7/10
Gangubai Kathiawadi : 7/10
Vikram Hitlist : 7/10
Jhund : 7/10
RRR : 7/10
KGF 2 : 7/10
Others : PS1, Bhediya, Runway 34, Karthikeya 2
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Avatar (2009) -A rewatch
Gorgeous visuals, distinctive cinematography and mesmerizing VFX in a wafer skinny plot (that’s Cameroon’s speciality proper from his Terminator & Titanic days) with a tinge of American propaganda about how they’re the one dwelling land worthy of surviving this planet & past (when the reality is way from it!). Hijacking an alien planet and waging conflict in opposition to the unprepared is staple American food regimen, be it politics, diplomacy or leisure.
Count on Avatar 2 to be no totally different other than the truth that its 30 minutes longer in size and would possibly check your endurance (if not provide you with a 3 dimensional migrain). ⭐⭐1/2
Ram Setu (2022) -OTT watch
A movie with its coronary heart in the proper place and aspiring to have fun Bharatvarsha’s timeless Dharmic legacy by means of the legend of Shri Ram and the Setu however utterly tousled by way of writing and visuals. The juvenile dialogues and inflexible performances don’t assist. Watchable just for the content material (in case you should!). ⭐⭐1/2
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Watched Chup -Revenge of the artist. The Guardian’s assessment sums it up the most effective : “Chup efficiently skewers not simply the tense film-maker/critic relationship, however is aware of completely the place to place its finger to finest needle Movie Twitter: it calls out hot-take retailers, overly constructive and corrupt reviewers, and this exalted calling’s self-importance.”
Regardless of the gradual burn screenplay and obvious loopholes, this can be a watchable movie particularly for Dulquer Salman’s stunningly menacing act and a surprisingly restraint Sunny Deol (shouts simply as soon as in your complete length of the movie!).
PS : Glimpses of the despicable Raja Sen in a movie about critics being chopped and slaughtered was probably the most satisfying bit, a cameo from Saibal Chatterji and Anna Vetticad would have been the icing on the cake however anyhow.. 😛
3.5/5
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Accomplished watching Drishyam 2. The identical story as the unique however positively a tighter and extra taut screenplay this time regardless of the implausible twists and handy climax. Ajay Devgn sir is mesmerizing as Vijay Salgaonkar and maybe the one actor in Hindi cinema who might match Mohanlal sir on this position.
Tabu invokes the viewers wrath convincingly whereas Akshay & Rajat Kapoor add steadiness to the opposites. The dialogues and background rating is a winner. Although this isn’t as much as the usual of its prequel, its nonetheless a pleasant thriller.
☆☆☆1/2
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Brahmastra :
Story -⭐⭐⭐⭐
Screenplay -⭐⭐
Performances -⭐⭐
Motion/Visuals -⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dialogues -⭐⭐
Good idea jarred by some substandard dialogues that sound straight out of a dubbed Telugu movie and really unconvincing leads whose ineffective chemistry fails the love story in addition to utterly sloppy physique language and physicality by Ranbir whose a misfit for an action-superhero position. Fortunately the movie’s saved by glorious visuals and whistle worthy heroic cameos from SRK, Nagarjuna and Bachchan sir. Mouni Roy because the vamp is way simpler in her mannerisms and physique language than each Ranbir and Alia.
Ranking -⭐⭐⭐ (one time watch)
Minnal murali -India’s finest superhero movie by a mile. An authentic screenplay a few superhero vs supervillain story created by way of love, ambition and commonplace masala father-son template.
Though there may be apparent Hollywood inspiration, the dialogues (English model), diction and cinematography give this film a whole heartland expertise. Ample humor coupled with good stable performances, a film for all age teams and a common viewers. The excruciating 160 minute being the one downside ✯✯✯✯
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Vikrant Rona :
Nothing a lot other than visuals and cgi. Easy plot narrative in a needlessly convoluted method.
An especially casteist movie as nicely, the avengers being remodeled to rakshasas regardless of watching the decrease caste relations being killed whereas an higher caste Vikrant Rona rising a hero regardless of being an confederate in crime throughout his faculty days. DISAPPOINTING…
Story -⭐️⭐️
Screenplay -⭐️⭐️
Performances-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dialogues -⭐️⭐️
VFX/Motion -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Whole -⭐️⭐️ 1/2
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Revisiting Jodhaa Akbar :
For the primary time in over a decade I obtained an opportunity to revisit considered one of Ashutosh G’s most majestic huge display extravaganzas Jodhaa Akbar,
Story & Screenplay : 7/10
A somewhat simplistic story of a Mughal king eager to forge an alliance with a Rajput princess to be able to develop his foothold throughout the Hindustani landmass. The screenplay (by Haider Ali and Ashutosh himself) nonetheless takes a particularly labored and snail’s method (a typical problem with most Ashutosh movies together with Lagaan) which induces boredom and disinterest within the viewer on occasion. To cite from Austin Chronicle, the movie’s greatest victory is that “The music and dance which might be such hallmarks of Bollywood filmmaking are right here seamlessly integrated into the story somewhat than making a pause within the motion.” https://bit.ly/3c2QMlm
Dialogues : 7/10
Good and efficient (wanting being nice nonetheless) for probably the most half. Emperor Akbar and Jodhabai’s romantic exchanges are a pleasure to the ears whereas a younger prince Akbar setting apart Khan baba within the first quarter of the movie and setting his priorities straight have been written extraordinarily successfully. Akbar’s exchanges with Jodha’s brother in addition to his highly effective & emotional dramatic alternate along with his foster mother (an brilliantly devilish Ila Arun) have been thoughtfully penned by author KP Saxena.
Performances : 7/10
Environment friendly and stable performances for probably the most half. Each Hrithik and Aishwarya have been given ample scope to exude allure and magnificient magnificence by their good-looking appears to be like they usually ship successfully on that entrance. Ila Arun as Akbar’s foster mother is prime notch and so is Sonu Sood as Sujamal Bhaisaab. The assist forged led by Kulbhushan sir and others is satisfactory as nicely. To cite B. Rangan on this “Hrithik occupies display house with such silent poise and regal bearing, it’s onerous to consider this is similar actor with the loosest limbs in Bollywood. And whereas Aishwarya’s magnificence is not any breaking information, she’s so luminous from sure angles, it’s as if the cinematographer lit her from inside.” https://bit.ly/3yTCT1O
Motion/Cinematography/Music : 6/10
The motion is the place the movie takes a little bit of a beating. Agreed the photographs didn’t have the posh of the VFX we witness in modern-day cinema like RRR however the haphazard stunt choreography and shut up motion photographs had been a significant let down. The lengthy distant battle sequence photographs in addition to the one to at least one climatic duel go away an affect however. AR Rahman’s music is pure genius Kiran Deohans’ cinematography is patchy is components (motion sequences) and environment friendly in others (specifically the dialogue and romantic sequences of the lead pair).
Remaining phrases : An uneven but first rate watchable movie for probably the most half the place the romance between its stunning leads together with the music works significantly better than the historic sermons and the motion.
Ranking : 7/10 (Price Watching)
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Kranti (1981)
Received a chance to look at this Manoj Kumar masterpiece on Zee5 final night time. A star studded business film about revolutionaries mutiny in opposition to the British with image good performances from Dilip Kumar saab, Manoj Kumar saab, Hema ma’am, Praveen ji, late Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan sir amongst others. A real visible extravaganza in its precise sense, the RRR of the Eighties with higher dialogues and higher performances by its forged. No shock that KRANTI turned out to be Hindi cinema’s greatest and best blockbusters of the last decade. Sholay, Deewaar, Kranti, Karma and many others. are the kinda movies nobody in Bollywood’s able to making these days, the primary purpose for the trade’s present disaster.
A great deal of nicely choreographed motion, oodles of intestine wrenching emotion (demise photographs of Manoj saab, Shashi ji and Shatrughan sir particularly), intense drama and dialogues that invoke claps, whistles and hair elevating moments as nicely punctuated by a little bit of sprinkled humor and romance, Kranti is the close to good masala movie enterprise and alongside Sholay, this deserves to be a template in modern-day business movie making. The plain and monumental inspiration of each these classics on Rajamouli sir’s RRR is all however apparent.
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Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
First time I’ve ever watched Mamootty sir carry out (due to my zilch understanding of Malayalam) however as for his portrayal of Dr. Babasaheb, its virtually pinpoint perfection (besides the Malayali accent that can not be helped). All the time discovered Ambedkar the scholar a little bit of a myopic when it got here to his restricted understanding of Hinduism and its philosophies (which might by no means rise past the manusmriti) however obtained to applaud him for his relentless efforts in the direction of annhilation of sophistication disparity and girls upliftment in pre Impartial India. Its solely an irony (or maybe his hypocirsy?) that being a self proclaimed atheist he transformed to a different DHARMIC religion (Buddhism) afterward in life.
PS: The one chief in pre impartial India other than Bhagat Singh to have known as out the crafty british stooge Mohandas Gandhi for what he was!
