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Adipurush (2023)
Decent Effort
Finally I have completed watching ADIPURUSH. In a multi episodic effort. Om Raut has done a decent job. The prime challenge is to cram the whole epic into one movie length. It requires exceptional understanding of the epic. Not easy at all. Nobody can do that.
Director Bapu's effort in 1971 is the only one of its kind which successfully ran for 100 days in theaters. Which is still rated IMDb 8.5. But then Bapu is an artist and a writer par excellence besides being a great director along with his soul mate Ramana. It's not fair to compare Om Raut with them. We must give Raut his due for creating a good reference material for our grand children's generation. Prabhas was plastic and Kriti was too sensuous. They are my only two complaints. Rest of the cast was terrific. The Vanaras were superbly created. Saif was Saif. Wish Sonal Chauhan had a larger role. And I conveniently overlooked the Jawed Habib hair do of Raavan, and many such reverse-anachronisms. 😊😊
Family Star (2024)
Analgesic - A movie that removes pain in the heart
FAMILY STAR
Not infrequently social media and movie-ratings services converge and under-rate good movies. Family Star is one such movie which is a clear 8+. There is no single plausible reason why anyone can rate this movie as low as 5, unless critics' score has a far higher weightage than us users, and those critics chose to pull down the ratings with their unbridled rancour and vitriol.
I wonder at times if the competition within industry is more evil than fair. While everything is fair in love, the movie-theatre is not a war zone. If any, we need to show empathy to the distributors and producers who have lost half the battle on the first day, as a section of the population awaits the OTT release.
I watched this movie with trepidation since the director Parasuram's last outing SVP was a thematic disaster, where he could not cogently convey a particular good theme. In Family Star, he has presented a "narrow theme" and spun the story more convincingly than SVP. He flipped "Antuleni Katha" (1976) on the gender and climax; and delivered a demure well-knitted outfit.
Yet again Vijay Devarakonda, delivers a scintillating performance. You cannot take your eyes off him, though his hair-do and moustache look out of place (shows Parasuram does not seek or listen to feedback). This well could have been a hat-trick hit in Telugu for Mrunal Thakur (but the cash registers sadly are not ringing loud enough). She continues to amaze with her versatility - Princess Noor Jehan, Yashna and Indu, respectively. In each of these roles in her last three movies, she plays two personas, and switches from one to the other with finesse; two actors in one.
I rate this movie 8 out of 10 for all the above reasons. Add half-point because the theme and Parasuram's message have tons of sociological importance. Add half more because Gopi Sunder is that musical genius who can bring emotions to life. Don't miss the last song "Kalyani Vacha Vacha" - it is your Friday night dance floor number. Other songs and the background tune will continue ringing in your ears through the day.
Please watch "FAMILY STAR" in your nearest theatre. I certainly will, at least twice.
Merry Christmas (2024)
Mild concoction with a strong after-taste
After pandemic, two questions follow the release of every movie - how is it? Theatre or OTT?
We watched Merry Christmas in PVR Gold - fully reclining seats. Glad we watched this movie in theatre. To appreciate the art of movie making, a classic directorial finesse, to create the milieu of yesteryears and take you back there right from the first till the last scene. It is not just about the artistes. It is about the timing of the sequence, when and for how long. It is the screenplay. Precision at its best. Every scene, every frame, has been thought through. There is nothing out of place. You keep thinking "what if", long after the movie is over. Trying to pick the flaws, like why did she go out on a date. But the more you think, the more you are convinced that indeed it is a fantastic portrayal of characters and story telling. Even if you don't consider the poignancy behind certain outcomes. As I often quote myself - good movies are like an elixir, they should stay with you long after you have seen the "The End". Merry Christmas is a "good" movie. There can never be another one like this.
Watch it till "The End".
Hi Nanna (2023)
What a Recipe
What a perfect recipe
that it came from a debutante director SOURYUV, is a huge surprise in itself.
Director of Music - Hesham Abdul Wahab, less than 10 years scoring music
and the great Sanu John Varghese, Director of photography
a lead pair like Nani and Mrunal Thakur, extremely talented and hard-working people.
How can the movie be anything short of perfection
the entire team played the perfect foil for the young artist Kiara Khanna to show what she is capable of
this is a movie I'll watch many many times and hopefully in the theatre.
Please please watch this movie in a theatre. Don't wait for OTT. This is a movie made for theatres.
10 out of 10, Nanna.
PS: 22nd Jan 2024 - I watched it for the sixth time.
Jaane Jaan (2023)
More a Web Series, not a Movie
JAANE JAAN - is like an intense boxing match where the players don't hurt each other. The intensity fizzles out every time. The role assayed by Jaideep Ahlawat is the biggest draw in the movie. Vijay Verma was crisp and doesn't exceed the brief. Bebo wasn't as desirable as the role needs her to be. Somewhere along you get a feeling that the author of the book has adapted the story from "a beautiful mind" and "drishyam". And with so much of indoor shooting, this could be called a web series not a movie, hence 7/10. If I watch it again, it will be for Jaideep, and Clinton Cerejo's background score.
Khufiya (2023)
Excellence in Screenplay
KHUFIYA was a tight plot that held my attention till the end. Tabu stole the show, flipping between personas effortlessly - of a lover, wife, mother, agent, boss. Loved the authentic Bengali flavour, that added garnish to this movie. I would watch it again, to learn what went into this movie(making). One secret is the casting. When casting is world-class, screenplay is child's play. There is not a single actor who was out of place. Fast-paced, as if Vishal Bharadwaj mandated actors to create impact in half the usual time. To all those who have rated this movie below 6 - most movies nowadays don't hold your attention beyond intermission, this movie does.
Plan A Plan B (2022)
There is no Plan B ....
...because this movie is so good. Perhaps because I did not have any expectations. Riteish Deshmukh is so comfortable with his role in this movie, quite an appealing character. Tamannah Bhatia is rock solid in every scene (biased view, we South Indians are used to her acting).
Downside is that the movie is shot within confines of a few indoor settings, no outdoor at all. More like a web series on a shoe-string budget. Hence I will rate this movie only 8/10. There is barely a song-track. But background score is good and enhances the sentiments and their intensity. Thankfully it is not in theatres. But those who love rom-coms, you may enjoy this one too.
Chup (2022)
... of, for, and by the movie buffs
If you are a chronic movie buff, this is 10/10 rated movie for you. I am writing this review from the Intermission. Hence rated 9/10 as of now.
In India, today is National Cinema Day. Watching this movie in a theatre today is a fitting tribute to all the movie-makers of the last 110 years.
Must watch in theatre. Not because of some special sound effects. But because it's a tribute to someone very special in Indian Cinema.
And and it's quite heady at many moments. Also a tribute to all the chronic movie goers out there.
Thank You Balki, @dulQuer and @iamsunnydeol. You guys are truly brilliant ... to conceive this idea and weave into a cogent fiction. The female cast of Shreya Dhanwantary and PoojaBhatt (plus her one liners) have played their roles to perfection.
......
Finished the movie and upgraded the rating to 10/10.
Sita Ramam (2022)
DULQUER fantasia MRUNAL regalia
Movies are forever, because movies like these come once in a while. Every detail is so beautifully conceived that you wonder how the crew is motivated to deliver perfection in every scene without cutting a single corner. Hats off Hanu Raghavpudi.
It's a pristine Telugu dialogue hence the intensity and impact on a native Telugu like me is perhaps much higher than the RoW viewers. So factor this in my exaggerated review here.
Dulquer makes the movie an outright fantasia. You would want to be in it forever. I wondered earlier why Mrunal Thakur was cast, but not a doubt after watching her first minute. Perfect casting - everyone - backed by a scintillating score by Vishal Chandrasekhar.
I am writing this review during the intermission. For me it's IMDb 11. Will be back soon in the movie theatre, to watch again and again, till it lasts.
Intermission over, movie over, I drove back home in a state of stupor. Still haven't recovered. That's what a nice movie is all about - an immersive alternate reality that lasts very long. Listening to the soundtrack, because I don't want to get out of the milieu, I don't want to leave Dulquer ....
Warning: Do not let my review raise the bar. Smell your beans before watching any movie.
Virata Parvam (2022)
It's a Sai Pallavi film
It's not a biopic, but a true story
It's a romantic setting, but no song and dance.
It's not a Rana film, it's all through a Sai Pallavi film.
Like PT and AB, she does the narrative and carries the film through. In the dialect, she is famous for.
Nandita Das, Zarina Wahab, Priya Mani play small but sharply defined roles and prop up the key character "Vennela" quite well. Not much of bright colours or humour lines or gravity-defying fight sequences in the film. It's a naxal setting with absolutely brilliant cinematography.
I rate this 8.5/10, and if you are a Sai Pallavi fan, you can rate 10/10 ... she delivers better value every time she steps on to the screen. Surely, I will watch again, hopefully on the cinema screen.
Ante Sundharaniki (2022)
Logically written script ... Must Watch
Ante Sundaraniki ... long plot, logically written, compressed beautifully into a fast narrative, and all actors leveraged to their hilt. 8/10 is a certainty, without doubt. The movie is not as comic as it is previewed to be because there are some serious moments you will be transported into, wishing what-if frequently, lending your critical mind to both the lead actors, living the movie, which is what prompts me to rate it 9/10. I may see it again, if I get hooked onto the songs. Nazriya and Nani can do more movies together - no chemistry - but have done their roles exceedingly well. A few actors unknown to me got an opportunity, good for them, and they have done very well. Vennela Kishore is not there, but still the movie has a few "rolling on the floor" scenes.
Must watch, in theatres, because the pace of the narrative requires a solid sound system.
Hridayam (2022)
a perfect hash of #Emotions #College #Romance
#Hridayam is more a journey and less a movie, which I can traverse many number of times. First and foremost, music and background score by #AbdulHeshamWahab, used #Abheri so immersively well throughout the movie. Next, #PranavMohanlal, a heady concoction of cool looks and intense expressions (and doing his father proud). Third, the script of the movie - inspired possibly by a couple of mega hits from Hindi and Tamil - beautifully woven though ... never a dull moment ... lots of motivational sequences. Darshana has a riveting screen presence plus some decent playback singing. And obviously Kalyani is a big draw for any movie. Aju Varghese is hilarious as always and rest of the cast also at their best.
The Secret Alley is the secret potion of this movie
My Score : a perfect 10/10
recommended : two absorbent hand kerchiefs per person.
Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022)
Lost Writer or Ghost Writer?
Dear Parasuram
Geeta Govindam was also contrived fiction devoid of logic, but the narrative, screenplay and direction were superlative. SVP is an anti climax in comparison.
Perhaps the expectations were too high after your GG, that SVP seemed like a mediocre film. With two powerful themes that have diluted each other (say no to retail loans versus collect only corporate loans). Not many sequences to remember and reminisce (like the Nilu episode or marriage shopping in GG), and you took three years to weave this story line.
Second, please don't under utilise talented actors (Nadia, Keerthi Suresh, Samuthirakani). But must say that you have handled Mahesh sequences well. You are the master of close-up shots. And Thaman's music is a big plus. So this is a good one time watch unlike GG which I watched 9 times in a movie theatre.
Ghani (2022)
One actor can destroy a movie
#Ghani would have been fun. Rich star cast like Sunil Shetty, Nadia, Upendra. And of course Varun Tej, who never disappoints. But Saiee Manjrekar is so bad, that I stopped watching the movie. Why do we have to cast star kids who do not know how to act. Why do we have to endure them. So I sadly had to stop watching the move.
Varudu Kaavalenu (2021)
Familiar Storyline ... presented well
Clearly most of the sequences seem familiar, and some dialogues as well. Director Kiran Korrapati should have found a new story. There are enough available.
For the silver linings now, Thaman has delivered 9/10 on music. Especially the lingering song "O Babu ! What to do". Naga Shourya and Ritu Varma are good actors, and they didn't disappoint us. Nadia and Murali Sharma are as good as ever. I think I will see it again.
Don't Look Up (2021)
"NOTHING LIKE HOMEMADE...."
This one was gripping from the first scene. Simple plot, pure fiction, got me thinking and wondering how you want to deal with the divergence of our thoughts, missions, values. Plain cogent way or derogatorily active?
In an era, when most of us are tired of the whatsapp rants we face every day, not to talk of the twitter, this movie gets you thinking .... how do you get the message across .... how do do we guide people ....
DiCaprio moves this from 8 to 9/10 for me.
There are some lines which are unforgettable: "We really have everything, didn't we ... when you think about it ?", "Where is mother....she was a stunner?", "Territories pay fines", and "Nothing like homemade" ....
Kurup (2021)
The Complete Entertainer
If you are used to Dulquer Salman carrying a movie on his shoulders, you must watch this too. A role he essayed to perfection. Who cares whether this is a real life story or biopic or not. This movie entertains you on all dimensions - regiment, romance, score and suspense. Srinath Rajendran, the director, ensured there was no dull moment throughout the movie, tightly packed and nothing predictable. Tovino and Anupama - you would miss them if you don't look out for them. Shobhita and Indrajith played the perfect supporting roles.
Love Story (2021)
100% Chemistry ... with Sarangadhariya
When the lead actors show full chemistry, the movie will be a breeze to watch. Sai Pallavi is among the best actors of this generation, who could convert an ordinary script into superlative viewing pleasure, in perfect partnership with Naga Chaitanya's simple and unassuming presence. Sekhar Kammula, the director, picks the context so beautifully well and delivers a hard-hitting message about the most unreported family crimes behind closed doors. Music and dance, designed to delight the discerning audience. "Sarangadhariya" dance sequence, is an impossible feat. How did Sai pull it off so well .... Watch the moview NOW ....
Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019)
Mystery of the Missing Daughters
I would have rated this movie 9 if not for the drab first forty minutes. It is time movie makers reduce the length of the movie to barely what is necessary or else build a strong narrative to last 150 minutes. Anyway, wonderful choice of subject to bring forward a unique story and social problem. Well done Team Agent SSA, Nellore .....
Joji (2021)
Not the first time ....
Such movies have been made dime and dozen. Fahaadh Faasil breathes in a fresh air into the movie, which has been directed quite well. A friend said it was "classic", and so I watched. Time wasted. Must appreciate that the pandemic context has been captured brilliantly well.
Muddy (2021)
Statutory Warning ...
.... a humorous take on how best to deal with the statutory warning on a pack of cigarettes ... don't miss that scene.
The movie is high adrenalin action. Mud, wheels, muscles, emotions with a few high-octane dialogues and no girls. Any resemblances to Vin Dieselisque reticence and drawl is coincidental. A movie well-presented. Waiting for the sequel now.
Shyam Singha Roy (2021)
Oh My Lovely Lalana .....
Naani's movies are usually good, and can say the same about Sai Pallavi. But what if both of them team up .... then it is a "lovely lalana".
The movie starts hitting off right from the first scene. Liked the way they used lyrics in the background, with music more prominent, to enhance the impact of romantic sequences. And that includes some Bengali keywords too. Put on your headphones to enjoy the music by Mickey J Meyer.
Now do not greet this fact with disbelief. Many decades back the husband and wife never wanted to stay away from each other for even a day throughout their life. If I write anything more, it will be a spoiler. What next ..... WATCH IT AGAIN, on Netflix to savour every scene.
Jai Bhim (2021)
Not a biopic ....
This is a real life story, a legal case, with a strong narrative about a yawning gap between principles and practices. Contextualised in a role that is superbly essayed by Surya. Not for the faint-hearted. It is not a biopic - no eulogies and no fiction. But fast paced and leaves an after taste that's deeply gratifying.
Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 (2021)
Watched again .......
Sometimes when you see a movie again, you will love it more, and more and more and more. Pushpa is a well-crafted movie, blended like the perfect coffee, creating an impact that you would like to repeat. Allu Arjun all the way, speaking in a dialect of Telugu, for which script has never been so well written. The bane of the movie is "too many songs" but that is how the background score has been woven. Lyrics seem like a logical extension.of the dialogue, hitting the sweet spot. Great viewing experience. Looking forward to more of AA and Fahad Faasil together. Histrionics at their best.
Encounter (2021)
Nice movie to end 2021 with
ENCOUNTER is a movie that unfolds like a canyon with twists and turns. I had high expectations, and fortunately the movie ended so well. First, loved the sound and music (Jed Kurzel) and the clever use of some old and new tunes. Second, the role of Bobby played by Aditya Geddada (perhaps the youngest Indian debutant in Hollywood). He stole the show in the first forty minutes, with his range of emotions and spontaneity displaying them. In one scene, he makes you hate him so much, after he deliberately drops the soft-toy from the car, that I watched his expression again and again. Third, the script by Joe Barton and Michael Pearce, right up there with Malik Khan (Riz Ahmed) doing all the right things. The chemistry between Malik and his son Jay (Lucian-River Chauhan) could be felt even amidst the rapid action sequences. Well, I was reminded a bit of "life is beautiful" and "a beautiful mind", but so what, this movie is a different genre and a different century altogether. And, it is Riz Ahmed all the way. Oscars? Not sure .... But nominations certainly deserving .... Music, Aditya, Story and Riz.