Category Archives: Genre

Action, Genre, SciFi

2.0 Review

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2.0 Review – 2.0 is a Tamil Sci Fi action film released in 2018. Dr. Vaseegaran brings Chitti back to take on an evil force that goes around killing people.

For quite sometime Indian movies have been aspiring for recognition of making movies of big scale and making it work. Movies like Chandralekha gave this confidence in the yesteryear. Now movies like Baahubali and 2.0 push the needle in the positive direction in creating a large-scale movie on high budgets and still making it commercially workable. Shankar’s extravagant dream and realizing them as grand visuals makes 2.0 a visual treat. Rajnikanth has shouldered the movie to make it entertaining throughout. As the commercial values rested on Rajnikanth, this has definitely overshadowed the power and purpose of Akshay Kumar’s character which is pivotal to the plot.  That is where the movie falters, the character arc which is always a strong point of Shankar’s movie goes weak. Like many of Shankar’s movies, there is a very essential social message in this one too. However, due to the weak characterization, the message doesn’t hit you hard in your face as it did in Anniyan like it did in Indian.

In essence 2.0 is all about visual extravaganza and superstar show. You are sure to get entertained for the 160 minutes. Shankar has repeated the subtle introduction of the Superstar without any frills like in the first installment. The absence of force fitting of songs is a welcome change, Amy Jackson portions are there merely to add humor to the proceedings. The body language transformation from Vaseegaran to 2.0 is still a treat to watch and forms some of the high points in the movie. As a superstar fan, you would want to whistle as the transformation happens. There are some surprise shades of characters he has played as well, which you would watch in the movie. The scenes comprising of Vaseegaran, Chitti, and Akshay Kumar at the crossroads in the second half is constructed very well and makes you long for more. The movie has a fitting grand climax sequence that has been action choreographed very well. From visual spectacle, we have already seen Chitti and 2.0. The stunt sequences of Bird and the formation of particle animation to create the bird is quite stunning to watch. The bird not being revealed completely, but in parts across various scenes would remind you Spielberg movies like JAWS and Jurassic Park.

High Points: Shankar’s visualization, Rajnikanth’s screen presence, Visual effects, 3D movie, Action Sequences, Animation of the Bird, Social message.

Low Points: Weak Characterization,  Flaws in the screenplay. Sujatha’s magic is missing in the screenplay.

Overall 2.0 definitely pushes the envelope of creating a movie with visual grandeur and adoption of latest technology in Indian movies. This can change the commercial landscape of Indian Cinema in a positive way. Shankar’s dream stands tall at the end of it.

If good writing combines with such technology then it would be a treat to watch. Go watch the visual spectacle in 3D, you would be entertained if you are willing to forgive the flaws in the script.

Don’t miss the post-credits scene like Marvel Style 🙂

Worth a Watch

Drama, Genre

Pariyerum Perumal Review

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Pariyerum Perumal Review – Pariyerum Perumal is a Tamil drama released in 2018.  Pariyan is a youth from a village who aspires to become a lawyer and joins law school. As he struggles with English, a girl in his class named Jo helps him out with it. But their friendship does not go well with her family as Pariyan is from the oppressed caste.

The movie is very intensive right from the beginning and brings out the darker side of casteism based divide in the society. In the first few minutes of the movie the plot line becomes clear as Pariyan’s beloved dog (Karuppi) becomes victim of the caste based fight. The stereotypical social practices come into light during various scenes in the movie like the one where he sits in the back bench, Different glasses are given in the tea shop based on the caste, People do not sit in the bus near a oppressed caste person,  honor killing, Law college not teaching in local language although there is provision for taking exams in the local language. The desperation of folks from oppressed caste not able to lead a simple life by not getting into any fights is depicted well. The closing shot of two tea glasses on the same table is an aspiration from the film maker.

The character of the old man who is a mason and assassin used for honor killings is definitely portrayed very well and brings in thrills in many scenes. The lead actors Kathir and Anandhi have performed well. Yogi Babu brings in some laughs in an otherwise a very serious script. Also he is a character who is the representation of folks who do not mind caste of people while Anandhi’s character is of a person who is ignorant of the whole problem. Each of the characters highlight various facets of the society which is quite brilliant writing. Director Mari Selvaraj backed by Producer Pa. Ranjith definitely scores high in his first movie.

High Point: Very strong script on the prevailing issue of casteism, The script not falling for the stereotypical gangster uprising, the characterization of the lead pairs, the mason and Anand played by Yogi Babu.

Low Point: The raw violence may not suit all audience although the film is rated as suitable for all ages.

Overall Pariyerum Perumal is a hard hitting movie that asks tough questions against the caste based social divide in the society. If you love intriguing realistic drama, then this one is a Must watch for you.

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Comedy, Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Romance

Ali’s Wedding Review

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Ali’s Wedding Review – Ali’s Wedding is an English movie produced in Australia. The movie revolves around a Iranian family settled in Australia. Ali the youngest son in the family tells a lie due to social pressure and the events that the lie leads to is the rest of the movie.

The movie starts off on a empty field that leads to a vineyard where a guy in a groom costume is driving a stolen tractor to get to the airport but is chased by cops. The beginning certainly gives the taste of what you can expect. From then on it is a roller coaster ride of fun. You get a glimpse into the lifestyle and culture of the Iranian family. The movie overall has a very funny tone and deals how simple expectations from life can alter the way one can lead life. It also has a satirical take on how rest of the world views people from middle-east. Even the deportation scene from the US  is hilarious.

The family values have striking similarity with Asian families and this lets you connect with the movie very well. The movie also takes a dig at how the old systems and beliefs are altered based on convenience in a most comical way.

High Points: The simplistic plot of the movie, the screenplay of the movie, the comic sequences, performances by Osamah Sami, Helena Sawires and Don Hany.

Low Points: There is not many low points in this movie.

If you love movies with comedy of errors plot then Ali’s Wedding is a perfect movie for you. It has all the ingredients that make it a very good comedy film. Overall it is a well made movie that is simple, naive and also emotionally connects well. The movie is on Netflix . Do watch it.

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Drama, Genre, Hindi Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Lust Stories Review

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Lust Stories Review – Lust Stories is a Hindi anthology film released in 2018. After the successful anthology of Bombay Talkies in 2013, directors Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akthar and Dibankar Banerjee come together yet again to create this new anthology series that explores the theme of lust.

The striking difference in these stories is that lust is explored from a women’s perspective. Each of the stories is bold and the one’s filmmakers dare to deal it in full-length scripts. This one is also in line with the theme of Lipstick under my Bhurka Kudos to the filmmakers to come up such a theme and make a movie around it. The film doesn’t miss a chance to poke fun at the taboo surrounding physical relationship and Indian upbringing. The lead ladies of the stories Radhika Apte, Bhumi Pednekar, Manisha Koirala, Neha Dhupia and Kiara Advani have portrayed their roles very well.

This time Karan Johar goes last and in fact, the order of the films have been reversed in terms of its directors to that of Bombay Talkies. This is probably the second movie made by Karan Johar that I loved after the short film in Bombay Talkies, it brings out the best in him. Without giving a spoiler of plots I wanted to touch upon the few areas that impressed me very much. Anurag has explored a monologue to jump the scenes, he has remained within the three walls of the film space and the monologue of Radhika Apte keeps it under her personal space where she can speak her mind freely. Zoya’s film has Bhumi Pednekar give out a very compelling performance without uttering a dialogue for most parts. She has shown that a normal situation can be made thrilling if you connect the audience to an emotion. Dibankar Banerjee has told many a thing without them being actually said between his characters. Karan Johar has explored one of the most less spoken about topics in a quick-witted manner but still gets his message very clear.

All the situations in the movies are like you hope it doesn’t happen and it happens.

High Points: 4 great directors coming together to make an anthology, exploring the concept of lust from a women’s perspective, the performance of the lead characters.

Low Points: Hardly any

Overall Lust Stories is an anthology that explores areas very less explored in Indian Cinema and does make a statement that would make you think.

The movie is rated 13+ and is available only on Netflix.

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Crime, Drama, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies

Kaala Review

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Kaala Review – Kaala is a Tamil crime drama released in 2018. Mumbai’s politician Hari Dhada has hidden agenda of cleaning up Mumbai’s Dharavi to let it open for commercialization, but people of Dharavi protest against it under the leadership of local don Karikaalan.

I was disappointed with the second half of Kabali wherein I felt director Ranjith had a masterpiece in the making but fell flat in the second half. This time in Kaala the screenplay is much tighter and travels towards the purpose. The screenplay also provided a much larger scope for the mass moments of Rajini. Be it the swag of the black dress and shades, not being able to hide his lost love or getting drunk and blabbering in the police station, its out and out Rajini’s moments. He makes all these scenes very enjoyable.

Kaala has a very similar structure to his previous movie Madras. The movie jumps right into the core problem and how the voice of people is not heard in the massive political schemes which are supposed to be for the people. Apart from Rajini the biggest strength of the movie is Nana Patekar. He has played the unapologetic, gruesome villain with ease. His acting and body language are exemplary.

The screenplay does come with its own flaws. The character of Huma Qureshi is very weak and one dimensional. There was a much larger scope for the character but again the writers seem to have struggled with it as they did for Radhika Apte’s character in the second half of Kabali.  The rapper group is becoming a very predictable part for Ranjith’s film which again could have been avoided.

Samuthrakani has played a very good supporting role. It is refreshing to see him explore different roles other than being typecast into roles that shout out social messages. Eswari Rao makes a good pair to Rajini. She has a lot of scope in the first half and the way her character has been sketched is very nice. It is also refreshing to see Dileepan playing a significant role after Vathikuchi.

The subtext of the movie is about the perception people carry regarding the slums. Ranjith has questioned the stereotypes. If we talk about Dharavi or the North Madras slum, we remember movies like Nayagan, Thalapathy, Pudupettai which stereotypes the areas as the hub of crime. Pa Ranjith’s Kaala paints the picture of more life and family values in the slum, unlike the popular stereotypes.

High Points: Rajini’s charisma and screen presence, Nana Patekar’s acting, Mass moments of Rajini and Nana Patekar, a very compelling subtext of the movie, the climax sequence, brilliant cinematography, editing and art design to recreate Dharavi.

Low Points: Huma Qureshi’s character build-up, too much violence in the second half might upset many audiences, some components that are becoming too predictable in a Pa Ranjith’s movie.

Overall Kaala is a compelling tale about the slums beyond our perceptions and beliefs. Pa Ranjith is very sincere in what he believes and has the ability to narrate it in a compelling way. Ram killed Raavan and established Ram Rajya for making people’s lives better, but is that what the people wanted is essentially the question the movie asks. If you like crime dramas then do watch this one in the theaters.

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Action, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, SciFi, Worth a Watch

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review

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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review – Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom is an English science fiction movie released in 2018. Three years after abandoning the island, Claire and Owen form a team to go back to the island to rescue selected species of the dinosaurs from the erupting volcano.

The movie is a sequel to the Jurassic World movie which is a reboot of sorts to the original Jurassic Park series. However in the latest series the backed scientific facts and the possible miracles in the genetic engineering space takes a back seat and more money is invested in attempting to make the audience jump out of the seats or spill popcorns. Although the attempt has not succeeded as much as the production house would have wanted, still they help in letting the script advance with lot of flaws swept under the carpet.

If you love Jurassic Park movies directed by Steven Spielberg, then you would have many moments to enjoy here as many scenes are replicated in here to create a nostalgic effect of the original. After watching the trailer I was just hoping that this does not create the same awkward moments of letting a dinosaur in downtown as in the Lost World. Fortunately not yet, at least not in this movie. (Sigh of relief)

The visual effects are quite stunning and the moment of thrills that work are pretty well done. As long as you don’t think about logic and science behind the scenes you would enjoy this movie.

High Points: Thrilling sequences, The emotional bond between Owen and Blue (raptor), nostalgic recreation of the scenes from the old movie.

Low Points: Lack of scientific facts and logic, over the top action sequences, very predictable screenplay.

Claire tells to Owen at one point, “Do you remember the first time you saw a dinosaur? You don’t really believe it. It’s like a miracle.” This holds good for the movie to. When we first watched Jurassic Park and got to see the dinosaurs on screen, it was like a miracle. Now we have got used to them like the King Kong, Superheroes and so on. Stretching this beyond this runs a risk of becoming cloying for the viewers.

Overall if you are a fan of the Jurassic World then go and watch this one on the big screen without worrying about logic. This is more of a commercial entertainer than science fiction.

Worth a Watch

 

Action, English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Superhero, Worth a Watch

Deadpool 2 Review

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Deadpool 2 Review – Deadpool 2 is an English superhero action movie released in 2018. In the sequel to the movie released in 2016, Deadpool has to take on a time traveler by name Cable to stop him from killing a mutant kid.

Deadpool has been popular for being a bad ass superhero who likes to fight dirty. Well, he continues to fight as expected out of him. As the movie begins we see Deadpool setting himself on fire in his house just mocking how Logan died and gained popularity.  Then we jump into an adrenaline pumping stunt sequence followed by funky titles,  just to remind the audience they are going to see what they have come expecting.

From then on the movie goes in a predictable flow with some witty moments and some brilliant breaking the 4th wall moments. This makes the otherwise predictable movie a more enjoyable one. However this time the stunt and action block has a lesser scope and they have tried to use wit and emotion to fill it up. It has just managed to pull the movie over the edge. The formation of X Force and their first sky jump is a high point in the movie.  The climax is a bit too lengthy and barely manages from not becoming a cliche.

Cable, as a character, is dark and made really well.  The scenes involving him are definitely more interesting.  The soundtrack also has managed to keep the tempo of the movie going.

High Points: The formation of X Force, Characterization of Cable and the high way chase sequence, Witty dialogues and breaking the 4th wall, the Post-credits sequence will get you cracking

Low Points: The lengthy climax,  being lesser on action

Overall Deadpool 2 is a worthy sequel to the first installment of the badass superhero. It has most of the elements that are needed to entice the fans of Deadpool and it manages enough to keep the audience entertained.

Worth a Watch