Recently Seen Movies - 11 - Page 116

VIRUS - My Movie Review :

A film based on a real incident is a tricky one to write, especially if that incident is demographic specific. The difficult part I believe is to focus on what to show and what to concentrate on. Aashiq Abu takes this up and does a decent job with it.

The film heavily rests on creating the ambience which was done very nicely with a terrific sound design, good shot selection (Rajiv Ravi) and a back ground score by Sushin Shyam which was a constant undercurrent. The performances were all appropriate and the ones I was most impressed were that of Parvathy and Soubin Shahir.

The main issue that I felt is with the writing of second half. As I mentioned in the beginning, it’s easy to make people connect to a true story that is still fresh in everyone’s mind. But to stuff a lot of into one narrative seemed very exhausting. To start off, the movie which had a realistic flavour at the beginning turned into an investigative thriller post intermission which is executed unconvincingly. Too many characters made it confusing for me. They should have merged certain characters to avoid monotony (Anyways they were not using real people’s names). Indrajith’s character for instance was underwritten and unnecessary in the film’s total context. Again, this would have drastically reduced the running time which is way too long for a film of this genre. The jargon's were also difficult to follow.

But overall, Abu’s making especially the pacing and some very fine performances along with the story’s novelty makes this a decent watch.

Always Be My Maybe

This is a really sweet romcom from Netflix. Look, there is nothing mindblowing that would make it a great theatrical hit. But that's what is great about Netflix. It can fulfill the need for romcoms without the release risk. And Always Be My Maybe is amidst some of its finest.

A lot of things work in its favor. It casts older adults playing thirty-somethings shattering the myth that romance is a teenage or twenty-something thing. But it also shatters some myths about Asian Americans as well. The film handles the narrative of a successful woman and a man held back by his insecurities very well. There is no bravado or sacrifice involved in the process. The narrative also has a very organic friendship to love narrative. It doesn't happen overnight. There is no sappy meant to be destiny bs. And it shows how sex between friends can be murky, awkward and even devastating, especially if you were not emotionally prepared.

Randall Park and Ali Wong not only have impeccable comic timing, but a sweet onscreen chemistry as well.

Zero

Finally saw this on Netflix. I can see why it bombed. Bauua Singh may be charming but he is not a likable character. He takes his parents for granted, cannot be transparent about his intentions with Afia, and has a very grating cockiness. How are we to like him? Look there is one thing for a differently abled person to exude confidence, but another to have cocky disregard for people and their feelings. A layer of insecurity under that cocky character would have made people connect with his antics more.

The whole Mars track was right out of the left field. I mean there could have been so many redemption arcs that could have been a bit out there, but not so far out that its outer space in uncharted territory.

The humor too lands flat. Its too slapstick and silly. Om Shanti Om had this humor too. But it worked because it didn't take itself seriously. The situations and characters were over the top. Zero is baffling because its actually trying to take itself seriously amidst the ridiculousness.

Zero may have bombed, but there is no denying that SRK makes his mark. He's not at his best, but he does exude charm and ease. Despite his CGI diminished height, he towers in some scenes.

But the surprise show-stealer is Katrina who overshadows the King when she's on screen. She is so raw, so real as the self-destructive drunk actress. She was a power package in Tiger Zinda Hain. She was the only good thing in Thugs of Hindostan. She salvaged critical acclaim in a dumpster fire that is Zero. Apparently, she's doing it again with Bharat too. Her entry into this film industry may have been controversial. But she is definitely the most hardworking star - you can see it in her career graph.

I love SRK, but I really wish he would be more discerning with Zero. I can see why he picked Zero. A cocky self-assured dwarf is an interesting challenge. It tests to see if he can be charming in pint size. But the character and the script were poorly written and executed. Many people write of SRK, but I genuinely feel that Fan, Raees, and Jab Harry Met Sejal were good movies that the audience disliked. His dumpster fire prior to Zero was Dilwale. I hope he comes back with a well chosen role soon.

Riverdale S3

This show makes me wonder, has Ekta Kapoor secretly taken over the reins of the show. This dark gothic narrative of Archie and gang has always unfolded like a grim soap opera. However, the most recent season twists and turns like a saas-bahu melodrama. The new big bad The Gargoyle King is like totally out there, and the narrative is riddled with plot holes and WTF moments.

But you know what? I love it. The plot twists may be out there but they are deliciously deranged and unexpected. And while she's just a side character, Madelaine Petsch, as Cheryl Blossom steals every moment she's in. The diabolical redhead will make you feel all kinds of things and every arrow from her bow is a shot to the heart. Cheryl Blossom is bonafide sexy bad ass.

Just finished Bharat. Just too awesome. This was my favorite Salman film since sultan. TZH while entertaining lacked heart but this one was all heart. Salman has given what I think is atleast a top 3 acting performance from him alongside tere naam and Dabangg. Katrina gave the best in her whole career. Salmans friend, his entourage in the oil story and navy story , Sonali Kulkarni, Jackie shroff, tabu, and how can I forget satish kaushik. They all performed brilliantly. Some of my favorite parts were the lifting and underwear scenes when the pirates attack the ship. The Amitabh bachchan dancing ( I thought AAZ would have Salman do action scenes to save them but what he did was masterstroke) When Salman first meets his brother in law. Then Katrina showing up at the wedding and the ending in the shop with salman and Jackie. The music was weak and thus made the songs boring . But for the few minutes she was onscreen Disha Patani made up for it The length was an issue as well. Things could’ve been cut. But for the most part I’d say it was awesome eid entertainment total paisa vasool

I’d give it 7.5/10 on the Maroon scale

Movie : Bharat ::

"भारत है फिल्म का नाम " ~(पाकिस्तान नाम भी रख सकते थे फ़िल्म का)~

जितने सफेद बाल मेरी दाढ़ी और सर पर है उससे कहीं ज्यादा रंगीन मेरी जवानी रही है,, इस डायलॉग के साथ शुरू हुई है फ़िल्म भारत। (अब भाई इस वाहियात अधेड़ की जवानी से आप सभी परिचित है ही तो इस संवाद पर तो उल्टी ही आएगी।) 🤑

आइए फ्रेम दर फ्रेम देखिये।

देश के विभाजन के बाद मुस्लिमो की लाशों से भरी ट्रेन भारत से पाकिस्तान गयी जिसके बाद वहां के मुस्लिमो का खून खौल गया। मतलब शुरुआत भारत से हुई थी। शाबास 👏👏

नायक की बहन नेहरू जैसे किसी लड़के से शादी करना चाहती है क्योंकि नेहरू सबसे आकर्षक, सौम्य और अनुकरणीय व्यक्ति थे। बहुत खूब 👏👏

देश की अर्थव्यवस्था और उन्नति मनमोहनसिंह के वित्त मंत्री बनने के बाद सुदृढ हुई क्योंकि ग्लोबलाइजेशन मिस्टर सिंह की देन है। उत्तम 👏👏

नायक की बहन विभाजन में बिछड़कर एक मुस्लिम के द्वारा पाली गयी और निकाह के बाद बेहद खुश है। धर्म परिवर्तन और लव जिहाद को स्वीकृति। बेहद प्रभावशाली 👏👏

शायद मैं पहला खुशनसीब होऊंगा जिसे उसकी माँ ने लिव इन मे रहने की इजाजत दी। ग़ैरसामाजिक कुकृत्यों की हिमायत। साधुवाद 👏👏

विश्व की बड़ी से बड़ी समस्या बातचीत से हल हो सकती है। इस संवाद द्वारा पाकिस्तान के प्रति अपनी निष्ठा बताई। वतनपरस्त 👏👏

ये नया भारत है। छोटी दुकानों को तोड़कर मॉल बनाना देश की उन्नति है। ये डायलॉग सीधे निम्न और मध्यम वर्गीय दुकानदारों पर वार है। नायक को विशेष नमन 👏👏
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आगे आप समझ ही रहे होंगे कि फ़िल्म में क्या और किस तरह पेश किया गया होगा। सर्वप्रथम तो ये की सलमान कभी प्रथम श्रेणी का कलाकार था ही नही। बंदरों की भांति उछलकूद और भोंडापन जाने कैसे उसे प्रसिद्धि दे गया। उसपर कैटरीना जैसी रोबोट कलाकार (भावशून्य) फ़िल्म को उबाऊ बनाने में उसकी मदद ही करती है।
तरस आता है भारतीय जनता की बुद्धि पर जो ऐसे दो कौड़ी के कलाकारों पर करोड़ो लुटा देती है। कहानी के नाम पर सिफर, किसी भी फ्रेम का अगली फ्रेम से तारतम्य नही बंधता है। निर्देशक क्या कहना चाहता है ये आप थियेटर से बाहर आकर किसी अन्य दर्शक से पूछिए, वो भी आप ही कि तरह ठगा हुवा ना हो तो कहना!!
शायद देश मे नायक और नायिका ही 2 जीवित लोग थे क्योंकि इन्हें जब जो चाहे वो नोकरी या काम मिल जाता था। भाई मुझे तो ऐसा ही लगा।

अब इतना लिखने के बाद कोई मेरी ही बुद्धि पर तरस खाये उससे पहले बता दूँ की मैंने ये फ़िल्म डाउनलोड करके देखी है क्योंकि बॉलीवुड के किसी खान की फ़िल्म पर पैसा लुटाना एक अरसे से छोड़ चुका हूं।

समझा दिया है मैंने, आगे आपकी इच्छा है थियेटर जाए ना जाये... आखिर उसको भाईजान (😂😂) आपके प्यार ने ही बनाया है। 500 करोड़ की ईदी देना भी आपका फर्ज है 🙏🏼

Chopsticks ( on Netflix Only.. )

Ok,… Just watched this movie on Netflix,… it’s a very short 1 hour 40 min,. very simple and normal life movie with almost very straight forward movie-story with no twist, turns, fights, suspense, comedy, drama, ….almost no nothing but still interestingly made, a very just an ok type of movie. Do not expect any much,… !Movie is in Hindi and English both as its language , with many language subtitles on Netflix,…

Movie is to introduce new face Mithila Palkar, who seems so innocent and almost like Payal Rohatgi’s chhoti bahan. No other very known stars in it.

This young girl , buys a very new of her favorite car, it’s stolen by Bhai-logs and finally she getsit back with help of this smart thief ( Oye lucky lucky hoye guy - almost in same crook character,.. expert in locks-breaking ), and that is the ONLY story.

Movie is only for introducing this new face and for Abhay’s fan-base girls. And that’s it.

Verdict : 2.25 / 5.00 ( still not Boring,.. )

( Watch the movie, w/ not expecting much and you'll be enjoying.. )

Read more here :

/forum/bollywood/5096066/abhay-deol-and-mithila-palkar-in-movie-chopsticks

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Watched Rangeen Raja today. Good flim.

Just came to this crap ass new layout to mention Chopsticks!!! If you’re like me and have been missing Abhay Deol then you will not be disappointed.

I have watched this movie three times already, one while working out on the elliptical, I couldn’t stop. Another time with my family and one more time just for fun. Each time, I discover something that makes me smile.

Mithila is adorable, Abhay is back for real this time and Vijay Raaz as usual never disappoints. It is such a cute, unique little film. Should have had a theater release!

I saw Luka Chuppi awful 🤣

i recently watched

Badhaai Ho

It was really interesting, funny and touching. I really love small town / middle class stories because I can relate to it . Esp Surekha Sikri ji has performed really well.

Luka Chuppi

Again a small town stoty which I liked. It was simple and funny. Loved Kriti in this. Karthik also not bad. I always love the other supporting cast

Stree

Wow this one was amazing - scary and funny and mysterious and with a great message