Recently Seen Movies - 12 - Page 32

Bhangra Pale- Saw the movie last night on netflix. Quite nice and entertaining. Has a love aaj kal like storyline but interestingly joined with bhangra. Biggest takeaway are the songs and the lyrics. So damn beautiful. Very underrated when it comes to a film album. Thought Shriya would have a full fledged role but she has a cameo but is so good 😍 The new girl is also very nice. A way better debut than Ananya Pandey for sure. Sunny is also decent but he acts and sounds just like his brother,Vicky.

Trance ~ A Movie Review

After hearing almost 90% negative reviews, its pretty easy to understand the expectations I went to watch Trance. Normally in such circumstances, the movie turns out to be better experience. But this turned out be that rare experience where I agree with majority of reviews. Let me go to the negatives first,

1) A shoddy second half with a terrible climax. Its pretty clear that the makers especially Anwar Rasheed & his team really didn’t have any idea how to develop the script from a brilliant interval point. There were moments like the Vinayakan’s character. I really wished makers gave importance to that character more than boring Esther Lopez (Nazriya Nazim). And the scene where the villains get killed...It was plain stupid. That killed the movie.

2) Too much emphasis on ambiguity. The climax shot, Esther’s pregnancy, The mindset of Joshua.....I felt that ambiguity was overused.

3) Chemban was a miscast especially when Gautham was around.

Whereas the positives were

1) A well made first half. It was slow but steady. We get a clear picture of Biju Prasad and his transition to Joshua. The detailing of the corruption was perfectly depicted.

2) Visual Brilliance along with a Brilliant Technical Team delivering the goods. The climax evangelist sequence was simply worth for the big screen.

3) Terrific performance from Dileesh Pothen & Gautham Menon.

4) Nazriya not given much space on screen

5) LAST BUT NOT LEAST....FAHAD FAZIL!!! Just remove this name from this movie, this movie wouldn’t even worth 2 stars. The guy is a genius and after Mohanlal, he is simply the best leading actor I have seen in Malayalam based on sheer talent. The sequences where he played the role of evangelist is simply outstanding.


This is something special about Malayalam Cinema....After seeing the first half of the movie, the manner the unique theme was handled, underlined the “special” factor. Had the makers took care of the second half, it would have proved once again why Malayalam Cinema is the BEST amongst all Film Industries in the country...especially in mainstream cinema. Unfortunately, it missed the mark!!

Ratings – 2.40 / 5.00

Minimizing time on IF. Short reviews here. Full musings on blog.

Grace and Frankie S6

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin continue their crackling chemistry and antics in this feel-good show.

To All The Boys I have Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You

A cute follow up to the original Netflix hit. Not as impactful though.

Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America

A scathing takedown of America.

Vir Das: For India

His finest stand-up that blends nostalgia with biting political takes.

https://www.returntohades.com/2020/03/09/reviews-musings-030920/

Pappu Passport- dubbed Tamil movie which was supposed to be lazy tv movie viewing while I hide from the Holi world but turned out to be a lovely, gorgeous dark comedy.

So well enacted, written and so nuanced-loved it.

Got a bit cliched at the end but worth it.

Originally posted by: Himalaya10

Trance ~ A Movie Review

After hearing almost 90% negative reviews, its pretty easy to understand the expectations I went to watch Trance. Normally in such circumstances, the movie turns out to be better experience. But this turned out be that rare experience where I agree with majority of reviews. Let me go to the negatives first,

1) A shoddy second half with a terrible climax. Its pretty clear that the makers especially Anwar Rasheed & his team really didn’t have any idea how to develop the script from a brilliant interval point. There were moments like the Vinayakan’s character. I really wished makers gave importance to that character more than boring Esther Lopez (Nazriya Nazim). And the scene where the villains get killed...It was plain stupid. That killed the movie.

2) Too much emphasis on ambiguity. The climax shot, Esther’s pregnancy, The mindset of Joshua.....I felt that ambiguity was overused.

3) Chemban was a miscast especially when Gautham was around.

Whereas the positives were

1) A well made first half. It was slow but steady. We get a clear picture of Biju Prasad and his transition to Joshua. The detailing of the corruption was perfectly depicted.

2) Visual Brilliance along with a Brilliant Technical Team delivering the goods. The climax evangelist sequence was simply worth for the big screen.

3) Terrific performance from Dileesh Pothen & Gautham Menon.

4) Nazriya not given much space on screen

5) LAST BUT NOT LEAST....FAHAD FAZIL!!! Just remove this name from this movie, this movie wouldn’t even worth 2 stars. The guy is a genius and after Mohanlal, he is simply the best leading actor I have seen in Malayalam based on sheer talent. The sequences where he played the role of evangelist is simply outstanding.


This is something special about Malayalam Cinema....After seeing the first half of the movie, the manner the unique theme was handled, underlined the “special” factor. Had the makers took care of the second half, it would have proved once again why Malayalam Cinema is the BEST amongst all Film Industries in the country...especially in mainstream cinema. Unfortunately, it missed the mark!!

Ratings – 2.40 / 5.00

2.4/5 wow that's quite a rating.

Ayyappanum Koshiyum is on Amazon Prime. Reminded me so much of Taxi 9211. Two stubborn men from two different socio-economic backgrounds clash when a routine check for booze escalates to something more. Koshy is the privileged,arrogant scion of a rich family.Ayyappan is the illegitimate,salt-of-the-earth police inspector with tribal connections. Yet both are at fault and misunderstandings pile up. And both have supporters egging them on. Been a while since I saw a decent masala movie with proper characterization and motives.Prithviraj makes you feel sorry for the arrogant Koshy -a feat I'd have deemed impossible in the beginning.With a father like that urging you to "Be a Man" it's remarkable how his character grew. Biju Menon's Ayyappan reminds me so much of Dexter - he needs his uniform and clear rules to rein the raging animal in him.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn

This is one hell of a movie. I’d recommend you go see it in the theaters, but considering we are in social isolation – stream it as soon as you can.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina S3

All in all, CAOS is a completely bingeworthy thriller that will have you on the edge wondering what happens next. Go watch it. And prepare for S4 that explores Lovecraftian monsters. It might be the closest to an Eldritch Horror Tv show.

If you like blah blah blah - https://www.returntohades.com/2020/03/16/reviews-musings-031620/

Good Newzz - pretty average movie! didn’t get the hype.

Kiara did good. She looks promising.

Love mock tail ki itni tarif kar rahe te log, ke I watched it and am depressed now. It's a rather long movie not to mention irritating. The cancer test scene, coping with it, shaving off her head etc has got me depressed now.