Defending Jacob (2020) Series Review - A comparison with Indian Crime Web Series.

While scrolling on Youtube yesterday, I found a series called Defending Jacob. It got good reviews and it was a crime suspense drama. So, I thought to give it a look so that I would be warmed up to watch some bigger English series like Breaking Bad or Money Heist. Also, I was curious about the differences between the Indian Web Series based on crime and the english ones. Considering all these aspects, I watched the series today on Apple TV+. Let us see how it is:(SPOILER FREE REVIEW)

Defending Jacob is a 2020 crime suspense drama miniseries directed by Mortem Tyldum and written for the screen by Mark Bomback. It stars Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery and Jaeden Martell in lead roles. The story revolves around a mysterious death in a park in the community of Newton. When Jacob Barber is accused of murdering this child, the Barber family try to prove themselves not guilty. So, is Jacob not guilty? Find out in the series. 

The screenplay of the series I should say is good but it has some significant negatives. This series is an adaptation of the book with same name written by William Landay. So, I was expecting riveting stuff as a book can give a lot of matter to work with. The writers really did their best with it. The best thing which worked for the series is the central family dynamic. They are projected to be a happy family before the accusations come along. Then, whatever they showed after the accusations is too realistic and if we think from their shoes, maybe our situation would have been similar to theirs. The character design of them is also commendable. Also, the acting by Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery and Jaeden Martell as Andy Barber, Laurie Barber and Jacob Barber do a terrific job in their roles. Their best comes in some scenes where it is absolute turmoil in the family. Next thing I liked about the series was the relation between Andy Barber and his father. The actor who played and his character is a spoiler and I am sure you will be surprised. It is really fascinating, the dynamic between them and how they behave. It also adds to the whodunit element of the series. The first three episodes set up things very beautifully and I was really becoming a fan of the series at that point. Episode 4 and 5 slow things down a little bit but I thought it happens to every webseries. Then, Episode 6 picks up speed and Episode 7 was really the best episode of all. It gets the courtroom drama perfectly as we are reminded of all details and we make sense of everything. But, then from the end of Episode 7 things go off the rails. (SPOILER ALERT). At the end of episode 7, Leonard Patz confesses the murder which is a very simple ending for all the build-up and suspense built. It was odd because there was another episode remaining. Then in Episode 8, they go to Mexico on a vacation and some shit happens which is linked to Jacob. First of all, this did not make sense at all and it was unnecessary. I would have accepted it if the series would have given me a proper ending. It pisses me off when there is no proper ending. It is not an open ending. Nope. They say Laurie is pissed off at her son and speeds the car to go off road and hit herself on the edge of the tunnel. Then, both of them are in hospital half alive and Laurie forgot that she intentionally hit the car. You can make a decision about it. 

Now, the comparison of this series and the Indian crime web-series. One thing I have to say that this is linked to the cultural roots of India and America. Both countries have different family systems. You get to really understand it with the Coronavirus cases count. Just think about it. So, you should have been observing excessive cuss words and intimate scenes in many Indian web-series. But, the curious part I observed was how it was put to a minimal in this series. Taking out F*** , which has lost its meaning there were no cuss words and the one intimate scene was deserved by them keeping their circumstances in mind. This is because of one thing. Such scenes are very common in their culture and they are not here. Indian audiences get attracted to such scenes because they are not allowed to view them. When comparing the most recent Indian web-series Paatal Lok to this web-series, I would choose this series because it is so realistic in its portrayal. Sure, it ending got screwed but some of the moments in this web-series were far too worse than this ending. I can understand taking inspiration. I would not mind it. But, take the right stuff from it. I would say TVF is the best example about it. The concept of web-series is to tell a story which cannot be squeezed into a film. So, TVF takes stories from our Indian roots and tells them in a clean and efficient manner. Take the example of Kota Factory, their most well-known series. They told the story of students in Kota already a unique story that cannot be filled into a film. They gave it some memorable writing inspired from real situations without any vulgar scenes having some clean romance. 

Hope you have enjoyed my blog. Make sure you follow my blog and my insta @rursreviews. I am reviewing movies and shows from all around the world that you should or should not watch. It would be helpful if you support it. 

Pon Magal Vandhal (2020) Movie Review

Frankly speaking, I was not looking forward to this film. In the past 2-3 years Jyotika has not been giving her best work. In fact I can say, they have been pretty mediocre. So, I thought it was a good move by Suriya's 2D Entertainments and Jyotika to premier this film on Amazon Prime Video today. So, did this courtroom drama surprise me or is it what I expected? Here is my take on Pon Magal Vandhal:

Pon Magal Vandhal is a 2020 Tamil courtroom drama starring Jyotika, R. Parthiban in lead roles. It is directed by JJ Frederick. The story is about Venba and how she proves Jothi who is termed a serial killer innocent. 

The screenplay is very mixed. First of all, the story and messaging of the film is very good and noble. They could have helped the film to be a very strong courtroom drama. But, several aspects of the screenplay actually weigh the film down from its absolute potential. The comic touch given to some scenes in the beginning were unnecessary as in they water down the intensity of the first 5 minutes which were very well staged. Then, the court scenes themselves. They were not so strong as they should be. They run on emotions rather than running on evidences. These scenes could have made sense if the director would have made it clear with evidences. Also, this film repeats the crime story 2 times. Not kidding, the same crime story is repeated two times. Once it is told to us by Jyotika and the other one it is shown to us with Jyotika's narration. This really frustrated me. So, this film has a very good story and a very noble message but it is botched down with the glaring flaws in the screenplay.

The acting department too reflects the flaws of the screenplay. I am not a big fan of Jyotika. She tends to overact when the situation demands subtle emotions. In this film too, it shows. While dark imagery is being shown in the background, the goofy over action of her really puts me off the mood of the scene. But, I have to say, her acting as a lawyer was good. Considering all aspects though, she is not the perfect fit for this role. R. Parthiban as the prosecutor is the best this film offers. His body language, expressions blend in well with the natural demeanour of the actor to give his role some respect. Other actors in the film do serviceable jobs in the film. The junior actors in this film like any other Tamil film overact a lot which is also a flaw for the film. 

The technical department was perfectly serviceable. The cinematography and editing were functional but I feel they could make full use of a beautiful location like Ooty. The music by Govind Vasantha is nice. I like the Ilayaraaja touch he gives to his music. I have a question for the creative team of the film? Would bronza make the lead actor look like a village person? I ask this because I was not able to convince myself that Jyotika was a village lady migrated from Jaipur.  The costume-design too was fine.

Overall, I would say that this film is best suited for OTT. It is a perfectly serviceable courtroom drama that you can pass time with. The messaging and story gets full points but the screenplay was not upto the mark and the acting except Parthiban was lacklustre. So, if you want the film you have to lower your expectations a fair bit.

My Rating : 5.5/10

Public Demand Thursday 5 - Predestination (2014) Movie Review

2 weeks ago, when I announced the Public Demand Thursday segment, an instagram channel named "@filmy_emporium" suggested me to watch Predestination which I knew very little about. After watching this movie though, I want to thank the guy for suggesting me this movie. This review will be very short. I do not want to give away spoilers as it may ruin your experience completely. So, get ready for an appreciation blog about Predestination.

Predestination is a 2014 Australian sci-fi drama starring Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook and Noah Taylor. It is directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig. It is based on the short story "---

I will not and must not reveal the story of the film. It will be an understatement to say that this film is mind-bending. It has a deep philosophy. Thinking about the film, the elements which I thought were not making sense actually make sense. The acting of the film too is terrific. Ethan Hawke is an established actor in Australia and this film proves the fact. Sarah Snook gets to play a character with multiple shades. She kicks it out of the park with her performance. Her character and Ethan Hawke's character are huge spoilers. It is engaging, thrilling, mind-bending, unexpected awesome film that you need to watch no matter how. It is available on Netflix.

At this point of time, you should not care about the rating and watch about it.

Public Demand Thursday 4 - Rush (2013) Movie Review

Since my Ford vs Ferrari review, my car lover friend has been recommending me this film. He even states this film to be the first choice for car lovers where I stated Ford vs Ferrari as the first choice. So, I watched the film today. This review will have some comparisons between both the films to know which film is the best for car lovers. So, let us check out what us the best film between the two?

Rush is a 2013 biographical sports drama starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl in the lead roles. It is directed by Ron Howard. The story talks about the rivalry between Niki Lauda and Chris Hemsworth in the 1976 Formula One season. It also covers upon both their personal lives, growth and the reasons for their rivalry.

The screenplay is excellent. The best part of the film is the characters of Niki Lauda and James Hunt. Niki is serious and is a genius in setting up his cars. No wonder he was given a contract by old man Ferrari himself. On the other hand, James Hunt is a playboy and enjoys his life with full freedom. The force of both these lives is the passion for driving and the rivalry between the two. It really pushes them to their fullest potential. Yet, they respect they each other. The climax of the film really hits us with how opposite both their lives go. While James Hunt retires and runs out of money, Nikki Lauda is back to work and becomes the world champion back again. While Ford vs Ferrari has some known cliches of sports dramas blended into a real story, this is mostly accurate to the source material. The rivalry in the film is exaggerated to a certain degree but we don't care about it. The racing scenes in the movie are good but I feel the scenes in Ford vs Ferrari are better and more fluid than this film because of the cuts. One visual I really liked was the accelerating piston. Used 4-5 times it really sums up the film itself. A well-oiled machine which accelerates our body throughout the course of the film.

The acting contributes in the on-screen rivalry. Chris Hemsworth acts like himself in the film with the swagger he carries but in some important scenes he really goes under the skin of the character and really gives us a kick. Daniel Bruhl as Niki Lauda is perfectly cast. His acting too is the best of the film. He really shows his acting prowess in the scenes where he gets vulnerable as he gets married and he starts getting doubts in mind. The rivalry both Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl share in the few scenes they talk is excellent. Other actors get small and not-so-prominent roles. I would say the actors who played the wives of Niki Lauda and James Hunt looked beautiful and did serviceable acting. 

The technical aspects of the film too are perfect for a sports film. The cinematography achieves to get the vibes of the 1970's. It is revving with finesse with minimal use of shaky-cam which is used regularly in some of the films. The editing is very good. It has a quick pace and you might not know when did you end it because it is that fast. The score by the legendary Hans Zimmer is grand and CD worthy. It's use of rock really amps up some of the racing moments of the film. The costume design, hairstyling department and the set designer have to be lauded because the sets look realistic and contribute the on-screen grandeur. The smaller contributions of VFX also should be praised. 

So, the final question? Which of the two films is the first choice film for car lovers? Ford vs Ferrari or Rush. Both of them are solid drama films. While Ford vs Ferrari is more of a drama than a sports biography, Rush is a pure sports drama. I prefer the racing scenes of Ford vs Ferrari as they are more fluid than Rush. But, Rush has a quicker pace than Ford vs Ferrari. Both the films have strong characters. If we see through the car aspect, before you watch both the films you will some considerable knowledge about cars as these films assumes the fact that these film will be watched by car lovers the most. Keeping that in account I would say Rush is the first choice for car lovers while Ford vs Ferrari remains my favourite of the two as the drama in this film is a little more heart touching.

IMDb Rating : 8.1/10

My Rating : 8.5/10

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) Movie Review

Well, this film was on my watchlist quite a while ago and it has 13 Oscar nominations at the 81st edition. So, I thought to have a look at the film. This is my first David Fincher movie review. So, I will make sure that I will review more of his filmography. How did I feel about this film? Here is my take on The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an adaptation of the short story of the same name written by F. Scott Fitzgerald directed by David Fincher. It stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in lead roles. The story as the title suggests talks about Benjamin Button, who ages in reverse and his entire life.

The screenplay is really good but it has its issues. This film has a concept with which they could have made a web-series full of content. It is that great of an idea. The story and screenplay writers, Eric Roth and Robin Swicord squeeze it effectively into an almost 2hr 50min length. This film takes a cliched approach with the beginning i.e., a diary narration. Although we cannot question it, maybe some change should have been made there. But, when the main story begins, we are hooked to it immediately and it is a very smooth and steady ride with him. But, in between some of the film's best moments, the film stretches a bit and some particular patches of the film get boring. This is caused because of the indulgent nature of the film. But, pushing all these aside, the last hour of the film where the main romance of the film really takes centerstage, the film becomes very rich and emotional in its storytelling and gives us a very solid climax to end the film. Special props to those guys who have inspired from some particular scenes in the film and made some interesting films like Paa and Nannaku Prematho. This screenplay engages you for almost 3hr despite the boring patches which is an achievement.

The acting in the film is very very good. Brad Pitt in some of his most challenging works period delivers a strong performance. His husky voice and old man like body language works well in the film. His expressions cannot be seen due to some heavy make-up but we tend to forget it because of reasons which I will talk about in the next section. But, in his younger portions, he gets to shine really well as his goodwill and innocence show in his face brightly. Cate Blanchett too copes up well with the make-up and gives a really good performance. The chemistry between both Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett works out well and brings out appropriate emotions. Taraji P. Henson as Queenie gives a

very good performance showing the love of a mother very effectively. Credit to all the other actors in the film as they deliver their best in their limited screen time.

This film is a technical achievement beyond your expectations. For 2008, this film was a sensation. It also aged well. First, the make-up department. Bollywood is still struggling to get the receding hairline right and Hollywood has shown a complete man's ageing process that too in 2008. The complete make-up department won their Oscar with some highly award deserving hyper-realistic make-up work. The VFX helps the make-up team a lot with very photo-realistic old-man effects and very beautiful to look at backgrounds. They too won their Oscar with some ground-breaking effects. If a certain de-ageing process would have been discovered, this film could have been much better. The locations and sets of the film are super stunning to look at. With the film's historical setting spanning both the World Wars and the retro style from the 1960's, the designers get some real work to do and they deliver with ease. The costume design add to this fact. The cinematography of the film is quite good by capturing all the hard work of the art department in some beautifully crafted frames. The editing could have better by avoiding some of the duller moments of the film particularly the Russian Romance. 

Overall, this film is one of those films that you should never miss as it's high on concept idea and rich screenplay transport us into the the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It is available on Amazon Prime Video in the Best of Oscars section. Go have a look and enjoy.

IMDb Rating : 7.8/10

My Rating : 8/10

Marriage Story (2020) Movie Review

When I thought of some English films, I thought to cover some Oscar nominated films from across 40-50 years. So, why not start from the 2020 Oscars? I have already reviewed 1917, Joker, Ford vs Ferrari and Parasite. So, I took a look at Marriage Story which received 5 Academy Award nominations including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress and Best Picture in which Laura Dern won the best supporting actress award. How did I feel about the film? Let's find out:

Marriage Story is a 2019 drama film starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson in lead roles. It is directed by Noah Bumbach. The story revolves around Charlie and Nicole, who are on a coast-to-coast divorce and the rest of the story is how they try to stick together. 

The screenplay of the film is really good. You have to know that this film is based on the American family system. Glad I am a part of the Indian family system. So, this film may not connect to Indian audiences. Also, it is a dialogue-heavy film. So, we have to strain our ears a bit to understand the situation. Other than these, this film is a very deep. The concept and story of the film is not unheard or something but the direction and screenplay of the film really makes it stand out. It boils itself to some universal concepts such as marriage, love towards your child etc. Around them, it writes some beautiful scenes both visually and dialogue-wise to make it a very engaging film. It begins slow showing the smaller differences between those who already decided to divorce themselves. When this couple turns to the law, it gets very ugly and tremors begins between them leading to some of the best scenes of 2019 (The Fight). The climax of the film too is boom. It pulls your heartstrings. It is actually quite refreshing that it shows us the conflict without the usual fights. The subtlety and the unique touch of Noah Bumbach really brings out our emotions without the necessary emotional scenes. Observe some of the fine details he gives to some scenes and how they amplify the scene's emotions 10 times. Overall, it is a very understated movie which really brings out our emotions.

The acting is sensational. This film is my introduction to Adam Driver, the actor. He does everything perfectly. The body language, the expressions and every single detail in the film has worked in his favour. Scarlett Johansson also gives a powerful performance. She is some of those elite actresses working right now who can cry at ease and can convince us. Both of them were worthy for Oscars and both of them should have won it but I have no idea how Laura Dern won it. It is true that she gave a very good performance. But, according to me there are much superior performances out there that outshine her performance. All the other actors also give very solid contributions from their side although it is not the level of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver who absolutely smash it out of the park. 

This film is technically very sound. First of all, the cinematography take a bow. He and the director together put in some meticulous frames in the film that visually tell us everything about the scene and the progression of the film. The music by the famous Randy Newman seamlessly blends itself into the film and its environment. The editor did a fabulous job to keep this film running with a smooth pace. There was a risk of over-indulgence in such films but the team made it a crisp edit. The locations and the costume-design of the film also very realistic and very fine-tuned. 

Overall, I had a very emotional experience with this film. It is not that film which will make you cry but it will make you think about your marriage and its progression. The director's unique touch added with the sensational Oscar worthy performances by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver really make this film a very good watch. It might be slow to some and many Indian audience may not connect to it because it is about a broken Family System as a whole. Check this film out on Netflix as I go watch another Oscar nominee tomorrow.

IMDb Rating : 8/10

My Rating : 9.5/10

Appatlo Okadundevadu (2016) Movie Review

If I have to talk about today's film Appatlo Okadundevadu, I just have to say that this film was forgotten very quickly. When it released on 30 December 2016, audiences and critics really loved this movie and that is why, it was a modest hit at the box office. But, a certain film called Dangal was stealing profits of many such films to become an all time blockbuster. Maybe, that is the reason it was forgotten slowly. I watched Dangal on 31st December 2016, one day after the release of this film and at that time I never knew this film released. It took years for me to know about the film. So, I watched the film today. How was the film? Let's find out:

Appatlo Okadundevaadu is 2016 sports crime drama film starring Sree Vishnu and Nara Rohith in lead roles. It is directed by first-timer Sagar K. Chandra. The story revolves around Railway Raju, an aspiring cricketer whose life turns upside down due to unforeseen circumstances. When Imtiaz,  police officer is found responsible for it, a cat and mouse game between them. 

The director of the film should get credit for a unique brand of direction. I have to say, this screenplay is perfect. No doubt. The screenplay writing of the film is really on point and really brings out the emotion in us. The main plot of the film i.e., the cat and mouse game between Raju and Imtiaz is established really well. In the first half, they connect both their stories with a naxalite backdrop. I was thinking they might go the political route and mix in some philosophy in it but it is ended at the right time as it was kind of pointless in this setting. The comedy of the film is directly connected to the main story which is very rare in films. It also has a natural flow which make them work. The second half too keeps the pace of the first half with some gripping screenplay. We are left in confusion because both the sides have valid and reasonable arguments. Then in the last 20 minutes, the story is really well resolved but we are left with smaller questions as in the final 5 minutes. The romantic track of the film was kept to a minimum which I appreciate but maybe it could have been removed entirely as it is kinda pointless in context to the film. Overall, this film is really good.

The acting in the film is really good. Sree Vishnu steals the show. He was a rising star and with this film really grabs our attention. We have to appreciate the effortless nature of his acting as we just connect with him right away. Nara Rohith has been choosing such unique scripts and he proves with this role too that he is a gem of an actor. I had doubts of how he would enact a Muslim role as he never looked the part. But, he did justice to the role and convinced us from his side. Bramhaji, Prabhas Sreenu gets some important roles in the film and they really had a good rhythm and flow that made the lighter scenes of the film work. The heroine of the film is a glamour touch-up to the film and there is little acting scope for the film. Other actors too give good performances in their respective roles. 

The technical aspects of the film give good output with a minimal 2.5 CR budget. The first to get the praise are the cinematography and editing. The cinematography really brings out the 90's films vibe and gets some beautiful frames. The editing is super sharp and tight. The make-up especially the old guy getups are not that good. Other aspects too are good.

Overall, this film is an underrated film. I really recommend this film to all the film lovers here. Enjoy this film in Amazon Prime Video and Youtube.

IMDb Rating : 7.8/10

My Rating : 9/10

Paatal Lok (2020) Series Review

My knack of watching series continues with the latest Amazon Series Pataal Lok. It has 9 episodes 45 minutes each. With my father, I finished this series in two days. I have been listening to praise of it since the past week. I know I am late but yeah I found my time now. How is the series according to me? (Just in case you do not know I was not able to tolerate the extra-liberal approach given to some Amazon Originals like Made in Heaven or Four More Shots Please.)

Paatal Lok is a crime thriller series released in 2020 on Amazon Prime Video. It stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi, Abhishek Banerjee, Gul Panag, Ishwak Singh, Niharika Dutt, Swasthika Mukherjee, Jagjeet Snadhu, Anuraj Arora, Aasif Khan, Bodhisattva Sharma, Mairembam Ronaldo Singh in important roles. It is directed by Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy. It is created by Sudip Sharma. Anushka Sharma is one of the producers for the series.

The trailers for the show was showing me nothing. So, it was just the cast that attracted me to watch the show. But, the screenplay of the series really impressed me. It is one of the tightest screenplays I have ever seen. This series hooked me for 6 hours straight and that is an achievement. This series revolves around 4 criminals caught under the conspiracy to murder Sanjeev Mehra, a renowned journalist in Delhi. As Hathiram Chowdary bags this high profile case after 15 years of service, he is determined to solve this case so that he can prove himself worthy. Because it is a web-series, the makers also throw light on the personal lives of all these main characters. These incidents eventually give us the clues for the solving of the case. This gist of the plot might sound familiar. After all, this is a crime thriller and many web-series in India from Sacred Games to The Family Man are basically crime thrillers. So, what makes this series special from all the other shows out there for me? This series turns things around a bit. You will know it after watching the series. It has the usual positives that every good crime thriller has, the tension, the suspense, the morbid and dark humour etc. Also, it tries to shed light on the tactics and strategies of media personalities just for some TRP. It shows the exact meaning of humanity in several instances. Mainly, it tries to focus on the current government and you can observe several connections. The beef matter, the dalits and many more issues just show stuff like it. But, for a person who do not care about politics, it was just nothing. It was definitely not Hinduphobia for sure. It is just a bad person. Keeping all of the political stuff aside, the things I most liked and the most disliked were the family stories of both Hathiram Chowdary and Sanjeev Mehra. Both are flawed personalities. They have their issues. Siddarth, son of Hathiram has problems connecting to the high class guys in an English Medium school(I also faced it quite a bit.) and so he begins to go against his father. His mother is strangled in between them and her brother who is a fraud trying to sell some Chinese goods. This particular side plot is very good and it gets a proper ending as well but the gun culture and goondagiri involved in it just felt out of place. The story of Sanjeev Mehra and his wife is a different thing in itself. I was able to understand the broken relationship but some details in this story left a sour taste in my mouth. You should have observed that some details in the show are off. Other than that, this is the best series that India has given. Thank God, this series does not have an open ending.

This web series has some of the best casting and acting for a web-series period. The credit goes to the director for the control he had over all the things. But, the actors are serious gold. I cannot pick one actor that has not given a bad performance. It is that good. They bring out each and every detail of their character alive. The technical aspects of the series too are really good. Overall, this series is worth your time. But, you need to keep aside your feelings to enjoy the show. 

IMDb Rating : 7.5/10

My Rating : 9/10

Public Demand Thursday #3 - Khaleja (2010) Movie Review

Now, an SSMB fan and my friend from my college, Aditya Kumar has suggested me to review the film that every Telugu cinephile will definitely review. Khaleja, urf, Mahesh Khaleja. I decided this review will be a roundup of the film off and on the reel. If I had to talk about Mahesh Babu, he is indeed very handsome and his fitness maintenance at the age of 44 is impeccable. My favourite film of his is Dookudu where he just exploded on screen. Before Dookudu though there was Khaleja, which was amidst controversy and a lot of expectations. After the flop film Athidhi in 2007, he decided to take a break that extended to 3 years. Khaleja was the comeback film of SSMB and now after all this years, it is considered an underrated film. Why? How? What? Let us see:

The above interview of Mahesh Babu with Anupama Chopra gave me the actual reason of why this film gets a lot of following. Mahesh Babu in the film has a flow which until then nobody has expected from him. Every dialogue in the film spelled out by him is a sixer. He was just so fluid. The main plotline of the film is very good. The main question this film asks is who is God? He is the one in you. When you pray for something right, you will do right. Also, the comedy of the film is in the Trivikram Zone. My favourite scene of the film is the AbhayaHastham scene. It is very hilarious. The scenes with Siddha and involving the village are on the top level with some meaningful dialogue and a very intense feel. With all these perfect elements, it should have been a blockbuster? But, this is an underrated flop for the reasons down below:

1. The comedy of the film although good is completely contrasting to the film's main plot. The first half of the film is just comedy taking out 10% of the film. The introduction of the hero, the 4 meetings with the heroine, Rajasthan episode and Tom Bhaiyya, all are funny and entertaining but I feel these elements should have been quickly wrapped up and the director should have gone into the plot instantly. This effected the balance of the film and took a toll on the length of the film.
2. The music of the film. It is a good album from Mani Sharma. 2 songs of the film are important and 4 songs are just fillers. We know it and I guess the crew too knew it. I not saying it but the song picturisation of the film shows it. The best and the most important song, Sada Siva is picturised beautifully. It brings out the devotion to Lord Shiva from all of us. Piliche, the second important song showcasing the romance of the leads by comparing them to Lord Krishna and Radha is the best picturised song of the film. It looks beautiful to the eye. But, the other songs of the film take a 2000's music video approach with cut after cut after effect after effect which completely ruined the catchy tune of the song for me. It seems like the makers did not care.

If the above mistakes were rectified and the commercialisation were a little low. The film would have been a hit then and now. Some things I forgot to mention are the cinematography. the age of the film shows now but still I guess nobody explored Rajasthan in TFI and the one who explored did it really well. The character artists of the film are simply stunning. It has all top artists of the time ranging from Brahmanandam, Ali, Sunil, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Prakash Raj, Subba Raju etc.,

But, the standout is Shafi as Siddha. His monologue in the film (written beautifully) has stunned me even now. 

So, I look forward to more requests in the near future. Make sure you follow my blog and my insta @

Public Demand Thursday #2 - Ace Ventura Films

In this edition of Public Demand Thursday on the request of @__mr_attitude____ long ago, I am reviewing the Ace Ventura films starring Jim Carrey. I was never so interested in these films but my father really recommended me to watch these films. I guess now is the right time to review these films. Point to note is that I really love Jim Carrey as an actor. He tends to be a living cartoon in some scenes immediately transitioning to some really good performances instantly. That is the power of hardwork and determination towards our work. So, how did his first film work out? Let's find out.

Ace Ventura series consists of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls on 1994 and 1995 respectively. It stars Jim Carrey in the lead role with different castings in different films. Tom Shadyac has directed the first film and Steve Oedekerk has directed the second one. The story is basically about Ace Ventura, who understands animals and so becomes a pet detective. The two films basically are two fairly simple cases solved by him. 

Let me talk about the first film first. This film was an experiment of sorts because it was an introduction to Ace Ventura a.k.a Jim Carrey. It is an exploration of scenarios around the lead actor. So, the plot of the film is very very simple. The director just left Jim Carrey alone and maybe that is why he gets a writing credit too. That is why I have nothing much to say about the film. The other actors in the film took a back seat to Jim Carrey and the villain who tries to emulate the cartoony nature of Ace Ventura just gets hammy. That is the speciality of Jim Carrey. He might try to overact or even become a living cartoon but we never observe it because of the unique acting style of Jim Carrey that keeps the film afloat. One last thing I have to say is that this film is only funny at parts even with Jim Carrey. It is entertaining though. Not funny but entertaining.

The second film is actually much better than the first film for me. It has a simple plot but the screenplay has some meat. The makers try to bring a different side to Ace Ventura to bring a contrast from the first film by putting him in an Ashram. Also, the mission he goes on is a perfect match for the animal loving side of him. It is very vibrant and colourful. This film gives a small sidekick to Ace Ventura in a forest officer who is quite a nice addition. This film is everything that is the first film and more. It has every joke from the first film (it is also a negative and a positive) but with the contrast given, it gives him a small character. I forgot about the pop culture references. They actually ruined my memories of The Lion King. Also, there is a reference to Mission Impossible in the first film. Yes, this film takes elements from Gods Must Be Crazy but I can forgive them as it is quite funny. One more point I have to mention is that this film has the same screenplay format as the first film. Therefore, it is just better than the first film.

Look, this film series is worth your time for the very famous and popular performance of Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura. If you can some of the pop-culture references, it is a serviceable fun entertaining franchise with a par and simple screenplay, some okay acting and some(really some) clever jokes with the usual low brow humour. Have a look at Ace Ventura.

MY COMPLETE RATING FOR BOTH FRANCHISES IS 6/10

Lucia (2013) and My Opinion

For today's blog, I thought to move away from the usual movie format to talk about Lucia (2013). It is a Kannada film with quite a following. It is crowd funded with a budget of 50 Lakh Rupees. Before watching the film, I was looking at all the IMDb scores and reviews of the movie. Many who watched the film were like this is India's Inception and stuff. So, I set my expectations high. After watching the film though I was a let down but still this is a good film. I was not on the same page as e everyone else unfortunately. This blog will particularly look at the positives and negatives of the screenplay and technical aspects of the movie as the acting is not actually a hero here even if all actors give good performances. 

THE POSITIVES :

1. The main sci-fi element is the biggest strength of the film. The concept of lucid dreaming is kind of unknown to audiences in 2013 and since been explored a lot. The most recent example can be 118 which bended it to fit the film's story. 
2. The quality and output of the film's images with 50 L is mind-blowing. The production of the film is so good. They did not limit themselves anywhere to save the budget yet they deliver some fantastic visuals.
3. The scenes which solely focus on the lucid dreaming concept. The interesting concept of the film hooks us in the beginning of the film. Then, in the last 20 minutes of the film is the main highlight of the film. A small twist in the tale and the detail given to it is simply outstanding. 
4. Also, this film achieves something that is unique to itself. It is a tribute to Indian cinema. So, it adds in some elements of films like a talkies owner and an usher or a star and his team. An item number, a commercial masala dialogue etc. Heck, it also adds in some references to Tamil and Telugu cinema along with the Kannada film references. So, it is a sci-fi film along with a cinema-based film.

THE NEGATIVES : 

1. The above mentioned positive is also a negative to the film. It being a tribute film comes with some decisions that is a compulsory but would not gel well with sci-fi plot it has. The introduction of a heroine in the film is not exactly the problem but the romantic track between the hero and heroine. It weighs down the sci-fi element because the concentration on the track weighs the element down and so, it could not show its true potential. The track itself is kinda boring and I thought those foreign girls were unnecessary. The director should have thought better about this. 
2. The other side characters except Shankaranna are not given enough character. Some of the other characters are just forgotten by us in the next scene.
3. The pace of the film. It was quite good in the first 20 minutes or so. But, it immediately slows down drastically as there is slow progression of story. In between the film, there is absolutely nothing happening.

My expectations for this film were high. The director tried to take two ideas of a sci-fi story and a tribute to films. These are two different things and the film could have been destroyed. I will give props to the director for blending them well but it succeeds only partially. Even though the film hooked me for a smaller time and the science fiction element did impress me, the film's major chunk was a let down as it had nothing much to say other than a love story. 

If the director tried to bring out the real potential of this concept and created some mind-bending scenes like in the pre-climax of the movie, it would have been an excellent film for me but yeah it is just a good film. Nothing Special. Let me see how his next offering U Turn fares out. See you soon.

IMDb Rating : 8.3/10

My Rating : 7/10

Loser (2020) Web Series Review

I don't watch web series that much. I am more of a films guy that takes emotions in doses. So, it is not my thing to binge 5-6 hours straight. But, because it is lockdown and even my Online classes have been finished, I thought I could try a web-series. I do know about the brilliant Indian Web Series like Sacred Games or The Family Man but I was searching for a "family-friendly" one as we cannot tolerate the high society culture shown in some web-series. Then I found LOSER, a Telugu web-series that released on Zee5 on the 15th of May. I was hearing praise throughout and so I decided to watch it. Did the series impress me or did it make me sleep. Here is my take on Loser:

Loser is a 2020 sports drama web-series starring Priyadarshi, Annie, Shashank, Kalpanika Ganesh, Shayaji Shinde, Banerjee, Komali Sharma, Pavani Gangireddy, Viren Thambidorai in lead roles. It is directed by Abhilash Reddy. The story revolves around 3 players divided by religion but united by the spirit of sport. Their stories and how it coincide with one another to reach success wraps up the entire series.

You should remember that I don't watch many web-series. So, I had to consult some people and websites to make a right decision about my opinion. The people who I consulted were talking about the improvement of the Telugu web-series in OTT platforms. Other than that, their and my opinions are mostly the same. First of all, the second best thing in this series is its dialogues. They have a sense of poetry in them. They were very apt to the various situations it focuses on. Writers Abhilash Reddy, Sai Bhardwaj and Shravan Madala also succeed in elevating the emotions of each character with their characterisations. Point to note is that no character is unwanted. Also, after looking into the article of Film Companion, I could not un see the fact that the intentions of the makers was very noble. The feeling of national integrity seen in all these sports people just breaks the walls of religion and class. 
The writing of the film is really good for the most part. The environment and timelines shown are very accurate and the writers give us clarity on it very well. While watching this series, you know that there are all kinds of sports cliches involved in the film and takes inspiration from many sports films like Chak De India, Saala Khadoos, Jersey etc., It shows talent, sports politics, religious problems, alcoholism, ego all connected to sports. So, you know that the series will get exhausting. By the time you reach episode 7 you are tired and I had to take a break to actually continue it again. Episode 9 actually is the ending but it drags on to Episode 10 which was unnecessary. Sometimes, the series can get preachy. It is inevitable in a sports drama but it could have been handled well. Overall, this series is a very very strong series.

Oh I forgot to mention the best thing in the film, the casting. It is perfect. I told that each character in the series is important. Therefore, every artist in the film gets to shine brilliantly. I purposefully mentioned all credited actors at the beginning. Priyadarshi as Suri Yadav is pure excellence. Despite being a recognisable enough star, he has a very relatable face value where he can be cast in any role. His acting range is quite shown in this series and he is proving that the is not just a comedian with his film and series choices. Annie also known as Baby Annie most known for her role in Rajanna is also very good. Her acting sums up the colourful and simple world of Ruby Shabana which comes to an end after a very unfortunate end. The surprise I would have never seen is Kalpanika Ganesh as the elder Ruby. The simplicity of the character is maintained by her but this role had some complications that the actress shows well. Shashank, an artist who gave good performances in films like Aithe and Anukokunda Oka Roju just slipped into the role and just lived it. His unique body-language, egoistic mindset and extreme anger is well emoted by the actor. Also, he also nails his old-age shade. The actor satisfies us in a well-rounded arc which leads to the final realisation. Sayaji Shinde most known for comic villain roles in Tollywood is very solid. His character arc is my favourite one as he just knocks it out of the park. Banarjee in just 2-3 scenes motivates us with his brilliant oratory skills(also the dialogue). Overall, this film is a collective effort in the acting department. 

The technical aspects led by some executives in Annapurna Studios lives up to the standard. The cinematography of the series is very good. The editing should have been improved. The music and BGM were a highlight. The sets, art direction, costume design, make-up department have to be applauded for showing three different versions of Hyderabad in a subtle yet clear way. There was one thing that was sticking to me like a sore thumb were the B&W effect and the budget allocation. The monochrome effect was good almost distractingly good. Compared to the best web series, this film's resolution and production is not the best.

Overall, if I had to suggest a series to get introduced to Telugu Web Series, you can start with Loser as it shows the emotions that make Tollywood a success and the subtlety that could potentially be seen in the future. It feels dragged for some but we can do nothing but to appreciate the writing of the film which is so good. Pair it with the excellent casting and we get a very good web series and misses the tag of the Best Web Series of TFI just by a little.

My Rating : 8/10

404 Error Not Found (2011) Movie Review

In 2011, I was not that much into movies. I was just like watching some commercial cinema once in a while. So, I never knew about 404. Even now, when I look into films everywhere checking all types of lists even the underrated stuff, I never came to know about the film. It just popped on Amazon Prime. So, was this film an underrated gem or is it better left obscure? Have a look at my review of 404: Error Not Found.

404 Error Not Found is a 2011 psychological thriller starring Rajvvir Arora, Imaad Shah and Nishikant Kamat in lead roles. It is directed by Prawaal Raman. The story revolves around Abhimanyu who decides to stay in Room 404 after a very bad ragging session. What transpires next is the story of 404.

Before I talk about the screenplay and acting, I should talk about about the technical aspects of the film. This film is made at a shoestring budget. Yet, it achieves the quality that most films lack. The cinematography is really good. It makes use of some static shots to achieve tension in the audience. Also, we observe some repeated shots which this film uses effectively because we cannot find the similarities just like that. The editing of the film too is very good. The effect of film reels given to the film really gives it the unique feel that separates it from the other films. The BGM of the film is really good. Enhancing the tense environment of the film, it really blends into the film without us noticing. This film uses minimal locations in fact just two. This film is one of the best examples of budget maintenance.

The budget of the film means that the film needs a tighter screenplay. The film delivers us in that matter to give a really good movie. This movie is meant to be a slow burn. It slowly introduces us to the characters. The seniors, the juniors, the lecturers, the dean and the professor. It slowly infuses you into this crazy world. Then, the film does a simply marvellous job at the psychological aspect of the film. If you ever wanted to know about Bipolar Disorder, this film is a 2 hour crash course for it with added entertainment. It explains it with such detail and attention with the film's main focus being on it really captivates you. This film mainly focuses on two things along with Bipolar Disorder i.e., Ragging and Ghosts. See, whatever you say, Ragging is a very bad practice. This film tries to prove it but in the most Over-the-top way possible. Yes, the ragging in the film is sometimes too much to take but after the climax of the film, we get it. The ghosts aspect of the film is an exploration worth your time. The climax of the film really rounds off the whole discussion with a very mind-blowing twist. So, this film is a slow thriller. You have to be patient with the film but when the film's main point comes along, you will be psyched.

The acting of the film is also good. Rajvvir Arora in the film does not get much acting scope. He is just kind and rational. He does well with the role he gets. Tisca Chopra too gives a very nice performance in her limited screen time. All other guys get really good scope to act. First of all, Imaad Khan as Chris. He is given this mysterious role to act with and he really acts well. But, the best performance scope and acting is done by Nishikant Kamat. I know him directed films like Madaari and the Drishyam remake. But, I did not know he acts like this. His acting in the film is fantastic. He is menacing, caring, manic and a complete package. His acting in the climax of the film is one of the best in 2011.

Overall, this film is an underrated gem of a film. It has strong writing and awesome budget management. It is available on Prime Video.

IMDb Rating : 7.2/10

My Rating : 8/10

Forensic (2020) Movie Review

After watching Anjaam Pathiraa, I was searching for a Malayalam thriller and then I found out Forensic. I did not watch the trailers for the film neither I know anything about it. I have no idea about the actors involved except for Mamata Mohandas who worked in 2 Telugu films in 2007-08. Will this unknown ride win over me or will it make me puke at the dead bodies? Let's have a look at forensic:

Forensic is a 2020 Malayalam thriller film starring Tovino Thomas, Mamata Mohandas and Saiju Kurup in lead roles. It is directed by first timers Akhil Paul and Anas Khan. The story revolves around a serial killer who abducts kids and how Ritika Xavier and Samuel John Kattokkaran catch this killer.

The screenplay is good for me although it has some problems. In the first 5 minutes of the film, the film gives an impression of being an amazing thriller with its visual storytelling with gripped me in. But, then slowly progressing into the film, I was subjected to some exposition. It was swinging from that side to this side throughout the first half. Luckily, the writing succeeded in maintaining the tension throughout the first half and then literally shocked me with the interval bang. That really gave me the feel that the film will get really good. It was actually good for the most of the second half but the end 30 minutes of the film goes haywire where the film kinda blurs with the things which it tries to tell us and I had to look over the Wikipedia page to actually get what they were saying. In between all this, I really liked the forensic part of the film and was intrigued with some of the scenes involving them. Also, the family connection to all of this madness was also good. Finally, the motive of the killer too was clear. But, I could predict some of the twists in the second half. Overall, the story of the film was good but the execution could have been better.

The casting of the film is perfect. This is first film of Tovino Thomas that I am watching and I really liked his performance. He does perfectly the hero role of the film that maybe he is used to. I know Mamata Mohandas as a good actor but in this film, she was absolutely perfect. Her body language is literally fluid as it instantly changes from scene to scene with accuracy. The acting too is really very good. Saiju Kurup gets few scenes to perform but in those scenes he does a great job. Reba Monica John is good in the film. Two scenes in the film where she is shown as a screw-up, I liked her acting in those scenes the most. But, the biggest surprise I got from this film is Thammanna Pramod as Navya and Nayana. Like, this is one of the best child acting I have ever seen in recent times. Her killer expression is one of the best moments in the film. All other actors in the film too give good performances.

This film is technically good. The cinematography of the film is good. The editing of the film too is good. The BGM of this thriller is good but if I compare, it is not the best. There is not much to talk about the technical aspects, they do a good job and that's it.

So, we have seen better thrillers than this film but you can still watch this film you really like to watch Malayalam films and especially thrillers. If you watch thrillers often, you may give it a try but you may predict the twists in no time except for the interval bang. This film has been sourced from private sources and as I am covering it up you know where to get this film. 

IMDb Rating : 6.6/10

My Rating : 7.5/10

Scoob (2020) Movie Review

I am currently in that nostalgia of Scooby-Doo after watching this film. You know the fact that I love animations and my main inspiration for it was the cartoons I used to watch. But, lately there have been some adaptations that really butchered the feeling. Yes, I am talking about that live action hybrids The Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks and many more like that. You cannot forget the Raja Gosling version of Scooby-Doo don't you. I was low on hope but then I came to know that it was a product of the WAG, who have literally shaken up their animation department with The Lego Movie and since have been giving good to great films. Their new film is Scoob which is now the second animation film after Trolls: World Tour to get a VOD release. How did I feel about the film? Make sure you read my whole review below.

So, Scoob is a 2020 animated film starring Zac Efron, Mark Wahlberg and many talented voice actors. It is directed by Tony Cervone who has previously worked with Spike Brandt on some of the Tom and Jerry direct-to-video films. The story revolves around Shaggy and Scooby, who break themselves from the Mystery Inc. to show that they are not the weaklings. The events which occur after the incident essentially rounds the entire story.

The screenplay of the film is fun for the most part. Let us begin with the positives. The main idea of the film is really good. This film tries to explore the idea of friendship and believing one another with Shaggy and Scooby and two other human-dog pairs. Granted they spell it out for the target audience but still we can forgive it. With this central idea, the characterisations of the film stand out for a family film. The main conflict of Shaggy and Scooby in the film is the best part of the film with their budding relationship and how their relationship grows and they grow as persons. This film has a fun vibe in it and it is mainly for the fans as nostalgia fuels our experience to be a better one. The writing of the film stepping apart from the basic structure of a regular Scooby-Doo episode tries to make a big Hollywood-style adventure film in the unique Scooby-Doo fashion. It works partially. So, let us go to the negatives now. My main gripe with the film is that they give Fred, Velma and Daphny lesser time to shine and mostly the audience wants these characters to get more screen-time than some of the new characters who are just the allies or obstacles. Also, the slapstick comedy of the film used minimally does not work that well. The director of the film clearly did try it with the experience he has with Tom and Jerry films but like in those films, they miss the mark. Also, the dialogues of the film are basically filled with Buzz Words and yes they bring down the quirkiness of those lines. There are some essential elements in a Scooby-Doo film that have to be there like the climax face reveal. This film as it was stepping away from the pattern unnecessarily attaches a joke into the film that feels out of place.

This film's fun vibe comes from its animation. It goes for the cartoony style 3D animation like in Hotel Transylvania or some of the WAG films like Storks. It is very good and the creativity in display is really good. The backgrounds of the film are as cartoony as the character design. To start with, it pops out of the screen with its colour and just the bounciness of the buildings. The character design is good. It stays true to the classic design of the Scooby-Doo cartoon and effectively renders it in 3D. Although, I have complains on this one. The childhood version of Shaggy and Scooby haven't really de-aged well for me and their designs do not really give a feeling that they are kids. The adult version of Fred in the film too just does not render well. The film has some very well choreographed action scenes and their framing makes it even better. They are not amazing but yeah they are very nice. The voice acting of the film too is very solid. Even though the dialogues are ordinary, the voice actors make it work to give the fun feel of the film. Most of the humour in the film is because of the voice acting and their love to these characters. Yeah, one more thing, the Simon Cowell cameo is really good. 

This film needs nostalgia to make it a very good watch. It tries to be cool to the audience with its buzz word filled dialogue and due to this it loses its original nature. But, the animation and voice actors step up and make the film a good watch for the most part and a good time with your family. It is available on Google Play Store, iTunes, Amazon UK etc., for VoD.

IMDb Rating : 7.5/10

My Rating : 6.5/10

Public Demand Thursday #1 - Badri (2000) Movie Review

My website has gotten to a stage where I was getting many recommendations with one or more movies. So, I thought I should take them together and review them in this segment "PUBLIC DEMAND THURSDAY". Therefore, this week @beingnagachaitanya has asked me to review a PSPK film. When I think of Pawan Kalyan, I think of the unique attitude he has but then I was thought I should review that good film of Pawan Kalyan that was slowly forgotten. Then, I had a look into the filmography of Pawan Kalyan. In his filmography, he essentially had three stages: The first stage where he was making himself and was becoming a force to reckon with. The second phase is where he saw a dip in his film standards where they were cursed with weak writing. Then, came the third phase, his comeback where he broke all kinds of records for at least 4-5 years straight. But, then I thought that his films good or bad are known to audience and because of Power Star's persona, never forgotten. The film I am reviewing Badri comes into the first category. After back to back hits Tholiprema and Thammudu where he played classy or close to classy characters, he decided to team up with first timer Puri Jagannadh to do a commercial film. How did the film turn out to be? Here is my review of Badri:

Badri is a 2000 Telugu romantic drama starring Pawan Kalyan, Renu Desai and Amisha Patel (in their debut roles). It is directed by Puri Jagannadh. It recently completed 20 years after its release. The story revolves around Badri and Vennala. They love each other and are going to marry in a few days. When their very relation is the question, they try to make a bet. The consequences of the bet makes up the entire story. 

The screenplay of the film is so unlike PSPK or Puri Jagannadh. This is because it is just Pawan Kalyan's 6th film and Puri Jagannadh's first film. In recent times, because Power Star is such a big icon, they tend to centre the story along him. The consequence of it being the adding of more commercial elements to dilute some good stories and finally receiving some not good results. This is a big advantage. Pawan Kalyan being what he is just a smaller range star at the time makes him vulnerable if you put the whole film on him. So, Puri Jagannadh puts equal weights on the heroines of the film, Renu Desai and Amisha Patel. So, the story is not compromised. Therefore, the screenplay of the film is genuinely entertaining. The love story between Vennala and Badri is very energising and is plain fun. The comedy track between Gangaraju and Manikanta is hilarious. The majority of the film covered by Sarayu and Badri is very good. It is very tender on screen and the characters of Badri and Sarayu here fit together really well to make their love story really charming. But, by far the best part of the film is the clash of Nanda and Badri. This occurs at the last hour of the film. I wish there was more of this. The set-up to this was brilliant. Two characters who love Sarayu and are exactly similar naturally have a clash and all scenes between Prakash Raj and Pawan Kalyan are electrifying. Yeah, I forgot the final twist of this film is really good. Like, I have predicted everything in the film except that. All of that said, you know that it is not the best work of either PSPK or Puri Jagannadh. The song that pops up in the first minute of the film does not fit for me and the length of the film could have been cut through. But then, it was rather an important film for both of them to really mould themselves into what they are now. For Pawan Kalyan the attitude and for Puri Jagannadh, the swagger.

The acting of the film as I was hinting before is fantastic. We all know how PSPK acts. We have seen his emotional scenes in Tholiprema and the fun side in Thammudu. But, this film is the very inventor of the signature Pawan Kalyan attitude and mannerisms. His performance is a treat for his fans now or then. Just the energy and charisma of the performance added to his natural and unique persona just makes the film very good. The first time heroines of the film get some prominent roles. Renu Desai is just such a blast on screen and is the reason for everything that happens in the film. She is both emotional and joyful at the same time balancing them really well. Amisha Patel in the film is just innocent and charming. She really does a good job showing the effects of pampering on people really well. Brahmanandam and Mallikarjun Rao are gems who never disappoint. I mean it. Each scene they are in is pure gold and hilarious. Prakash Raj as Nanda is electrifying on screen as his attitude matches that of Pawan Kalyan to create an amazing on-screen clash. One small gripe for me is seeing Kota Srinivas Rao as an NRI. That was quite not fitting well. But, he did give a good performance. Ali too appears in a very small role.

The technical aspects of the film are good. The music of the film takes the best spot. Ramana Gogula was like the Anup Rubens of the 90's and 00's. When the industry was saturated by Mani Sharma's tunes, he was a breath of fresh air and along with PSPK, the gave chartbusters and it applies to this film too. Not all songs I like though. It is subjective to me that I liked 3 of the 5 songs in the album and they are still fresh to hear. The editing of the film is good as in it is smooth but very long as some of the scenes could have been cut off easily. The cinematography of the film is very nice as they capture the colours of love really well. The action sequences of the film are really good. Using PSPK's Martial arts skills, the action scenes have a real punch to them. 

We all have to agree that this is not the best work of Pawan Kalyan or Puri Jagan. I consider Tholiprema to be PSPK's best and Pokiri to be Puri Jagannadh's best. If we put it aside, this film is worth a watch for a solid story and screenplay, fantastic acting and refreshing music. It is available for free on Youtube. 

IMDb Rating : 7.1/10

My Rating : 8/10

Anime Week - Part 4 - Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Movie Review

After watching Akira, the film that got suggested to me by all curated lists was Grave of the Fireflies. I was actually gonna see this film first but Akira attracted me. Anyways, how did this Studio Ghibli production impress me? Did it actually impress me? Check my review after this picture:

Grave of the Fireflies is 1988 Japanese anime war drama directed by another Studio Ghibli legend Isao Takahata. The story revolves around Seita and Satsuki, siblings who lost their parents in war trying to protect each other from the war. What happens after is the rest of the film?

This film is a family film despite the war backdrop. It has some really tragic imagery. Attacking warplanes, burnt houses, dead bodies either burnt or filled with worms. What not? But, yet we engage with film. That is because of the main central plot, Seita and Satsuki. The relationship between them is tender and genuinely touches our heart in contrast to the war setting. So, it balances out really well. This film made a huge gamble by showing the leads to be dead before even the main plot is introduced to us. Yes, I was hooked to the film with its introduction but yet I had my questions. But,  it turned out to be a masterstroke. Why? The film would have still been emotional in the end without the introduction. But, it actually amplified the emotion of the film because we know in the back of our heads while the scenes between Seita and Satsuki are going on that they will be dead. So, when those scenes come along and when we come to know why it is happening, our hearts break. Also, there is a smaller line in the film with how they are orphans and so they get ill-treated by their aunt. This part actually gives this film a complex meaning by showing how some genuine people who want to care about them could turn against them just because they are not working for the country. I forgot to tell you how I was literally weeping towards the end 20 minutes of the film. I don't usually cry watching films but this film was a whole new experience to me. So, you all know that I am mighty impressed by the film and by far the best anime film I have watched this week. Considering the standards, it is quite an achievement.

The animation of the film too is fantastic. First of all, the imagery of the film is simply stunning. When we see the drawings of those burnt houses and flying warplanes, we are instantly glued to the screen just with how gruesome these scenes are. Then, in contrast to the war scenes, there is also some scenes with the beach or with a small cave, they extract some serious beauty from the paper to the screen. Apart from the backgrounds, the character design and character animation is really good. They are smooth and subtle which just suits the entire set-up of the film. They have also got thin black stripes on their faces just to give an effect of the gritty nature of the film. I have to tell you this though. Anime always gives awesome detailing in their films but in this film in particular, there are some questionable censoring or it might not be. We won't mind it though. The attention to detail in this film and generally in any good anime film is absolutely mind blowing. I have to keep saying this but if Japan continues to produce solid 2D animation, maybe 2D animation will revive itself very strongly. 

Another gem of an anime film this time by Isao Takahata and again Studio Ghibli proves why they are a force that can never be stopped. This film is also on Netflix. So, get ready for a ride filled with heart-breaking emotions. 

IMDb Rating : 8.5/10

My Rating : 10/10

Anime Week - Part 3 - Akira (1988) Movie Review

While checking the curated lists of best anime movies of all time, I found Akira frequently. Also, when I googled about this film, it was said to be a game changer for sci-fi and cyberpunk genre. Therefore I watched it as it will be a change for me from family friendly dramas to the hardcore adult animated film this film is. So, how is the film? See it down after the picture:

Akira is a 1988 Japanese anime action thriller directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. The story revolves around Tetsuo after a bike accident experiences strange things happening to him. So, when the government tries to take advantage of it, Kaneda who is the strongest support to Tetsuo along with several forces try to save him from the impending doom. What happens next is the rest of the story of Akira.

The film is a direct adaptation of a manga of the same name handled by the maker of this film himself. So, it is evident that it is very clear and like many anime films tells a lot with less visuals. This film is basically a post-apocalypse cyberpunk film. When World War 3 happens, Japan gets completely destroyed in 1988. After a very hard reconstruction Neo-Japan is formed. Our movie begins in 2019 (Yeah, it is 2019 after some math). This prologue of the film just sets the tone perfectly. Also, the kind of environment it created in the movie is unreal. Fun Fact: This film correctly predicts that the Olympics 2020 will be in Japan. With all the reconstruction, the government gets corrupt and is in the verge of breaking. Several terrorist squads are attacking the city and gang wars have become common in the city. This political scenario gives the depth this feature needed. Add that to our main plot and this becomes some of the best sci-fi you have ever seen. You would never find such an experience in Hollywood films. This style of presentation is so unique that films like The Matrix have taken heavy inspirations from this film. The sound effects and background score of the movie is really catchy and cool. Just the breathing of a man is turned into a work of genius in the film. Also, the characterisations are fantastic. Both Kaneda and Tetsuo are the best characters in the film and importantly we feel for them. Also, the concept of Akira is very intriguing and will definitely catch your attention. Due to all these reasons, this film has an energy that keeps us glued to the screen for 2 hrs straight. Luckily, there are no sequels to this film to spoil such standards. Overall, you should not miss film if you love sci-fi. 

The animation of the film is fantastic. It is reported as the most expensive anime film in history. Boy, the lavishness shows in the film. This film is completely different from what I have seen recently. From beautiful greenery to gruesome deaths, this has been quite a shift. If you have not understood, then you should know that this film is brutal. In at least half of the film, blood is pouring all over. But, does it make the film unwatchable? Of course not. Let me begin with the backgrounds. They are so detailed that every fluorescent colour pops out of the screen. The big skyscrapers, the bridges, roads, the whole landscape just speaks of punk. The character animation is slightly dated with their frame rates being just short of perfect but then too in the action scenes, the animation is as fluid as a liquid. Speaking of which, the action scenes of the film should have taken hours of passion to animate and it shows. They are fantastic. The bikes they designed, the interaction of the object with the environment and all factors come together really well. Overall, the animation is highly creative and pure genius.

If you love sci-fi, you have to watch this no matter what. If you have seen The Matrix or Blade Runner and loved them, you will love this film as well. For new comers, have a quick look at the plot. If you want to watch it after the plot study, then this you will enjoy this film. 

IMDb Rating : 8/10

My Rating : 9.5/10

Mani Ratnam Week - Part 7 - Gharshana (Agni Natchicharam) (1989) Movie Review

In today's addition of Mani Ratnam Week, we have Gharshana, the old one. We have reached a point where we are gonna see some of the lesser known works of him in the 80's. After Mouna Raagam, Nayakudu and Geethanjali, this film was also a very big hit winning the Filmfare Award for Best Film (Tamil) and many other awards. So, how's the film overall. Let's find out.

Gharshana is a 1989 family drama film starring Karthik, Prabhu in lead roles. It is directed by Mani Ratnam with his usual technical team with PC Sreeram, Ilayaraaja etc. The story revolves around Viswanath who marries two wives and due to this there are complicated family problems. The rest of the film is basically an exploration of this family and how they solve their problems. 

The screenplay of the film is intense. This film is very similar to Dalapathi in the intensity and family emotions although both the films are very different. The film's central idea is about having another family i.e., maintaining two families. In the 80's this topic is taboo. So, it is already bold. Also, the family dynamics themselves are very realistic and gripping. The character study on each and every person presents another layer in this society. The head of the family, Viswanath is not shy of the fact that he maintains two families but while trying to maintain two families, their sons turn against him radically for different reasons leading to a conflict. The mothers understand everything and try to adjust to the surroundings. The leads of the film aka Ashok and Gautham are the people affected by the society and are boiling against each other leading to a clash. But, bonding this very broken family is love for each other despite the differences. This family tale is overall very gripping. The addition of a villainBut, it is not the best film Mani Ratnam has ever done. It is due to the unnecessary subplots he has added into the film. Look, I know the intentions of adding them. But, they are so loosely connected to the central plotline that they are just distracting. The love stories are just plain filler so that they could accommodate the songs into the film. The one sub-plot involving a driver and a manager is especially bad. So, this film is a strong despite the sub-plots diluting the intensity a lot. 

The actors give strong performances. The leads Karthik and Prabhu really brought the intense nature of the film to life. Vijayakumar as the father understands the role really well and gives a very nice performance. Sumithra and Jayachithra as the mothers are very good where we really connect to their tender nature. Tara as the sister of Gautham and Ashok is very good as the kind natured foil of the family. The heroines have little scope in the film. Amala Akkineni has very little to do but Nirosha got good fame from the film with all the swimsuits. Janagaraj and V.K.Ramaswamy give good acting performances but yeah, they are not that great. 


The technical aspects of the film are good for the time. The cinematography of the film was very nice using that shining effect very well. The music and background score of the film by Ilayaraaja is good by his standards. He used classical carnatic raagas to good use in this film making this album a very melodious one. The editing of the film was good but in parts the cuts were clumsy. Due to the lack of technology in that time, the climax of the film does not quite hold up despite its potential. The chase scenes in particular would have gotten better cuts. All other departments have made their best efforts to give this film a realistic touch. 


This film is definitely one of those Mani Ratnam above average films. It is still strong considering his filmography and some of his later films. It has a very strong central plotline and very solid characters and basically everything that has them is very solid. But, everything else in the film is just below average. If you want to watch this film, maybe prepare yourselves and lower your expectations. It is on aha.video app.

IMDb Rating : 7.8/10

My Rating : 7.5/10