Venky Mama (2019) Movie Review

A multistarrer of real mama-alludu Venkatesh-Naga Chaitanya raised the most unexpected expectations. The title 'Venky Mama' too is very solid and very apt for the promotions of the film. I missed it in the theatre due to my semester examinations. Now that it's out on Amazon Prime Video, let's find out how the movie is.

Venky Mama is a 2019 mass masala entertainer starring Victory Venkatesh, Naga Chaitanya, Payal Rajput, Raashi Khanna in lead roles. It revolves around Venkatratnam Naidu and his alludu Karthik and their bond. The rest of the story centres around how their relation is tested in various situations.

The first half of the movie is quite good although the story goes nowhere. The foundation of the movie is laid strongly in the first 15 minutes of the movie. Suspense builds, Comedy works. Venkatesh Rocks. The heart is set in the right place. We actually can observe the momentum slowly falling until the interval. The military scenes in the first half set the tone of the film. But, the second half shit, they screwed up. I told you the momentum was falling, until in the second half, the movie falls flat. The story becomes predictable almost serial like. Then, the anticipated military fight comes along. Although, the idea was good, it looks like a cheap copy of Uri- the surgical strike which makes the experience a little off.

The acting in the movie is subpar. I actually found an equation for this film specifically

Acting(Everybody)-Acting(Venkatesh)-Acting(Naga Chaitanya) = 0

The acting of venkatesh and naga chaitanya and their chemistry is very very good. This is serious though. Senior actors like Nasser, Prakash Raj just scream and just act for their pay check. The heroines you know play their part of looking glamorous and stand in the background like all other heroines in other masala films.

The technical aspects are mixed. The music and score is very good although the songs look dragged with one catchy tune sprinkled all throughout. The cinematography of the movie is very good because it transports us to their world. The editing is very mixed. They have to cut some scenes. The use of green screens is the worst. This particularly shows in the military scenes.

Overall, it is an average mass masala commercial entertainer with good comedy but bad second half. It's okay because it is a commercial entertainer. It's a big hit anyways. So, I would definitely recommend it to all the Venkatesh and NC fans. It would be a fun watch on TV. So, happily watch it.

iMDB Rating: 6.4/10

My Rating: 6.5/10

Joker (2019) Movie Review

When there was an announcement of an origin story about the most celebrated negative character, My reaction was so overwhelming that I couldn't stop myself from watching this movie but again I missed it too. Now that Joaquin Phoenix got his Golden Globe and is waiting to get his Oscar, it's the right time to review the most acclaimed movie of 2019, Joker.

Joker is a 2019 drama tragedy but a comedy film starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert de Niro in lead roles directed by Todd Philips. The story revolves around Arthur Fleck who had never smiled in his entire life. His dreams mocked, his medical disorder destroying him and the people around him treating him like an idiot and always beat him. This leads to him becoming the Joker.

This story and screenplay is intricately detailed and every step of the way, you understand what why and how the proceedings are going on. The connections it establishes with batman(VERY SMALL BUT VERY IMPORTANT) are very very clever. Every character Arthur meets with have their own unique character and leave a lasting impact. I do not want to reveal the spoilers but man they are very spoil-worthy.

The acting here is solid as hell. If not for Joaquin Phoenix giving his best performance in his entire career, this movie would have been another joker film. But, this guy nailed it. Every scene he is in the movie we get hooked to the screen. The physical and mental transformation he got for the film is also the major reason he just lives in the role. Robert de Niro in the film also very solid. He stars in an important scene where Arthur finally becomes the Joker and the tension built in the scene is all his acting prowess. Every actor in the movie gave their best for the film, we all know the credit goes to the director.

Each and every technical aspect should be given credit for giving such an experience. The sets in the film are very immersive and emulate the experience of getting into Gotham city like no other. The score given to the film lifts the whole movie up by 5 notches. The cinematography makes sure that we are transported to the 1981. The editing makes sure that the movie isn't a drag(as this happens with such films). Costume design also should be commended.

There has been talk around the world about this film's message. I just wanna say, getting a good character takes a lot of time. You have to stay cool, even in the toughest of situations. You have to be disciplined, even if you meet the most idiotic person in your life. Between all these, you have to settle your career, get money, maintain a good family life, maintain a good professional career. So, a good character takes time. It's okay if anybody says something to you, just stay calm, he will understand his mistake(IF NOT,MAKE HIM REALISE). Life is tough, just deal with it.

Overall, all 24 crafts of a film come together to give an experience that's just unforgettable. This is not the best comic book movie of the year, but one of the best movies of the year. I definitely recommend it to every film lover around the world. the Academy definitely understood it, therefore so many nominations.

iMDB Rating: 8.6/10

My Rating: 9.7/10 

Made In China (2019) Movie Review

I always liked Rajkumar Rao as an actor a lot and so, I was eagerly waiting for his movie "Made in China". But, I missed it in the theatre. I was sad knowing the fact that it was a flop. i know it was released at the wrong time but it was critically acclaimed though. So, now that the movie is finally out on Jio Cinema and also got a TV Premiere on Star Gold, I finally watched it. So, how's the film? Let's find out.

Made in China is a 2019 comedy drama film which is an adaptation of book with the same title starring Rajkumar Rao, Boman Irani, Mouni Roy in lead roles directed by Mikhil Musale. It revolves around Raghuvir Mehta, a wanna be entrepreneur who is desperate for a chance to make it big. The complete movie is just about the changes he makes and a big opportunity he finds in his visit to China which then leads to a series of events. 

First kudos to the writer-director Mikhil Musale and Rajkumar Rao to take this subject and never make it look like they were taking a lecture of it. Their lessons of entrepreneurship via a in-form Paresh Rawal are very cheeky and easy to understand for beginners. While that goes along, the topic of sex is joined into the mix and Boman Irani has taken charge of it and then the director blends these points together to make for a fun and breezy screenplay. A suspense element is also added in the mix which is fine but we quickly forget about it.

The acting performances are one of the biggest highlights of the movie. Extended Cameos of Paresh 

Rawal and Gajraj Rao work well for the film and they just nailed it. Mouni Roy gives a very real and subtle performance as Raghu's wife. I didn't expect such a performance from her. Boman Irani as Dr. Vardhi gives an amazing performance as every scene he is in the movie gets us hooked right away.
But, easily the best performance in this movie is the lead. Rajkumar Rao delivers a strong performance executing scenes of anger, frustration, naive with such ease.

The music needs a special mention. Every song in the movie gives a nice feel about the situation. Odhani is my favourite of the lot. The movie has good production value. Editing, Cinematography is perfect. BGM is good.

There is one negative in the film for me. There is this thing where in the first half, the hero makes fun of the Chinese language but I felt it was natural and not specifically made for laughs so I excluded it. But, my main problem comes in a scene where Raghu's wife finally comes to know about his husband's job which is not liked by her. There's more to the scene if i say would spoil the movie but that scene had to be the best scene of the movie but it just goes half baked and almost a formality for the director. Watch the movie to understand better.

Overall, Made in China is a very good film with great performances, good music and a breezy experience. A movie which is a blast on TV and be careful which watching with family.

iMDB Rating: 6.1/10

My Rating:8.5/10

Software Sudheer (2019) Movie Review

Jabardasth, a show that is running for so many years and is producing many comedy artists in the telugu film industry. Some artists tried their fair share of acting as a lead artist but failed miserably. Heck, some leading comedy artists such as Sunil also tried their fair share but failed so many times.
Did Sudigali Sudheer succeed in his attempt of becoming a hero? Let's find out.

Software Sudheer is a 2019 comedy, suspense thriller directed by P. Rajashekhar Reddy starring Sudigali Sudheer, Dhanya Balakrishna in lead roles.

The story revolves around Chandu, a software employee and his heroine(I FORGOT THE CHARACTER NAME) and that's it. This story goes from being a comedy to an action movie to a suspense to being a headache. Anything is okay for me except for a convoluted plot and screenplay. I mean what the hell did the writers think while making this movie. Maybe, they were drunk and put their brains in the freezer instead of their wine bottle and then wrote the script. The first half  was okay at best with some good laughable moments (JABARDASTH TYPE JOKES). But, the second half, I mean I could understand the plot they were going for but OMG, they screwed it up. The screenplay just jumps from one flashback to another and makes the viewing experience so bad for me.

So, the performances. The best part of the movie is the lead hero Sudheer. He did everything the director asked him to do from dancing to comedy to serious acting. Maybe, more experience would make him more clean as an actor. The heroine and all other actors just took their pay check and had fun with the script, no real acting here.

The music just has the same beat in every song and the BGM is fine but there is one track that is laughably bad. Editing of the movie had to be improved a lot because it was very choppy and makes a length of 117 min look longer than ever. Production values could have been improved.

Overall, this movie is a bad watch for me. I don't understand many liked it. I am shocked at the movie rating. The other movie Bhagyanagara Veedhullo Gammattu is 100 times better than this movie. I would strongly suggest you to skip this movie. This is another failed attempt of a comedian turned hero concept.

iMDB Rating: 8.8/10

My Rating: 3.5/10

Bhagyanagara Veedhullo Gammattu (2019) Movie Review

A comedy movie is always a treat to watch. With the ensemble cast and Srinivas Reddy at the helm of affairs and the teaser and trailers showing the promise, does it live up to the expectations?

Bhagyanagara Veedhullo Gammattu is a 2019 comedy film directed by renowned comedy artist Y.Srinivas Reddy starring Srinivas Reddy, Satya, Shakalaka Shankar, Vennala Kishore and maybe atleast 50% of the comedy industry including Jabardasth artists.

The story revolves around Swatrantra kumar (Vennala Kishore) who challenges that he would catch hold of the drug dealers which is increasing in Hyderabad and three short film makers who are desperate for money. I can understand what the film wanted to be and how good it could be but it failed to reach its ultimate potential.

The lead trio Srinivas reddy, Satya and Shakalaka Shankar have a done a very good job with the kind of acting they had to do in the film. Their most hilarious bits come in the Rasgulla episode(MORE ON THAT LATER). Vennala Kishore gets special mention for the best bits of the film(THUG LIFE MOMENTS TOO GOOD). Other cast(THERE ARE TOO MANY NOTED ARTISTS TO MENTION) too give okay to good enough performances. The heroine though maybe the least impressive in the whole bunch.

The major issue with the movie is its screenplay and direction. Srinivas Reddy's inexperience shows as most of the movie until the rasgulla episode just went flat, dull, generic and boring(IT'S A CRIME IN A COMEDY MOVIE). But, the ultimate saving grace is the Rasgulla episode. All actors in the movie come together with their comedy timing on point to give a hilarious climax to otherwise a bland comedy film. But, only if the rest of the movie was good.

The music is not worth mentioning. The editing, even if it is sharp it could not save the movie from being a little more interesting. The production seems low but they gave their best to deliver something good with the material.

Overall, as a comedy movie lover (COMEDY > HORROR) it is a disappointment for me. I would recommend this film for those who love comedy films the most(IT'S STILL DULL, BUT THEY WOULD GET MORE FROM IT). It's a far better watch on TV than in the theatres. So, if you wanna watch this movie on OTT, its a timepass but you know the deal. Zero expectations, brain in the freezer.

I hope this bunch of actors would come with a better script and with complete comedy timing.

My Rating: 4.5/10

Countdown (2019) Movie Review

Idea - Excellent

Execution - ??????????

Countdown is a 2019 horror thriller film written and directed by Justin Dec starring Elizabeth Lail ,  Jordon Calloway and others.

It revolves basically around a mobile application named "Countdown" which tells you when you are gonna die. It also consists of a plot thread about a nurse, their family, her lover and an event risking her career. But, all these plots are half baked and the lead actress as well looks completely off at times(her eye co-ordination missing) pulling down the movie a lot. 

I liked the idea of a horror movie centred on death, technology etc. but basically could not connect with story they were presenting. To have a mobile application connected to supernatural elements is bizarre because there is no proper details of who done it. The movie states why it is happening via a hip dude church father but there are questions yet to answer at the end.

The scares in the movie are basic at times and punchy at other times. My favourite was the one with the hero(MAYBE) in the restroom. The BGM is just basic and feels like it is taken from the stock. 

The phone repair shop person has the best bits i.e., humour loaded with funny roasts particularly his entry scene. (AT LEAST FOR ME)

But, the real positive is that despite all the shortcomings in the movie, it has you hooked until the very end. 

Overall, Countdown which has a good idea but is not executed well. It has good tension but no character registers strongly. Thus, it makes a movie just made for scares which are good at times but leave no lasting impact. There is also a snippet at the end for a sequel (THEY BETTER DO NOT AS IT IS A FLOP.) 

Finally, I would conclude by saying that for horror movie lovers like me, it would be an average watch but for others if you wanna this movie, have no expectations and just put your brain in the freezer for a better experience.

iMDB Rating: 5.3/10

My Rating: 5.5/10

I'm Back...

This Semester Holidays, get ready for more movie reviews.....

From today (11/01/2020) to next Sunday (18/01/2020), it's gonna be a movie marathon

Starting with Countdown

Review out at 2:30PM

......................................................................Get Ready...........................................................................