Living Up to Expectations: The Good, the Better, and the Best of 2017
This is my annual effort to filter the good, the better, and the best from the rest that cinema has to offer every year. It's an initiative I began back in 2010, and I hope that this year, too, the list will be enjoyable, informative, and up-to-the-mark.
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- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsSally HawkinsOctavia SpencerMichael ShannonAt a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.The Shape of Water is not only hands down the best movie of 2017, but also, without a vestige of doubt, one of the best fantasy movies of all damn time. Guillermo Del Tero has really raised the bar for all his subsequent works, and that's saying something, given his erstwhile masterpieces in the same genre like Pan's Labyrinth and the two Hellboy movies. And as immersed in quaint charm and old-world nostalgia as Shape of Water is, Del Tero transcends it beyond the realm of conventional fantasy, by dexterously interspersing a soulful romantic tale into proceedings, making the fantasy elements and underlying sci-fi themes mere tools to weave a truly innovative love story. Also, Del Toro has never quite displayed his love for Hollywood antiquity like he does in Shape of Water, with gleeful, fantastic, yet ingenious doffs of his hat to everything from frothy musicals (the old kind) and fruity cadillacs to noirish camera angles and monster-movie lore (again, the old kind) - seamlessly fitting everything into the cinematic world of his imagination; never once breaking its boundaries for the sake of his own indulgence.
Enriching this hypnotically haunting, intoxicatingly insane world (as if the movie needed any more enrichment) is Sally Hawkins unbelievably subtle yet mesmerizing evocative central performance as a mute woman of frugal means who's at the heart of an impossibly romantic journey, and whose heartfelt silent emotions could make a case for the best female performances of last year. Michael Shanon and Richard Jenkins - on opposite ends of the moral spectrum - lend her and the script amazing support as do the cinematography, special effects, sound effects, background score, editing, you name it. To sum it all up, The Shape of Water is, for all intents and purposes, one of the greatest fantasy movies ever made, and a true-blue, once-in-a-lifetime cinematic experience. A portion of your life, however small, will remain incomplete if you skip it.
5/5 stars - DirectorSally PotterStarsTimothy SpallKristin Scott ThomasPatricia ClarksonJanet hosts a party to celebrate her new promotion, but once the guests arrive, it becomes clear that not everything will be going down as smoothly as the red wine.Writer-Director Sally Potter's British film, The Party (no relation to Peter Sellers' hilarious 1968 film by the same name, though this one's sarcastic tone evokes just as many laughs, maybe just not with same ferocity due to its subtle humor), is the most- brilliant piece of well-acted, crisply written satire you'd have seen in the last ten years, and with the greatest twist ending since the 2003 Korean film, Oldboy. It's also a distinctive example of how high-concept art can be mixed with terrific commercial entertainment. Hands down the film of the year. No one should miss this at any cost.
5/5 stars - DirectorPatty JenkinsStarsGal GadotChris PineRobin WrightWhen a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, Diana, an Amazonian warrior in training, leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny.Not just the best film from the DC-extended universe (which doesn't include Nolan's classic Dark Knight trilogy); not just among the best superhero films ever; but, without a doubt, one-of-the-very-best action-adventure movies of all time. After ages, a superhero film, or for that matter, any action film has got the balance between action, plot narration, character development, witty one-liners, and world building just right; helped in no small part by Patty Jenkin's astute direction and a handful of winsome performances, not to mention plenty of heart and some subtly interwoven social commentary to boot. Seriously, if you want to see a proper summer blockbuster that doesn't get a frame wrong after a long time, then Wonder Woman is your answer.
5/5 stars - DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaMark HamillRey develops her abilities with the help of Luke Skywalker, as the Resistance prepares for battle against the First Order.Star Wars: The Last Jedi is hands down the best Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back. It's so many levels of awesome that you lose count. The breathtaking action sequences, jaw-dropping CGI work, and hair-raising background score notwithstanding, what you take away most are the rich plot narration, scarcely believable twists, homage to the canon of the previous films, and strong emotional heft that gives it an identity that is all its own. You can enjoy it thoroughly even if you haven't been following the franchise. As for diehard Star Wars fans, get ready to orgasm all over the movie. There are two or three minor flaws, but you'd willingly want to gloss over them because of how profound the impact of the movie is and how enjoyable the overall ride is.
5/5 stars - DirectorJordan Vogt-RobertsStarsTom HiddlestonSamuel L. JacksonBrie LarsonAfter the Vietnam war, a team of scientists explores an uncharted island in the Pacific, venturing into the domain of the mighty Kong and must fight to escape a primal Eden.First-rate entertainment, excitement, and jaw-dropping thrills delivered in kingly sizes. Kong knocks the teeth out of every monster movie preceding it bar its 1933 ancestor (and that too just by a whisker owing to the novelty factor), and is indeed 'King' when it comes to providing an unadulterated adrenaline rush. It may be every young boy's fantasy playing out on screen, especially the denouement, but there's plenty of joy for adults, too, who don't mind reconnecting with their inner child once in a while. Plus, there's some wonderfully subtle messages about environmentalism, ecological balances, and respecting mother nature that only the grownups will get. For a pure bang-for-your-buck ride and a jolly-good time at the movies, Kong: Skull Island is going to be hard to beat all year round.
4.9/5 stars - DirectorDevashish MakhijaStarsSushama DeshpandeSmita TambeSharvani SuryavanshiLittle Manda is found raped and dumped in a trash heap near her slum. Her parents are more concerned with survival than dignity. The cops are powerless to help as the rapist is a local politician's son. But Ajji won't accept this injustice.You may have seen tons of revenge0thriller, including those centered on vendetta emanating from rape, and you may see many more in future. But you’ll never see anything as riveting, brutal, harrowing, and yet fulfilling as Ajji, amde all the more worthwhile by Sushama Deshpande’s central performance in the eponymous role. Her eyes and weathered visage capture the despair of the plot and trauma of the victim to the T and her tenacity against all odds to seek comeuppance instills hope in all of us. The movie’s also a shining example how slow pace can be effectively used to create the right impact and keep us thoroughly absorbed. Moreover, in spite of having decades of genre tropes to and erstwhile classics to be compared to, Ajji still manages to redefine itself unlike any film in recent memory, and therein lies its biggest achievement.
4.85/5 stars - DirectorK.V. AnandStarsVijay SethupathiMadonna SebastianThesingu RajendarA TV journalist goes against his corrupt and dishonest boss's orders and helps a group of youngsters in their fight against a chemical plant.A stinging indictment on the sham and ruse that certain high-profile media outlets in the country run, told in the most-engaging and entertaining manner possible – the only way to make a socially relevant film feasible to the every section of the Indian audience, and it takes a genius like K.V. Anand to realize and execute such a concept to perfection. He did if before with Ko; he does it with even greater aplomb in Kavan. Of course, it helps when you have such top performers in Vijay Sethupathi and Madonna Sebastian. In a few words, Kavan is crackerjack thriller wrapped amidst brilliant satire and topical storytelling.
4.8/5 stars - DirectorAdvait ChandanStarsZaira WasimMeher VijRaj ArjunA talented teenage singer-songwriter living amid domestic abuse becomes a YouTube sensation after a video in which she hides her identity goes viral.Secret Superstar is a seamless amalgamation of laughter, emotions, happiness, sadness, hope, heart, dreams, and, above all, a celebration of motherhood, making it an absolutely unmissable film. It’s by far the best Bollywood feature film of the year, and those performances, my, oh my – each one as good as the other. This one can't be missed even by those who aren't regular movie-watchers, and, please make sure to watch it along with your mother.
4.75/5 stars - DirectorJake KasdanStarsDwayne JohnsonKaren GillanKevin HartFour teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.2017 has given cinema two great fantasy-adventure films in Jumanji and Kong: Skull Island – two of the best in the genre since The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Though not quite in the same league as the LOTR films, there hasn't been a single fantasy-adventure movie since the last of the trilogy had released back in 2003 (not even The Hobbit trilogy or the previous King Kong, as good as they were), which has quite managed to transport us to another land and keep us absorbed, entertained, thrilled, and awestruck all at the same time; until Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (and Skull Island) came along. Pure, unadulterated big-screen magic for movie-buffs. Also, I've given both these movies such high ratings because I believe that a movie should be judged primarily on two parameters – a.) what it sets out to do, and b.) how well it achieves what it sets out to do. According to me, a film doesn't have to be an enlightening experience or have a profound meaning or make subtle commentary or impart new knowledge for me to gush all over it. A movie's job is first and foremost to entertain me to the fullest regardless how serious or fun the genre maybe, and everything else comes later.
4.75/5 stars - DirectorS.S. RajamouliStarsPrabhasRana DaggubatiAnushka ShettyAmarendra Baahubali, the heir apparent to the throne of Mahishmati, finds his life and relationships endangered as his adoptive brother Bhallaladeva conspires to claim the throne.Bigger, bolder, grander, meatier, and more exhilarating than the first part, if that were even possible, but in the hands of the great S.S. Rajamouli, it seems like a cakewalk. The breathtaking VFX and mesmerizing battle scenes aside; the way in which the narrative fleshes out the courtroom politics while fulfilling crucial plot points in the most-satisfying manner possible speaks volumes of the painstaking efforts Rajamouli and his writers applied to the script, refusing to bank on the dazzling CGI and action shots alone, which are, by a country mile, the greatest ever assembled in Indian cinema. Each actor plays his/her part to the hilt, and you come away with the experience of being completely transported to the world of Mahishmati, having witnessed the most-spectacular epic in the history of Indian filmmaking. Family, emotions, humor, love, revenge, honor, loyalty, betrayal, and triumph of good over evil – it's everything that forms the core of Indian cinema rolled into one, set against the backdrop of grand Indian folklore, but told with the most modern tools. Kudos to Rajamouli's awe-inspiring vision and the gall to see it all through and take Indian cinema to unprecedented heights.
4.7/5 stars - DirectorDaniel EspinosaStarsJake GyllenhaalRebecca FergusonRyan ReynoldsA team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars and now threatens all life on Earth.Seeped in a sense of foreboding that's heightened by the vast nothingness of space; Life ratchets up the tension with nerve-wracking suspense, mesmerizes you with with subtly cool effects, and keeps you hooked with writing and acting that are as believable as they're edgy. Never rushing things, right to the very end, Life (like Pitch Black before it) comes across as the best of the 'Alien' clones in how it eases you into a wholly believable, futuristic plot, and suddenly, out of nowhere, throws you along with its cast into the deep end of a fight for survival. You'll almost feel the cold, unending grip of space close in on you; a radically metamorphosed creature hunt you down; and the hope of survival dissipate with each passing minute. This is hunted-in-unknown-territory-style filmmaking at its finest because you can't help but scream out a warning every time a character appears to have made a mistake. Plus, you'll end up simultaneously loving and hating Director Daniel Espinosa for topping it all off with a denouement that's so diabolically twisted that it makes every delectably evil thing to have preceded it seem like part and parcel of every astronaut's work module. Life spins a wholly hellish yarn on what it means to live.
4.7/5 stars - DirectorSaket ChaudharyStarsIrrfan KhanSaba QamarDishita SehgalA couple from Chandni Chowk aspire to give their daughter the best education and thus be a part of and accepted by the elite of Delhi.As topical or pertinent as any mainstream Hindi film in the recent past, made all the more compelling and absorbing by how it's topicality and subject matter is conveyed in a wonderfully commercially entertaining manner, shouldered all they way by another layered, dexterous performance from Irrfan Khan, who's ably supported by Saba Qamar and Deepak Dobriyal.
4.7/5 stars - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattZoe SaldanaDave BautistaThe Guardians struggle to keep together as a team while dealing with their personal family issues, notably Star-Lord's encounter with his father, the ambitious celestial being Ego.GOTG Vol. 2 takes everything that made the first part such a joyous romp; doubles them down; at times takes it all a bit too far, threatening to sidetrack its own plot in the overwhelming quest for gleeful abandon; but quickly swerves back to its roots and character arcs to deliver a sequel that's so satisfyingly fun and refreshingly inconspicuous that you wonder why other superhero films take themselves so seriously these days. Every character is a hoot, every actor completely aware of how irreverent they must appear, and the entire film flows like the best ride in an amusement park that you simply can't get enough of. Oh, and yea, they do it all without forgetting to lay out a bonkers plot that, while being quite faithful to the comic arc, will also have you believing that only these guys could pull it off. Vol. 2 may score a tad less on the novelty factor and script of the first part, but it more than gets it right in the overall execution and delivering exactly what the audience loves from a story of charming misfits. At this rate, the Guardians of the Galaxy could soon trump The Avengers in being everyone's go-to fix for a madcap, unbridled, ballsy superhero joie de vivre.
4.6/5 stars - DirectorShlok SharmaJatinkumar Jagdishbhai PatelStarsNawazuddin SiddiquiShweta TripathiTrimala AdhikariA selfish, manipulative schoolteacher takes advantage of a schoolgirl's vulnerability to gratify his dark, narcissistic desires.If you thought that Haraamkhor is going to be a sweet-little, coming-of-age film set in a small village, then think again. Yes, it’s sweet, but there’s also a whole lot of bitter to even it out. And if you thought of giving it a skip because it isn’t commercially appealing or doesn’t look massy enough for you, then you’d be doing yourself a great disservice. Yes, it isn’t massy, but boy is it entertaining and not for a moment is its stark, discomforting subject ever presented in grim tones.
Director Shlok Sharma masterfully interweaves a complex tapestry of emotions, deceit, and underage sex with so many amusing moments that not once does the film hit you hard or its subject matter feel queasy. There are scenes of genuine laugh-out-loud humor, particularly in the presentation of Kamal, Sandhya’s classmate who has a crush on her, and Mintu, another classmate who helps his best pal Kamal all the way. Their scenes together make up some of the most refreshing and hilarious moments in the film, and bring back memories of Kader Khan and Shakti Kapoor’s legendary dual comic acts.
Haraamkhor is also an opportunity to unanimously tip our hats to Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Of all the exceptional performances he’s rendered hitherto on screen, his haraamkhori in Haraamkhor ranks right up there with his acts in Gangs of Wasseypur and Raman Raghav 2.0. You’ll despise him to the core, loathe his guts, and feel disgusted at his very sight.There are villains like Gabbar, Mogambo, SRK in Darr, and Nawaz himself – from last year’s Raman Raghav – whom you love to hate and remain shocked with their villainy. And then, there are contemptuous ones like Shyam in Haraamkhor whom you’ll feel sick to just look at and only despise with pure hatred. But, hold on, we haven’t finished with praising Nawaz. If you think for a second that you can keep hating him throughout the film, then you’re sadly mistaken. Despite all the scornful things he does, you can’t help but burst out with laughter as he switches with ease between being devious and humorous. Very few actors in the world can pull off what he’s done.
Shweta Tripathi gives Nawaz good company as the impressionable student who gets sucked into a wicked world that’s years beyond her grasp or maturity. You feel for her vulnerability, understand her plight, and wish to protect her as she gets further exploited. As is, it’s no small feat for a 30-something to convincingly play a 15-somethings, and then to back it up with such a performance speaks volumes of her talent.
So, is the film flawless? Well, as good as the script, Direction, lighting, cinematography, editing (the technical departments superbly complement the film’s bare and delicate tone), and performances are, it must still be remembered that it’s the Director’s debut feature and a few trivial inconsistencies do arise with the continuity and narration. But that only if you want to really nitpick.
There’s a scene in the film that shows Nawaz helping an aged man onto a bus that he boards with Shweta for a trip to an abortion clinic. That about sums up the film’s message of not judging a book from its cover, something that the censors and we, as a society in general, are too guilty of nowadays. Haraamkhor is pure brilliance that simultaneously moves you, angers you, amuses you, and talks to your most human side. Imperative viewing!
4.6/5 stars - DirectorAtleeStarsJoseph VijayNithya MenenS.J. SuryahA police officer arrests a doctor for crimes targeting medical professionals but later finds the real culprit in a tale of revenge, corruption and magic.Tamil film Mersal is. unequivocally. the singular-best piece of masala entertainment I've seen this year. A dynamic packet of emotions, action, music, twists, family bonding, lost-and-found themes, heroism, and revenge drama rolled into one well-balanced package, made further exhilarating by Vijay's riveting screen presence, infectious swag, and bravura triple-role performance. He proves yet again why he's the one-and-only Thalapathy of Indian cinema; not only of Tamil cinema. It also never ceases to amaze me how Kollywood keeps intertwining pertinent social messages within well-made commercial movies, and Mersal is another fine example of this. This is full-blown family entertainment at its very best, the way only Indian cinema can pull it off. So, do yourselves a favor and don't miss Mersal.
4.4/5 stars - DirectorRavi UdyawarStarsSrideviSajal AliAkshaye KhannaAfter her daughter is sexually assaulted at a party, a furious mother sets out to destroy the lives of the four perpetrators who walked away free.Mom is an amalgamation of brilliance – brilliant directing, brilliant writing, brilliant acting, and brilliant technical finesse. The only place it slightly falters is during the denouement, where the motivations and outcomes to tie things up seem not as well thought out as the rest of the film. Also, however brilliant it may be, the fact that it’s still a revenge tale at the end of the day, may take away a bit of its sheen. But barring these negligible drawbacks, Mom is easily one of the best revenge thrillers you’ll see in Indian cinema, and hitherto the best Hindi film of 2017 after the Sachin Tendulkar documentary nad Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil (a similarly themed film). Most importantly, it reminds us how far a mother can go for her child, and that there’s no more potent a force than a mother out to seek justice for her baby.
4.25/5 stars - DirectorSubhash KapoorStarsAkshay KumarHuma QureshiSaurabh ShuklaJolly is a clumsy lawyer who is faced with representing the most critical court case of his career.So how does a Director follow up one of his most critically acclaimed and universally loved films? Well, if you’re Subhash Kapoor, the answer is pretty simple. First and foremost, you let go of all the baggage of the prequel by approaching the film with a clear and fresh mindset. Then, you write another crackerjack script that’ll be loved by every section of the audience across all parts of the country. And, finally, you direct the heck out of your screenplay, aided by a game ensemble cast that completely surrender to your conviction and vision. Jolly LLB 2 not only outdoes its exalted predecessor, but, in many ways, is also the best courtroom thriller/drama of the Indian screen along with Rajkumar Santoshi’s celebrated 1993 film, Damini.
What sets Jolly LLB 2 apart is how well Subhash makes telling statements through mere pictorial depictions of our legal system and how it, too, is battling against the odds in a desperate fight for survival. This is ingeniously done through laugh-out-loud moments rather than tedious messages. With films like Phas Gaya Re Obama, Jolly LLB, and its sequel to his credit, Subhash Kapoor is now, easily, among the few filmmakers in our country – beside Rajkumar Hirani, Neeraj Pandey, and Aanand L. Rai, who can connect with both urban centers and the hinterlands.
The twists and turns and back and forth of the narrative move like a snakes-and-ladder game, and though you know the outcome (like in any courtroom thriller/drama), you remain hooked to your seat in anticipation of what unexpected plot device will be revealed next. And, finally, the film reaches its conclusion through a smartly infused deus ex machine – an unexpected and inspired plot twist that suddenly appears to resolve a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story – which is something that Subhash is known for in his films.
Barring an abrupt plot point in the finale and two songs that stall the pace of the film to a minor extent (but should be enjoyed as welcome distractions in B and C centers, especially the Holi song), Jolly LLB 2 is a nigh perfect courtroom thriller that can rub shoulders with the best of its kind. It’ll make you laugh heartily, clap vigorously, maybe even suppress the urge to whistle, and will, ultimately, leave you filled with hope and possibly, even some newfound respect for the justice system. A Martin Luther King Jr. quote before the end credits roll best sums up the heart of Jolly LLB 2 – ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’.
4/5 stars - DirectorKim Sung-hoonStarsHyun BinYoo Hae-jinKim Ju-hyukWhen a crime organization from North Korea crosses borders and enters South Korean soil, a South Korean detective must cooperate with a North Korean detective to investigate their whereabouts.The most fun action-comedy I've seen since last year's The Nice Guys, and the most fun film Korean Cinema has produced since 2008's The Good, the Bad, the Weird. It has everything than an action-comedy in the buddy-cop sub-genre needs – lovely slapstick, frenzy action (that never goes over-the-top), heart-pounding stunts, two polarizing leads, good interplay between the leads to offset the action, smart dialogues, playful banter, some emotional bonding (between the main and peripheral characters), and a believable enough plot (that's forgivable if it ventures into outrageous territory at times). Basically, Confidential Assignment is a total blast from start to end for lovers of no-holds-barred, pure entertaining cinema.
4/5 stars - DirectorTanuja ChandraStarsIrrfan KhanParvathy ThiruvothuNeha DhupiaYogi and Jaya, who have polar opposite personalities and sensibilities, meet via a online dating app. This encounter turns into so much more when the two travel to Rishikesh.A true-blue romantic comedy after a long time, and one from #Bollywood in God knows how long. Irrfan Khan is, well, Irrfan Khan and Parvathy's composure complements his vivacity beautifully. But if one had to pick the actual winner of Qarib Qarib Singlle it'd have to be the dialogues. This one definitely proves to be the perfect combination of rom and com.
4/5 stars - DirectorOriol PauloStarsMario CasasAna WagenerJose CoronadoA successful entrepreneur accused of murder and a witness preparation expert have less than three hours to come up with an impregnable defense.Dark, twisted, edgy, unpredictable, and tantalizing to the very end, with an underlying moral current to offset the devious elements in play. Some portions do call on your ability to suspend disbelief, but leaving them aside – and Oriol Paulo's taut direction makes you want to do so in more ways than one – The Invisible Guest is exactly the kind of mystery that has remained invisible from the big screen for a considerable time. So, if you're on the lookout for a thriller that teases you at every turn, with actors that enrich the plot every step of the way, then don't think twice before giving this a go.
3.9/5 stars - DirectorZack SnyderStarsBen AffleckGal GadotJason MomoaFueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his new-found ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.Justice League = pure superhero movie cool. Haven't had this much fun in a superhero film since Ant Man, the first GOTG, and the first Avengers movies. Just ignore the mixed reviews. I'm beginning to think that American critics have some unholy nexus with Disney and Marvel if most of them praised Spider Man Homecoming and Thor Ragnarok sky high (simple fun, but nothing more, and overtly noisy in places, with a fair share of plot contrivances), but have problems with the JL movie (genuinely exhilarating, with well-balanced action, humor, cool one-liners, good back-story, excellent handling of an ensemble heroes' roster, a top-notch formidable villain, and, overall, much-greater fun).
3.9/5 stars - DirectorDean IsraeliteStarsDacre MontgomeryNaomi ScottRJ CylerWhen Earth is on the verge of an alien invasion, five teenagers, who are infused with superhuman abilities, must harness their newfound powers to battle this threat - as the Power Rangers.Power Rangers is a welcome throwback to times when superhero films were simpler, goofier, campier, yet had all the technical wizardry and razzledazzle to appeal to our slick side. Least bothered with any existential or philosophical thoughts, the plot has one thing and one thing alone on its mind – how to be super-fun and super-awesome while dealing with straightforward topics that make for the drama in teenage lives. It may get a tad too angsty or corny at certain junctures, but for a film aimed at teens, it has more than enough going for it to appeal to matured age groups while also holding tremendous nostalgia – with a revamped edge – for folks who grew up on the gleefully campy TV show and earlier film. Most importantly, when it's 'Might Morphin' time, all you're required to do is sit back, buckle up, and embrace your inner child that loves to be let out every once in a while.
3.9/5 stars - DirectorJay OlivaStarsMatt RyanCamilla LuddingtonJason O'MaraBeings with supernatural powers join together to fight against supernatural villains. This team of supernatural beings include John Constantine, Zatanna and Jason Blood also known as the demon Etrigan.An anything-goes, nothing's-as-it-seems action spectacle, with a perfectly acceptable dysfunctional storyline for the most-flawed and dysfunctional heroes on DC's roster. Just like it's main characters and their abilities, the major plot elements of Justice League Dark are fractured, ambiguous, magical, and a treat to uncover. And when the gloves need to come off, these guys can give the best in the business a run for their money. Of course, it does help if Batman gives constant company to the likes of Constantine, Zatanna, and Swamp Thing. Justice League Dark may miss the spot at times, but, on the whole, it's a total blast while it lasts; once again proving that DC's shoestring budgeted, DTH animated ventures are infinitely more superior that their bloated feature-length cousins, who can't seem to crack the code of their lesser-known relatives living in the shadows despite having seemingly unlimited funds and resources at their disposal.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorRohit ShettyStarsAjay DevgnArshad WarsiTabuThe gang encounters with some spiritual bodies and finds out the truth about the Jamnadas Orphanage where they were brought up.Golmaal Again is a hilarious union of gags, punchlines, silly humor, and madcap energy that, despite the harebrained plot, guarantees a fun-filled romp, provided you don’t be a hipster prude, and tag along for the ride. It's wholesome masala entertainment for the entire family – the kind Bollywood seldom does anymore, and, in many ways, is a celebration of several quintessential Bollywood tropes. Rohit Shetty and gang again provides us silly fun at its best, which, contrary to perception, also requires brains to be effective.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorDK WelchmanHugh WelchmanStarsDouglas BoothJerome FlynnRobert GulaczykIn a story depicted in oil painted animation, a young man comes to the last hometown of painter Vincent van Gogh to deliver the troubled artist's final letter and ends up investigating his final days there.The kind of oil palette and board brush strokes rarely seen in animation today, backed up by a proper adult-oriented story that almost plays out like a thriller and rarely gives one the feeling of watching an animated movie. Amidst all the glitz, glamor, razzmatazz, uber-cool, and ultra-stylish world of 3D animation (not that we're complaining), the Loving Vincents of the world are also essentially to remind us the roots of cartoons and how rudimentary animation skills can be just as beautiful, or perhaps more so given how the rawness adds a quaint and almost mystical charm to the whole experience. And when you have a movie like Loving Vincent, which has an absorbing plot, fleshed-out characters, mysterious vice, and brilliant voiceovers to boot, the experience transcends beauty and mysticism to become utterly magical.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorMilan LuthriaStarsAjay DevgnIleana D'CruzEmraan HashmiAn Indian queen asks her bodyguard to steal back gold taken from her by the Indian government during The Emergency period in 1975.Thankfully, we still have some old-school Directors like Milan Luthria around who return every few years to remind us that we don’t always need to look to Hollywood for our fixture of unbridled entertainment. Sure, we may have the Dabanggs or the Singhams or the Rowdy Rathores that keep the masala flag flying, but they do little to whet the appetite of city slickers looking for a semblance of sanity to go with their amusement. But with Baadshaho we have a Director who’s at the top of his game and, more importantly, never loses sight of his prime objective – get the audience strapped in for some king-sized entertainment; in particular, entertainment that suits a pan-India audience. Baadshaho is the kind of film that’ll be lapped up by both the single screen and multiplex audience in A, B, and C centers. Sure it loses some points only for an entirely unsatisfying denouement, but barring that sore point, it's a royal dose of first-rate, Bollywood-styled, action-packed masala entertainment that binds cool stunts, thrilling moments, and foot-tapping music with seeti-maar dialogues and massy scenes; a perfect blend class and mass.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorBrian FeeStarsOwen WilsonCristela AlonzoChris CooperLightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he's still the best race car in the world.Cars 3 represents Pixar tropes at their most enjoyable – glitzy animation, scenes boasting feverish excitement, and an overall pleasant vibe underlined by a poignant tale that's almost manipulative to a fault in the last act, but your heartstrings are so effortlessly tugged that you don't mind going along with the whole ingenuity. A charming family outing for all ages.
3.8/5 stars - DirectorShree Narayan SinghStarsAkshay KumarAnupam KherBhumi PednekarA woman threatens to leave her husband unless he installs a toilet in their home. To win back her love and respect, he heads out on a journey to fight against the backward society.Pertinent, topical, driven, and transformative – Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is everything a film about a fundamental human right – kept taboo under the shroud of archaic customs for too long – should be. Akshay Kumar continues his fine script sense he’s been displaying for the past two years, and lends his superstar weight to a project that needs pervasive viewership in a country like ours, where pissing in public is considered normal, but kissing in the open is scorned upon. The film hits you in the gut, several of its scenes stay with you, and most of the dialogues ring through your ears, so much so that you don’t mind overlooking some of the film’s obvious flaws.
Where Toilet falters quite a bit is in its last 20-25 minutes, where the transition of the rest of the villager as well as Akshay’s dad seems too rushed. Also, the present government’s current cleanliness measures that are continuously thrown in our face towards the end also get a bit much. The lengths to which some officials go to achieve an outcome for Keshav and Jaya’s issues also come across as far-fetched. And a particular dialogue that panders to demonetization makes you cringes. If it weren’t for these sequences, Toilet may have turned out to be an almost flawless film.
Nevertheless, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is a thorously enjoyable film despite its few flaws, and, most importantly, it gets the point across that defecating in your home within the confines of a toilet is perfectly natural while preventing it is the actual social evil. The fact that it does so with a rural story earns it even more brownie points. The humor, hard-hitting dialogues, impactful scenes, crucial message, another bravura performance by Akshay Kumar, and a revelation by the name of Bhumi Pednekar make the film extremely vital viewing.
3.6/5 stars - DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsTaron EgertonColin FirthMark StrongAfter the Kingsman's headquarters is destroyed and the world is held hostage, an allied spy organization in the United States is discovered. These two elite secret agencies must band together to defeat a common enemy.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorEli CraigStarsEvangeline LillyOwen AtlasAdam ScottGary, who has just married Samantha, the woman of his dreams, discovers that her six-year-old son may be the Antichrist.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorR. PanneerselvamSwami RajalingamStarsKishore Kumar G.KaveriSharath LohitashwaKathir (Bobby Simha) has an interest for Anbu (Tanya Ravichandran), but due to family situations, she gets hitched to Karuppan (Vijay Sethupathi). What does Kathir do, to separate Karuppan and Anbu, and does he finally get to marry Anbu?3.6/5 stars
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsChanning TatumAdam DriverDaniel CraigTwo brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.A perfectly enjoyable heist film, with loads of dark humor and quirky characters that are guaranteed to crack you up. But what makes Logan Lucky fall short of Sodherberg's own classic crime caper, Ocean's Eleven, or other classics of the genre like Inside Man, The Sting, Nine Queens, or Special 26, is its deliberately simplistic, non-frills approach that ends up being a tad too simple to really pull you along into the entire planning and execution of the con.
3.6/5 stars - DirectorShashank KhaitanStarsVarun DhawanAlia BhattSahil VaidBadrinath is looking for a typical bride; Vaidehi is looking for an independent life. Together they must break with tradition and redefine their role.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsMargot RobbieSebastian StanAllison JanneyCompetitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.3.6/5 stars
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsFrances McDormandWoody HarrelsonSam RockwellA mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter's murder when they fail to catch the culprit.3.55/5 stars
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsMeryl StreepTom HanksSarah PaulsonA cover-up spanning four U.S. Presidents pushes the country's first female newspaper publisher and her editor to join an unprecedented battle between press and government.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorJohannes RobertsStarsMandy MooreClaire HoltMatthew ModineTwo sisters vacationing in Mexico are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean. With less than an hour of oxygen left and great white sharks circling nearby, they must fight to survive.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorSuresh TriveniStarsVidya BalanManav KaulNeha DhupiaSulu is an ambitious housewife with a loving husband and a happy family. Things start changing for her when she accidentally lands a job as a radio jockey and her show becomes an instant hit.Heartwarming without all the mush because of how relatable its emotions, humor, and human dynamics are. Plus, Vidya Balan is multiples degrees of wow and several layers of awesomeness. Watch out for two scenes towards the end, in particular, where she'll even make the hardest of nuts well up as she breaks down and chokes. The film could have been 15-20 minutes shorter and the pace does lag at a few moments, but, besides these minor niggles, Tumhari Sulu makes you laugh with its characters and feel for them in all the right ways. In the end, you won't be able to help yourself from falling in love with Sulu.
3.5/5 stars - DirectorSankalp ReddyStarsRana DaggubatiKay Kay MenonAtul KulkarniA Pakistani submarine, Ghazi plans to secretly attack Vizag port. For doing so, it has to get past Indian submarine S21.Good, solid, engaging war film. Realistic, well researched, well shot, quite tense, and overall, good drama and action. Best Indian war film after Lakshya, with some flaws that don't detract from the viewing experience.
3.5/5 stars - DirectorF. Gary GrayStarsVin DieselJason StathamDwayne JohnsonWhen a mysterious woman seduces Dominic Toretto into the world of terrorism and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorStephen ChboskyStarsJacob TremblayOwen WilsonIzabela VidovicBased on the New York Times bestseller, this movie tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.Wonder is quite the tearjerker and fills you with a lot of positivity. And while there's no denying that it has it's heart in the right place, a closer observation of the film makes you realize that it does end up stretching what it has to say. Nevertheless, you'd be hard pressed to find a more heartwarming film this year. Plus, there's Julia Roberts after ages.
3.5/5 stars - DirectorVikramaditya MotwaneStarsRajkummar RaoGeetanjali ThapaShiladitya SenA man struggles to survive after he unintentionally locks himself up in a high rise devoid of food, water and electricity.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorMahesh NarayananStarsParvathy ThiruvothuFahadh FaasilKunchacko BobanIn 2014, a group of Malayali nurses was captured when terrorists took over the city of Tikrit in Iraq. This movie recounts the ordeal suffered by the nurses following their capture.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsAnsel ElgortJon BernthalJon HammAfter being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.3.5/5 stars
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsTakuya KimuraHana SugisakiSôta FukushiCursed with a life of immortality, a samurai is tasked by a young girl to help avenge the death of her father. Based on the manga series by Hiroaki Samura.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandMichael KeatonRobert Downey Jr.Peter Parker balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.A very entertaining superhero film, with all the Marvel tropes being served up in smart doses and to good effect. And while it offers exactly the kind of refreshing shakeup that both Spidey and his fans needed, a slight lack of heart coupled with a tad underwhelming finale, makes the film falls agonizingly short of the best, fun-filled superhero romps that Marvel has been known for.
3.4/5 stars - DirectorShreyas TalpadeStarsSunny DeolBobby DeolShreyas TalpadeLife of three men comes in trouble when their photos appear on advertisement for sterilization.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorJinu AbrahamStarsPrithviraj SukumaranNarainRahul MadhavThe story revolves around the life of a planter, Adam Joan Pothan from the village Mundakkayam. One day, he unexpectedly meets a girl named Emy and they go to Scotland together. The new people he meets on his journey changes his life.More than an engrossing film, with good character arcs and plot narration. The screenplay drags just a tad during the flashback sequence, some plot points appear too contrived to seem coincidental, and the could have been crisper, but, nevertheless, Adam Joan keeps you hooked from start to finish, marking a strong directorial debut for Jinu Abraham while continuing Prithviraj's red-hot streak this year.
3.4/5 stars - DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanPatrick StewartDafne KeenIn a future where mutants are nearly extinct, an elderly and weary Logan leads a quiet life. But when Laura, a mutant child pursued by scientists, comes to him for help, he must get her to safety.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthTom HiddlestonCate BlanchettImprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.There are few things as intoxicating in cinema as watching big, brawny guys, endowed with superpowers go biff, bang, bam, boom on the big screen. Thor: Ragnarok, the latest entrant in Marvel’s super-exciting and supremely successful Avengers franchise, does exactly that, and does it in abundance. It may not be anywhere near the league of Marvel’s best efforts like Iron Man 1, The Avengers, Ant-Man, GOTG, or even the first Thor, and there are times when the abundance of action and explosions can attack your sense, not to mention the intermittent plot loopholes and dips in narrative flow. But Thor's latest adventure is still a fun ride for most parts, with jaw-dropping visuals that’ll transport you to lands far away; testosterone-filled action sequences that’ll have your heart beating and pulse racing faster than ever; and terrific repartees that’ll have you alternating between guffaws and hysterical laughter. It’s an event that needs to be experienced on the big screen, promising plenty of entertainment, regardless if you’re a fan of superhero movies or not.
3.4/5 stars - DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesRiccardo ScamarcioIan McShaneAfter returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorJordan PeeleStarsDaniel KaluuyaAllison WilliamsBradley WhitfordA young African-American visits his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorMatt PetersDongwan JungYoung Won JungStarsFrank WelkerGrey GriffinMatthew LillardThe Mystery Inc. team visits Shaggy's relative at her ranch outside a wild west tourist town. A ghost cowboy is scaring away the tourists and proprietors there. The five investigate.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseDomhnall GleesonSarah WrightThe story of Barry Seal, an American pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair.3.4/5 stars
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsFionn WhiteheadBarry KeoghanMark RylanceAllied soldiers from Belgium, the British Commonwealth and Empire, and France are surrounded by the German Army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.Dunkirk is a very tense film, has been excellently shot, and some scenes leave a lasting impression. But, for some reason, I wasn't able to connect to any of the characters on an emotional level or sympathize with their plight as much as I should have. No doubt, it's a very good war film, but just not in the league of Saving Private Ryan, Schindlers List, Paths Of Glory, Enemy At The Gates, Inglorious Basterds, The Great Escape, Thr Guns Of Navarone, The Dirty Dozen, Kelly's Heroes, Hacksaw Ridge, American Sniper, Where Eagles Dare, Black Book, or even, Bollywood's own Lakshya. Christopher Nolan, you were once again quite good, but not as great as you usually are.
3.4/5 stars - DirectorLee UnkrichAdrian MolinaStarsAnthony GonzalezGael García BernalBenjamin BrattAspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.3.35/5 stars
- DirectorGeorge AguilarKrishna D.K.Raj NidimoruStarsSidharth MalhotraSuniel ShettyJacqueline FernandezGaurav, a simple hard working guy for a white collar job visits Mumbai for a meeting where his doppelganger is about to bring chaos in his life.Raj and DK are two Directors that are clearly influenced by action-comedies and black humor from the American school of filmmaking, particularly by the likes of Matthew Vaughn, Guy Ritchie, Walter hill, and, to some extent, even the Coen Brothers. With their latest offering, A Gentleman, they once again rely heavily on their influences to deliver a film that looks cool, feels cool, has a lot of sarcastic one-liners, boasts of some stylish stunts, and offers some good popcorn entertainment. You do feel though that filmmakers of their caliber (Go Goa Gone and Shor in the City) could have pushed the envelope further to give Hindi cinema its first-ever action-comedy filled to the brim with black humor.
A Gentleman begins lethargically, but picks up the pace after the first 20-30 minutes, post which the entertainment is quite brisk and the narrative keeps you engaged between the simple lifestyle of Gaurav and the adventurous one of Rishi. The action builds impressively and there are two to three marquee stunts, particularly the one just prior to the interval and another one before the climax that will enliven action junkies. The banter between the actors is constantly laced with wit and sarcasm, and some dialogues and comic moments, like the one when Jacqueline’s parents visit Sidharth’s home, leave you constantly guffawing. On the whole, the film's breezy blend of action and comedy will salivate the appetite of both action fans and neutral viewers.
The songs though disappoint big time, and almost come across as interruptions to the flow of the narrative whenever they crop up. Plus, the one good song – Bandook Meri Laila – is cut short midway for some absurd reason. The climax also appears rushed, almost as if Raj and DK ran out of ideas to wrap the film up. You also feel that they play it a tad safe when it comes to adding black humor to the dialogues as some lines come across as way more hilarious than the rest. Nevertheless, despite such grievances, the overall impact of A Gentleman is quite enjoyable, and provides you with a decent dose of fun if you don’t analyze it too much. It’s certainly very ‘sundar’. Though you wish it could have been more ‘risky’ than ‘susheel’.
3.3/5 stars - DirectorKyle BaldaPierre CoffinEric GuillonStarsSteve CarellKristen WiigTrey ParkerGru meets his long-lost, charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru, who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist.Not a patch on its earlier two installments, but, nevertheless, amusing, lighthearted fun for the entire family that can be easily enjoyed while it lasts.
3.3/5 stars - DirectorTarik SalehStarsFares FaresMari MalekYasser Ali MaherA maid witnesses a murder at an upscale hotel and a policeman is assigned to the case, but it soon becomes clear that important people don't want the case solved.A slow-burning Egyptian thriller whose delicately unfolding murder mystery and stark political ramifications stemming from the mystery provide a profound watch to lovers of murky suspense yarns as well as those looking out for a throwback to the bygone film-noir era. It's only drawbacks: the pace unnecessarily drags at major portions and the camera indulgently lingers at vital junctures to evoke the noir feel, thus making the effort seem contrived rather than organic.
3.3/5 stars - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMichael FassbenderKatherine WaterstonBilly CrudupThe crew of a colony ship, bound for a remote planet, discover an uncharted paradise with a threat beyond their imagination, and must attempt a harrowing escape.3.3/5 stars
- DirectorGiddens KoStarsYu-Kai TengKent TsaiBonnie LiangShu-wei is an unpopular student who is a constant target for the school bullies, but he ends up joining forces with them when they encounter two demonic sisters who feast on human flesh at night, and they manage to capture one of them.3.3/5 stars
- DirectorRahul DholakiaStarsShah Rukh KhanSunny LeoneNawazuddin SiddiquiA bootlegger sets out to improve his community as a promising leader but falls in a political trap.3.3/5 stars
- DirectorMohan RajaStarsSivakarthikeyanFahadh FaasilNayantharaA youngster from the slums battles against food adulteration by the company that employs him.It's the powerful dialogues like these, backed by equally impactful scenes that make Velaikkaran worth the price of admission. Naivety and some unnecessary sentimentality threaten to derail the film at certain crucial junctures and mar its topicality, particularly in the second half, which gets overtly preachy and lengthy. But the smattering of strong scenes and dialogues – coupled with Sivakarthikeyan's absorbing central performance and Malayalam star Fahadh Faasil's devious Kollywood debut – hold the movie together to the very end. It also never ceases to amaze me how well Tamil film Directors integrate pertinent social messages in strong commercial entertainers. Velaikkaran does squander it's potential to an extent, but the end product is still more than worth your time.
3.25/5 stars - DirectorSean BakerStarsBrooklynn PrinceBria VinaiteWillem DafoeSet over one summer, the film follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Walt Disney World.3.2/5 stars
- DirectorJohnny MaStarsGang ChenNai AnHongwei WangA psychological thriller about a taxi driver battling bureaucracy and legal manipulation in China.Poignant drama that also doubles as a subtle psychological thriller, which could have been even better than it is were it not for some glaringly and infuriatingly illogical decisions taken by the central character to highlight his helpless dilemma, but serve nothing more than a reminder of how easily anyone in his place could have avoided them without coming across as a heartless SOB.
3.2/5 stars - DirectorMartin CampbellStarsKatie LeungJackie ChanRufus JonesA humble businessman with a buried past seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clues to the killers' identities.3.15/5 stars
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsVicky KriepsDaniel Day-LewisLesley ManvilleSet in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.3.1/5 stars
- DirectorGreta GerwigStarsSaoirse RonanLaurie MetcalfTracy LettsIn 2002, an artistically inclined 17-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.3/5 stars
- DirectorAnurag BasuShubzzStarsRanbir KapoorKatrina KaifSaswata ChatterjeeJoin Jagga, a gifted teenage detective, who along with a female companion, is on a quest to find his missing father.Jagga Jasoos had all the ingredients to be a rip-roaring adventure and a truly unique experience for Indian moviegoers. Alas, it ends up as an musical engaging adventure that could have been better tuned. While Ranbir's performance is as brilliant as ever, Basu's direction only thrills and entertains you at intervals, failing to be consistent in these traits, and, more importantly, he neither exploits his script's true potential nor the genre's zany possibilities. You’ll love the movie at times, and ask why it couldn’t have done more at others. You’ll feel a rush of adrenaline at times, and find yourself stifling a yawn at others. On the whole, a decent effort, but a missed opportunity.
3.1/5 stars - DirectorHaneef AdeniStarsMammoottyAryaSnehaA businessman who is trying hard to be a good father to his daughter has a run-in with malevolent policeman.3/5 stars
- DirectorAnthony BellStarsJoe Anoa'iEric BauzaJeff BergmanA snowstorm freezes Big Show solid for decades and after he finally thaws out, Elroy and George help him build wrestle-bots. When Big Show uses them to take over the city, the Jetsons go back in time to enlist help from the WWE Superstars.3/5 stars