fuadkhan2002 Reviews

Cold Hearted (2018)

Very Insightful Into The Dark Side Of Human Psychology!

[10/10 · 21 December 2023]

This series had me hooked and glued to my recliner every night on cold December nights! The fact that these really happened and the amount of twisted love and cunning manipulation involved sent shivers down my spine. People keep on glorifying the virtues and grandiosity of so-called love, but this makes you realize how a supposedly noble and beautiful emotion can turn deadly and violent in no time whatsoever. The excess of anything is not good, including love. The actors did fine, though the real characters were younger and better looking in some episodes :) I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in true crime and exploration of the darker side of human psychology.

Dark Shadows (2012)

Frighteningly Entertaining, Hilarious And Mesmerizing!

[9/10 · 5 April 2022]

I tremendously enjoyed this movie! Wonderful atmosphere all the way from Seventeenth Century England to 1972 America, exquisite locales, mansions/castles, period costumes, even Alice Cooper pops up! Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer, all do justice to their roles. The movie kept me engaged and entertained throughout. Wonderful piece of art and storytelling, Watch and enjoy!

Strange World (1999–2002)

Better Than The X-Files, IMO!

[10/10 · 11 September 2021]

I tremendously enjoyed this show, and in spite of its innumerable comparisons to The X-Files, I would argue that Strange World was much more effective in the sense that we were not regularly dealing with aliens and otherworldly fantastic stuff, but very down-to-earth, manmade scientific and ethical issues. The writing and concepts are top-notch, as is the acting, and it proceeds at a relentless pace with plenty of action thrown in, while The X-Files could get weighted under Mulder and Scully's moral and personal issues and slow-moving plots. I highly recommend it for some fun, thought-provoking scientific and ethical conundrums we face as humans and the resolution thereof. And oh! Kristin Lehman is very easy on the eyes as well! Couldn't hurt all that much :)

The Forever Purge (2021)

Nail-Biting Suspense And Non-Stop Action!

[10/10 · 7 September 2021]

I am originally from Karachi, Pakistan, and watching this movie rekindled some deeply visceral and powerful memories for me. That place was not too different back in the mid-90s in terms of the political unrest and violence in the city. While it was deeply unsettling, the adrenaline and the tingling feeling of being alive were addictive! You get used to a civilized society and comfortable living in a developed country like the United States, but when trouble comes knocking, all senses truly kick in and you understand the meaning of true survival of the quickest and the enterprising. This movie keeps you on your toes throughout and the underlying message of unity among all races and people could not be more timely. Watch it for a truly all-absorbing hour and a half, highly recommended!

The Night House (2020)

Good acting, stupid movie

[3/10 · 6 September 2021]

While the lead actress depicted a psychologically and emotionally fragile and vulnerable person nicely, the entire premise of the movie, and especially the ending, were nothing short of a complete let down and unsatisfactory conclusion. I sat through it expecting a nice twist to happen, but unfortunately, it sank to new depths of ludicrosity that I would rather not get into. Watch only for the locales and nice shots of the house.

Dismal (2009)

Not Bad At All!

[9/10 · 16 January 2021]

OK, so for a free movie on YouTube for a biology teacher sitting bored during the pandemic and endless virtual testing sessions, this wasn't bad at all. I got to learn about a hairy woodpecker and that an American biology teacher actually knows that a black mamba is an African native snake and not an American snake, pretty impressive! The movie itself kept me engaged and the cannibals were quite entertaining and creepy. I could literally smell the stench of blood and gore when the scenes depicted them. The sexy teenagers were an overkill and not really needed. Though this concept has been done to death, literally, I wouldn't complain at all for watching it for free and getting entertained for an hour and a half. Give it a chance.

Suzie Superstar (1983)

Got Into My Head At 14, And Never Got Out!

[10/10 · 22 November 2020]

The year was 1988, I happened to visit a rotten bully/forced friend of mine at 14, and he showed me this movie to haunt me for the rest of my life. The version I saw was actually dubbed in some European language, French, German, Swiss, I am not sure, but it came to be fondly remembered by my class mates as " The French". The car scene that started it out has to be the most intensely erotic encounter I have ever experienced on celluloid. Just looking at Gayle Sterling's facial expressions while she is having sex with Ron Jeremy were enough to bring me to a climax! Throw in Stephanie Taylor/Laurie Smith in the car's backseat with them, and you have the hottest threesome of that era. Adding to sexual excitement vastly are Gayle Sterling's outfit and the arm choker and hairdo, along with her consummate cock sucking skills and intense eye contact she makes with Jeremy along with some serious kissing. For me, she is the stand-out performer in the entire movie, the rest to come just a quick browse-over. Like I said, got into my head at 14 and never got out. Am 45 now.

Shivers (1975)

There Are Some Real-Life Biological Parallels!

[9/10 · 1 June 2020]

The strangeness, icki-ness, and disturbing themes and images notwithstanding, "Shivers" does have some parallels in the real biological world of parasites. Consider Toxoplasma gondii, for example, the protozoan parasite that is transmitted chiefly by means of cat litter and feces, and can cause developmental anomalies in human embryos, therefore the adage, cats and pregnant women don't mix. In adults, the parasite can release cysts and take up residence in the brain, where it seems to cause some inhibition of the thinking ability of the prefrontal cortex, while hyperstimulating the fear/sex/rage center called the amygdala. Studies have shown that people infected with the parasite drive faster, get into more wrecks, have higher basal levels of testosterone, and score more goals in soccer! Why, you ask? Well, seems like the chief way this parasite gets about is by infecting a cat's gut. Therefore, what does it go for? Rats and mice, naturally. When a rat becomes infected with it, it becomes fearless and even attracted to cat smells. It literally does the proverbial hula dance in front of the cat, to get eaten, and so the parasite enters the cat gut to complete its life cycle. Infected male rats also apparently are more attractive to female rats, another way the parasite gets about from individual to individual rat. So, how do the humans fit in? Apparently, purely by chance and as a side effect. Humans play no role in the parasite's life cycle, but can become bystander casualties or infectees by dealing with cats, and so the parasite does best with the human brain what it does with the rat brain, make them potentially more uninhibited and reckless and prone to engaging in reckless behavior, including suicide and schizophrenia, and guess what? These reckless risk-taking behaviors and higher testosterone levels naturally make men more attractive to a whole lot of women, and thus the parasite's natural tendency to seek new hosts. Also, there was a famous case in India where a woman became so horny and frisky that her husband got exhausted, and had to seek medical/psychiatric attention for her. Turns out she had been bitten by a rabid feral dog a few weeks prior, and the Rabies virus had actually infected the part of her brain responsible for sex drive. Rabid animals also display hyper-aggressive biting behavior because the virus is transmitted through saliva from host to host, and therefore the biting spreads the virus. Fascinating, ain't it!

Hisss (2010)

Snake Shapeshifter

[6/10 · 23 January 2020]

Why doesn't Bollywood make movies like this any more? Had me hooked from the very beginning. I love both shapeshifter and wildlife adventure movies. This is both. They should make a part two.

Junoon (1992)

Fun Tiger Hybrid Flick!

[8/10 · 23 January 2020]

Why doesn't Bollywood make movies like this any more? Had me hooked from the very beginning. I love both shapeshifter and wildlife adventure movies. This is both. They should make a part two. Maybe Hritihik Roshan as the new tiger-hybrid with Rahul Roy playing his dad, with gray hair! Funny enough, when they show Pooja Bhatt reading the " Do sau saal purani angrez ki likhi hui kitab" about the tiger legend, she is actually sifting through " Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynecology", showing pictures of the human childbirth process on one page, if you freeze the frame, Lmao!

Forbidden World (1982)

Most Entertaining Space Mutant Sex And Hot Naked Chicks Potboiler!

[10/10 · 27 September 2019]

This is what a great and truly epic sci fi movie should look like! Plenty of sex, nudity, hot space chicks, violence, gore, gene splicing, surrogate mothers, mutant monsters and ultra-chic retro synth music. Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, take note!

Knowing (2009)

Just Might Have Explained The Greatest Mystery Of All--- Where Did Life/We Come From And Where Are We Going?

[10/10 · 16 January 2018]

Based on my reading and observation/deep thinking, it seems like DNA/RNA were deliberately designed and then programmed into the first proto-cells billions of years ago, and then these cells were let loose on Earth, pitted against the elements and changing environs, thus leading to natural selection and adaptation. Darwin's theory of natural selection offers a very limited view of how species evolved, and any amount of thinking will clearly display that the varied forms of life on the planet could not have just arisen by natural selection from a common ancestor. THERE HAS TO BE A FORCE AT WORK TO ENGINEER THE FIRST NUCLEIC ACIDS AND THEN CAUSING DRAMATIC SPECIATION AT VARIOUS POINTS IN TIME! Please note I used the word " Force", since I do not believe any of the world's organized religions or their God/gods/goddesses or scriptures stand up to common, rational sense or very rudimentary science They were all made up by men/people to fill in the gaps and make sense of the world as they saw it thousands of years ago, to offer an explanation, an incredulous one, at that. For me, it is way more likely that an advanced race of beings/ entities created the " Life Experiment" on Earth billions of years ago, and then let the cells loose to see how this game of survival proceeds, and populations evolve. The panspermia theory alludes to this possible fact as well. I could never have fathomed that I would actually seriously consider this idea, but after much study and deliberation, it stands out as a very strong possibility to me. Kudos to the movie's concept makers for a genuinely original, possible, and maybe the true answer to the greatest mystery of life!.

My Haunted House (2013–2016)

Wonderful Entertainment On Cold Nights!

[8/10 · 16 January 2018]

OK, So I started watching this series with my wife during our kids' winter break, and got instantly hooked on it! Each episode entails two stories which are purported to be inspired by real events( though I highly doubt it!), and are about 20 minutes long each. What we enjoy the most is the creepy atmosphere, jump scares, and best of all, the real/underlying story behind the hauntings once it comes time to unravel the truth. The cast of characters and places are assembled from all 52 states, and from different eras, areas and settings. A highly enjoyable series to watch late at night, preferably with a hot cup of cappuccino, and with all the doors and windows locked and lights dimmed!

The Outer Limits (1995–2002)

The Best Sci Fi Series Ever, Period! ( Portends The Real Future)

[10/10 · 15 January 2018]

I would give this series 20 stars if I could! It is unbelievable how much of the science and technology stuff they showed in the episodes back in the mid-90s to early 2000s, is now an everyday reality. Cyborgs, androids, Artificial Intelligence, brain transplants, cloning, mutating viruses, nuclear fallout, genetic engineering, alien DNA transplants, gene therapy, memory transplants and implants, ESP,discovery of new planets, brain-to-computer chip transfers, extinct animals and gene resurrections, nanobots, evolution/reverse evolution, frisky aliens, you name it, and there is an extremely interesting and realistic episode pertaining to it. These were scientific cautionary tales, for technology having gone awry, and each episode had a moralistic/introspective narration at the beginning and the end that posed these ethical and moral questions. Simply outstanding!

Rush (2012)

Wonderful Movie!!

[8/10 · 17 September 2017]

WOW! I loved this movie, and was engrossed from start to finish. Emraan Hashmi plays an ambitious journalist who is driven and looking for the truth at any cost. His daredevil tactics get him fired from his job, upon which he is approached by the stunning and sexy Neha Dhupia and offered a job at a rival news channel company. Emraan takes her up on the offer, and what follows is a cat-and-mouse game of deceit, corporate greed, some intense violence and car chases, and a swashbuckling climax. Hats off to Aditya Pancholi! He looks suave and debonair and is tailor made for this role, mouthing off some pretty deep and insightful philosophies about the modern times and people's addiction to sex, violence and sensationalism at the cost of objective truth and honesty. A slick, fast moving, high octane thriller, a must watch!

Lava (1985)

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned!

[7/10 · 17 September 2017]

I really enjoyed this movie!! Dimple Kapadia plays the eternal spider woman with a vengeful agenda quite beautifully here. She loses the love of her life, Rajiv Kapoor, to the aristocratic and narcissistic Raj Babbar who cannot stand to see anyone keep him from getting what he wants, but eventually realizes that a human being, and a woman in particular, is not just another commodity that you can win over, by hook or by crook. All actors do justice to their respective roles, Dimple impresses with her subtle, understated burning style of acting, while Raj Babbar could easily come across as an evil Count type character, drunk high on his own power and wealth, meeting an untimely demise at the end due to some cunning planning by Dimple. Rajiv Kapoor does justice to his role as a beat down, middle class lover boy who comes back to life to search for the love of his life and get some redemption at the end. An enjoyable watch for spending some quality time with vintage 80s Bollywood.

Dahshat (1981)

I Enjoyed This Movie! Ramsay Brothers, Is An Acquired Taste

[7/10 · 4 August 2017]

In spite of the cheesy special effects and some over the top histrionics, I found this movie to be quite engaging and entertaining in its entirety. I judge a movie on two merits---- its ability to entertain, and its potential to educate, and I felt "Dahshat" delivered on both counts. It is the Gothic story of a scientist/doctor obsessed with acquiring animal traits and powers, ending in tragic and disastrous consequences. I would commend the famous Ramsay Brothers on writing, directing and producing movies that were off the beaten path, and for charting new and unexplored territories in terms of Hindi cinema. The atmosphere, lighting,outdoors shots and palatial mansions depicted as well as the vintage cars all contributed to the eerie and disturbingly claustrophobic feel that perfectly complemented the script. I mean, we get to see Om Shivpuri handle an enormous LIVE BAT in his hands and dip it in some sort of a solution, along with myriad shots of monitor lizards, owls, sloths, venomous snakes and boas, and what appeared o be a very sad and demented lemur nailed to a wall! That in itself is worth the price of the ticket! I cannot recall a single movie, Hindi or Hollywood or otherwise, where live animals were used for these graphic experiments depicted. It certainly goes to the director and producer's credit to have incorporated such realism in the movie. The transformation sequences regarding Dr. Vishal were quite good too. Honestly, some of the recent movies have more cheesy graphics than what Ramsay Brothers portrayed back in the early 80s! It was a pleasure to see a slim and fit Indian heroine for once in Sarika, a rare commodity in the long line of overweight/obese Indian heroines in skimpy outfits showing more blubber than skin. Not a bad watch for some light entertainment and re-visiting the nostalgic Hindi Gothic horror of the early 80s.

Sur (2002)

WOW! Beautiful Movie!!

[9/10 · 3 April 2017]

I am still in awe of the realism and heart-touching emotions portrayed in this movie! Absolutely stunning! Lucky Ali portrayed the restless music teacher with more than just a tinge of jealousy in him to perfection. Gauri was great, reminding me of a Kajol/Kangana hybrid with great emoting and acting ability. I am a teacher myself, and the final few dialogues from Ali regarding teachers being kingmakers, and not kings themselves, hit home pretty succinctly. I had tears well up in my eyes at various points throughout the movie, and the portrayal of frail human emotions and insecurities was beautifully done. The music is soul- touching and melodious. Who can forget the timeless classic' Aa Bhi Ja" from Lucky Ali and the female singer? A Must-watch!

Rudraksh (2004)

An Epic Movie! Awesome Blend of Cutting-Edge Science, Stunning Visuals, Mythology and Seduction!

[8/10 · 29 December 2016]

Wow! I loved this movie! It starts out like an Indian version of Indiana Jones, and ends up looking more and more like The Matrix, Species and the Mahabharata! Mani Shankar is an absolute genius, and his creative and directorial brilliance is on plain display for all to see here. Sunil Shetty plays Bhuriya, a common man who happens to stumble upon the all-powerful stone called Rudraksh, which carries the demonic influence of past deities. He is aided by the ravishing Isha Koppikar, who looks absolutely stunning in her role of the evil she-villain. Enter Bipasha Basu, the University of California scientist in search of the powers hidden within these ancient relics and the human psyche itself. Sanjay Dutt appears in a The Crow like avatar, battling the evil character of Sunil Shetty's. The background, visuals, special effects and locales are absolutely mind blowing, as is the combined sexual charisma and sensual appeal of Bipasha and Isha. A treat for the eyes, complete with very interesting references to DNA technology, genetic mutations, electromagnetic fields, three dimensional holograms, parallel universes, archaeology, Hindu mythology and the human brain. Total paisa wasool in every respect!

Anamika: The Untold Story (2008)

Great Suspense Movie!

[8/10 · 23 December 2016]

I am failing to understand all the criticism that is being made toward this movie? I just watched it, and found it to be highly entertaining, suspenseful and a feast for the eyes. It has two stunningly gorgeous female leads in Minissha Lamba and Koena Mitra, a good looking hero in Dino Morea, exquisite locales of the Rajasthan desert and dazzling beauty of the castle shown. The mystery unfolds gradually, step by step, and the suspense quotient is pretty high throughout. Gulshan Grover does his usual swashbuckling role with panache, and the beautiful ladies provide plenty of eye candy for the male viewers. The music and songs are melodious and memorable, with Shaan providing his inimitable voice for many numbers. Do watch it, it is pretty good!

Saaya (2003)

A Beautiful, Emotional, Touching Film!

[9/10 · 11 December 2016]

I loved this movie! John Abraham is a very versatile actor, and he really shines through in this movie. Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's collaboration paid dividends, and they really came up with an all-round entertaining production. The locales are exquisitely beautiful, the music and songs are hauntingly beautiful, and the suspense and scare factor is maintained till the very end. The science of near-death experiences and the spiritual aspects are dealt with deftly and expertly, and the pace is fast and adequate to maintain the viewers' interest throughout. The end is heart-wrenching and emotional, and brings a lump to the throat. Do watch it!

Jaane Hoga Kya (2006)

Fun Movie!

[8/10 · 4 December 2016]

This proved to be a great movie! Never was I bored with the whole concept and presentation, and it kept me hooked till the very end. Aftab did great in a double role, reminiscent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The concept of cloning was interesting, albeit scientifically incorrect, as instead of developing an embryo with identical DNA, Aftab pretty much photocopies adult versions, but what the heck!That's what artistic license is all about, right? The director did a great job keeping the entertainment quotient high, with sultry and steaming numbers thrown in with ample sensuality and a throbbing musical score. My favorite quote from the movie? When the professor played by Paresh Rawal replies to Aftab's character" Scientists have cloned plants and animals, but never humans---- you know why? Because human is the most dangerous animal!". There were some scenes lifted from Hollywood movies like "Terminator", "The Matrix" and "Species", but all in all, it was good entertainment. Bipasha was great, Preeti Jhangiani was adequate, but the real show stealer was Aftab, with his convincing portrayal of the obsessed straight-laced scientist and his macho, conniving and psychopathic clone. I Recommend it.

Creature (I) (2014)

Good Entertainment--Brave attempt and paisa vasool

[8/10 · 23 November 2016]

This movie turned out to be a brave and decent enough attempt from Vikram Bhatt into the foray of Indian creature features. I really appreciated his ingenuity and taking a seldom explored topic and genre and making a movie about it. One dialogue that really caught my fancy in the movie was uttered by Mukul Dev, who plays the role of the Zoology professor investigating the origins of the creature--- " You will be surprised to learn that scientists are very often fascinated by fantasies---because fantasies are often facts, waiting to be discovered." So very true! And while explaining the myth of the Braham-Rakshyas, who were once godly men punished for committing major crimes like rape and murder by being transformed into beasts " Finally, he becomes a complete animal---- with no human left inside!" The songs and music are soulful and melodious. I would commend Bipasha, as usual, for her daring portrayal of a brave career woman fighting an uphill, supernatural- laced battle. Imran Abbas does a decent enough job. The scenic beauty of the forest is awe inspiring. Once again, full marks to Vikram Bhatt for being original, uninhibited and daring. A side note though, the movie does get its inspiration from Hollywood fares like "Jurassic Park", " Bad Moon", "Dark Was The Night" and " The Ghost And The Darkness".

Souten: The Other Woman (2006)

Excellent Movie!

[9/10 · 11 October 2016]

This was a wonderful movie! Very true to life depiction of human emotions, frailties, jealousies and insecurities. Never was there any over dramatization or cheesiness so characteristic of Indian movies nowadays, and all actors did a fabulous job. What can I say about Mahima Chaudhary! She looks even more beautiful and voluptuous after all these years, and portrays the role of a tormented lonely housewife with great conviction. Gulshan Grover is great as usual, and Padmini Kolhapurie and Shakti Kapoor do a decent enough job. Vikram Singh looks, and acts like a hybrid of Shah Rukh Khan and Arjun Rampal. The songs and picturization are sumptuous, I was blown away by Mahima's seductive appeal and mature woman sexual charisma in the desert song! She is one of the most versatile, intelligent and fine actors of the Hindi cinema! Kiran Rathod did great too. The message is simple yet eloquent, humans are not perfect, and there are no fairy tale endings in real life. Watch it!

Cobra (1986)

Vintage 80s!

[8/10 · 23 September 2016]

"Cobra" forms a big chunk of my childhood/adolescence experience, and I had a big poster of Stallone's character in the movie hanging in my bedroom. So the movie, and the character, kind of defined my teenage years. Interestingly, I only watched the movie recently, at forty one, even though I had purchased the soundtrack back in 1987, and the songs/music still have the power to emotionally transport me to that good old era and time. Stallone plays the role of an ultra-macho, match stick chewing hard hitting cop with aplomb, and has the face and jawline of youth to carry off that role with panache. The action is hackneyed, but the Uzi with the laser scope fitted has since become an icon. Brigitte Nielsen does not have much of a role, other than playing the stereotypical blonde in distress with Stallone as her savior. Plenty of gunfights, car chases, one line wisecracks and macho posturing. In other words, there is not a single thing that is not enjoyable and entertaining enough for an 80s movie buff. Do watch it and have a blast enjoying the heyday of the 80s action movies era!