Murad played by Ranveer Singh loves his mother, brother and granny. His relationship with his father on the other hand is troubled. Beyond the family he has his friends Moeen, Salman and others and his girlfriend Safina played by Aliaa Bhat.
Murad and Safina have been dating for 9 years behind their parents back and things have been going smoothly for them. Until a girl sends Murad - Valentine type messages and the girl gets thulped by Safina. Safina comes from a well off family and is on track to become a doctor like her father. In priorities her education comes first. She's also very snippy and possessive where Murad is concerned. Yet, both are equally supportive of each other's education and ambition.
One day at a college fest a girl singing on stage gets booed off the stage by a couple of boys who comment on how boring she is, not just because of her song but also her looks. The next act in the lineup is MC Sher who takes the mic and starts rapping which is how Murad gets sucked into the underground world of rappers.
Murad takes his daily experiences and pens them down. Every insult, every fight, every moment of happiness, the struggle everything gets penned to form the rap. After his first stage and battle he only gets better and more comfortable with not just who he is but actually putting his heart out for the world to see.
Murad's mentor Sher finds an outlet in rap. He gets his anger and frustration out by singing. His father's an alcoholic and his mother has abandoned them. This is why he constantly tells Murad to vent and not bottle it up.
Shot with Dharavi in the backdrop this movie is definitely about the underdog breaking the wave but the reasons why this movie stood for me are because:
Dharavi is just another location that the protagonist comes from yet there is a scene where foreigners are taken around because that's what they want to see. *Eye Roll* (Which I think was a jab at a certain movie made about slums in India.)
It isn't like Murad has a secret gift that he suddenly unw(raps) one day. He gradually gets better at it and you see the character grow.
The movie is about Murad but all the actors in the movie have done an excellent job and you'll know when you watch.
The story is very real. It isn't one of Zoya Akhtar's destination location wala story. It is closer to reality than any of her other movies.
Watch it if you need motivation. You'll surely get some. All in all to me it was a fun movie. I liked it. Aliaa Bhat was amazing and whether you like rap/hiphop or not you will like this movie if you care for the lyrics.
Reviews
32 Reviews
Kangana Run-out
6 February 2019
I was probably expecting too much from this film and hence came out of the hall disappointed.
Let's not take away Kangana's acting skills. I wouldn't call this, one of her best works, but she was good. Other actors had negligible scenes in the film. One would have expected more screen space for actors portraying pivotal roles such as those of Sadashiv Rao (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) and Jhalkari Bai(Ankita Lokhande). The senior members of the cast -Suresh Oberoi as Bajirao (in whose palace Laxmi Bai has been brought up), Danny Denzongpa as Laxmi Bai's trusted army general, Kulbhushan Kharbanda as a minister of Jhansi too have a 'blink and you'll miss them' role in the film. However minor a role, apart from the actors playing the British Officers, the rest have done a good job. The Britishers' speech sounded forced and rehearsed unlike the ones who acted in Lagaan.
Here is what ruined the film:
1. I am a fan of Kanagana Ranaut and I understand she's the protagonist of the film (well, the film IS named after her character) so don't get me wrong when I say this - she's made the film all about herself! I really do think that scenes of other actors have been deleted from the final cut. Am I nitpicking? If you felt the same, please do leave a comment below. 2. It's a historical film! Why do we need the lead to be all dolled up, sporting a different hairstyle in each scene? Wasn't it enough that all close-ups of Kangana were airbrushed! 3. Every visual scene needn't be vocally explained to the audience by a loud proclamation. When we see a person lying on the floor in a pool of blood, we know he's dead. Don't announce it. We are not watching CID! 4. What's with the random song and dance sequence! And we have the Queen joining in too. Let's keep it real, people! 5. Enough with the tight shots and sweeping shots already! We don't need to see Kangana and her palace from all angles. 6. The dialogues felt very 1990's. Kangana's dialogues in the second half when she's proclaiming her love for her country and encouraging her subjects to follow suit, while well delivered, is not moving enough. I wasn't left teary eyed! 7. There's no correlation between some of the scenes. For eg: when Jhalkari Bai's calf is taken away by the British officers from her house (which is nowhere in the vicinity of the palace), the next scene has Laxmi Bai barging into the Officers' mess to get the calf back.
I hear the film is doing well and receiving accolades but I wouldn't recommend watching this in the theatres. The film would have been much better with another Director/s and scriptwriter.
Here is what ruined the film:
1. I am a fan of Kanagana Ranaut and I understand she's the protagonist of the film (well, the film IS named after her character) so don't get me wrong when I say this - she's made the film all about herself! I really do think that scenes of other actors have been deleted from the final cut. Am I nitpicking? If you felt the same, please do leave a comment below. 2. It's a historical film! Why do we need the lead to be all dolled up, sporting a different hairstyle in each scene? Wasn't it enough that all close-ups of Kangana were airbrushed! 3. Every visual scene needn't be vocally explained to the audience by a loud proclamation. When we see a person lying on the floor in a pool of blood, we know he's dead. Don't announce it. We are not watching CID! 4. What's with the random song and dance sequence! And we have the Queen joining in too. Let's keep it real, people! 5. Enough with the tight shots and sweeping shots already! We don't need to see Kangana and her palace from all angles. 6. The dialogues felt very 1990's. Kangana's dialogues in the second half when she's proclaiming her love for her country and encouraging her subjects to follow suit, while well delivered, is not moving enough. I wasn't left teary eyed! 7. There's no correlation between some of the scenes. For eg: when Jhalkari Bai's calf is taken away by the British officers from her house (which is nowhere in the vicinity of the palace), the next scene has Laxmi Bai barging into the Officers' mess to get the calf back.
I hear the film is doing well and receiving accolades but I wouldn't recommend watching this in the theatres. The film would have been much better with another Director/s and scriptwriter.
Crazy Rich Asians
(2018)
Predictable!
19 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The movie is based on a book of the same name penned by Kevin Kwan. It has Michelle Yeoh (of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, Tomorrow Never Dies fame) in it and features an all Asian cast. This is Henry Golding's (the male protagonist) first film.
PLOT: Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), an Economics Professor NYU is dating Nick Young (Henry Golding) unaware of the fact that Nick comes from a crazy-rich family who are real estate tycoons in Singapore. Nick has to travel to Singapore to attend his best friend's wedding and decides to take Rachel along and introduce her to his family. Rachel comes to know about Nick's affluent background and with the help of her Singaporean friend Goh Peik Lin (Awkwafina) tries to fit into Nick's family. Nick's mother, Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh) doesn't hide her disdain for Rachel. She disapproves of Rachel's background, economic status and the fact that Rachel has her roots in the US and that she is passionate about her work. To make things worse, Nick's friends consider her a gold digger. This creates a rift between Rachel and Nick.
Will Nick's family accept Rachel for who she is? Will Nick and Rachel work things out or will Nick choose to stay back in Singapore and join his family business?
Does the plot sound all too familiar to our Indian audience? Boy takes Girl to meet his rich family. Girl, being from a lower social stratum doesn't meet their approval. Girl is shunned by Boy's family and friends and not to forget the baddie in such storylines- the mother in law. Spoiler alert for those not familiar with such storylines - Girl then reveals her goodness by some act of benevolence, good wins over the 'not so good' , Boy proceeds to cheesy proposal with the blessing of his family. Boy happy, Girl happy.
The movie is fully Bollywood ishtyle, complete with songs and Cinderella-esque makeover of the female protagonist because it's important to look pretty. Who cares that you are a Professor at NYU.
If I were to keep the storyline aside and review the movie for what it is, I'd say the movie is average- a typical rom-com 'time-pass' movie. When I watched the trailer of this movie, it reminded me of Monster-in-law, which has a similar storyline. Now, that movie was HILARIOUS. The title is a misnomer. Yes, the movie does involve rich Asians, but I was expecting to see crazy toys and exorbitant splurges especially with a wedding involved in the film. On that front too it was disappointing.
Besides Michelle Yeoh, the other actor you'd recognise is Ken Jeong (Hangover). Sadly, he's been given the role of a shady father who hits on his daughter's friend. His role is minor and failed to evoke any laughter.
Michelle, Constance, Henry and Awkwafina have acted well. However, the story was predictable, the movie not funny enough and sadly there wasn't any vulgar display of wealth to leave us flabbergasted.
When Rachel is first introduced to Henry's mother, Eleanor mentions that Henry's father is out of town on a business trip. I was expecting the father to be the hero of the film (figuratively) by making an appearance towards the end, standing up to his wife and reuniting the lovers. I have been so accustomed to our films where we've had our sanskaari Alok Nath follow the righteous path and protect our frail women from harassment. I was wrong!
Andhadhun
(2018)
What is life? It depends on the liver
12 October 2018
Andhadhun (not to be confused with Andhadhund meaning excessive, rash) is inspired by L'Accordeur (The Piano Tuner), a French Short Film.
PLOT : The film is about a blind piano player whose sole aim is to make money to be able to relocate to London and play the piano there. However, he unwillingly gets entangled in a murder. What follows are his frantic attempts at trying to escape the murderers that ends up with unearthing of secrets and major plot twists. It goes without saying that the actors have done their jobs well. I liked Tabu the best in the movie. She's a brilliant actress. It's lovely to see her don roles that befit her age and personality and not being merely typecast into a role one would "expect" her to play. Sadly, Radhika Apte didn't have much of a role in the movie. Ayushmann, Manav Vij (who looks like a beefed up Aamir Khan) and Anil Dhawan were good too. Piano music makes up for most of the background music, the tenor oscillating with the mood of the protagonist (Ayushmann Khurrana). Such a background score comprising of one instrument rather than an orchestra, often brings a sense of realism to the scene and I like it that way. The USP of the movie is definitely the twists in the plot. I applaud the makers of the trailer who have craftily inserted scenes that reveal only so much that would make you want to watch the film, only to be then given a jolt within the first 15 minutes. There were some brilliant moments that made us go "aaah,we didn't expect that", in fact one of the scenes towards the end almost had me clapping. The movie ends in a cliffhanger and it is left to the audience to interpret it in the manner he or she chooses to. Some suspect a sequel in the making, but I doubt that. This is not your typical Bollywood film. No wait, I take that back. We have seen such a massive shift from the earlier norm of boy meets girl, saves her from the villain and the audience is invited to witness their happily ever after moment. But this film moves a step ahead. It is free from undying love, untainted protagonist, item numbers (Am I allowed to use the word 'Item'? Or is that being sexist?)... Here come the brickbats: There is too much of an attempt to keep the audience occupied with twists that at times it becomes a little too hotchpotch and in that process the Director/scriptwriter loses sense of the rational that has the audience questioning "As if that could happen in real life". I wouldn't ask you not to watch it in the theatres. Go if you must, but remember seeing is not always believing ;) Here's a fun fact, I read online - Sriram Raghavan, who is the Director of this film featured a blind girl playing the piano in the song Raabta in his film Agent Vinod.
PLOT : The film is about a blind piano player whose sole aim is to make money to be able to relocate to London and play the piano there. However, he unwillingly gets entangled in a murder. What follows are his frantic attempts at trying to escape the murderers that ends up with unearthing of secrets and major plot twists. It goes without saying that the actors have done their jobs well. I liked Tabu the best in the movie. She's a brilliant actress. It's lovely to see her don roles that befit her age and personality and not being merely typecast into a role one would "expect" her to play. Sadly, Radhika Apte didn't have much of a role in the movie. Ayushmann, Manav Vij (who looks like a beefed up Aamir Khan) and Anil Dhawan were good too. Piano music makes up for most of the background music, the tenor oscillating with the mood of the protagonist (Ayushmann Khurrana). Such a background score comprising of one instrument rather than an orchestra, often brings a sense of realism to the scene and I like it that way. The USP of the movie is definitely the twists in the plot. I applaud the makers of the trailer who have craftily inserted scenes that reveal only so much that would make you want to watch the film, only to be then given a jolt within the first 15 minutes. There were some brilliant moments that made us go "aaah,we didn't expect that", in fact one of the scenes towards the end almost had me clapping. The movie ends in a cliffhanger and it is left to the audience to interpret it in the manner he or she chooses to. Some suspect a sequel in the making, but I doubt that. This is not your typical Bollywood film. No wait, I take that back. We have seen such a massive shift from the earlier norm of boy meets girl, saves her from the villain and the audience is invited to witness their happily ever after moment. But this film moves a step ahead. It is free from undying love, untainted protagonist, item numbers (Am I allowed to use the word 'Item'? Or is that being sexist?)... Here come the brickbats: There is too much of an attempt to keep the audience occupied with twists that at times it becomes a little too hotchpotch and in that process the Director/scriptwriter loses sense of the rational that has the audience questioning "As if that could happen in real life". I wouldn't ask you not to watch it in the theatres. Go if you must, but remember seeing is not always believing ;) Here's a fun fact, I read online - Sriram Raghavan, who is the Director of this film featured a blind girl playing the piano in the song Raabta in his film Agent Vinod.
Venom
(2018)
Venom: So many snacks, so little time...
10 October 2018
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock has done an excellent job of portraying a man taken by a parasite - a parasite that has a mind of its own. The movie begins with an introduction to Eddie Brock and the nature of his work as a reporter and you know he is "all in" where his work is concerned. He will go any lengths to get his scoop, even sneak into his loved ones emails.
Of course, he gets his scoop but along with that he also loses his job, apartment and girlfriend. Yet, there he is right outside a store paying $20 for a newspaper that is free.
Parallely symbiotes have made their way to our planet via the Life Foundation Space Craft. The Craft crash lands in Malaysia and an emergency team reaches the spot to ensure that there aren't too many causalities. The team finds the symbiotes that are captured and an astronaut who is barely alive. But not really... one of the symbiotes escapes and manages to wreak a RIOT. While riot ensues, scream, agony and venom make it to the Life Foundation Lab in San Francisco. As the name suggests symbiotes need a host and LFL begins experiments with animals. The moment there is a spark of success; Drake wants to begin working with human specimens.
Carlton Drake played by Riz Ahmed is the CEO of the Life Foundation. He is a young man who isn't just possessed by the need to succeed but clearly suffers from a severe case of hypermetropia induced by megalomaniacal tendencies. This though has been evident all along. His scientists continue their pursuit of greater good until the experiments begin on humans and it results in a moral dilemma for one of his scientists.
Reporter Eddie Brock finds himself in the LFL at the behest of the whistle blower, only to find himself hosting Venom.
What happens next is a ton of action, a thrilling chase sequence, hot flushes and cold sweat that makes one sit in an aquarium in the middle of a restaurant and eat a live lobster. (It could have been a cray fish, correct me if I'm wrong.) Now, for those with a weak stomach - be warned, there are more such barf inducing scenes from the very beginning of the movie. My friend and I had no problems as we sat eating popcorn and sipping Coke while heads vanished and faces were being licked. *Slurp*.
The movie progresses beautifully and it is a movie I thoroughly enjoyed. The movie is fast paced, the story is rushed but if you are attentive, you'll know and understand what's happening. If you have read the comics good for you and like me if you haven't read them, go along with someone who has, like I did.
After watching this movie, one thing is clear, Anti-Heroes are here to stay. Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate, Scott Haze and Reid Scott have all managed to makes us, love, admire, hate, like, hate and amuse throughout the movie.
The movie does have a "buddy cop" feel to it with several laughs along the way. Some terrible jokes don't quite make the mark but for the most part the jokes are actually funny. I especially loved Venom-Eddie interaction.
I am now looking forward to the Eddie - Venom - Anne love triangle in the sequel!!! Yes, there is definitely going to be a sequel. For those making plans to watch the movie, stay back for the scene before the credits roll and for the sneak-peak post credits.
P.S: Yes, Stan Lee does make an appearance.
My Recommendation: Don't go by what the critics have to say, if you really want to sit back and unwind go for this movie.
P.S: Yes, Stan Lee does make an appearance.
My Recommendation: Don't go by what the critics have to say, if you really want to sit back and unwind go for this movie.
Karwaan
(2018)
MORBIDLY FUNNY
28 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Avinash(Dulquer Salmaan) is that guy who is working a desk job at an IT company. We see a day in his life and get to see his egotistical boss raving and lashing out at people like a maniac doing exactly what he asks his employees not to do. When he gets home he gets a call from a travel company and finds out that his father has passed away in a road accident whilst on his way to Gangotri. Usually death brings with it shock and grief. Except, we see Avinash isn't affected by his father's death. He heads out to ask his friend Shaukat(Irrfan Khan) to lend him his van so he can collect his father's body. Shaukat is Avinash's friend who runs a garage and offers to drive him to collect his father's remains. Now, Shaukat is a very outspoken man and has certain conservative views which he is constantly voicing out throughout the movie. His character is the caricature of most people today when they take offence to the slightest thing - girls wearing shorts, drinking, smoking weed and all other things you possibly have heard that are "bad" in society's view. This is merely one dimension of his character. When Avinash and Shaukat find that there has been a switch in the bodies they are made to take a detour from the crematorium and set off on their journey to Ooty to return the body they have, to the rightful relative.
This journey takes them to Ooty where they meet Tanya(MithaliPalkar) who is that typical college student doing the typical college student thing. This trifecta of misfits then starts off towards Kochi.
Tanya and Avinash are on various points of the grief spectrum - one is on an emotional coaster of tears, alcohol and still has the teenage rebel remnants while the other keeps going back to his past giving us a glimpse of the father-son relationship. While all of this is happening Shaukat is also being hunt down by the henchmen of a loan shark who follow this trio all the way to Kochi. Thanks to these henchmen Shaukat finds himself besotted and let's go of all his conservative norms for love (Wink). Shaukat has his own demons and during the course of their journey we get to hear bits and pieces about each of these 3.
Do they get the body safely to its destination? Do they find closure? Can they move on? Will they move on and is there a climax to this movie? Well, I recommend you watch it if you aren't a sensitive human who doesn't get morbid humor. If you are looking for some underlying gyaan or hoping for a Dabaang climax then this movie isn't for you. If you are a Bollywood fan and can keep up with Shaukat's character progressively unwinding to a point where he reveals his heart all too much and derails his own conservative train of thought, then you'll leave the theater laughing.
I love how throughout the movie little to no attention is paid to the "body" but a lot is said about the life the people lived. I especially liked that bit. I also like how matter of fact Avinash is.
This journey isn't just about reaching a destination or finding oneself. It is about making peace with oneself, laying your demons to rest and celebrating the life of your loved ones.
You see this movie isn't just about dead bodies or people who have lost a loved one but about grief and how each one handles it. I personally found the movie morbidly funny. I also found it comforting.
Gold
(I) (2018)
ALL THAT GLITTERS, AIN'T GOLD!
27 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The story is a fictional account based on real events of India winning the gold medal in Hockey at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
PLOT: The movie begins with the 'British' India team winning the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics held at Germany only to have Britain's flag hoisted with their national anthem being played in the background. The manager of the team Tapan Das (Akshay Kumar) vows to win the next medal with the Indian flag being hoisted. He has a strong team led by Samrat (Kunal Kapoor). However, due to the ongoing World War, Olympics is cancelled the consecutive years which sends Tapan on a downward spiral. The players have gone their separate ways and Tapan is a penniless alcoholic now.
The year is 1946. India is on the verge of gaining independence and Olympics is to be held in London in 1948. Tapan mends his ways and sets about to bring the old team together but he faces hurdles on the way. Samrat has retired from the game and instructs Tapan to make Imtiaz Ali Shah (Vineet Kumar Singh) the captain. Along with Imtiaz, Tapan recruits new members - Himmat Singh (Sunny Kaushal) and Raghubir Pratap Singh (Amit Sadh) both from different ends of the social spectrum, but equally brilliant centre forwards.
Partition takes place, taking along with it most players from the team. The three firangs in the team have been asked to get back to Australia. The team is low on funds. Morale is low and egos are high amongst the team members. Tapas faces opposition from his colleagues. India wins the gold.
The movie begins with Akshay Kumar narrating the story and that's when my left eyebrow went up. Akshay Kumar is a Bengali in the film and apart from the stereotypical references and exclamations in Bengali, he was quite unbelievable as a Bengali Dada. He'd remember to pronounce the As as Os during the scenes but while narrating would slip into his impeccable Hindi accent. The entire movie, I wondered why they'd gotten Akshay for this role besides the obvious reason of having a blockbuster star feature on the movie poster, until the final 30 minutes when Akshay is required to give a morale boosting speech to the team members that ultimately leads them to win the match and earn crores for the film. You may think I am nitpicking. Oh yes, I am! And this why-
We have evolved as an audience and gone are the days when we expected our films to be the quintessential Bollywood masala film with tragedy, comedy, drama, romance, action etc squeezed into one storyline. This movie had an excellent story to work on, a brilliant cast- a sure short winner (come on, you can't go wrong with a movie that ends with India winning the medal and the entire audience standing to our national anthem) but what they did was get a big star who inadvertently managed to hog the limelight from the other actors/characters, throw in some cheesy slapstick comedy, have a romantic number thrown in (!!!) and make it a commercial film. What should have been a serious period drama film, focusing more on the struggles faced by the players with the imminent freedom, the partition, lack of funds, lack of unity, the pressure of beating their invaders on their home ground has ended up in a comical representation of historical events.
Kunal Kapoor, Mouni Roy, Vineet Kumar had hardly any role to play in this film. Thankfully, Amit Sadh and Sunny Kaushal have been given their due.
Amit Sadh was good, but Sunny Kaushal was better. What a brilliant actor Sunny is! His portrayal of Himmat Singh, a short tempered Sardarji was spot on. I actually believed they'd gotten a Sardarji to play that role until I started writing this post and checked out the names of actors.
The saving grace was the final half hour of the movie. And, of course Sunny Kaushal.
PLOT: The movie begins with the 'British' India team winning the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics held at Germany only to have Britain's flag hoisted with their national anthem being played in the background. The manager of the team Tapan Das (Akshay Kumar) vows to win the next medal with the Indian flag being hoisted. He has a strong team led by Samrat (Kunal Kapoor). However, due to the ongoing World War, Olympics is cancelled the consecutive years which sends Tapan on a downward spiral. The players have gone their separate ways and Tapan is a penniless alcoholic now.
The year is 1946. India is on the verge of gaining independence and Olympics is to be held in London in 1948. Tapan mends his ways and sets about to bring the old team together but he faces hurdles on the way. Samrat has retired from the game and instructs Tapan to make Imtiaz Ali Shah (Vineet Kumar Singh) the captain. Along with Imtiaz, Tapan recruits new members - Himmat Singh (Sunny Kaushal) and Raghubir Pratap Singh (Amit Sadh) both from different ends of the social spectrum, but equally brilliant centre forwards.
Partition takes place, taking along with it most players from the team. The three firangs in the team have been asked to get back to Australia. The team is low on funds. Morale is low and egos are high amongst the team members. Tapas faces opposition from his colleagues. India wins the gold.
The movie begins with Akshay Kumar narrating the story and that's when my left eyebrow went up. Akshay Kumar is a Bengali in the film and apart from the stereotypical references and exclamations in Bengali, he was quite unbelievable as a Bengali Dada. He'd remember to pronounce the As as Os during the scenes but while narrating would slip into his impeccable Hindi accent. The entire movie, I wondered why they'd gotten Akshay for this role besides the obvious reason of having a blockbuster star feature on the movie poster, until the final 30 minutes when Akshay is required to give a morale boosting speech to the team members that ultimately leads them to win the match and earn crores for the film. You may think I am nitpicking. Oh yes, I am! And this why-
We have evolved as an audience and gone are the days when we expected our films to be the quintessential Bollywood masala film with tragedy, comedy, drama, romance, action etc squeezed into one storyline. This movie had an excellent story to work on, a brilliant cast- a sure short winner (come on, you can't go wrong with a movie that ends with India winning the medal and the entire audience standing to our national anthem) but what they did was get a big star who inadvertently managed to hog the limelight from the other actors/characters, throw in some cheesy slapstick comedy, have a romantic number thrown in (!!!) and make it a commercial film. What should have been a serious period drama film, focusing more on the struggles faced by the players with the imminent freedom, the partition, lack of funds, lack of unity, the pressure of beating their invaders on their home ground has ended up in a comical representation of historical events.
Kunal Kapoor, Mouni Roy, Vineet Kumar had hardly any role to play in this film. Thankfully, Amit Sadh and Sunny Kaushal have been given their due.
Amit Sadh was good, but Sunny Kaushal was better. What a brilliant actor Sunny is! His portrayal of Himmat Singh, a short tempered Sardarji was spot on. I actually believed they'd gotten a Sardarji to play that role until I started writing this post and checked out the names of actors.
The saving grace was the final half hour of the movie. And, of course Sunny Kaushal.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3- BLEH BLOOH BLAH
1 August 2018
I have never been a big fan of the Transylvania Franchise and that's mainly because of Adam Sandler. I don't like him much and I find his goofy accents excruciatingly annoying and every time Dracula opens his mouth to speak, I want to punch that pasty face, all because of Adam Sandler.
Dracula and his family and friends are otherwise quite lovable and funny (to some extent) but then Sandler just goes and ruins it all with that atrocious twang.
PLOT: Dracula (Adam Sandler!) and his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez) are overworked and in desperate need of a vacation. Also, Dracula is lonely and needs to find someone to date (preferably someone without too many eyes or tentacles). Mavis surprises her father by booking a vacation on a cruise ship for their family and friends. The captain of the ship is Ericka (Kathryn Hahn), a human who has this special vacation planned just for monsters.
Dracula is smitten with Ericka and also literally tongue tied (aaargh, more of the goofy accent). But Ericka has a secret and all is not as it appears.
NOT A SPOLIER (this is revealed in the trailers too) - Erika is the great grand daughter of Abraham Van Helsing (Jim Gaffidan), who comes from a family of monster hunters and has been on a quest to kill Dracula since a long, long time. Having failed to do so on numerous attempts, his great grand-daughter Erika has now taken it upon herself to vanquish all monsters especially Dracula, by taking them to the lost city of Atlantis where lies hidden a weapon that can finally kill all the monsters.
Meanwhile, Mavis is not too pleased with the idea of her father dating somebody and she has her own suspicions about Ericka.
Will Mavis succeed in revealing the truth behind Ericka's flamboyant monster vacation? Will Ericka and her grandfather succeed in destroying all monsters? Or will Dracula find true love at last?
Sadly, like its predecessors, this instalment too fails to tug at one's heartstrings.
The problem (of course, besides Adam Sandler!) is the unremarkable scriptwriting and weak storyline. To cut a long story short, the movie is just plain silly. My 6 year old laughed out loud at some scenes that involved monsters jiggling their bodies and passing wind. I must admit I may have laughed out loud too but it is for the sheer silliness of certain scenes especially the final scene that involves a battle of the DJs- Dracula's son in law and Grandfather Van Helsing.
The other characters in the film (the werewolves, green Blobby, Mummy, Invisible Man, Frankenstein's monster) are all cute but that's all they are. There's no novelty in their presence. The only new "monster" introduced was 'Tinkles', the family pet.
Sequels very rarely match up to their predecessors but in this case, it's not like they had a tough task at hand.
I liked the songs played in the film, even the corny ones played at the end.
For those who missed watching this movie last weekend, worry not if it's still not running the next weekend...
Sacred Games
(2018–2019)
Sacred Games: The answer to your existential crisis
25 July 2018
I liked how the story began. This isn't a slow narrative, you basically have to run with the characters to catch up with their mind and emotions and sometimes have to see between the frames. I live on the extreme ends of storytelling arch. I love the slow narrative where each and everything is described in such a manner that you feel you are in that situation and you start feeling what the character feels and then there is the impromptu situation where you are unexpectedly put in and you have to start catching up with why the characters are doing what they are doing. Both are fun ways to sit back and enjoy a show. Sacred Games falls under the latter category.
Ganesh Gaitonde is that don who has only one purpose and that is to be the city he lives in - Bombay. The show takes us through his journey from Trimbakeshwar to Bombay and how as an adult after pedaling in drugs he decides by and by that he is meant for much more than that. He dreams big and he sets his ambition into action. We see ruthlessness in him which is a pre requisite of being a don but at the same time we see him trying to make his gang walk the secular line so as not to have religion come into play. You and I and that is if you were born in the 80's will nod your head at the narrative of the story when scenes of unrest are shown in the post Indira Gandhi era that has left the nation broken and at the same time has become that "gap" that Politicians use as their mosh pits come election season.
Gaitonde claims he has three fathers and tells us about each one and how they influenced his life and made him who he is. Then we have Sartaj, the Sikh inspector who is trying really hard to battle the internal corruption in police services by refusing to give a false statement in court. His refusal becomes leverage for his superior who dangles his refusal as bait at every opportunity that Sartaj needs back up or when he works on a lead. Sartaj has his own emotional baggage. His wife has left him and he hasn't gotten over her. This I presume is what leads him to consume anxiety pills. We see a little bit of emotional instability in him but not so much that we question his judgment as he pursues his cop instincts. Anjali Mathur, the RAW agent who wants to step out into the field and not just stay behind her desk. She, like Sartaj, follows her instincts and teams up with Sartaj to save the city. Except she believes there is more to the story than just a gang war. Of course she is stopped from acting on her hunch and evidence because hey she's a girl and girls can't go out and play after sundown. Like Sartaj she also has her own reasons for being who she is and that is what propels her into going forward to uncover the roles of different people in the story. Kookoo, I think was a metaphor for the city itself and whoever had Kookoo had Bombay. That's all that I'll be saying about this character.
These are the primary characters and these characters all have very obvious roles to play and are definitely the leads but for me it was the secondary actors who did all the work in making me hate and love the plot. Kanta Bai, who is so freaking stoic even when there is chaos around her and even when things are going bad she is just there strong as a pillar and not scared of Gaitonde. Probably because she is more like a mother to him, after all it's all thanks to her that he gets his first break. Katekar, is that constable who is at Sartaj's beck and call. Even though he represents the constable in the series he is also doing the added job of being the common man's voice when he is expressing his opinions as a person. Most of us have skewed perspectives based on the news and political speeches we are fed. Malcolm Murad, was a decently surprising character. I liked him in entirety except in one place when he did something out of character. DCP Parulkar's character has been portrayed so well! He makes you hate him. He makes you want to plough through his body with a rain of bullets. I like it when actors actually make you believe they are really that bad.
The dialogues are amazing, even the ones making a jibe at political situations. Don't know who Shah Bano is? Google her. I like how one-liners were used to tell months' worth of tense situations in the country.
But is this the best story ever told? No. Was the story predictable? Yes. Were we told anything different with this story? No. So what exactly is the show's USP? Acting!
Gaitonde claims he has three fathers and tells us about each one and how they influenced his life and made him who he is. Then we have Sartaj, the Sikh inspector who is trying really hard to battle the internal corruption in police services by refusing to give a false statement in court. His refusal becomes leverage for his superior who dangles his refusal as bait at every opportunity that Sartaj needs back up or when he works on a lead. Sartaj has his own emotional baggage. His wife has left him and he hasn't gotten over her. This I presume is what leads him to consume anxiety pills. We see a little bit of emotional instability in him but not so much that we question his judgment as he pursues his cop instincts. Anjali Mathur, the RAW agent who wants to step out into the field and not just stay behind her desk. She, like Sartaj, follows her instincts and teams up with Sartaj to save the city. Except she believes there is more to the story than just a gang war. Of course she is stopped from acting on her hunch and evidence because hey she's a girl and girls can't go out and play after sundown. Like Sartaj she also has her own reasons for being who she is and that is what propels her into going forward to uncover the roles of different people in the story. Kookoo, I think was a metaphor for the city itself and whoever had Kookoo had Bombay. That's all that I'll be saying about this character.
These are the primary characters and these characters all have very obvious roles to play and are definitely the leads but for me it was the secondary actors who did all the work in making me hate and love the plot. Kanta Bai, who is so freaking stoic even when there is chaos around her and even when things are going bad she is just there strong as a pillar and not scared of Gaitonde. Probably because she is more like a mother to him, after all it's all thanks to her that he gets his first break. Katekar, is that constable who is at Sartaj's beck and call. Even though he represents the constable in the series he is also doing the added job of being the common man's voice when he is expressing his opinions as a person. Most of us have skewed perspectives based on the news and political speeches we are fed. Malcolm Murad, was a decently surprising character. I liked him in entirety except in one place when he did something out of character. DCP Parulkar's character has been portrayed so well! He makes you hate him. He makes you want to plough through his body with a rain of bullets. I like it when actors actually make you believe they are really that bad.
The dialogues are amazing, even the ones making a jibe at political situations. Don't know who Shah Bano is? Google her. I like how one-liners were used to tell months' worth of tense situations in the country.
But is this the best story ever told? No. Was the story predictable? Yes. Were we told anything different with this story? No. So what exactly is the show's USP? Acting!
Ant-Man and the Wasp
(2018)
Chinti Manus and Hadda baai
17 July 2018
In the Marvel Comic Universe the superheroes lose their temper, doubt themselves, are funny, moody and sometimes 'in your face'. That's exactly how the human race is. I like how Marvel universe has always portrayed its characters to be more than do-gooders. They have given into temptation, they've had difference of opinions and yet at the end of the day they get back together. I have found adulthood to be exactly that. As adults we have our own opinions and we don't have to agree with each other but that doesn't mean we still can't be friends and civil with each other. MCU gives adults a fair share of life lessons while the kids enjoy the CGI and stunts. Every time I watch an MCU movie I go home feeling satisfied because then I am not questioning myself and wondering if I am really a nice person.
Yesterday I watched Ant Man and The Wasp with my friends. We loved it! In 2015 we were left with Captain America and Falcon talking with Falcon telling Cap that he "knows someone". If you have watched Captain America: Civil War, you'll know that Lang is under house arrest. The movie begins with Lang having just 3 more days before his sentence is up. Lang in the past two years has gotten closer to his daughter and is learning magic to entertain her. During one of the father-daughter in-house adventures Lang's foot pushes through the picket fence thereby setting off the alarm on his ankle monitor. In no time the Feds arrive to check his home and we are introduced to Agent Woo who has his suspicions about Scott. Parallelly Hope and Hank are working on the possibility that Janet is still alive except they need to figure out a way to reach her. When they do, it is Scott who wakes up from a strange dream and that little dream sets the story in motion. This is where S.H.I.E.L.D agents come in. Two of the S.H.I.E.L.D agents who worked with Hank previously come back in different manner, one to haunt Hank and Hope's progress in building a tunnel to reach the quantum realm and the other as a voice of reason. It is this bit that reinforces my faith in the MCU - we are the sum of all the experiences we have had.
In order to build the tunnel, the Pyms need certain parts for their tunnel and turn to Sonny Burch who is their doorway to black marketed materials except he's caught on to the fact that the Pyms are on to something bigger and wanting to dip his finger in the pie, offers Hope 1B$ for whatever it is that they are working on which of course ensues in some action and Wasp's entry!
This time around the movie has upped its quality in terms of action sequences and I love how they have utilized the characters to their full potential. There isn't a moment of, "Why aren't you using your powers now!"
Cassie is a little older. She's known her dad was the Ant-man and in this movie also appears as a kid who is mature for her age and is also the force that urges him to help the Pyms.
S.H.I.E.L.D, Pyms, Black marketers, FBI agents, the 3 Wombats and ANTS all make this movie fantastic. Also may I just say I love, love, love, Luis sequences in the movie and they are funnier this time around especially when he is having an argument with Divian Ladwa. (Don't know who he is? Haven't you watched LION after reading our review on it? Tsk tsk.)
The story is about a rescue mission where it isn't just about bringing back someone who's been gone for 30 years but also about what that kind of time in the quantum realm could do to a person. I wish I could say all ends well but the fact is that I don't know!
I had theories after watching infinity war and now I am a little lost but I know if I re watch all the movies from the past 3 years I will accumulate more clues and will have my theory in place by November. Talking about November, the Venom posters are already up!
I love how MCU movies end, with an emphasis on '.' and '?'. MCU is basically encouraging little kids to understand punctuation better.
Yesterday I watched Ant Man and The Wasp with my friends. We loved it! In 2015 we were left with Captain America and Falcon talking with Falcon telling Cap that he "knows someone". If you have watched Captain America: Civil War, you'll know that Lang is under house arrest. The movie begins with Lang having just 3 more days before his sentence is up. Lang in the past two years has gotten closer to his daughter and is learning magic to entertain her. During one of the father-daughter in-house adventures Lang's foot pushes through the picket fence thereby setting off the alarm on his ankle monitor. In no time the Feds arrive to check his home and we are introduced to Agent Woo who has his suspicions about Scott. Parallelly Hope and Hank are working on the possibility that Janet is still alive except they need to figure out a way to reach her. When they do, it is Scott who wakes up from a strange dream and that little dream sets the story in motion. This is where S.H.I.E.L.D agents come in. Two of the S.H.I.E.L.D agents who worked with Hank previously come back in different manner, one to haunt Hank and Hope's progress in building a tunnel to reach the quantum realm and the other as a voice of reason. It is this bit that reinforces my faith in the MCU - we are the sum of all the experiences we have had.
In order to build the tunnel, the Pyms need certain parts for their tunnel and turn to Sonny Burch who is their doorway to black marketed materials except he's caught on to the fact that the Pyms are on to something bigger and wanting to dip his finger in the pie, offers Hope 1B$ for whatever it is that they are working on which of course ensues in some action and Wasp's entry!
This time around the movie has upped its quality in terms of action sequences and I love how they have utilized the characters to their full potential. There isn't a moment of, "Why aren't you using your powers now!"
Cassie is a little older. She's known her dad was the Ant-man and in this movie also appears as a kid who is mature for her age and is also the force that urges him to help the Pyms.
S.H.I.E.L.D, Pyms, Black marketers, FBI agents, the 3 Wombats and ANTS all make this movie fantastic. Also may I just say I love, love, love, Luis sequences in the movie and they are funnier this time around especially when he is having an argument with Divian Ladwa. (Don't know who he is? Haven't you watched LION after reading our review on it? Tsk tsk.)
The story is about a rescue mission where it isn't just about bringing back someone who's been gone for 30 years but also about what that kind of time in the quantum realm could do to a person. I wish I could say all ends well but the fact is that I don't know!
I had theories after watching infinity war and now I am a little lost but I know if I re watch all the movies from the past 3 years I will accumulate more clues and will have my theory in place by November. Talking about November, the Venom posters are already up!
I love how MCU movies end, with an emphasis on '.' and '?'. MCU is basically encouraging little kids to understand punctuation better.
Sanju
(2018)
SANJU - NAYAK/KHALNAYAK ?
2 July 2018
An RJ was reviewing this film and stated that the film didn't send across the right message as it was glorifying a person who abused drugs and alcohol, had a self-indulgent lifestyle and had faced jail time for concealing a weapon at home. I would have to disagree with the RJ. The film is a biopic and depicts incidents from Sanjay Dutt's life, those that we have been privy to and then goes about to rationalize (and at times even validate) his life choices. We all know that Sanjay's life has been a roller coaster ride and wrought with bad life choices and via this film he seeks to explain why he made the choices that he made and how media failed to report these events accurately. He is not made to appear as a "larger than life" hero in this film nor are his choices glorified. As a viewer, you may choose to either empathise with him or may walk out with derision for him. I chose to enjoy the film as any other regular film and not have an opinion on the veracity of the events narrated in the movie.
PLOT: The film begins with Sanjay Dutt (Ranbir Kapoor) trying to rope in Winnie Diaz (Anushka Sharma) a biographer in attempt to get her to write a book on him that would clear his name and erase the tag of 'terrorist' associated with him. Sanjay narrates his story to her, starting from the filming of Rocky. The film covers his relationship with his parents, Sunil Dutt (Paresh Rawal) and Nargis (Manisha Koirala). There are many characters introduced that structure his life- his conniving friend, Zubin Mistry (Jim Sarbh) who introduces him to drugs, his ex girlfriend Ruby (Sonam Kapoor) and her father (Boman Irani), his close friendship with Kamlesh (Vicky Kaushal), his pillar of support, his wife Manyata (Dia Mirza).
The film spans across the period of his introduction to films, Nargis's death, Sanjay's downward spiral with drug abuse, his involvement with the underworld and his arrest and stint in prison for possession of illegal weapons.
Disclaimer: Never been a fan of Sanjay Dutt.
Most reviewers seem to be judging Sanjay Dutt and not reviewing the film. The film doesn't glorify Sanjay in any way but it does seek to justify all his actions-drug abuse caused by demise of mother, being dumped by girlfriend, a controlling father; concealing weapons at home due to Sanjay' naiveté, fear of the Underworld, blind faith in friends, desire to protect father. Have the facts been narrated truthfully? Who knows? Who cares?
Let's review the film for what it is. A well-known actor with a celebrated lineage has had a tumultuous life that involves drugs, sex and crime. Once proclaimed a failure, he makes a comeback and what a comeback that was! There is so much material to make a high grossing film. And that is what has been done by Raj Kumar Hirani.
When I had initially read that Ranbir would be playing Sanjay Dutt, I couldn't visualise the resemblance. Upon watching the film, I must say that Ranbir has done a brilliant job at portraying Sanjay Dutt and has perfectly reproduced nuances of Sanjay's behaviour. Some scenes may have been over the top but then Sanjay Dutt has at times been "over the top". But the scene-stealer is clearly Vicky Kaushal. He portrays the role of a nondescript, Gujarati friend with such ease and his role, though not one of a protagonist clearly showcases his versatility as an actor. The other actor that deserves a mention is Jim Sarbh as the scheming friend. Paresh Rawal is good but somehow not well suited to play Sunil Dutt. Other actors have been underutilised such as Boman Irani, Piyush Mishra and Anjan Shrivastava. The female actors have minor roles.
I only wish the film hadn't been scripted in the typical Hirani fashion. Slapstick humor is introduced to lighten the atmosphere and most scenes that ought to have remained solemn are punctuated with silly comedy. To make up for this, a tear jerking scene is thrown in. The second half feels a bit rushed, with the Director trying to cram in as many plots within the three-hour framework.
The film was entertaining, the actors were good, some laugh out loud scenes and some had the audience tearing up (not me!). The film had its moments (the Munnabhai scene) that got a few hoots from the audience. I'd say watching the film in the theatre was money well spent.
PLOT: The film begins with Sanjay Dutt (Ranbir Kapoor) trying to rope in Winnie Diaz (Anushka Sharma) a biographer in attempt to get her to write a book on him that would clear his name and erase the tag of 'terrorist' associated with him. Sanjay narrates his story to her, starting from the filming of Rocky. The film covers his relationship with his parents, Sunil Dutt (Paresh Rawal) and Nargis (Manisha Koirala). There are many characters introduced that structure his life- his conniving friend, Zubin Mistry (Jim Sarbh) who introduces him to drugs, his ex girlfriend Ruby (Sonam Kapoor) and her father (Boman Irani), his close friendship with Kamlesh (Vicky Kaushal), his pillar of support, his wife Manyata (Dia Mirza).
The film spans across the period of his introduction to films, Nargis's death, Sanjay's downward spiral with drug abuse, his involvement with the underworld and his arrest and stint in prison for possession of illegal weapons.
Disclaimer: Never been a fan of Sanjay Dutt.
Most reviewers seem to be judging Sanjay Dutt and not reviewing the film. The film doesn't glorify Sanjay in any way but it does seek to justify all his actions-drug abuse caused by demise of mother, being dumped by girlfriend, a controlling father; concealing weapons at home due to Sanjay' naiveté, fear of the Underworld, blind faith in friends, desire to protect father. Have the facts been narrated truthfully? Who knows? Who cares?
Let's review the film for what it is. A well-known actor with a celebrated lineage has had a tumultuous life that involves drugs, sex and crime. Once proclaimed a failure, he makes a comeback and what a comeback that was! There is so much material to make a high grossing film. And that is what has been done by Raj Kumar Hirani.
When I had initially read that Ranbir would be playing Sanjay Dutt, I couldn't visualise the resemblance. Upon watching the film, I must say that Ranbir has done a brilliant job at portraying Sanjay Dutt and has perfectly reproduced nuances of Sanjay's behaviour. Some scenes may have been over the top but then Sanjay Dutt has at times been "over the top". But the scene-stealer is clearly Vicky Kaushal. He portrays the role of a nondescript, Gujarati friend with such ease and his role, though not one of a protagonist clearly showcases his versatility as an actor. The other actor that deserves a mention is Jim Sarbh as the scheming friend. Paresh Rawal is good but somehow not well suited to play Sunil Dutt. Other actors have been underutilised such as Boman Irani, Piyush Mishra and Anjan Shrivastava. The female actors have minor roles.
I only wish the film hadn't been scripted in the typical Hirani fashion. Slapstick humor is introduced to lighten the atmosphere and most scenes that ought to have remained solemn are punctuated with silly comedy. To make up for this, a tear jerking scene is thrown in. The second half feels a bit rushed, with the Director trying to cram in as many plots within the three-hour framework.
The film was entertaining, the actors were good, some laugh out loud scenes and some had the audience tearing up (not me!). The film had its moments (the Munnabhai scene) that got a few hoots from the audience. I'd say watching the film in the theatre was money well spent.
Incredibles 2
(2018)
Less Incredible than 1
25 June 2018
PLOT: The film begins with the Incredible family and Frozone trying to capture the Underminer. Underminer escapes and the Superheroes' attempts at trying to save the City from the Underminer ends up in them wrecking the place. As a result of which they are arrested by the police and the Project for the Superheroes that was initiated in the first film is scrapped and Supers continue to be declared illegal.
The Incredibles get called by Winston Deavor who runs Devtech with his tech genius sister, Evelyn. They have come up with a plan to legalise the Supers and they recruit Mamma Incredible to help them bring their plan to fruition. (Much to Pappa Incredible's annoyance). The movie runs parallel, covering the lives of Mamma Incredible who is on a mission to portray to the world, the real and heroic efforts put in by Superheroes in saving the lives of people. She is constantly challenged by Screenslaver, a mysterious villain who controls the minds of people by hypnotising them. While Mamma is basking in the glory of her reclaimed fame, Pappa Incredible is going ballistic at home trying to control a moody teenager, a high-powered pre-teen and a cookie loving baby that is just discovering its superpowers.
Who is the mysterious Screenslaver? Will Mamma Incredible bring him to justice? Will the Supers be legalised?
Sequels very rarely match up to their predecessors and this one didn't either, the reason being that the sequel loses out on the grounds of absence of novelty and inadvertent comparison running through the minds of the viewers.
I ought to make it clear that I did enjoy this movie and would definitely recommend watching it but please do not go with high expectations.
The first one was funnier and with more action and adventure. Baby Incredible did manage to evoke some laughter out of the audience and one was looking forward to seeing his super powers being used against the villains. I was disappointed that it was grossly under-used during the climax.
While Pappa is left to tend to the children, Mamma is out there "kicking ass". She gets to wear the superhero costume, ride an electric bike, stop a speeding train and fight the super villain and party at night. While he's at home trying to figure out complex math problems and get a baby to stay asleep. While this may make one remark that the "hero" of the film is clearly Mamma Incredible, I beg to differ. Pappa Incredible is also the hero in his own rights and you'd agree if you've been in his shoes!
This was the kind of movie where you step out of the theatre with nothing to discuss about. (No bricks or bouquets to toss).
The Incredibles get called by Winston Deavor who runs Devtech with his tech genius sister, Evelyn. They have come up with a plan to legalise the Supers and they recruit Mamma Incredible to help them bring their plan to fruition. (Much to Pappa Incredible's annoyance). The movie runs parallel, covering the lives of Mamma Incredible who is on a mission to portray to the world, the real and heroic efforts put in by Superheroes in saving the lives of people. She is constantly challenged by Screenslaver, a mysterious villain who controls the minds of people by hypnotising them. While Mamma is basking in the glory of her reclaimed fame, Pappa Incredible is going ballistic at home trying to control a moody teenager, a high-powered pre-teen and a cookie loving baby that is just discovering its superpowers.
Who is the mysterious Screenslaver? Will Mamma Incredible bring him to justice? Will the Supers be legalised?
Sequels very rarely match up to their predecessors and this one didn't either, the reason being that the sequel loses out on the grounds of absence of novelty and inadvertent comparison running through the minds of the viewers.
I ought to make it clear that I did enjoy this movie and would definitely recommend watching it but please do not go with high expectations.
The first one was funnier and with more action and adventure. Baby Incredible did manage to evoke some laughter out of the audience and one was looking forward to seeing his super powers being used against the villains. I was disappointed that it was grossly under-used during the climax.
While Pappa is left to tend to the children, Mamma is out there "kicking ass". She gets to wear the superhero costume, ride an electric bike, stop a speeding train and fight the super villain and party at night. While he's at home trying to figure out complex math problems and get a baby to stay asleep. While this may make one remark that the "hero" of the film is clearly Mamma Incredible, I beg to differ. Pappa Incredible is also the hero in his own rights and you'd agree if you've been in his shoes!
This was the kind of movie where you step out of the theatre with nothing to discuss about. (No bricks or bouquets to toss).
Jurassic World: Fallen Franchise?
25 June 2018
The movie, unlike the first 3 installments, was trying to spook the audience. It's supposed to be an adventure movie not a horror movie! (Have you seen the trailer for The Nun?) It felt like the ghosts were replaced with dinosaurs. Well, the movie begins with the death of a human. Nothing as fancy as being lifted off the pot but a human dies on Isla Nublar. Then we have Dr. Malcom telling the U.S Senate that the once dormant volcanoes which have now become active on Isla Nublar is nature's way of correcting Dr. Hammonds' mistake 25 years ago. He espouses the cause of letting nature take its course instead of intervening again to save Dinosaurs. Except Claire Dearing thinks otherwise and on Eli's urging manages to convince Owen Grady to head back to the island. That is when the "adventure" begins.
On one hand Owen, Claire, Zia and Ken head out and once on the island things don't go too well for the team. On the other hand Lockwood's granddaughter finds herself in the middle of a series of events that would petrify any 11 year old. The events on the island lead to evacuating a few species but is that all? Ah well... there is murder, mystery AND ACTION all of which apart from being predictable are also lacking in so many ways.
Plot holes are aplenty and dear good lord god! The extension charm features in the movie! Because if you jump into water in skin tight pants and still manage to bring out a pistol, a knife and later a pair of binoculars those pants must come from the wizarding world.
Here is what ruined the movie for me - This movie single handedly destroyed my childhood memories of the Brachiosaurus sighting in the first movie. I believe the movie was trying to pay homage to the previous movies but it just ended up making bad choices again and again.
People in their 30's will certainly not enjoy the movie. Definitely suitable for kids below the age of 10 because all they need is CGI to be impressed.
Recommend: Go only if you have a child that is interested in dinosaurs, else skip it. Make your kid watch the first movie and then take the child for this movie.
On one hand Owen, Claire, Zia and Ken head out and once on the island things don't go too well for the team. On the other hand Lockwood's granddaughter finds herself in the middle of a series of events that would petrify any 11 year old. The events on the island lead to evacuating a few species but is that all? Ah well... there is murder, mystery AND ACTION all of which apart from being predictable are also lacking in so many ways.
Plot holes are aplenty and dear good lord god! The extension charm features in the movie! Because if you jump into water in skin tight pants and still manage to bring out a pistol, a knife and later a pair of binoculars those pants must come from the wizarding world.
Here is what ruined the movie for me - This movie single handedly destroyed my childhood memories of the Brachiosaurus sighting in the first movie. I believe the movie was trying to pay homage to the previous movies but it just ended up making bad choices again and again.
People in their 30's will certainly not enjoy the movie. Definitely suitable for kids below the age of 10 because all they need is CGI to be impressed.
Recommend: Go only if you have a child that is interested in dinosaurs, else skip it. Make your kid watch the first movie and then take the child for this movie.
Race 3
(2018)
RACE 3- ALLAH DUHAAI HAIN!!!
17 June 2018
PLOT: This film too, like its predecessors, has an ensemble cast. Characters involved - Rich, old illegal arms dealer (Anil Kapoor), his step son (Salman Khan), his twins (Daisy Shah and Saqib Saleem), the family's Man Friday (Bobby Deol) and the eye candy (Jacqueline Fernandez).
Illegal arms dealer has been wrongly driven out of his country and his sole aim is to return to his native village with a clean chit and to do this he needs to indulge in more criminal activity such as stealing a 'hard disk' that has illegally recorded sleazy videos of politicians and then blackmailing these politicians. To help him with this task, he has his children who are all trained fighters and have each others' backs on the field. But all is not well at home. The twins want the step son out of the way as their father favours him over them. Step son has brief affair with eye candy and then they break up only to have her return back to his life after few days/months/years (we don't know). Man Friday oscillates in his loyalty towards step son and twins.
Will illegal arms dealer return to his village? Will arm candy and step son have a 'happily ever after'? Whom does Man Friday finally stand up for? Who will survive- the twins or the step son?
Oh Salman, you've ruined this movie and turned into a big-budget Dabangg! The film begins with each character being introduced by a voice over and that is when things begin to go downhill. When you have someone do a voice over in the film, that person ought to have a great voice and not sound like a railway announcement.
The USP of the Race series has always been the action packed scenes, the larger than life stunt sequences and the twists in the plot. Race 3 has all of this but fails to impress due to poor acting, even worse direction, abysmal script and unrealistic scenes. I am fine with one person taking down an entire truckload of trained militia by himself but how in God's name does Salman manage to jump off a high rise building in a wingsuit, manoeuvre through buildings across town (while still flying) and land into the warehouse where his siblings are fighting? I have never been a big fan of Salman's movies but this one really annoyed me as I went to the theatre with high expectations.
Salman looks like a stocky potato and lacks the panache that Saif Ali Khan had in the previous movies.
I feel terrible saying this but Daisy Shah is really annoying. Despite her cool stunt moves and her brilliant aerial dance, she has failed at trying to pass off as an uber cool, 25 year old scheming daredevil.
Jacqueline is just being umm.... Jacqueline in the movie. (Chittiyan kalaiyan veh)
However, feminists rejoice. For a change, this film has action scenes with women in them, that do not involve name calling and hair pulling. *eye roll*
Would you believe this, I have nothing bad to say about Bobby Deol!
(Oh, I forgot to mention the other twin. Yeah, he has some scenes too.)
Anil Kapoor was definitely the saving grace and the good news is that the way the film ended, it would appear that Anil Kapoor shall make a comeback and thankfully not Salman Khan!
I sometimes still croon the songs from Race 1. The songs in this movie are unremarkable and the lyrics are so lame (tried thinking of a more professional word than lame, but lame describes it the best) especially the song "Selfish" and what do you know! The lyrics to the song have been penned by Salman!
Did I mention the script? LAME. Remo, please stick to being a choreographer. P.S: Remo D'Souza is the director of the movie.
Illegal arms dealer has been wrongly driven out of his country and his sole aim is to return to his native village with a clean chit and to do this he needs to indulge in more criminal activity such as stealing a 'hard disk' that has illegally recorded sleazy videos of politicians and then blackmailing these politicians. To help him with this task, he has his children who are all trained fighters and have each others' backs on the field. But all is not well at home. The twins want the step son out of the way as their father favours him over them. Step son has brief affair with eye candy and then they break up only to have her return back to his life after few days/months/years (we don't know). Man Friday oscillates in his loyalty towards step son and twins.
Will illegal arms dealer return to his village? Will arm candy and step son have a 'happily ever after'? Whom does Man Friday finally stand up for? Who will survive- the twins or the step son?
Oh Salman, you've ruined this movie and turned into a big-budget Dabangg! The film begins with each character being introduced by a voice over and that is when things begin to go downhill. When you have someone do a voice over in the film, that person ought to have a great voice and not sound like a railway announcement.
The USP of the Race series has always been the action packed scenes, the larger than life stunt sequences and the twists in the plot. Race 3 has all of this but fails to impress due to poor acting, even worse direction, abysmal script and unrealistic scenes. I am fine with one person taking down an entire truckload of trained militia by himself but how in God's name does Salman manage to jump off a high rise building in a wingsuit, manoeuvre through buildings across town (while still flying) and land into the warehouse where his siblings are fighting? I have never been a big fan of Salman's movies but this one really annoyed me as I went to the theatre with high expectations.
Salman looks like a stocky potato and lacks the panache that Saif Ali Khan had in the previous movies.
I feel terrible saying this but Daisy Shah is really annoying. Despite her cool stunt moves and her brilliant aerial dance, she has failed at trying to pass off as an uber cool, 25 year old scheming daredevil.
Jacqueline is just being umm.... Jacqueline in the movie. (Chittiyan kalaiyan veh)
However, feminists rejoice. For a change, this film has action scenes with women in them, that do not involve name calling and hair pulling. *eye roll*
Would you believe this, I have nothing bad to say about Bobby Deol!
(Oh, I forgot to mention the other twin. Yeah, he has some scenes too.)
Anil Kapoor was definitely the saving grace and the good news is that the way the film ended, it would appear that Anil Kapoor shall make a comeback and thankfully not Salman Khan!
I sometimes still croon the songs from Race 1. The songs in this movie are unremarkable and the lyrics are so lame (tried thinking of a more professional word than lame, but lame describes it the best) especially the song "Selfish" and what do you know! The lyrics to the song have been penned by Salman!
Did I mention the script? LAME. Remo, please stick to being a choreographer. P.S: Remo D'Souza is the director of the movie.
Lion
(2016)
ROARING SUCCESS
23 May 2018
Lion is based on the book A Long way Home written by Saroo Brierly and is based on his life.
The movie is about a 5 year old boy Saroo (Sunny Pawar) from Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India, a child of a labourer, who gets separated from his brother, Guddu (Abhishek Bharate) at a railway station and ends up in a train that takes him all the way to Kolkata. Despite his frantic attempts, he is unable to get help from anyone to take him back to his place, 'Ganestalay'. After facing a lot of travails and escaping from the clutches of child snatchers including the syrupy faced Noor (Tannishtha Chatterjee) who feeds him and bathes him only to make him presentable to Rama (Nazwazuddin Siddiqui), Saroo finally finds himself in a children's home which is no better than the outside world. There are shady things happening in this place and Saroj Sood (Deepti Naval) has taken it upon herself to rescue the children from this place.
Saroo gets adopted by an Australian couple Sue and John Brierly (Nicole Kidman and David Wenham) and flies to Tasmania where he begins to settle in. The Brierlys adopt another boy from India, Mantosh who unlike Saroo has some difficulty adjusting with the family.
The story moves forward in time and Saroo is now 26 years old (played by Dev Patel). He is an Australian now right down to rooting for the Australian cricket team rather than the Indian. He moves to Melbourne to study hotel management where he meets Lucy (Rooney Mara). A meal with his Indian friends brings back memories from India and with Lucy's encouragement Saroo begins to trace his roots to India using Google Earth. Whilst Saroo is drawn to India, at the same time, he is feeling conflicted wondering if tracing his biological mother would mean betraying his adoptive mother.
Will Saroo continue in his search for his hometown in India? Will he locate "Ganestalay"? Will he be reunited with his mother and brother?
When I started watching the movie, I was wondering what all the fuss about Sunny Pawar was. I had seen better child actors. But as the movie progresses, you find that there is something so endearing about Sunny. He isn't "acting", acting and it would appear that film has captured a real life incident as is and that Sunny is the real Saroo, a lost and confused 5 year old who somehow still manages to have his wits around him.
Lion received 6 Oscar nominations and won two BAFTAs. It is also the highest grossing Australian film of all time.
All actors including those with minor roles (Guddu, Mantosh) have done a wonderful job. A special mention to Nawazuddin, whose screen appearance is less than 2 minutes but sends chills down your spine.
Sunny Pawar, no doubt, is the star of the show. The film shows Sunny walking barefoot, covered in filth, rummaging through all that garbage in search of food and gets you wondering how does one film such a scene so realistically! His face looks unwashed, his eyes crusty and there's dried mucous around his nose!
The film beautifully captures emotions of the actors. The mother's anguish over her lost child, the blind hope of being finally traced by his mother, the joy of laying eyes on their adopted child who has travelled from across the world, the guilt of having led a comfortable life while your family may still be unaware of your survival, the conflict of having to choose biological over adopted...
The film doesn't have many dialogues but manages to tell the story beautifully. The ending is bittersweet but then all's well that ends well.
Throughout the entire movie, you wonder why the film is called Lion. I even thought it was because Dev Patel's hair hangs loose from his head like a mane (!!!). The title of the movie is explained towards the end and I may have shed a tear or two.
Avengers: Infinity War
(2018)
Avengers: Infinity war!
19 May 2018
We've long been heading here and it is finally here! The infinity war begins with a bang leaving you no time to adjust in your seats. You are immediately transported to Asgard and you see Thor and Loki at their most vulnerable. Thanos is on a mission for the stones. The beginning for some reason reminded me so much of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Ummm... you'll know why when you watch the movie or you'll get my cryptic clue right here.
Then you are in New York and you see Hulk and Bruce Banner battle between themselves in what could only be a superhero midlife crisis that keeps us laughing throughout the movie. Doctor Strange and Wong are now informed by Hulk about Thanos coming to Earth and BAM! We have Amazing Spider man, Tony Stark, Doctor Strange, Wong, Bruce wannabe hulk get into a battle with Maw and Obsidian.
Next thing you know we are in Scotland with Wanda and Vision. Things seem to slow just for a minute and KAPOW! Midnight and Glaive ambush the couple, only to have the Falcon and Black Widow rescue them.
Then we are in SPACE and who do we meet here? The Guardians of the Galaxy, who are attending to a distress call, find themselves in the company of Thor. They briefly exchange pleasantries and then Thor is off to Nedavellir with the Rabbit and Groot. While the rest head to Knowhere.
At Knowhere, Thanos and Gamora come face to face and well they face off and face smash like people do in all superhero comics. Gender no bar.
You thought we were done travelling through the universe didn't you? Nah ah! We then head to Wakanda and the war that ensues there reminded me so much of the LOTR scene where Legolas and the rest are shooting arrows at the Wargs.
Does Thanos get the infinity stones? Will the Heroes live? Is everything lost? Well maybe not because comics always leave you with that glimmer of hope in the bleakest situations.
The movie was done well. There is a lot happening the entire time. There is comic relief and some really serious moments. Every MCU character has screen-time. Don't complain about how little it is though! I love fast paced movies. I love a theme. I love how everything comes together and falls into place. We have been heading here since 2008 and we know every character there is and we know what to expect but can we handle it?
The movie has been directed well. The background score is also on point with the story. The CGI is amazing. I especially loved it in two scenes a LOT! One is the war at Wakanda and the other shall not be mentioned because *spoilers*.
The teenager in you will rejoice. You will find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat. If you've read the comics you will survive. If you haven't, worry not you can always leave us a mail or comment and we'll calm your beating heart.
Then you are in New York and you see Hulk and Bruce Banner battle between themselves in what could only be a superhero midlife crisis that keeps us laughing throughout the movie. Doctor Strange and Wong are now informed by Hulk about Thanos coming to Earth and BAM! We have Amazing Spider man, Tony Stark, Doctor Strange, Wong, Bruce wannabe hulk get into a battle with Maw and Obsidian.
Next thing you know we are in Scotland with Wanda and Vision. Things seem to slow just for a minute and KAPOW! Midnight and Glaive ambush the couple, only to have the Falcon and Black Widow rescue them.
Then we are in SPACE and who do we meet here? The Guardians of the Galaxy, who are attending to a distress call, find themselves in the company of Thor. They briefly exchange pleasantries and then Thor is off to Nedavellir with the Rabbit and Groot. While the rest head to Knowhere.
At Knowhere, Thanos and Gamora come face to face and well they face off and face smash like people do in all superhero comics. Gender no bar.
You thought we were done travelling through the universe didn't you? Nah ah! We then head to Wakanda and the war that ensues there reminded me so much of the LOTR scene where Legolas and the rest are shooting arrows at the Wargs.
Does Thanos get the infinity stones? Will the Heroes live? Is everything lost? Well maybe not because comics always leave you with that glimmer of hope in the bleakest situations.
The movie was done well. There is a lot happening the entire time. There is comic relief and some really serious moments. Every MCU character has screen-time. Don't complain about how little it is though! I love fast paced movies. I love a theme. I love how everything comes together and falls into place. We have been heading here since 2008 and we know every character there is and we know what to expect but can we handle it?
The movie has been directed well. The background score is also on point with the story. The CGI is amazing. I especially loved it in two scenes a LOT! One is the war at Wakanda and the other shall not be mentioned because *spoilers*.
The teenager in you will rejoice. You will find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat. If you've read the comics you will survive. If you haven't, worry not you can always leave us a mail or comment and we'll calm your beating heart.
Raazi
(2018)
Raazi? Yes!!!
19 May 2018
Raazi is an adaptation of Calling Sehmat authored by Harinder Sikka and is inspired by true events.
I will not get into detailed story telling this time as I might leak out spoilers and I do not want to do that.
Raazi is a spy, thriller film. The story is set in 1971 when both countries, India and Pakistan are on the verge of war and each side is desperately attempting to infiltrate information from across the border. Hidayat Khan (Rajit Kapoor) is a staunch patriot from Srinagar who has befriended Brigadier Syed (Shishir Sharma) from Pakistan by feeding Syed false and useless information, hoping to get valuable information in return. Hidayat however realises that in order to get the information they need, he needs to situate an aide with Syed who can spy on him and this is when his daughter, Sehmat (Alia Bhatt) is introduced, as a naive and innocent college going girl, who feels queasy at the very sight of blood. Hidayat decides to marry off Sehmat to Syed's younger son, Iqbal (Vicky Kaushal). Sehmat undergoes rigorous training under Khalid Mir (Jaideep Ahlawat), an Intelligence Agent to become a spy.
Sehmat is now in Pakistan and "happily" settling into her new household under the watchful gaze of Abdul (Arif Zakaria), the caretaker of the household who has his suspicions on account of her being an Indian.
Sehmat artfully manages to pass on information to her Indian counterparts, with the assistance from a few locals enlisted to help her, each time narrowly missing being discovered. But it's not all smooth sailing and when things take a turn for the worse, Sehmat has to "fix the leaking roof" and "ends up kicking two cats out of the house".
Amidst all of this, there is also romance brewing between Iqbal and Sehmat and what had started as a marriage of convenience between two strangers evolves into a bond of love based on respect for each other.
Will Sehmat finally get caught or does she manage to escape to India? Will there be a 'happily ever after' for Sehmat and Iqbal? Will their love for each other overpower their love for their country?
After an onslaught of James Bond-ish spy movies with larger than life stunt sequences and over the top romance, Raazi is a welcome and refreshing change. The set and the characters are kept simple. There are no back-flipping, bullets-flying action scenes nor are there songs with Alia and Vicky dancing with the locals, breaking into synchronised steps. It is the story telling and the script that is gripping and has one (and in my case, literally) on the edge of the seat. From the very start, the movie is peppered with twists and turns that will leave you with your eyes wide open- some predictable and some misleading. Subtle reactions that may initially appear inconsequential are later explained through flashback.
The actors have done full justice to the roles portrayed.
Alia is the inexperienced yet determined spy, maintaining the facade of a dutiful daughter in law. She slowly learns that things come at a price and that all her actions have consequences for which she alone is responsible.
Vicky is the obedient son and dutiful military officer who despite his loyalty to his country is respectful towards the fact that his wife is from India.
Jaideep Ahlawat as the exacting training officer with his deadpan expression who goes to extreme lengths to help Alia out but at the same time doesn't hesitate to choose his country over her.
This isn't a classic tale of enmity between India vs Pakistan. While one definitely roots for the safety of Sehmat, one can't help but feel sorry for those affected by her actions. A war has its causalities and people are sacrificed for the greater good. This is the harsh reality and that is portrayed through this film.
And between all this espionage is Iqbal's love for Sehmat that lasts till the very end when he extends his arms to protect her from the bomb. (I thought it apt to end the review with a cliff-hanger ;) )
I will not get into detailed story telling this time as I might leak out spoilers and I do not want to do that.
Raazi is a spy, thriller film. The story is set in 1971 when both countries, India and Pakistan are on the verge of war and each side is desperately attempting to infiltrate information from across the border. Hidayat Khan (Rajit Kapoor) is a staunch patriot from Srinagar who has befriended Brigadier Syed (Shishir Sharma) from Pakistan by feeding Syed false and useless information, hoping to get valuable information in return. Hidayat however realises that in order to get the information they need, he needs to situate an aide with Syed who can spy on him and this is when his daughter, Sehmat (Alia Bhatt) is introduced, as a naive and innocent college going girl, who feels queasy at the very sight of blood. Hidayat decides to marry off Sehmat to Syed's younger son, Iqbal (Vicky Kaushal). Sehmat undergoes rigorous training under Khalid Mir (Jaideep Ahlawat), an Intelligence Agent to become a spy.
Sehmat is now in Pakistan and "happily" settling into her new household under the watchful gaze of Abdul (Arif Zakaria), the caretaker of the household who has his suspicions on account of her being an Indian.
Sehmat artfully manages to pass on information to her Indian counterparts, with the assistance from a few locals enlisted to help her, each time narrowly missing being discovered. But it's not all smooth sailing and when things take a turn for the worse, Sehmat has to "fix the leaking roof" and "ends up kicking two cats out of the house".
Amidst all of this, there is also romance brewing between Iqbal and Sehmat and what had started as a marriage of convenience between two strangers evolves into a bond of love based on respect for each other.
Will Sehmat finally get caught or does she manage to escape to India? Will there be a 'happily ever after' for Sehmat and Iqbal? Will their love for each other overpower their love for their country?
After an onslaught of James Bond-ish spy movies with larger than life stunt sequences and over the top romance, Raazi is a welcome and refreshing change. The set and the characters are kept simple. There are no back-flipping, bullets-flying action scenes nor are there songs with Alia and Vicky dancing with the locals, breaking into synchronised steps. It is the story telling and the script that is gripping and has one (and in my case, literally) on the edge of the seat. From the very start, the movie is peppered with twists and turns that will leave you with your eyes wide open- some predictable and some misleading. Subtle reactions that may initially appear inconsequential are later explained through flashback.
The actors have done full justice to the roles portrayed.
Alia is the inexperienced yet determined spy, maintaining the facade of a dutiful daughter in law. She slowly learns that things come at a price and that all her actions have consequences for which she alone is responsible.
Vicky is the obedient son and dutiful military officer who despite his loyalty to his country is respectful towards the fact that his wife is from India.
Jaideep Ahlawat as the exacting training officer with his deadpan expression who goes to extreme lengths to help Alia out but at the same time doesn't hesitate to choose his country over her.
This isn't a classic tale of enmity between India vs Pakistan. While one definitely roots for the safety of Sehmat, one can't help but feel sorry for those affected by her actions. A war has its causalities and people are sacrificed for the greater good. This is the harsh reality and that is portrayed through this film.
And between all this espionage is Iqbal's love for Sehmat that lasts till the very end when he extends his arms to protect her from the bomb. (I thought it apt to end the review with a cliff-hanger ;) )
Deadpool 2
(2018)
Deadpool 2 - What's your favourite F word
19 May 2018
When I watched Deadpool way back in 2016 I was disappointed by all the cuts in the scenes and muting of dialogues. Therefore I ended up downloading it and watched the uncensored version on my laptop. I ended up watching the movie everyday as soon as I woke up for an entire week. That's how much I loved Deadpool. You can only imagine how excited I was about Deadpool 2! My friend went ahead and booked the tickets and we were all set for the movie on Friday for the 2:55 show. As expected it was house-full and the crowd as always was very ignorant. I am a pop culture enthusiast. I am an 80's child and I love music and I love my books and I love my actors and I love the characters they play.
James Bond, Flashdance, Logan, Talented Mr. Ripley, X - Men, Green Lantern, Terminator, Top Gun, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Hulk, Avengers Infinity War, John Wick, Yentil, Frozen, Batman Vs. Superman, Interview With The Vampire, Basic Instinct, Robo Cop, Indiana Jones, Annie are some of the most glaring movie references made. Do I even need to begin with the comics? Ah... the scooter, the coffin, the feet, the lazy writing, the ash coloured suit are just a few.
The music? Let's get to that after the review. DP has a lot on his mind, making babies being one of them. Just when Venessa and Wade are ready to make a family, things go wrong. How wrong? Well DP wets himself in a bar. Tries to off himself but that doesn't work. His mangled body is taken to the one place where the mutants are sheltered - the X Mansion. He becomes a trainee only to become a prisoner in the ice box and you just won't believe who else is sharing space in the ice box. Brad Pitt. Nah.
Of course our anti-hero escapes the prison and forms the X Force who FYI all die except for Domino and that's when the story begins to take shape. Unlike the previous movie where Wade is trying to come to terms with his burnt ass body here he is trying to overcome the F word. You'll know which F word when you watch the movie. It is so unlike DP to get preachy but he does and that's when my heart began to sink but then I reminded myself that the movie wasn't over.
DP does some soul searching. He manages to get you to root for him and you know that he's a good guy with a potty mouth and you still love him. Of course there's Russell, Cable and Domino who all play a very important role in the movie. The movie does a good job of racial, body type and gender representation.
What keeps the movie going? It's definitely got some squirm worthy fight scenes. If we saw his hands growing in the last movie we see his legs grow in this one and we witness some really basic stuff and instinctively know what Wade is trying to do.
Is the movie as good as the previous one? I don't think I want to compare the two. As a standalone it does fine but I loved the first installment more. Then the credits started rolling in and I was suddenly enjoying the movie again!
If I had to sum up the movie in one sentence, I'd say it is basically DP meeting a boy going through puberty. As for what happens when you have a raging teenager who doesn't know the difference between good and bad? Watch the movie. You'll be reminded of your teenage days and your choices and most importantly it leaves you with what is rarely told out loud - Kids can change!
Things I enjoyed in the movie? Ah well mostly the way people die. DP comes with such innovative ways! Wonder why these ideas never crossed my mind!
Now coming to the music... Air Supply, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Ah-a's, our very own Udit Narayan and so many, many more are featured in the OST.
Recommend: This is a movie for pop culture maniacs like me. I'd recommend it for everybody who wants to 'off' others vicariously ;)
P.S: Unlike its previous installment, this movie doesn't have nudity just explicit language and references but otherwise is very mellow compared to the first installment. I just don't understand why this wasn't given a U/A certificate. To all kids who missed the movie, my heart goes out to you. This after all was the story about a teenager and the other lead actor is just 15 years old. Ah well... we are all lucky that comics aren't censored... yet.
James Bond, Flashdance, Logan, Talented Mr. Ripley, X - Men, Green Lantern, Terminator, Top Gun, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Hulk, Avengers Infinity War, John Wick, Yentil, Frozen, Batman Vs. Superman, Interview With The Vampire, Basic Instinct, Robo Cop, Indiana Jones, Annie are some of the most glaring movie references made. Do I even need to begin with the comics? Ah... the scooter, the coffin, the feet, the lazy writing, the ash coloured suit are just a few.
The music? Let's get to that after the review. DP has a lot on his mind, making babies being one of them. Just when Venessa and Wade are ready to make a family, things go wrong. How wrong? Well DP wets himself in a bar. Tries to off himself but that doesn't work. His mangled body is taken to the one place where the mutants are sheltered - the X Mansion. He becomes a trainee only to become a prisoner in the ice box and you just won't believe who else is sharing space in the ice box. Brad Pitt. Nah.
Of course our anti-hero escapes the prison and forms the X Force who FYI all die except for Domino and that's when the story begins to take shape. Unlike the previous movie where Wade is trying to come to terms with his burnt ass body here he is trying to overcome the F word. You'll know which F word when you watch the movie. It is so unlike DP to get preachy but he does and that's when my heart began to sink but then I reminded myself that the movie wasn't over.
DP does some soul searching. He manages to get you to root for him and you know that he's a good guy with a potty mouth and you still love him. Of course there's Russell, Cable and Domino who all play a very important role in the movie. The movie does a good job of racial, body type and gender representation.
What keeps the movie going? It's definitely got some squirm worthy fight scenes. If we saw his hands growing in the last movie we see his legs grow in this one and we witness some really basic stuff and instinctively know what Wade is trying to do.
Is the movie as good as the previous one? I don't think I want to compare the two. As a standalone it does fine but I loved the first installment more. Then the credits started rolling in and I was suddenly enjoying the movie again!
If I had to sum up the movie in one sentence, I'd say it is basically DP meeting a boy going through puberty. As for what happens when you have a raging teenager who doesn't know the difference between good and bad? Watch the movie. You'll be reminded of your teenage days and your choices and most importantly it leaves you with what is rarely told out loud - Kids can change!
Things I enjoyed in the movie? Ah well mostly the way people die. DP comes with such innovative ways! Wonder why these ideas never crossed my mind!
Now coming to the music... Air Supply, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Ah-a's, our very own Udit Narayan and so many, many more are featured in the OST.
Recommend: This is a movie for pop culture maniacs like me. I'd recommend it for everybody who wants to 'off' others vicariously ;)
P.S: Unlike its previous installment, this movie doesn't have nudity just explicit language and references but otherwise is very mellow compared to the first installment. I just don't understand why this wasn't given a U/A certificate. To all kids who missed the movie, my heart goes out to you. This after all was the story about a teenager and the other lead actor is just 15 years old. Ah well... we are all lucky that comics aren't censored... yet.
Reply 1988
(2015–2016)
fun, light hearted K-pop Drama
14 May 2018
Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa are back as parents and there are no cameo appearances from the cast of the previous two seasons except of course the obvious presence of Samcheonpo as Jung Hwan's father.
The cast in this series was by far the best! From the parents to the kids everybody was SO good!
This season too like the previous two tells us the story of a group of friends. These friends live in the same neighborhood and are high school students. This series concentrated on the family more than the love story.
Duk Sun, Sun Woo, Jung Hwan, Choi Taek and Dong Ryong. I love these characters the best. What with Duk Sun crushing on her friends and feeling lost when she can't figure out her feelings. The Baduk champion Taek who can only play Baduk but can't function like a normal human without some help from his friends. Dong Ryong is the 'counsellor' on the block. He's also the singer and dancer in the group who is constantly getting into trouble with his father who is also the dean at his school! Jung Hwan the dog is so tsundere that it warms your heart. He unlike his friends finds it hard to express himself but when it comes to his family he is always found sitting and pondering over how to make things right. Sun Woo! Sun Woo is the sanest person in group. He takes it upon himself to help his mother and is always there for his little sister Jin Joo who is the cutest little marshmallow on the show.
The story revolves around these 5 characters and their respective siblings. It's about a time where parents made their kids take a little something from their table to their neighbors. Back when there were no smart phones and gadgets to keep one occupied.
These 5 come up with such fun ways of keeping themselves entertained it is nothing short of nostalgia mixed with a longing for a world when things were much simpler.
The only reason why this doesn't get a perfect score is because the guy I was rooting for deserved to be with Duk Sun!
Reply 1994
(2013)
glimpse of events in South Korean history!
14 May 2018
This story is set 3 years prior to the first series and has a brand new cast except Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa who return as the protagonist's parents. Na Jung lives with her parents in Seoul who run a boarding house that takes in kids from the countryside as boarders. Sseu Re Ki (Trash), Chil Bong, Samcheonpo, Haitai, Gue Re Gue Re Bing Gue Re (Smiley Face) and Yoon Jin are the 6 boarders at the Shinchon Boarding house.
All of these are from the countryside including Na Jung except Chil Bong who was born and raised in Seoul. The initial episodes deal with the kids figuring out Seoul, the subway, the girls, the food menu, the night clubs and all things that they need to do to be a part of the 'in' crowd.
Chil Bong is a baseball player and is Bing Geu Re's cousin. After visiting Bing Gue Re at the Boarding house Chil Bong becomes a permanent visitor because he loves the family like atmosphere that is shared in the house as opposed to the coldness he has grown up with.
Sseu Re Ki is the son of a family friend who has been living with Na Jung's family to pursue his academics in medicine and he is the oldest of the lot.
Yoon Jin is a quiet and reserved girl who knows just one thing - Seo Taiji and Boys. Her love for the man goes to the point where she gets her boyfriend to ransack Seo Taiji's empty house and bring her back his commode!
Haitai and Samcheonpo are roommates, one with absolutely no sense of space and the other with definite need for space. This blooming bro-mance was such a joy to watch.
Bing Gue Re the shy boy who wants to be a singer but is in medical college and can't find his way about the academic life takes a break from school and works several part time jobs. He is a passive aggressive rebel who is trying find his own way.
Last but not the least Na Jung who loves her Basketball oppa and can't see beyond him but suddenly finds herself falling in love and has to go through the turmoil of confession - rejection and letting love find its way to her.
The series is again done so beautifully and talks of several events that effected South Korea - Pagers! Death of Kim Il Sung on 8th July, 1994 and the fear of an impending war, The collapse of Daewoo in 1999 and many such instances that gripped South Korea between 1994 to 2013.
Like the pervious series even this series has KPop playing a very important role in the series. We are introduced to so many good songs because of this show and its background music. I had completely forgotten about Deli Spice after having watched the Classic and thanks to this show they are back on my playlist!
This show teases us about who is married to Na Jung in the present day. All in all for a sequel this wasn't bad at all and more importantly I was glad it wasn't set in school again but was instead set in college giving us a glimpse in the life of a Yonsei student!
Reply 1997
(2012–2013)
Hallyu!
14 May 2018
I like series that are set in the past and tell us how life was back then while also giving us a glimpse of events from those specific years. Reply does exactly that!
The first installment in the series is called 'Reply 1997'. The story revolves around six protagonists - Shi Won, Yoon Jae, Yoo Jung, Joon Hee, Hak Chan and Sung Jae who are in their senior year of high school and are busy figuring out life after school. The main protagonist is Shi Won played by Jung Eun Ji from the popular K-Pop girl group APink. Shi Won has just one love in her life - H.O.T! She will go any lengths to be a core member of their fan club. She'll skip school to stand in line for their album. She'll run away from home just so she can have a glimpse of her idol. Shi Won has absolutely no clue about life after school because she is just too immersed in her love for her favourite boy band from S.M.Entertainment. She may not be the best of students but she can come up with steamy plotlines about her favorite idol's personal life!
What makes this series popular is the fact that it introduces to all its audiences, both international and domestic, to the fact that 'Fan Fictions' have been in existence since the dawn of boy bands. One of the most loved themes of the series is the rivalry between White Angels and Yellow Kies. When Shi Won finds out that her best friend is no longer a White Angel but a fan of Sechs Kies all hell breaks loose. What makes all of this even more funny is the fact that Eun Ji Won who plays Hak Chan is actually a band member of Sechs Kies.
Sechs Kies and H.O.T were the first few bands to have such large members in their fandom. The fight scene between White angels and Yellow Kies is nothing but epic but the ultimate climax is when the victor is announced!
The series played a very important role in bringing to the fore the foundation of the Hallyu (Korean Wave) that has swept over the world in over two decades and is still going strong. Sung Dong Il and Lee Il Hwa who play Shi Won's parents are portrayed as a couple that's always bickering but there is a definite under current of love that we keep getting a glaring glimpse of throughout the series. Who would've thunk that they would be able to take and make their characters so popular amongst everybody who watched it!
Apart from the obvious KPop theme - other aspects of High School life are dealt with very delicately. This first installment has a mystery theme. The story begins in current day 2012 but takes us back to 1997. We learn how the characters met and their relationship with each other is established and we also see how their friendship has progressed from 1997 to 2012 but in the present day of the series Shi Won is pregnant and the audience is left guessing as to who her partner is at the end of each episode.
13 Reasons Why
(2017– )
If you have a teenager at home, watch it with them!
13 May 2018
Hannah Baker - the bullied, the raped, the cyber bullied, the slut shamed, the body shamed and the one blamed for everything that was going wrong with her friends. TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY brought into fore the kind of life high school students live today.
True, the series is based off of a book written by Jay Asher, an American author and is set in the U.S.A but the fact remains that people are the same everywhere. High school kids are the same everywhere. Bullying is a universal theme. Bullying happens at home, at school, at work place and given where "bullying" happens each instance is accordingly assigned a phrase - Abuse, Bullying and Harassment.
Was Hannah Baker a stereotype? Did the show really need to be as graphic as it was? Yes, because this is probably one of the shows that was watched by many kids with their parents and resulted in the start of a conversation. It made teachers realise that they need to up their game. That they need to be present for the kids. That their job as teachers doesn't just end with going into the classroom and belting out knowledge but also requires that they cater to the student's well being. Bullying can be contained if only adults did their job as adults. I guess that's one of the main things we learnt from TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY season 1. This is not a series that should be taken lightly. This is not a series that should be watched lightly. This is not a series that kids should watch by themselves. I would recommend that the parents watch it with their child so that parents get to know exactly how a teenager's life is today. Given the advent of Technology and how far it has taken us and how easy it is to put something on the Internet and destroy someone's life, is something that we have witnessed. Of course we have a lot of people saying that this show wasn't necessary. That there was no mention of Hannah's mental illness that she just took the step out of rage and in doing so romanticized suicide. To all these people I'd like to ask, do you remember Amanda Todd? This is not something that is purely fiction it's in fact reality, the kind of reality we didn't quite see ourselves facing but guess what! We are in the INTERNET era, that's why parents need to sit with the child and watch the show, parents need to learn the reach of internet. We need to learn that kids today are on a different level of stress than when we were as kids. That's where it all begins. Hannah went through a lot - individually, these are incidents that would not push a person over the brink but when all these incidents are looked at 'together' you wouldn't be surprised. As far as complaints about the show not dealing with mental health issues more elaborately - please listen to Hannah's dialogues again. If they don't represent anguish and if her façade fooled you into believing that everything was alright then... ummm... you need to interact more with people. She is objectified, raped, witnesses a rape and is sexually harassed. Would you expect anybody to be emotionally in a good place after all of that? Her friends knew this. She told an adult about this. She was turned away when she sought help. One more argument I keep hearing is that the show portrays women as 'weak'. How? She is not weak because she killed herself. She's strong because she managed to survive until that point. She even did the thing that is expected of her - seek help. Isn't asking for help the poignant sign of "I need to be rescued, I can't fight this alone anymore" ? Now don't say women are weak because they ask for help. Also remember Hannah wasn't an "Adult" she was just a child.
The only thing I agree with though is the portrayal of her suicide in the final episode. It was way too graphic for me. I felt queasy and I don't know how I managed to recover after that. The scene wasn't necessary. Yet, a part of me hoped that if someone who bullies watched that they would take a moment and have an epiphany that they need to stop bullying. That maybe a kid they've been bullying might just take that awful step.
Final point being - watch it. If you have a teenager at home - your child/niece/ nephew/cousin watch it with them. What I learnt is that adults need to do their jobs as adults. Kids need to know the difference between being a snitch and someone who is not a tattle. Everybody has a responsibility. Adults lead by example because kids become their parents.
True, the series is based off of a book written by Jay Asher, an American author and is set in the U.S.A but the fact remains that people are the same everywhere. High school kids are the same everywhere. Bullying is a universal theme. Bullying happens at home, at school, at work place and given where "bullying" happens each instance is accordingly assigned a phrase - Abuse, Bullying and Harassment.
Was Hannah Baker a stereotype? Did the show really need to be as graphic as it was? Yes, because this is probably one of the shows that was watched by many kids with their parents and resulted in the start of a conversation. It made teachers realise that they need to up their game. That they need to be present for the kids. That their job as teachers doesn't just end with going into the classroom and belting out knowledge but also requires that they cater to the student's well being. Bullying can be contained if only adults did their job as adults. I guess that's one of the main things we learnt from TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY season 1. This is not a series that should be taken lightly. This is not a series that should be watched lightly. This is not a series that kids should watch by themselves. I would recommend that the parents watch it with their child so that parents get to know exactly how a teenager's life is today. Given the advent of Technology and how far it has taken us and how easy it is to put something on the Internet and destroy someone's life, is something that we have witnessed. Of course we have a lot of people saying that this show wasn't necessary. That there was no mention of Hannah's mental illness that she just took the step out of rage and in doing so romanticized suicide. To all these people I'd like to ask, do you remember Amanda Todd? This is not something that is purely fiction it's in fact reality, the kind of reality we didn't quite see ourselves facing but guess what! We are in the INTERNET era, that's why parents need to sit with the child and watch the show, parents need to learn the reach of internet. We need to learn that kids today are on a different level of stress than when we were as kids. That's where it all begins. Hannah went through a lot - individually, these are incidents that would not push a person over the brink but when all these incidents are looked at 'together' you wouldn't be surprised. As far as complaints about the show not dealing with mental health issues more elaborately - please listen to Hannah's dialogues again. If they don't represent anguish and if her façade fooled you into believing that everything was alright then... ummm... you need to interact more with people. She is objectified, raped, witnesses a rape and is sexually harassed. Would you expect anybody to be emotionally in a good place after all of that? Her friends knew this. She told an adult about this. She was turned away when she sought help. One more argument I keep hearing is that the show portrays women as 'weak'. How? She is not weak because she killed herself. She's strong because she managed to survive until that point. She even did the thing that is expected of her - seek help. Isn't asking for help the poignant sign of "I need to be rescued, I can't fight this alone anymore" ? Now don't say women are weak because they ask for help. Also remember Hannah wasn't an "Adult" she was just a child.
The only thing I agree with though is the portrayal of her suicide in the final episode. It was way too graphic for me. I felt queasy and I don't know how I managed to recover after that. The scene wasn't necessary. Yet, a part of me hoped that if someone who bullies watched that they would take a moment and have an epiphany that they need to stop bullying. That maybe a kid they've been bullying might just take that awful step.
Final point being - watch it. If you have a teenager at home - your child/niece/ nephew/cousin watch it with them. What I learnt is that adults need to do their jobs as adults. Kids need to know the difference between being a snitch and someone who is not a tattle. Everybody has a responsibility. Adults lead by example because kids become their parents.
The Crown
(2016–2023)
Love History, but aren't into reading? Watch this Show
13 May 2018
My review isn't an account of, how dare she say - "Or they might get silly ideas of getting independence," or fume over Prince Philip's family's association with the Nazi or Winston Churchill's policies and outlook towards the commonwealth. These are all events in history. They did happen. They haven't embellished or sugar coated it and have in several episodes "quoted" every historically accurate verbal discourse of various views on varying topics of the common wealth. As long as one remembers that these are all events from the "Past" and not how the world is today, we can actually praise the makers of the show for the portrayal of the Crown.
Claire Foy has done a stellar job of portraying the young princess who marries Duke of Edinburgh at 21. For us born in the 80's, we've only seen the "grey queen" with no smile on her face. Seeing Claire Foy on screen, I had to remind myself that the Queen was once young and like you and I, had absolutely(well not entirely) no worries. The moment King George VI takes ill and things gradually fall on her shoulders we see her becoming the Queen.
As a Head of the State she has done a LOT of unconventional things. She isn't as narrow minded as I thought and she has spirit and spunk.
As Season 1 of the series came to a close and Season 2 began we see how the media covered her personal life and on the other hand when Churchill is more worried about Prince Philip flying instead of the crisis at hand we see how cunningly Winston Churchill turned the entire event in his favour whilst using the press as his pawn.
The Queen triumphs in Ghana and manages to steer them from Russia and it is reported all over the world, thanks to the press. In the very same episode we see Jackie Kennedy's clothes stained with her husband's blood and we hear the queen gasp and say, "That is deliberate." I don't know if it is just me or if others noticed the gradual progress of how aggressive the journalists become. I believe it is something to look forward to as seasons 3 and 4 will have the Queen dealing with Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana.
I can't wait for the new season!
My rating: 4.2/5 Recommend: If you love history but aren't into reading, watch this series. If you love history and love reading, join me in tsk-ing every time a certain bit is exaggerated.
Claire Foy has done a stellar job of portraying the young princess who marries Duke of Edinburgh at 21. For us born in the 80's, we've only seen the "grey queen" with no smile on her face. Seeing Claire Foy on screen, I had to remind myself that the Queen was once young and like you and I, had absolutely(well not entirely) no worries. The moment King George VI takes ill and things gradually fall on her shoulders we see her becoming the Queen.
As a Head of the State she has done a LOT of unconventional things. She isn't as narrow minded as I thought and she has spirit and spunk.
As Season 1 of the series came to a close and Season 2 began we see how the media covered her personal life and on the other hand when Churchill is more worried about Prince Philip flying instead of the crisis at hand we see how cunningly Winston Churchill turned the entire event in his favour whilst using the press as his pawn.
The Queen triumphs in Ghana and manages to steer them from Russia and it is reported all over the world, thanks to the press. In the very same episode we see Jackie Kennedy's clothes stained with her husband's blood and we hear the queen gasp and say, "That is deliberate." I don't know if it is just me or if others noticed the gradual progress of how aggressive the journalists become. I believe it is something to look forward to as seasons 3 and 4 will have the Queen dealing with Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana.
I can't wait for the new season!
My rating: 4.2/5 Recommend: If you love history but aren't into reading, watch this series. If you love history and love reading, join me in tsk-ing every time a certain bit is exaggerated.
Carol
(2015)
Brilliant performance by Cate and Rooney
27 April 2018
It is easy to understand why Cate and Rooney were nominated for the Oscars while the movie wasn't for Best Picture. The actors have done a wonderful job of portraying their respective characters. Cate as the older, unhappy woman who is always impeccably dressed and appears nonchalant but on a closer look reveals a frightened, confused woman with low self esteem. Carol constantly sets her hair and face, worried she's not looking good enough. Rooney is the wistful, innocent little shop assistant who is clearly infatuated with Carol and her rich lifestyle but at the same time is not needy or parasitic. Carol describes Therese as a strange girl, flung out of space.
The movie was also nominated for cinematography and deservedly so.
The story is set in the 50s when homosexuality was still a taboo and looked down upon. The film is very subtle in its references and there is no garish display of feelings between the characters. The film has also captured the emotions and the feeling of resignation/helplessness that a woman in Carol's shoes would have felt during that period. When Carol is not allowed to meet her daughter, she decides to go on a road trip by simply stating "what else am I going to do?" Carol needs the certificate of a psychotherapist to be deemed a mother capable of bringing up her daughter. (We can let out a sigh of relief that that this was in the 50s, we have made much progress since then OR have we?)
I love observing the background and the objects in films that are set in different eras. I particularly remember the ancient looking door handle of the fridge. The filmmakers have paid great attention to detail.
The film focuses on the most conflicted question we face in our lives - to follow ones heart or mind?
I got a bit bored halfway through because I do not like films that have melancholia lurking in the background. The movie is a bit slow to my liking and this is not my favourite movie of Cate Blanchett.
The movie was also nominated for cinematography and deservedly so.
The story is set in the 50s when homosexuality was still a taboo and looked down upon. The film is very subtle in its references and there is no garish display of feelings between the characters. The film has also captured the emotions and the feeling of resignation/helplessness that a woman in Carol's shoes would have felt during that period. When Carol is not allowed to meet her daughter, she decides to go on a road trip by simply stating "what else am I going to do?" Carol needs the certificate of a psychotherapist to be deemed a mother capable of bringing up her daughter. (We can let out a sigh of relief that that this was in the 50s, we have made much progress since then OR have we?)
I love observing the background and the objects in films that are set in different eras. I particularly remember the ancient looking door handle of the fridge. The filmmakers have paid great attention to detail.
The film focuses on the most conflicted question we face in our lives - to follow ones heart or mind?
I got a bit bored halfway through because I do not like films that have melancholia lurking in the background. The movie is a bit slow to my liking and this is not my favourite movie of Cate Blanchett.
Lipstick Under My Burkha
(2016)
Watch it for Rathna Pathak and Konkana Sen Sharma
20 April 2018
Four common people, with four very common stories. What makes Lipstick under my burkha different? To put it simply, it is just that - a simple story about things people rarely talk about.
Just the way men talk in gym lockers, women talk in beauty parlors. Just the way men like women in skimpy bikinis, women like men in skimpy swimming trunks. Just the way men put aside friendship and feelings to get to the other side, so do girls. The 4th arch is a little difficult to explain because it deals with a topic that even the Supreme Court chooses to let slide - 'marital rape', where the husband has the urge to prove the prowess of his masculinity by getting his wife pregnant every time they have sex (Actually she's just being raped but let's be honest - most Indians think what is being shown on the screen is actually consensual even when the woman says no.).
As the story progresses we start to understand these women a little better. We understand why they just won't walk away. We understand that in spite of being cloistered in their 'family nest' they are very liberal in their actions and thoughts except they aren't very forthcoming in expressing it openly to the people in their families.
How long can ones feelings be suppressed? For how long can one hide underneath the burkha? As the story unravels, everything starts to crumble around the four protagonists - The tower of Pisa has finally fallen. Has it? The four sit together, share a smoke, read the last pages of Rosy's story and believe that there is hope still and share a laugh and the credits begin to roll.
Life will be the same for the 4 of them unless they encounter like-minded people. Nothing in their life will change. Nothing in their life will change, unless the people around them also change and acknowledge that women are humans, have feelings and actually have a mind of their own just like they have a body of their own. They just have to wait out for a day when people accept that a woman's mind and body are her own and that it is up to her to share it with anybody she willingly wants to.
Read our complete review on our blog at https://bobandlulureview.blogspot.in/2018/04/lipstick-under-my-burkha_20.html
Just the way men talk in gym lockers, women talk in beauty parlors. Just the way men like women in skimpy bikinis, women like men in skimpy swimming trunks. Just the way men put aside friendship and feelings to get to the other side, so do girls. The 4th arch is a little difficult to explain because it deals with a topic that even the Supreme Court chooses to let slide - 'marital rape', where the husband has the urge to prove the prowess of his masculinity by getting his wife pregnant every time they have sex (Actually she's just being raped but let's be honest - most Indians think what is being shown on the screen is actually consensual even when the woman says no.).
As the story progresses we start to understand these women a little better. We understand why they just won't walk away. We understand that in spite of being cloistered in their 'family nest' they are very liberal in their actions and thoughts except they aren't very forthcoming in expressing it openly to the people in their families.
How long can ones feelings be suppressed? For how long can one hide underneath the burkha? As the story unravels, everything starts to crumble around the four protagonists - The tower of Pisa has finally fallen. Has it? The four sit together, share a smoke, read the last pages of Rosy's story and believe that there is hope still and share a laugh and the credits begin to roll.
Life will be the same for the 4 of them unless they encounter like-minded people. Nothing in their life will change. Nothing in their life will change, unless the people around them also change and acknowledge that women are humans, have feelings and actually have a mind of their own just like they have a body of their own. They just have to wait out for a day when people accept that a woman's mind and body are her own and that it is up to her to share it with anybody she willingly wants to.
Read our complete review on our blog at https://bobandlulureview.blogspot.in/2018/04/lipstick-under-my-burkha_20.html
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