Jigara (जिगरा)

 "Jigara (जिगरा)"

Watched Hindi movie "Jigara (जिगरा)". 

This movie is directed by Vasan Bala. Written by Debashish Irengbam, Vasan Bala. Produced by Karan Johansson and others. Music by R. D. Birman, Achint Thakkar, Manpreet Singh. Cinematography by Swapnil Sonawane. This movie features Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Aditya Nanda, Rahul Ravindran, Akanksha Ranjan, Vivek Gomber, Jason Shah, Manoj Pahwa, Harssh A. Singh. This movie was released in 2023 and runs for about 2 hour 23 min. I watched the movie on 15th Dec 2023 with Aditi on Netflix.

Satyabhama (Satya - Alia) has raised her brother single-handedly after their father committed suicide. She works for a rich family who almost treat her as one of their family, almost. Their son (the heir) and Alia's brother are best friends. Once the two boys go on business trip to Hanshi Dao. The heir is found in possession of drugs in that country where drug possession carries only death penalty, no excuse. The heir blames it on the brother and brother is sentenced to death. Now Alia decides to go to Hanshi Dao to save her brother.

The story is weak. The scheme to rescue him is hairbrained. Where is the heir stupid enough to possess drugs in country with such strict rules? Why does the rich guy give 2 crore and chartered jet to Alia? How come she meets two Indians who have someone in jail? Why is an entire island powered by a diesel generator? Why the security systems don't have a battery or UPS backup? Why does the jail in-charge doesn't understand or doesn't care for international borders? Too many questions and no good answer. The director basically thinks that audience can be taken forehand. No surprise that the movie flopped.

Story and direction are super weak points. The only thing that helps the movie is the acting of Vedang, Vivek, Rahul and Manoj. However the characterization is weak. Alia's acting doesn't meet her own standards. Why would she do such a movie.

Positives: Acting.

Negatives: Nowhere close to realistic. 

It's a waste of time. Give it a miss.

Sikander ka Mukaddar (सिकंदर का मुकद्दर)

"Sikander ka Mukaddar (सिकंदर का मुकद्दर)".

Watched Hindi movie "Sikander ka Mukaddar (सिकंदर का मुकद्दर)". 

This movie has story and direction by Neeraj Pandey. Screenplay by Neeraj Pandey, Vipul K Rawal. Produced by Shital Bhatiya. It stars Jimmy Shergil, Tamannah Bhatiya, Avinash Tiwari, Divya Dutta, Anil Pandey, Ashutosh Kushwah, Rajeev Mehta, Ashrut Jain, Amrita Kumari, Anupam K. Sinha. Cinematography by Arvind Singh. Music by Payal Dev. Film runs for 2 hour and 23 minutes and was released in 2024. I watched with Aditi on Netflix on 2nd December 2024.

An exhibition of diamonds. A tip-off about the heist from anonymous source. Four assailants gunned down by police. When the scene is cleared and everyone comes back, 5 red solitaires worth 50 crore are found stolen. Police sub inspector, Jimmy, suspects Rajeev- a man who has served the jeweler for 32 years, Tamannah - an employee of the jeweler and Avinash (Sikander Sharma) - a computer technician.

Who stole the diamonds? How were they stolen? Where are they? Is Jimmy's instinct right?

The story jumps 15 years after the theft and then plays back in flashes. Inspector Jimmy finally loses his job, loses his marriage and accepts that he made an mistake by suspecting Avinash, whereas Avinash was innocent. Imagine what would be the reaction of Avinash to feel vindicated, finally after 15 years.

Tamanna is in a very unglamorous role. She does OK, acting wise, but the age is showing now. Avinash acts well. I had never heard of him earlier, but he is nominated for and won several awards in last two years. Jimmy does well as a single minded police officer with an impeccable instinct.

Direction of Neeraj is very good. Although he chooses to narrate the story in pieces, it still comes out as a whole fabric. His attention to detail is very good. Especially the nested scenes (where several scenes happen in same place seamlessly) are awesome and so is the camera work in those scenes.

The story has several twists and turns. So even the end of movie has to be with a twist. Movie ends at a juncture where a sequel becomes imminent.

Positives: Direction.

Negatives: Umm…

Recommend watching!

Ulajh (उलझ)

 "Ulajh (उलझ)"

Watched Hindi movie "Ulajh (उलझ)". 

This film is directed by Sudhanshu Saria. Written by Parveez Shaikh, Sudhanshu Saria. Produced by Vineet Jain. The film stars Janhavi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Rajesh Tailang, Rajendra Gupta, Adil Hussain, Jitendra Joshi, Alyy Khan. Cinematography by Shreya Dev Dube. Music by Shashwat Sachdev. The film runs for about 2 hour 14 minutes and was released in 2024. I watched it on Netflix on 1st Oct 2024 with Aditi. 

Pakistani Prime Minister has resolved to cool the tensions and promised to hand over a terrorist hiding in Pakistan. India has invited him a Independence Day guest. Despite being a relatively Junior IFS officer, Jahnavi is appointed as Deputy High Commissioner of London mission. Everyone puts this down to nepotism as she comes from illustrious family of civil servants. She goes to London and falls for a chef. However, he isn't a chef and Janhavi is honey trapped.

Well if you look at the plot, it's interesting. It has a lot of potential. There is politics, there is espionage, there is thrill and there is romance. However director's handling of the story leaves a lot on the table. There are several discrepancies and incongruities. Following are just a few:

Movie starts with her boyfriend accusing her prioritization of work as reason for failure of their relationship and then after going to London she does exactly opposite.

IFS officers are made aware of honey trap during their training. Why would she not doubt it? Why not do background check?

She comports as a college kid rather than IFS officer.

Why would embassy driver be able to trace anyone’s identity based on finger prints when he has joined the embassy 6 months ago?

Why would Minister of India talk directly to minister of Pakistan on open line?

Why run towards the sniper who is far away rather than securing the target who is close by.

Kanha I is neither good nor bad. Despite having a solid supporting cast, the handling doesn't capitalize it. Gulshan is good initially but then once it's revealed that he is the enemy, suddenly he tries to act smart rather than being professional about the job. Roshan Matthew is the lone shining star. He acts well and appears genuine. He is also very smart.

Movie ends with a clear hint of a sequel. More to come, apparently.

Positives: Roshan.

Negatives: Too many.

Give it a miss.

Fir aayi haseen dillruba (फिर आई हसीन दिलरुबा)

 "Fir aayi haseen dillruba (फिर आई हसीन दिलरुबा)"

Watched Hindi movie 'Fir aayi haseen dillruba (फिर आई हसीन दिलरुबा)'. 

This film is directed by Jayprad Desai. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and others. Written by Kanika Dhillon. Music by Sachet-Parampara, Anurag Saikia. Cinematography by Vishal Sinha. The film stars Tapasee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Sunny Kaushal, Aditya Shrivastav, Jimmy Shergil. The film runs for almost 2 hours 13 minutes and was released in 2024. I watched it on Netflix on 16th Jul 2024 with Aditi.

Tapsee and Vikrant are living anonymously hiding from police, living in Agra. Inspector Aditya tracks Tapasee down. Now the case is led by Jimmy who is the uncle of Vikrant's cousin (Neel) who was killed in first part.

Sunny, a new character enters. He is a compounder and secretly loves Tapasee. To escape Jimmy, Tapasee marries Sunny and situation complicated further. It's again Police Vs Vikrant and Tapasee with the help of novels of Panditji.

Vikrant has limited scope in this film. Sunny does very well for a new comer. Tapas we is good as always but has lost too much weight. Aaditya has prominent role in last movie, however, here he plays a minor role and Jimmy takes his place. Btw Jimmy is the only police officer who doesn't wear uniform. All his subordinates, colleagues and boys wear uniform.

Several things in this movie are unrealistic. Not consummating marriage, Vikrant finding Tapasee, the crocodile trap etc. It appears as if drunk on the success of first movie, the director takes audience for granted.

Positives: Tapasee, Sunny.

Negatives: Unrealistic things.

Not a must watch.

Saapla (सापळा)

 "Saapla (सापळा)"

Watched Marathi movie "Saapla (सापळा)". 

This film is directed by Nikhil Lanjekar. Written by Srinivas Bhanage. Produced by Digpal Lanjekar, Nikhil Lanjekar, Chinmay Mandlekar and others. Music by Devdutt Manisha Baji. Cinematography Priyanka Mayekar. The film features Nakshatra Medhekar, Chinmay Mandlekar, Sameer Dharmadhikari, Neha Joshi, Dipti Ketkar, Sunil Jadhav, Sri Hulawale, Shubham Gaikwad. The film runs for about 2 hour 5 minutes and was released in 2024. I watched it on Amazon Prime on 4th Aug 2024. 

Sameer is writer in film industry. His recent films are flop. His wife is a heart patient. They live in a lavish remote bungalow. Sameer is behaving weird. The new house help (Neha) also acts weird. Sameer appears to be trying to appropriate a script that has great potential written by a budding writer.

Murder! Whodunit?

Setting of the movie is a remote bungalow ensconced within trees and there is constant rain.

Director tries to make each character mysterious and weird. Sometimes he goes overboard. Who is doing what and why is not very difficult to understand. It should be by design. For a large part of the film you don't understand where the film is headed. Rain plays perfect backdrop for the mystery.

The situation changes from one moment to another. There are twists. There are surprises. What's conspicuously absent are the jump scares. A thriller should be fast paced. Here at times the film slows down.

This movie has six actors. 4 main and two supporting. All of them are good, though supporting actors are found a little short.

All in all, a good one time watch. There aren't many suspense movies in Marathi.

Positives: Chinmay and Sameer.

Negatives: Uneven pace.

Watch if you like the genre.

A family affair

 "A family affair".

Watched English movie "A family affair". 

This movie is directed by Richard LaGravenese. Written by Carry Solomon. Produced by Joe Roth and Jeff Kerschenbaum. Cinematography by Don Burgess. Music by Siddhartha Khosla. It features Zac Effron, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Kathy Bates, Liza Koshy. Film runs for about 1 hour and 54 minutes and was released in 2024. I watched it on Netflix with Aditi on 5th July 2024.

Zac is a movie superstar. His superhero flicks are hit. Joey works as his assistant slogging and running around to satisfy all his whims, enduring in the hope of becoming assistant producer and then producer. Nicole is her mother, a successful author and a widow. One day fed up with Zac, Joey quits her job. Zac realizes that he can’t do without Joey and comes to her house to apologize and ask her to come back. Here he meets Nicole and sparks fly.

Zac is full of himself. His world centers around himself. He is afraid of relationships, has no friends and is really alone despite being famous. He behaves like a kid in man’s body. Nicole hasn’t married or had no relationship since her husband died more than ten years ago. She is a successful author but in a way she is lonely despite having a daughter and loving mother-in-law. Joey tolerates all the whims and tantrums of Zac hoping to make assistant director and then director. She knows how shallow Zac is. She is livid about Zac and Nicole’s affair because she knows this won’t end well. For her it’s difficult to be the daughter of a successful mother but loves her mother and is protective about her.

A nice tangle, isn’t it? It’s not a fast paced movie but still you are involved. The emotions run high. Every character is well thought. There are no unnecessary scenes. Although it’s a feel good movie, audience goes through the ups and downs of the relationship. Zac’s character needed a little more elaboration to make his transition smooth.

Zac portrays the lonely man in crowd. His insecurity manifests in his childish behavior, tantrums and whims. Nicole plays a good mother who is distanced from love for too long. She loves her daughter but likes Zac too. However, Nicole’s looks are nowhere near to what she used to be. Joey plays the protective daughter, aspiring producer and a good girl. Kathy plays the pragmatic mother-in-law who considers Nicole more as her daughter than daughter-in-law.

It’s a good movie. Enjoyable. Likable.

Positives: Overall movie. 

Negatives: Limited elaboration of Zac’s character. 

Recommend watching. 

Laapata ladies

 "Laapata ladies".

Watched Hindi movie "Laapata ladies". 

This film is directed by Kiran Rao. Produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, Jyoti Deshpande. Written by Biplab Goswami. Music by Ram Sampath. Cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha. The film stars Pratibha Ratna, Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastav, Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, Durgesh Kumar, Samarth Manohar, Pranjal Pateriya. The film runs for 2 hours 4 minutes and was released in 2023. I watched it on Netflix on 29th Apr 2024 with Aditi.

Deepak marries Phool. The couple is traveling back to his village by road, boat and train, when by the quirk of fate, Deepak brings another dulhan in Ghoongat (Pushpa) unknowingly to home. Here the household doesn’t know what to do with Pushpa. There Phool gets down at an unknown station in the middle of night. She doesn’t even know what the name of her husbands village is. Then there is an inspector who is trying to make money through the missing brides cases.

Sparsh plays the groom. He portrays an honest and simple groom. Nitanshi plays his wife and the first missing bride. She portrays an innocent and little too simple girl who doesn’t even know the name of her husband’s village. Pratibha plays the other missing bride who lands in Sparsh’s house by mistake. She portrays good natured but mysterious bride. Ravi Kishan plays the corrupt police officer. His bearing is impeccable and he plays the role effortlessly.

The story is very simple. The brides are thrown in alien environment and are helpless but don’t encounter any nasty elements. Kiran Rao handles the movie deftly. She brings the best out of little known actors and cooks a delicious dish. It’s a treat.

It’s a movie set in rural setting. A story that has the flavor of earth. Then why give an anglicized name like that? It’s completely out of sync with the movie.

It’s basically a feel good movie.

Positives: Direction. Acting. 

Negatives: A little too simplistic. Name.

Recommend watching.

Cleaner

​"Cleaner"

Watched English movie "Cleaner". 

Directed by Renny Harlin. Written by Mathew Aldrich. Produced by Steve Golin and others. Cinematography Scott Kevan . Music by Richard Gibbs. The film stars Samuel Jackson, Ed Harris, Eva Mendes, Luis Guzmán, Keke Palmer. The film runs for about 1 hour 29 minutes and was released in 2007. I watched it on Netflix on 11th Feb 2024.

Samuel Jackson runs a cleaning agency. But it’s not a normal cleaning service. He cleans up after violent death. One day he gets a job to clean a murder scene, from police. Keys to the house are left below mat. However, after the clean up, he forgets to return the key to its place. Next day he goes to return the key and finds a wife waiting for her husband. She has no idea about yesterday’s order. Something is fishy.

Samuel has retired from police after the murder of his wife and convenient murder of her killer in prison. He keeps avoiding his partner Ed, who is also godfather of his daughter, until this business. Investigation against current police chief is launched and Samuel suspects that the murder scene he cleaned, is somehow connected to it.

Who was killed? Who is the murderer? Why was Samuel asked to clean? Is he in trouble?  Can he solve the mystery?

Samuel plays the cleaner very well. He is a good guy at heart. He is father and mother to Rose. He keeps avoiding Ed under one pretext or another. But he is terrified as he doesn’t know who to trust. Ed plays his partner who considers Samuel family but is frustrated by his avoidance. Rose (Keke) likes Ed and loves Samuel. Eva plays wife of the murdered guy who tries to pry truth out of Samuel. She looks vulnerable but firm.

The movie builds up very well but the end doesn’t keep the graph going up. It’s a bit abrupt and not dramatic enough.

Positives: Acting

Negatives: The end.

A one time watch! 

Sam Bahadur

​"Sam Bahadur".

Watched Hindi movie "Sam Bahadur". 

This movie is directed by Meghana Gulzar. Written by Shantanu Srivastava and Meghana Gulzar. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala . It stars Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Neeraj Kabi, Anjan Shrivastav, Govind Namdeo. Cinematography by Jay I. Patel. Music by  Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. Film runs for 2 hour and 28 minutes and was released in 2023. I watched with Aditi on Zee5 on 9th Feb 2024.

This is the story of Sam Manekshaw, first Field Marshall of India. It takes us from Sam’s childhood to youth to mature years to retirement.

Some called him loud, some called him cantankerous, some called him stickler. Many disliked him but his patriotism and his acumen were always above argument.

Vicky Kaushal plays Sam superbly. His bearing is perfect. He has crawled into Sam’s skin seamlessly. You don’t see Vicky, you see Sam. Some even argue that he was the rightful owner of Filmfare award this year. Sanya Malhotra plays Sam’s wife Siloo. She portrays the love, dread, jealousy and support of a wife to capable and successful husband very well. Fatima Sana Shaikh plays Indira Gandhi but fails to project her aura. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub plays young Yahya Khan and the character comes out as an honest man.

It’s a good movie and gives you insights about Sam, the person and the persona as well as the political situation in India at that time.

Positives: Vicky, Direction.

Negatives: Umm…

A must watch!

Murder on the Orient Express

​"Murder on the Orient Express".

Watched English movie "Murder on the Orient Express". 

This movie is directed by Kenneth Branagh. Produced by Kenneth Branagh and others. Screenplay by Michael Green. Cinematography by Harris Zambarloukos. Music by Patrick Doyle . It features Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Josh Gad, Tom Bateman, William Dafoe, Leslie Odom Jr, Derek Jacobi, Sergei Polunin. Film runs for about 1 hour and 52 minutes and was released in 2017. I watched it on 27th Jan 2024 on Netflix. 

Orient express. Multiple passengers in first class. So is Hercule Poiroit. Murder. Whodunit?

Many people have a chance. But who took it? Poiroit is methodical, intelligent, has power of deduction and is proud to be called best detective in the world. But he too is baffled until he finally solves it.

It’s hard to capture the details of a novel in a movie of less than 2 hours. But director does a decent job. He also plays the lead character. It’s the snow that finally helps solve the murder.

Acting is ok. Johnny Depp impressed with his cameo. Other big names play supporting roles to make the movie interesting and keep the excitement.

This movie is based on one of the best novels of Agatha Christie by same name.

Positives:  Story.

Negatives:  Doesn’t have all details. 

Recommend watching if you are Agatha fan.

B&B Merry

​"B&B Merry"

Watched English movie "B&B Merry". 

This film is directed by Paula Elle. Written by Hayley Carr, Guy Yosub. Produced by Costa Vassos and others. The film stars Jesse Hutch, Jen Lilley, Marnie Mahannah, Peter Louis Chouinard, Kate Twa, Nick Preston, Shelly Williams. Cinematography by Jason Habicht. Music by Michael Neilson. The film runs for about 1 hour 22 minutes and was released in 2022. I watched it on Amazon Prime on 16th Dec 2023 with Aditi. 

Jen is very famous and successful travel blogger. Jesse runs a B&B with his mom and it’s not doing well. To boost sales, he invites Jen and her boyfriend for a stay. Jen also gets a possible job opportunity with a very famous magazine. As a test piece she is asked to review a hotel from a short list. She selects the one that’s in the town of B&B. Upon reaching there, her boyfriend ditches her and breaks off over phone.

Now Jen, B&B, Jesse and the town occupy the movie. Things happen on a very expected line till the very end. No surprises. No twists and turns. No drama. Audience knows how the movie will end in about 10-15 minutes after start. Due to this predictability and lack of excitement, it becomes a very plain offering. Jesse is handsome and acts well. Jen is also good looking and acts well. 

Positives: Simple.

Negatives: Too simple.

OK as one time watch, not wow.

Leave the world behind

​"Leave the world behind"

Watched English movie "Leave the world behind". 

This movie is directed by Sam Esmail. Produced by Julia Roberts and others. Screenplay by Sam Esmail. Music by Mac Quayle. Cinematography by Tod Campbell. This movie features Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon, Myha’la Harold, Farrah McKenzie, Charlie Evans. This movie was released in 2023 and runs for about 2 hour 22 min. I watched the movie on Netflix on 15th Dec 2023.

On the spur of the moment Julia books a home for a short vacation with her husband and two kids on Long Island. At the vacation all sort of strange things start happening. An oil tanker grounds on the beach, owner of the house they are staying makes an appearance in the middle of the night, there is a nationwide blackout, animals start to appear in the backyard, flamingoes are in swimming pool.

It’s an apocalyptic movie. But it’s a strange apocalyptic movie because there is hardly any action. Everything is implied or indirectly narrated. 

Mahershala Ali is impressive as the owner of the house. His presence keeps the movie afloat.

A lot of things happen for no reason. For most of the movie the audience is lost. Icing on the cake is the end. The movie ends suddenly and audience keeps wondering what they watched? The movie appears absurd. Or May be I didn’t understand the movie!

Positives: Ali. 

Negatives: Pace, absurdity, end.

AVOID.