MAINSTREAM BOLLYWOOD
- Tiger Zinda Hai - 3.0 Stars. NETFLIX. YouTube. (PG)
- और मरेगा भी नहीं!
This is sequel to super hit movie 'Ek Tha Tiger'. I did not watch it but it was supposed to be great. This is typical big budget thriller. Salman plays the comfortable role of being a super hero, with Bond, Rambo and Jason Bourne all in one. All aspects of a thriller are covered - international crisis, one man saves all, edge of the seat thriller, twists. Obviously in these movies plans go awry and never work out the way they are supposed to. You know the drill. It is all done very well.
Salman's natural reaction is to underplay everything (since Maine Pyar Kiya days) and he broods and underplays the super-agent character. Katrina looks 'different' probably she wanted the rugged look. She definitely acts better than her early days. (Hindi Movies - Only profession which gives you decades to learn the basics).
There are cringe worthy scenes, especially when Pakistan - India bhai chara is shown in typical right wing style. Agents talking how we could have won all world cups... huh. Please! can you find something else to talk? Indian - Pakistani couple, making agents join hands to fight common enemy. Too much of the typical-ism when it comes to 2 country problem. You know how right wing will hate everyone but when discussion erupts they say how we all were the same and how cute it would be to be together.... give me a break.
Otherwise the movie was ok, good watch. But nothing stands out, there is nothing that you go - wow that was new.
- Judwaa 2 - 0 Stars. NETFLIX. (G)
- वही चला देते... फिर से क्यों बनायीं?
Look up the old Judwaa and watch it again. Thank you. What is the point of making a remake? If you are going to make every scene identical to last one? Nothing changes in the movie including atrocious acting of the 90s. Remember the faces that Karishma and Raveena used to make in govinda movies? and it was supposed to be comic acting? The same faces are made by a great actor like Taapsee Pannu!!! can you believe that?? yuk. Taapsee we need a public apology from you. Even the jokes remain insensitive and stupid like the original. If someone has a speech impairment that is something to laugh at.
- Tubelight - 2.5 Stars. (G.)
- सलमान पूरी पिक्चर में रोयेगा... देखना है ?
Trailer
Director - Kabir Khan
Actors: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan.
This was actually a movie where Salman did some risk taking. The movie was in salman territory but still it was as far as he can go. He cries the entire movie (which is an achievement for him). He plays a character that is author backed - made to be felt bad for... character. The movie is based in 1960s India - China war and is about 2 brothers, one who goes to war and other who stays back (Salman) because he is 'slow' mentally. He longs for his brother, will he come back? will he not? The movie had a dated feel to it, the direction was dated too. It is a bad idea to make real life brothers into reel life brothers, they over play their love and it is not 'comfortable' to see.
- Ittefaq - 3.5 Stars. NETFLIX. YouTube. (PG.)
- गलती से मिस्टेक.... या सोची समझी साज़िश.
Director: Abhay Chopra
Actors: Akshaye Khanna, Sidarth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha
Remake of 1970s suspense thriller. Not a bad idea, but because very few people have seen the original why would people get excited about a remake? Anyway .... the good part was the movie had a 2000s feel and not just copied like in case of 'Judwaa'. Also I am sure the twists and turns are different. It is not a bad movie and it doesn't go on a break neck pace either. It is nice movie to sit home and watch in leisure. A man is running away from a crime scene and ends up in a apartment asking for help, it all ends up in a 'dead body' in the apartment. Who done it? The girl in the apartment? the boy who came to apartment asking for help? Sonakshi looks uncomfortable in the role,
Siddarth Malhotra after a string of good performances comes up with an ok performance. It is refreshing to see Akshaye Khanna is the role of the cop who solves the mystery. Movie has the same problem that almost all hindi movies have - Editing. They could have done away with 10-15 minutes.
- Toilet Ek Prem Katha - 4.0 Stars. (G.)
- टॉयलेट और मोहब्बत की जुंग में जीत हमेशा टॉयलेट की होती है.
Trailer
Director: Shree Narayan Singh.
Actors: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar.
It is difficult to make a mainstream entertainer which has a very strong social awareness content. This movie achieves that perfect balance. It boldly breaks a lot of stereotypes especially around love and sacrifice which are put on high pedestal in Indian culture. It shatters the myth that love is above basic needs and toilet. It is not. If you love a person, you have not signed up to love that person for rest of the life irrespective of your own self respect and comfort and freedom. This is way progressive movie than I imagined when I started watching it. I am used to pseudo-progressive Indian movies, but this one surprises you. Good one. It is a love story between a girl who has toilet facility in her city and a boy who's city doesn't believe in toilets as a basic necessity. Love is not everything toilet is.
- Phir Se - 1.0 Star. (PG.)
- कुणाल कोहली की मिड लाइफ क्राइसिस.
The movie is straight out of the Yash Raj movies romance with Kunal Kohli playing the lead. I don't know why he decided to play the lead in his own directorial venture (saving money?)but it was a bad decision. The movie is a typical love modern out of India love story. All boxes are checked, confused lovers, divorce, mid-life lover, younger girl older boy, gay parents of a straight boy, Europe, etc. Everything a so called NRI, city kids need to call a 'cute love story'. Though nothing Jels, the girl (Jennifer Winget - big TV star) is cute... but the movie is not.
- Padmavat - 4.0 Stars. (PG.)
- सचाई कम सुपर हीरो मूवी ज्यादा.
Trailer
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Actors: Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari.
The times we live in, the entire world is competing to prove how backward and how regressive and stupid they can be. Middle east is embroiled in religious war which may put 10th century to shame. In US we want to believe we live in wild wild west and need guns to sell like onions to make safest society in the world feel - safe. Same with all right wing governments around the world trying to bring back glory days of intolerance. How can India be left behind? So our Rajput friends took to the task of proving we can run back as fast as anyone! Rape capital of world - India discussed if showing midriff is Indian or not and went crazy discussing if the director's only aim in life is to throw shade at Hindu / Rajput pride. When we proved that we are bunch of jokers who can be riled up with pretty much anything - the movie got released by dropping "I" and covering midriff of the female lead.
The movie itself got a huge response and this time I felt Bhansali was saved by the controversy, the movie was not as strong as 'Bajirao Mastaani' but then you can't make an epic every time. The movie is good with all the Bhansali grandiose and colors and dialogues well done. The performances as usual were good too, especially Shahid Kapoor who immerses himself as the righteous flawless King Ratan Singh.
The problem is the story and characterization, if there was any doubt about the authenticity of the movie, Rajputs can rest assured it is not history it is more like a super hero movie. Sorry I am sure now Hindu pride would want to take it all back and say - yes this is all true but caricatures that Bhansali throws at us are ridiculous. King Ratan Singh has no negative, he is over the top great, he does not even have a moment of confusion ever! Rani Padmavati.... she is perfect as perfect can be. Though it is great testament to the acting skills of Shahid and Deepika, they still make these characters worth watching. One of the best characters is played by the muse of Khilji. You can tell highly impressive Mr Jim Sarbh is enjoying playing that character. He also gets the best song. The biggest surprise comes with Ranveer Singh as the Villain Khilji. The character looks and acts like a Villain from a super hero movie. There is nothing good or regular or normal he does in any frame!! The songs are good and they grow on you. I love the creative 'Binte Dil'. Watch it - in case you are the only who did not yet.
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NEW AGE HINDI MOVIES
- Secret Superstar - 4.0 Stars. (PG13.)
- माँ को बीच में लाओगे तो रोना तो आएगा!
Trailer
Director: Advait Chandan
Actors: Zaira Wasim, Aamir Khan, Meher Vij, Raj Arjun, Tirth.
Aamir Khan production with Aamir in a small role, this itself makes expectations high. When has Aamir put a wrong foot in business of movie making? This one is no different. Story about a Mother Daughter relationship and how they pull themselves away from an abusive Husband / Dad. It is a tear jerker, because scenes between the couple are well done. There are very strong performances in the movie but the cake goes to - Mr Raj Arjun, the guy as typical abusive husband is 'real', you hate to see him. Movies have power to speed up change, just like Toilet-Ek prem katha, this one also hits the right notes on a social issue. Zaira Wasim is an accomplished actor and her character is well developed. She is flawed and a typical teenager, she has her problems, but her bad is also her good. She is angry, she is creative, she is non-accepting. Aamir is funny in couple of scenes but the character becomes stale after a few minutes. Tirth as 'Chintan' 'Insiya's' best friend and boy friend is awesome and a great comic relief! Go watch it.
- Qarib Qarib Single - 4.0 Stars. (G.)
- अलबेला बाबू परेशां मेम।
Director: Tanuja Chandra
Actors: Irfan Khan, Parvathi, Neha Dhupia.
Another great movie with Irrfan. This guy is gold in these movies, he has found a niche and it is working for him. Parvathy the girl is pretty good herself. Another awesome love story between a weird but 'happy go lucky' guy who meets online this widow with lot of pressures in her life. You can tell they are not made for each other, and you can tell it is all ok for them to be together. A cute love story you are looking for? Here it is. I am so happy with Hindi movies right now, I used to look forward to hollywood small romantic movies, because I thought they did it right and hated 'Bollywood' over the top Yash Raj love stories, bow Bollywood is doing it right and I am a happy customer.
- Shaadi mein zaroor Aana - 2.5 stars. (G.)
- थोड़ा ज्यादा हो गया
Trailer
Director: Ratnaa Sinha
Actors: Rajkummar Rao, Kriti Kharbanda.
Tale of 2 movies. First half is a typical 'new age' movie that are here to stay. Middle class small town based movies, the movie goes on a good pace and is building to a crescendo and then the second half comes and takes the movie into 'now we are getting stupid' territory.
- Tumhari Sulu - 5.0 Stars. (G.)
- सुल्लू कमाल की, पति और कमाल का, और उनका रिश्ता माशा अल्ला
Trailer
Director: Suresh Triveni
Actors: Vidya Balan, Neha Dhupia, Manav Kaul.
Beautifully done, What a Movie!! A perfectly imperfect couple, how cute relationship. A perfect husband, a perfect wife and an imperfect life. Vidya Balan is a great actor but what about this hidden gem - the husband Mr Manav Kaul. Hats off to him, what a performance. Then there is ever reliable Neha Dhupia. Sulu's over bearing family is just awesome for lack of a good superlative, perfect nuisance but a nuisance Sulu needs. How about the couple's plans to make life better? Their beautiful fights, when you know you are fighting the person you love the most... yea.. somehow they just show it on the screen. As I was writing this review... the rating went from 4.5 to 5 Stars!
- Shubh Mangal Savdhaan - 3.5 Stars. (R.)
- सॉफ्टनेस पे हार्ड ट्राई
Director: R.S. Prasanna
Actors: Ayushmann Khurana, Bhumi Pednekar.
The new fad is to make these middle class small town Indian comedies, they are refreshing change from main stream bollywood cinema. Now that they are coming in droves, we are getting picky. This is a good movie but definitely over done on the content. Love story around a subject of protogonist's performance anxiety is a difficult one to deal with, but it is easy to joke about. All these movies derail in trying to get to over the top climax, when a simple one would suffice. Love has nothing to do with erectile dysfunction or performance anxiety or sex, love can overcome the sexual barriers. Go watch it.
- Shab - 3.0 Stars. (R.)
- रवीना से प्यार हो गया तो बच्चा क्या करे ?
Trailer
Director: Onir.
Actors: Raveena Tandon, Simon Frenay.
Raveena as judge of new talent and how she misuses them as her own muses. At least teh content is different. One of her muses gets stuck to her and becomes a problem. She is juggling too much and the kid is obsessed with her. What to do? Not a bad movie.
- Mom - 4.5 Stars. (R)
- श्रीदेवी तुस्सी कमाल थी
Trailer
Director: Ravi Udyawar.
Actors: Sridevi, Akshaye Khanna, Nawazuddin.
Sridevi could act and what an actor she was! In this movie she displays the art of being a super star not just an actor but she was a Super Star. This is a modern day 'Aakhri Raasta' or any revenge drama you like of yester years. Story is wafer thin, there is nothing to hold the movie together but who cares there is Sridevi! Her anger, her longing for being loved by her step-daughter all is shown on her face effortlessly. She goes for the kill and revenge. Then she goes in the face of the Villain and says - 'dekh uski maa aa gayi'. Perfect. This is how an old school revenge drama is done, but main ingredient is an old school stalwart who understands how to do it! Sadly this is the last of this great actor we will see.
- Matr - 0 Stars. (R)
- सब श्रीदेवी नाहि होते
Trailer
Director: Ashtar Syed.
Actors: Raveena Tandon, Alisha Khan.
Watch Mom and skip this, same thing with feable direction and actors.
- Love per Square feet - 3.5 Stars. NETFLIX. (G.)
- प्यार का घर... या घर का प्यार?
Trailer
Director: Anand Tiwari
Actors: Vicky Kaushal, Angira Dhar, Alankrita Sahai.
Cute love story between 2 people who are looking for a little independence and love in crowded Mumbai. The 2 opposite families come together and 2 people who have not much in common who fall in love and then they are confused what the heck they are doing. It is a good movie but now we see many like these so the novelty factor goes down.
- Tu Hai Mera Sunday - 4.0 Stars. NETFLIX (G)
- ज़िन्दगी भी एक खेल है.
Director: Milind Dhaimade
Actors: Barun Sobti, Shahana Goswami,
Bunch of grown ups come together to play soccer and have a good time. Mumbai does not have enough space for them to play. All of them coming from various middle class households bring their own flair and problems. Life happens and there is all sorts of relationships play out in various shades. A good time pass movie, Barun Sobti makes a better come back after some disasters in his earlier forays into movies. (He was a big TV star). The stand out character of the friend who is frustrated with his job and has bottled up emotions in general is played by Avinash Tiwari.
- Bhouri - 4.0 Stars. NETFLIX. (R)
- भोली नहीं है भौरी है
Trailer
Director: Jasbir Bhaati.
Actors: Raghuveer Yadav, Masha Pour, Vicky Ahuja
I think it was news few years back and they got inspired to make a movie of it. I resisted watching the movie because the premise looks dark and sad. The movie treats the subject of exploitation of women in villages in a way, that it never dives into sad documentary and never becomes a joke either. It is story of a girl who gets married a third time to a middle aged guy. Because of her being 'fair' and 'beautiful' all evil characters give the couple enough bad time for them to crack. Once they crack .... what does Bhouri do? watch it.
ARTSY
- Haseena Parker - 1.5 Stars. (PG13)
- श्रद्धा को अवार्ड दे दो
Trailer
Director: Apoorva Lakhia
Actors: Shradha Kapoor, Sidhanth Kapoor.
I don't like movies based on so called real life character, especially the under world. We have put them on a pedestal in 80s and 90s... we can stop. Anyway, this is supposedly story of Dawood's sister who is left to fend for herself after Dawood leaves India to become big time underworld Don. She has a family and her own desires but Brother's shadow looms large. The entire narrative of court room drama does not jel, it creates fake over the top drama and yelling. It could have been a straight forward movie which may have created more simple emotions to make it work better. Stand out performance by Shradha Kapoor is the only selling point for this movie. She converts herself into Haseena Parker and has put all she got into it.
