1. BULBBUL
What I remember - Nice slap on patriarchy, beautiful colors and shades of red. Bulbull the witch and the goddess all in one. Beautiful direction enthralling thriller with a punch.
FROM THE FILES -
BULBBUL - 5 STARS. R. (DRAMA/ THRILLER / SUSPENSE)
Director: Anvita Dutt
Writer: Anvita Dutt
Stars: Tripti Dimri, Rahul Bose, Avinash Tiwary
A movie like this comes once in a 'Red' moon. When red night shows up the Kaali is alive and kickin. This is not just a thriller, or a murder mystery or a horror movie. It is not just a statement against patriarchy, it is actually a statement against the unjust system called society.
There are characters (The husband) that the system works for, he still can't find happiness, people with mental imbalance are powerful that they can't get help because system is designed to make them powerful even though they are in need of help (brother of husband) and obviously they are one and the same physically and in a twisted way ... mentally. There are vast majority the system does not work for but most of them accept it as the system they are born with, so what do they do? they work with it, manipulate it to have small meaningless wins (older / younger bahu). There are innocent people with good intentions who can't see anything bad in the system because it is working for them (The people who say - All lives matter not just Black!) unaware of their surroundings (like younger brother). The system is complete and it goes on and on, unless a witch shows up, or you can call it Durga or Kaali but ohh she is a bad ass. What if she says I don't like it and I don't give an F. Can you deal with her?
2. THAPPAD
What I remember - Another thappad at old school cinema. A coming of age on hindi movies from abusive relationship movies to this one. This is not against abuse or alcoholism but mostly about respect and dignity for every person around us. A simple act and small things in our lives we all can make effort to change and get better.
FROM THE FILES -
THAPPAD: 4.5 STARS. (DRAMA)
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Stars: Taapsee Pannu, Pavail Gulati, Ratna Pathak Shah
aah.. Mr Anubhav Sinha, Sir you are getting in the top echelons of my short list of directors. Yes, you don't know but that is a big accomplishment. This blog is followed by Millions.... umm... thousands.... umm... fffine.... hundreds... OOKK... scores of people. So take a bow you have made it. Mulk, Article 15 and now Thappad. That is a troika that can make anyone proud.
The simplicity is the hallmark of this movie. It is daily life, lines we say daily in our household, lives we 'the good sensitive people' live. AND so much is wrong with that life. Every line is so obviously regular and still so well thought out and so hard hitting at the same time. You would think abusive relationship is bad, physically abusive really bad, but otherwise we are programmed to just keep going.... for what? If we think and work on it we can become better humans, every day we need to work on becoming better person. We are here and living might as well try till we die. We actually try our hardest at work, in public, and in every sphere then why not at home. Very well done. Watch it.
3. COMEDY COUPLE
What I remember - A fresh love story, a different kind of lead couple as they do there couple things of fighting, loving and everything else in a very comic and no so comic way.
FROM THE FILES -
COMEDY COUPLE - 4.5 Stars. (PG13)
Director: Nachiket Samant
Stars: Saqib Saleem, Shweta Basu Prasad, Pooja Bedi
Saqib and Shweta are not just a comedy couple they take us through a great journey of ups and downs, fun and stress, and lots of comedy. What a nice sweet movie, perfect to sit late at night and relax, sit back and enjoy a complete movie. The parents, friends, situations all make you smile and the lies, and confusion of relationship makes you stressed but not a lot.
Movie is about a couple who do stand up comedy as a couple are in a live in relationship. Do they get together, stay as it is, separate and breakup? How much lying is good? How Cow urine is good for you? How dirty can a friend live and survive? All questions get answered. Watch it!
4. UNPAUSED
What I remember - Well written and beautifully acted all stories are work of art, as they progress the better they get. Even though I thought I don't want to relive the lockdown and 2020, these stories focussed more on story and less on covid.
FROM THE FILES -
UNPAUSED - 4.5 Stars. (R)
Directors - Nikkhil Advani, Avinash Arun, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Krishna D.K, Nitya Mehra, Raj Nidimoru
Actors - Various.
At the end of the year watch one more time how 2020 was different than rest of the years. 5 beautiful stories about 2020 corona times. First one is about a germ freak who is scared and living in isolation in 2030 because the virus still there! Second is about an executive who wants to commit suicide, third is about daily wage laborer who has lost his job but has found a place to live, 4th a beautiful story of 2 ladies one in her 20s and the other in her 60s who find something common and come closer to share their lives during lockdown, and last and the most beautiful is the poetry weaved by Ratna Pathak and Shardul Bharadwaj. A story of a senior citizen living alone and a rickshaw driver who is missing his family during lockdown. The distrust turns into trust and then more, oh what a beautifully presented story, if you eyes are not moist after this go get your heart checked maybe you lost it somewhere. Great directors and writers and actors come together to give us these 5 stories in unpaused - A must watch.
5. LOOTCASE
What I remember - Out and out comedy. Slapstick, nonsensical with a good plot and situational humor. Each and every character well developed to deliver the laugh.
FROM THE FILES -
LOOTCASE- 4.5 STARS. (G)
Director: Rajesh Krishnan
Writers: Rajesh Krishnan, Kapil Sawant
Stars: Kunal Khemu, Rasika Dugal, Gajraj Rao
Finally a comedy that actually is just comedy, pure and simple comedy. Every character is hilarious and has a 'thing' about them. Every character is just outright funny within themselves. Probably Kunal Khemu is the least funny character and the movie is all about him. The cast is also awesome and every one has been used the best way possible. Great direction and acting.
Movie is about how a common man finds a bag filled with money and obviously gets embroiled in a lot of mess. As I think of it, Kunal Khemu's wife and kid have there lines that are hilarious. Enter the gangster obsessed with National Geographic is hilarious, the cop is awesome. The politician has his own little quirks. Just out and out funny comedy. A must watch.
6. MEE RAQSAM
What I remember - A movie is pretty good if it moves you to tears. Beautiful story of Dad and Daughter, all they want to do is Dance. who will have a problem with that? Apparently the entire world!
MEE RAQSAM - 4.5 STARS. (G)
Mee Raqsam - Trailer
Director: Baba Azmi
Writers: Husain Mir, Safdar Mir
Stars: Juhaina Ahsan, Shivangi Gautam, Danish Husain
What a beautiful Slap on Religion, Culture, and Tribalism. A beautiful poetry simply told and still packs a punch. Baba Azmi we want more from you what a great movie, it is bold with an explosive end and still never leaving it's basic trait of being unassuming.
Story is about a Muslim girl who loves "hindu" dance of Bharatnatyam, needless to say that is enough for the entire humanity to revolt. I have seen a lot of Dad Daughter relationships in movies, but this one is probably up there at the top. What a Dad she got, I want to be that to my kids. He is rock steady and just obstinate about getting what her Daughter wants. It is just a dance! but it is not just a dance for the world. Society has a big ego and naturally it gets hurt because it is so big you can't carry it around without getting mad. But within our society we have people who don't carry extra baggage they are happy to help whoever is in front of them. A must watch.
7. CHINTU KA BIRTHDAY
What I remember - The creativity of the situation was mind blowing! Based in Iraq when US has attacked, and the movie is not even about Iraq war or US or politics. It is about Chintu's Bday and how we all need a Birthday party, we could be a soldier or a 10 year old or a Dad.
CHINTU KA BIRTHDAY - 4.5 STARS. (PG)
Chintu Ka Birthday Trailer
Directors: Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh (co-director)
Writers: Devanshu Singh, Satyanshu Singh
Stars: Vinay Pathak, Tillotama Shome, Seema Bhargava
How do they think of a movie like this? I am just blown away by it. US has attacked Iraq and all Indian families have fled the place except one, they are trapped and stuck. It is Chintu's family and it's his Birthday. Somehow he never gets to celebrate his Birthday worls issues end up spoiling his party. Another Dad that I adore, decides no matter what he is going to give chintu his Birthday. A US Soldier is stuck just like Chintu in a war he doesn't understand. Everyone is stuck in this world not at all pleased with why it is like it is. A little bit of love and a lot of toughness washes away as we all are just plain vulnerable humans with coating of Country, Religion, Identity that has nothing to do with us. Another beautiful simple movie that Punches above it's weight. Watch it.
8. SHUBH MANGAL ZYADA SAAVDHAN
What I remember - Lots of comedy and romance between a Gay couple and the couple being a gay is not even a shocker anymore. It is weaved so well in the story that it is not even the main story.
FROM THE FILES -
SHUBH MANGAL ZYADA SAAVDHAN - 4.0 STARS. PG13. (LOVE STORY)
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan - Trailer
Director: Hitesh Kewalya
Writer: Hitesh Kewalya
Stars: Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar, Gajraj Rao
Finally Indian movies are moving from the phase 'look we are making movies on gay people' and ' you know what gay is?' to a movie that has gay characters. This movie makes that leap into showing a couple who is gay with no introduction, pretty good leap. Movie has a lot of good comedy too but I think it has lot of progressive learnings without being didactic. Well presented.
9. GINNY WEDS SUNNY
What I remember - If it was my personal list I would include more off beat cinema, but I select this one for more a mass appeal. Easy going throw back love story, you don't see these often anymore.
GINNY WEDS SUNNY - 4.0 Stars. (G)
Director: Puneet Khanna
Stars: Yami Gautam, Vikrant Massey, Ayesha Raza
Ginny Weds Sunny - Trailer
Remember those yash chopra days? Those Karan Johar movies? Big Musical Love Stories those are the source of something that got called 'Bollywood Movie'. When you say "Bollywood" that's what you mean, that's why when you ask people to watch a hindi movie, they are thinking of Karan Johar movie. Well here it is, Ginny and Sunny take you back to that golden era of Bollywood. A big musical Love story with drama, comedy, romance and everything in between. The surprise is they also made it work, after many years I see a movie that could actually make the formula work! Yami and Vikrant fit the role perfectly. Enjoy it, but don't expect a lot.
10. BAAGHI 3 / MARJAAVAAN
What I remember - Both are similar, you can pick one - if you like Tiger go with Baaghi and if you like Siddarth Malhotra then go with Marjaavaan. Both old school action thriller with one liners and over the top emotion and action. Mindless and pure for the heart.
BAAGHI 3 - 4.0 STARS. PG. (THRILLER)
Baaghi 3 - Trailer
Director: Ahmed Khan
Writers: Tasha Bhambra, Sparsh Khetarpal
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Riteish Deshmukh, Shraddha Kapoor
This blogger is not a fan of James Bond-ish extravagant thrillers, but I got to admit I liked the entire thing. Everything was unapologetic and outlandish and also well done. I love stupid one liners and this one's got a lot. The action is awesome. Action + One Liners = Hit. Who cares about plot, I even forgot what it was about. Oh yea... Tiger की सटक जाती है जब उसके भाई पे बात आती है. The action is very fresh and obviously over the top. Watch it.
MARJAAVAAN: 4.0 STARS. (LOVE STORY)
Director: Milap Zaveri
Stars: Riteish Deshmukh, Sidharth Malhotra, Tara Sutaria
If you want to go old school, go old school... पूरी शिद्दत से। ... Gulshan Kumar is a name who knows how to go old school. This is the best ode to old school Heart break, Love story, Action, AND Dialogue-baaji.... uff. Cheap front bencher thrilling dialogue-baaji... just watch the trailer, it is full of one liners... I loved it. No it has nothing new,but it is done with lot of love for old school movies, not a spoof but make one more with full honesty. में मरूंगा मर जाएगा दोबारा जनम लेने से डर जायेगा. If that makes you smile go watch it. The movie also reminds me of the Manmohan Desai era of movies that always were based on communal harmony brotherhood and it used to always show minority culture's beauty. Amar Akbar Anthony, we would lovingly watch Anthony' speaking tuti futi hindi to father of the church, we loved shayari of Akbar. We loved coolie's Iqbal as our leader going hadtaaal! and singing ... mubarak ho tum sab ko haj ka mahina na thee meri kismat ke dekh madina! We as a nation have come to hate a lot.
Siddarth Malhotra has found his niche, he is going to make one face of heartbroken young man.... the best impersonation he can do of Deewar ka Bachchan and not do anything else. He has found it and I like it. Watch it, clap and whistle and have fun.
Notable mentions - If you are for offbeat cinema go for Yeh Ballet and Love Sonia.
2020 was also exceptional because it got 2 "Negative 1" review movies. First time a year has got that. Well, it has been that kind of year, maybe it me getting old or the movies testing my patience. I carefully give "0" to a movie thinking things can't go worse! But then comes along a path breaking cinema that makes me wonder.... well if I gave zero to that what do I do with this!! So I had to break the meaning of 0 to 5 rating and give a "Negative 1".
The 2 movies that Qualified for the 2 worst reviews are -
1. DABBANG 3 - Sallu at his worst.
2. COOLIE NO. 1 - David Dhawan is a Number Zero
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TOP 3 WEB SERIES OF 2020
1.PAATAL LOK
What I remember - Middle aged Police officer who has not much to look forward to, teams with a Junior who has path to grow but is not from the preferred religion. They work on a mission way out of their league, shades of Khaaki (the movie). There is also this lunatic villain which is pretty interesting.
FROM THE FILES -
PAATAL LOK - MUST WATCH
Paatal Lok - Trailer
Creator: Sudip Sharma
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi, Abhishek Banerjee
I heard this is a Anushka Sharma Production, it seems like whatever Anushka touches becomes awesome. I sometimes wonder what did she see in Virat? Uncouth foul mouthed superstar, she on the other hand is beacon of liberal values and pushing boundaries of liberal dialogue alive in a country like India in 2020!
The show follows a case that a cop has been given. Unlike other web series where the protagonist cops are cool and smart, our cop is a regular employee who is as real as a character from Panchayat. There are Lot of similarities to Khakee an awesome Bachchan movie where he plays a upright cop defeated by system who is looking for one case one last hurrah to make it all worth it. Paatal Lok develops each and every character, their are no cardboard cliche characters. All the criminals nabbed before they could complete mission of killing a high profile TV journalist have very real lives well developed and beautifully portrayed. So is the Journalist and his wife. There are some unforgettable scenes of how subtle racism affects everything, the way minorities are treated.
Anyway this is a show that comes once in a blue moon and just mesmerizes you, don't expect a thriller or suspense though it has both but that is not what it is about. Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh has just knocked it out of the park with a brilliant portrayal of a frustrated Cop and his assistant Junior Cop albeit Muslim.
2. PANCHAYAT
What I remember - Throw back 90s / 80s series a city boy comes to village for his first Job. The treatment of the show is so laid back and the problems are so umm..... villagish...
FROM THE FILES -
PANCHAYAT - MUST WATCH
Panchayat - Trailer
Stars: Jitendra Kumar, Raghuvir Yadav, Chandan Roy
If you are old enough to remember Nukkad and Hum Log TV serials of 80s? It is from the similar treatment that Panchayat is born. I can't believe someone had the courage and imagination and skill to make it. A classic sit back relax and enjoy the ride TV series of yore. No American web series stress of complication, no shocking twists every minute or at end of each episode begging you to watch the next. No greed to compete with the last series. Just plain simple story of a city youth who is forced to do a job in Village Panchayat. Set up of a village could have a lot of pitfalls in narration like looking down or looking up on Village life etc... none of that. The characters are real and they remain in character from the first to last episode. Just pure gold.
3.0 AFSOS
What I remember - Great Villain is my biggest memory. The regret of our hero is that he can't die, and regret of our villain is that she can't kill.
AFSOS - 5.0 STARS. (R) - TV SERIES.
Director - Anubhuti Kashyap
Stars: Gulshan Devaiah, Anjali Patil, Heeba Shah
I won't say it is perfect but it is near perfect. It is crazy creative, whacky, weird, and funny. I was so enthralled by it that first time in my life I understood why people binge watch something, I wanted to go on and on. Director Anubhuti whoever she is, NOW she is someone, and when I googled her she seems to be Anurag Kashyap's sibling. Anyway ... Anubhuti you are awesome.
Afsos is a series about a man who wants to die, and tries to commit suicide but is unsuccessful. He has 'afsos' he can't die, there are others in the story that have afsos of their own and this comedy turns, thriller, turns murder mystery, turns whacky and weird in no time. Best thing I watched for sometime.
