Saturday, June 30, 2018

INCREDIBLES 2 (2018) - ENGLISH

A worthy sequel to a terrific film.

The Incredibles in 2004 was way ahead of its time and even now stands relevant as a superhero film. Now, in 2018 the audience is smitten by The Avengers and most of the youth and kids are now the huge loyal base of The Avengers franchise. In such times, to make a superhero movie that has a legacy and still stands on its own is a remarkable feat. Incredibles 2 is good is many ways except that it does not have the typical PIXAR touch that makes us feel so much more than just happy. Incredibles 2 made me feel happy and there is a lot of fun, but that's not just what I expect out of PIXAR and that's not their problem but mine. PIXAR has spoiled me with expectations. Also, I must confess there are very few sequels of PIXAR that I liked. Except for maybe TOY STORY films, I am not a fan of any other sequels. Thus, Incredibles 2 pulled off something great.

The characterization remains almost the same, there is the same family with an addition of Jack-Jack who is super fun and has some unimaginable tricks as the tiniest superhero. As with the previous edition, I loved the scene with Edna. Oh, she is so adorable as a babysitter this time around.

The writing peppered with a lot more humor is terrific and the production is amazing. PIXAR keeps taking the technology higher and there are some dizzying 3D effects in the film which make this a must watch in theatre film.

Thanks to Brad Bird for getting us a worthy sequel that begins at the last frame of the 1st edition and takes the film many steps forward, indeed a generation forward.

A 4/5 for this one too. I just wait for the next one, perhaps another 14 years but I am sure even that would be worth watching.

Friday, June 29, 2018

THE INCREDIBLES (2004) - ENGLISH


An incredible superhero film that's worth a watch many times over.

It's the most notable family superhero film where we have a family full of superheroes. It's fun by all means and does not stop at that, it goes beyond and even tells us a story of a regular employee, a housewife, and normal kids. There are multiple stories put together in this fun film.

The writing is strong and the direction is terrific as expected out of any PIXAR film. This is one of the few films that are not as human as their other films but yet it tells what a family is and what family means truly. To be there for each other in all adversities and to fight for each other makes the core of the film and it's all put in a fun way that's engaging as well as entertaining.

The voice over was terrific by each and every cast and I love the character of Edna, the costume designer. She stands her own in a film with superhuman abilities to the protagonists and antagonists. The moments with Edna in the film are worth watching multiple times for me.

Thanks to Brad Bird and the PIXAR for giving us a terrific superhero film in the age of many superheroes from DC and Marvel. These Incredibles would stand their own and I wish to see more of these in the future.

A 4/5 for a terrific PIXAR superhero film.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

MUKTI BHAWAN (2017) - HINDI

A tragic-comedy film on salvation made masterfully.

I cant say this is tragic, it's more so a comedy because after a point in life we accept that the original destination of life is death and we wait for death. It's more about that realization in a subtle funny way. But it's not the story of the father who checks in Mukti Bhawan hoping for salvation but its more the story of a son who is torn between responsibilities. He has to fulfill the responsibilities as a husband and also must attend to his father as a dutiful son. Interesting I felt.

Acted superbly Adil Hussain as the son and Lalit Behl as the father, this film takes a realistic take on human emotions. How frustrating it is to be in a limbo for a human? Also, the affection between a father and son even when it's known that they are going to part with each other. These are talking points of this film and it handles them beautifully.

There are a lot of good things about the writing of the film. The dialogues are natural and there is a flow in conversations, there are noises in the background and they give a sense of the atmosphere. It's all beautiful and the performances just add to the beauty.

Technically, it's brilliant considering the budget and production constraints. The costumes, editing, sound design and the cinematography all gel well making this an adorable watch.

Thanks to the director and these actors who chose to be part of this film. It's a definite watch. a 4/5.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

TALVAR (2015) - HINDI

A provocative film that is made with honesty.

Crime and Punishment need to go hand in hand like law and order. The order follows Law and the Punishment follows Crime. Well, I was talking about the ideal world, in the real world, anything can follow anything. We are truly living in a chaotic messed up world and we continue to plead for justice and the right punishment, and we shall continue to do so for many more years unless we are all sane and follow the law in spirit and principle.

The film is about Noida Double Murder Case of Aarushi Talwar and the servant of Talwar's that is Hemraj. This case was sensationalized heavily by the media and indeed it shook many in the country. I was not interested in the original case until I saw this film and when I dug the details, I was fascinated and yet sad for the outcome of the case. Two individuals have been convicted based on circumstantial evidence and that is not right for the justice system in India. People cannot be convicted based on circumstantial evidence and I suppose recreation of circumstances is not accurately possible for humans as we outlive the moments so very easily. While I was sad about the case, I was happy with the film telling a story in a bold manner.

Irfan Khan stands out with yet another terrific performance. While each and every one has given an honest performance, I loved what Irfan Khan bought to the character. There is certain believability to his role and that in itself is worthy of applause.

The writing by Vishal Bharadwaj was to the point and the editing by Sreekar Prasad is precise. There is not a scene that is out of context or does not add any value to the narrative. It's a commendable effort in writing, editing and directing. Also, I loved the screenplay that brings into play perspectives and plays with the perceptions of the people than with the actual happenings.

All in all, it's a film that's worth watching multiple times and enjoy more often than not technically. Yet, it can't be liked so easily with content being strong and that is about grey shades of humans.

A 4/5 for me and thanks Meghna Gulzar for your faith in the content and the way you crafted it.

Monday, June 4, 2018

A QUIET PLACE (2018) - ENGLISH

A thrilling entertainer that despite a few cliches of a horror film, stood its own and gave goosebumps.

The concept is thrilling and even though there is no explanation given whatsoever of the time period, the location and the reason for the existence of some supernatural creatures. This movie drives through emotions of humans. There are extinct for survival, love towards family and purpose of existence. Also, it is amazing that it is set up in a weird yet believable backdrop.

It's taxing on the viewers, at least I felt it was taxing but fortunately it was deeply moving. This a thriller tied up with human emotions and it is the emotional content that engrossed me and kept me interested. I loved the screenplay and the editing they are married so very tightly that there is hardly any time left even for gasping. My crib is that this film has an interval in India. I hope Indian Theatres become sensible in understanding that the English films do not have an interval and it's for business in theatres, that the Indians have kept a window calling it interval.

The acting is superb by Emily Blunt and John Krasinski and the kids. The cast is just perfect, it has hardly 5-6 notable characters and each one adds to the plot. Apparently, it is John Krasinski's first feature film and this guy looks a veteran in filmmaking already, his craft is terrific, to say the least.

I fell in love with the film and this took me by a surprise and I am happy about it. A 4/5 for a terrific thriller of this year.

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I firstly declare here that all the content written in the blog is exclusively written by me and I hold the copyrights of each and everything. Be it a poem or a movie review. Also, the videos or photographs I upload or attach are exclusively owned by me. This declaration is important in a world that seems so worried of piracy. The prime purpose of these blogs is to put my writings and photographs on the net. and well to start with.... I live in my mind, and existence is the attempt to bring my thoughts into physical reality, I celebrate myself, sing myself and I am always happy in my own company.....I am not the best in the world but I strive for excellence and thats what keeps me alive... Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself--Friedrich Nietzsche