Mini Review : Thappad and The Invisible Man

Thappad
Directed by : Anubhav Sinha
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10964430/

Just one slap.. par nahi maar sakta.

Amrita (Taapsee Pannu) who is a housewife seems to be pretty happy with her obvious looking robotic daily life routines until that moment at a house party when her husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati) slaps her in front of everyone for no reason. Anubhav Sinha builds narrative slowly towards the party, taking Imtiaz Ali kind route wanting us to see through Amrita for all the things she is avoiding right now with all possible hints for how Vikram treats her. And with parallel running stories of a lawyer who herself has a husband dominating her or the maid (amazing Geetika Vidya Ohlyan from 'Soni' fame) who happily tells stories to Amrita about having got beaten again by her husband. Anubhav Sinha is in great form yet again, and I would had thoroughly loved the film if not for Taapsee Pannu been the lead. For me a different actor would had done more justice to the character, and I don't mean to say Taapsee fails, its just that she never lifts up the character and then the fact that too much emphasis is laid on that 'one slap' doesnt help either as it just gives the sense of some agenda rather than keeping it to the reasons why Amrita shouldn't stay with Vikram anymore, like the scene post the slap when Vikram doesn't say sorry and rather continues to crib about his business, or the numerous comparisons one can make whenever he talks about his work while Amrita expresses through her eyes.

Pavail Gulati is really impressive in what is a well written character, grey and not making him look total villain yet he is at fault. Also enjoyed Dia Mirza's calm character and the response she gives when Vikram tells her to lie for his divorce case. Many other supporting actors like Ratna Pathak Shah, Kumud Mishra and Tanvi Azmi makes it for a gripping watch even if certain mentioned things makes me not fully enjoy movie. Love the scene between Amrita and Vikram at bench outside court, if only they had avoided that very manipulative aarti monologue scene of Amrita. Thappad is a good watch despite the flaws it has, not solid like Mulk or Article15 but its still worth a watch and if you don't find any problems with Tapsee act then more likely you would enjoy the film lot more than I did.

My Rating : 6/10


The Invisible Man
Directed by : Leigh Whannell
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1051906/

He said that wherever I went, he would find me, walk right up to me, and I wouldn't be able to see him. 

Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) runs away from her abusive boyfriend Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and days later she learns about him committing suicide. Happy to get a chance to start life anew, but certain events lead her to believe that Adrian is alive and to make it worse has found a way to be invisible. I liked the idea, heard its used before too with different story but the execution or narrative lets it down. Was hooked for first 30 so mins but then there's many problems like we never see enough of Adrian before he goes invisible or scenes like the restaurant one where a single camera would reveal the truth yet it doesn't and then the climax that was pretty loose. Elisabeth Moss performance is good but its not a film I would see again. Opportunity missed!

My Rating : 4.5/10

Mini Review : Harriet, Pain & Glory and Ad Astra

Harriet
Directed by : Kasi Lemmons
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4648786/

God don't mean people to own people, Gideon! Our time is near! 

A motivational story about Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) that tells how she escapes from slavery after been denied freedom and then transforms into one of America's greatest heroes who had courage and was brave enough to freed hundreds of slaves including her parents. Yet another typical Oscar movie that gives insight to some history I didn't know about and a good performance by Cynthia to make it a decent one time watch. Screenplay was touch too slow, and not really gripping enough. I am not sure if that God angle was fictional or a real story, made for some interesting scenes though. Special mention to 'Stand Up' track sung by Cynthia, totally loved it.
My Rating : 5/10


Pain and Glory
Directed by : Pedro Almodovar
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8291806/

The nights that coincide several pains, those nights I believe in God and I pray to him. The days when I only suffer a type of pain I am an atheist. 

The story is based on a film director who reflects on his past remembering the memories as he is at decline of his career in present. I haven't seen a single movie of Pedro Almodovar, that could be a reason why the movie doesn't click for me. The lovely scene between Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas) and Federico Delgado (Leonardo Sbaraglia) was my only takeaway from the movie. Its just too slow and fails to bring out the emotions as it very much tries to. Maybe its not my kind of movie with the high ratings it got.
My Rating : 4/10


Ad Astra
Directed by : James Gray
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2935510/

So many times in my life I screwed up. I have talked when I should have listened, I have been harsh when I should have been tender. 

There's been a recent power surge that threatens humanity and it is believed to be coming from planet Neptune. Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is given a mission to journey from Earth to Moon leading further to Mars and then Neptune. It all eventually links to 30 year old expedition where Roy's Dad, Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), who was leader of Lima Project had gone to Neptune to find extraterrestial life but never returned back. One of those sci-fi movies where 'leaving brains aside and enjoy' doesn't work either because it just feels too stupid what you are watching. To add to it, all the father-son drama of Roy and Clifford isn't one bit interesting enough. What I did enjoy was the visuals, the kind of fantasy life they showed on Moon, infact I just felt they would had been better to show more of that. Ad Astra is just a dull movie, with an unimpressive storyline and Brad Pitt's performance can't save it either.
My Rating : 3/10

Mini Review : The Irishman and Judy

The Irishman
Directed by : Martin Scorsese
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302006/

You always charge a guy with a gun! With a knife, you run away. 

An Italian gangster based story that is narrated in flashback from Frank Sheeran's (Robert De Niro) point of view as he looks back at his mob career, his relations with Bufalino family and about his bonding with Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Frank is driving car going to a wedding with Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci), and time and again their wives take breaks for smoking which is how I felt for alteast 2 hours of the movie, very stretching and long narrative testing you to stay interested. I personally had problems with the deaging aspect too, a technique I feel shouldn't be used again or maybe they have to work harder to make it perfect. Watching Joe Pesci come out of retirement and act this well (expectedly) was ofcourse the best highlight of the movie. Scorcese might test you with the length of movie but his direction is spot on with the usual freeze frames and camera angles used with nice dosage of humurous moments. Maybe a mini 8 episode series would had worked out better than a 3hr30 mins movie. My other problem was the narrator De Niro who felt somewhat if I could say not really into the character. Al Pacino on the other hand despite being hammy at some places was a lot fun to watch especially the scenes where he says he won't say sorry or shows anger for a person arriving 10 mins late for a meeting. The theme music is pretty good but The Irishman isn't the usual 'Oh this is fantastic' Scorsese movie. I am still going with a extra star just for Pesci!
My Rating : 6.5/10


Judy
Directed by : Rupert Goold
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7549996/

I just want what everybody wants. I seem to have a harder time getting it. 

A sort of biopic that mainly focuses on the famous actress-singer Judy Garland's (Renee Zellweger) arrival in London in the winter of 1968 to perform a series of sold out concerts at the 'Talk of the Town' nightclub. I actually prefer biopics that don't do a childhood to their last achievement (good/bad) chronology, rather show us one particular phase of their life in detail. Yet its Renee Zellweger's oscar winning performance the only admirable aspect of the movie. I wanted some more flashbacks of her early life of being a celeb, rather there's just too much of 'drunk and I am so lost and behave badly with people' that it got tiring to sit through. Even her love life shown was pretty boring. I liked some songs but overall Judy is just an average movie.
My Rating : 5/10 

Recap 2019 : Best, Disappointing and Worst of Hollywood

Very much like Hindi movies, saw only 23 English movies in the theatre last year. But made up for that with 21 Old/New movies on lappy (many from Netflix), and 11 Netflix series.

'The Invisible Guest', 'The Shining', 'Jaws' and '27 Days Later' were the movies that I really liked. While in series, I have just no words to express my love for 'Dark' but guess I will find a way to write on it in detail later this year when its 3rd season is out which I am *crossing my fingers* would be spectacular. Then there was '13 Reasons Why' which is a controversial series but I loved it, even the 3rd season despite one of the character been irritating and along with humanzing Bryce character, again detailed writeup later this year when its 4th season is out.

'Hannibal' was fantastic, diving deep into the psychological mindset of how he would work his way out and yet somehow you will root for him. Similar case with 'Joe' in 'You', a stalker series that works very well. 'Mindhunter2' was a disappointment though, many aspects that were left open in 1st season were totally ignored this time. 'Unbelievable' was another great series with the 2 lady detectives at their best helping vulnerable victims. 'Stranger Things' had a great two seasons and a messy 3rd one.

Also, enjoyed watching 'Sex Education', another teen series. Watched the much loved 'Friends' too, and found most of the seasons hilarious, having said that I didn't find it perfect... more on that later in seperate post.


Coming to the top movies now.. it was one of those rare years when many of the Oscar nominated movies made to my top10 list. But the totally neglected 'Avengers : Endgame' was handsdown my fav movie of 2019, infact more than a movie it was like a experience never felt before which only Marvel lovers can understand (sorry Scorsese, I still love your films and The Irishman in there is a proof). What more do you want when a time travel in the plot gives you Tony meeting his dad, Captain Rogers against Captain Rogers (I can do it all day), Natasha sacrificing life, Thor gone out of shape, Avengers assembling and Tony's sweet final video message for his daughter. Just a few of plenty other things that I loved about the movie.

The highly controversial 'Joker' was another of my fav movie, heard people/critics call it either average narration or a climax scene that glorifies violence and I totally disagreed to both of those aspects. Joaquin Phoenix's mindblowing performance, and a very good deep character study of 'Joker' kept me fully engaged.

Parasite makes to no.3 position, thanks to a 2nd watch, and same happened with 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'. The former tackles the 'rich vs poor class' dynamics in a very well done dark comedy manner by Bong Joon Ho while the latter shows a lovable friendship between a actor and his stunt double, before a major twist by Tarantino on the real manson incident.

Special mention to 'Klaus' which was for me the pick of the animation movies of 2019, simple story yet heartwarming to watch it. And 'Doctor Sleep' which was better than 'The Shining' for me, yes you read it right! Rebecca Ferguson in another delightful performance.

So, Here's my complete list -

Top10 Hollywood Movies of 2019 :

1. Avengers : Endgame
2. Joker
3. Parasite
4. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
5. Doctor Sleep
6. Klaus
7. Jojo Rabbit
8. Marriage Story
9. Richard Jewell
10. The Irishman

Ford v Ferrari, John Wick 3, Toy Story 4, Uncut Gems and The Mule were some of my other liked movies that miss out.

Worst Hollywood Movies of 2019 : 

1. The LightHouse
2. Ad Astra
3. It : Chapter Two

It was really hard to watch  'The LightHouse' for me despite its high Imdb rating and praise critics gave. Ad Astra just kept meandering towards a unconvincing climax while It Chapter Two not only was a major letdown with all the expectations, it was so bad that the 1991 version where I felt adult part was mediocre suddenly feels lot good after having seen this version.

Most Disappointing Movies of 2019 : 

1. Glass
2. Captain Marvel
3. It : Chapter Two

Having enjoyed Unbreakable completely and Split for most parts, had high hopes with Glass and what hurts most is that such a good idea goes waste because of poor execution. While Captain Marvel even though is watchable, in comparison to other Marvel movies falls short of the quality and if I can say doesn't have the repeat value which say Antman or Doctor Strange got.

Recap 2019 : Best Hindi Albums and Top100 Songs

Apart from 2 outstanding albums namely GullyBoy and Kabir Singh, it was a very poor year in terms of music for Hindi Films Industry. Infact it was that bad that I have to list only top5 albums this time. Interestingly, both Gully Boy and Kabir Singh have mulitple composers, 'Apna Time Aayega' and 'Bekhayali' obvious standout songs.

Top5 Hindi Albums of 2019 :

1. Gully Boy
2. Kabir Singh
3. Bala
4. Luka Chuppi
5. War

Marjaavaan and Article 15 were other albums that had some good songs in them, but not enough to be worthy of best of the year.

Coming to the best songs of 2019, very much like I said about albums, even the case of albums with few good songs were a rarety, it was like listening to bad albums non-stop. Still I have come up with Top100 songs somehow.

Ranveer's rap, the excellent lyrics and the kind of adrenaline it sends down your body in the antara part of song was enough to beat Kabir Singh's 'Bekhayali' which is a angst romantic song (a genre that appeals a lot to me always) very well sung by Sachet Tandon. Mostly a year otherwise dominated by Arijit Singh and Jubin Nautiyal songs.

Good to see Shilpa Rao make a return after having missed her for some time, she along with Arijit Singh makes 'Ghunghroo' a very addictive track to listen to. 'Azadi' sadly was used poorly in the movie but as audio its still fun to listen which starts from that verse 'bhukhmari se azaadi...'.

Then there's 'Duniya' from Luka Chuppi that I accidentally came across through fm radio, and it appeared to be one of songs played often daily, eventually making me love the song though I still have problem with the female part. Meanwhile in a year of endless remakes (Tanishk Bagchi spoiling many classics), there was 'Bimar Dil' that worked a lot with very good beats and a well re-created classic of 'Chaalbaaz'.

Some special mentions to songs that may have gone un-noticed due to other popular tracks of that album, Uri's 'Beh chala' was one of them, fell in love with the song at first instance, a soft lighter take on life. Dhvani Bhanushali's 'Laila' is another track that was highly enjoyable, a lovely composition where lyrics talk about a fantasy future and she sings it quite well. While 'Yeh Jo Ho Raha Hai' from 'Ghost' made me feel like listening to a 90s melody, with very good vocals from Jyoti Tangri.

Here's my complete list ..

Top 100 Hindi Songs of 2019 : 

1. Apna time aayega (Gully Boy)
2. Bekhayali (Kabir Singh)
3. Ghungroo (War)
4. Tum hi aana (Marjaavaan)
5. Azadi (Gully Boy)
6. Kaise hua (Kabir Singh)
7. Beh chala (Uri The Surgical Strike)
8. Duniyaa (Luka Chuppi)
9. Tera ban jaunga (Kabir Singh)
10. Laila (Notebook)
11. Coca cola (Luka Chuppi)
12. Kab se kab tak (Gully Boy)
13. Chale aana (De De Pyaar De)
14. Tujhe kitna chahein aur (Kabir Singh)
15. Bimar dil (Pagalpanti)
16. Yeh jo ho raha hai (Ghost)
17. Tum hi aana - happy version (Marjaavaan)
18. Akhiyaan milavanga (Commando 3)
19. Thodi jagah - male version (Marjaavaan)
20. Kyun rabba (Badla)
21. Sher aaya sher (Gully Boy)
22. Zindagi (Bala)
23. Jai jai shivshankar (War)
24. Naah goriye (Bala)
25. Intezari (Article 15)


26. Hud hud (Dabangg 3)
27. Ik mulaqaat (Dream Girl)
28. Enni soni (Saaho)
29. Photo (Luka Chuppi)
30. Mere gully mein (Gully Boy)
31. Slow motion (Bharat)
32. Pyaar toh tha (Bala)
33. Jeene mein aaye mazza (Gully Boy)
34. Khairiyat (Chhichhore)
35. Tu laung main elaachi (Luka Chuppi)
36. Valam (Made In China)
37. Intezari - ayushmann khurrana version (Article 15)
38. Tequila (Bala)
39. Doori (Gully Boy)
40. Dil mein ho tum (Why Cheat India)
41. Goriye (Gully Boy)
42. Tujhe kitna chahne lage (Kabir Singh)
43. Ek toh kam zindagani (Marjaavaan)
44. Kaam bhaari (Gully Boy)
45. Yeh aaina (Kabir Singh)
46. Oh bandeya (Ujda Chaman)
47. Naino se naino ki yaari (Luv U Turn)
48. Pehla pyaar (Kabir Singh)
49. Jingostan (Gully Boy)
50. Tu hi yaar mera (Pati Patni Aur Woh)


51. Train song (Gully Boy)
52. Rooh ka rishta (Ghost)
53. Phir mulaaqat (Why Cheat India)
54. Kala joda (Bhangra Paa Le)
55. Thodi jagah - female version (Marjaavaan)
56. Jako rakhe saiyan (Batla House)
57. Mungda (Total Dhamaal)
58. Hawa banke (Yeh Saali Aashiqui)
59. Awara (Dabangg 3)
60. Teri meri kahani (Happy Hardy And Heer)
61. Khuda haafiz (The Body)
62. Habibi ke nain (Dabangg 3)
63. Kinna sona (Marjaavaan)
64. Ishq teri jaat hai kya (P Se Pyaar F Se Farraar)
65. Walla walla (Pagalpanti)
66. Woh din - film version (Chhichhore)
67. Phir mulaaqat - female version (Why Cheat India)
68. Odhani (Made In China)
69. Ankhiyon se goli mare returns (Pati Patni Aur Woh)
70. Tum hi aana - duet version (Marjaavaan)
71. Heeriye (Happy Hard And Heer)
72. Dheeme dheeme (Pati Patni Aur Woh)
73. Don't be shy again (Bala)
74. Choti choti gal (Motichoor Chaknachoor)
75. Turpeya (Bharat)


76. Jahaan tu chala (Gully Boy)
77. Jaltey bujhtey (Ghost)
78. Chashni (Bharat)
79. Saare jahan se accha - rap version (The Tashkent Files)
80. Sachiya mohabbatan (Arjun Patiala)
81. Kahab toh (Article 15)
82. Udta teetar (Saand Ki Aankh)
83. Kal ki hi baat hai (Chhichhore)
84. Sye raa (Syeraa Narasimha Reddy)
85. Hauli hauli (De De Pyaar De)
86. Kaash (The Zoya Factor)
87. Rooh ka rishta - yasser desai version (Ghost)
88. Tum jo mile (Gunwali Dulhaniya)
89. Piya bin - male version (Yeh Hai India)
90. Thiraktein (Kissebaaz)
91. Dil royi jaye (De De Pyaar De)
92. Main jaanta hoon (The Body)
93. Teri hona chahu main (P Se Pyaar F Se Farraar)
94. Aaina (The Body)
95. Ishqbaaziyaan (Happy Hardy And Heer)
96. Ki Honda pyaar - arijit singh version (Jabariya Jodi)
97. Dil ka telephone (Dream Girl)
98. Naina lade (Dabangg 3)
99. Outfit (Ujda Chaman)
100. Pal pal dil ke paas - palak muchhal version (Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas)


Among instrumentals, there weren't much to talk about, Khalid's theme from 'War' was likeable.

Recap 2019 : Best Hindi Films, Disappointing and Worst!

If I thought 2018 was low year for me, then 2019 turned out to be lowest one of my life when it comes to the number of films I watched.. It was 23 hindi movies that I saw in theatre, along with 4 Netflix/AmazonPrime series and 1 Netflix movie. Guess the addiction for the digital platform and bit of laziness, a month of poor health all added up.

Talking of series, I loved Mirzapur, can't wait to see where they take the characters in 2nd season. Delhi Crime was slightly low in middle episodes but as a whole a pretty good watch, with few very hardhitting episodes. Sacred Games2 was a massive disappointment while The Family Man started and ended on a promising note, if only it was consistent throughout. Also, saw Soni, a slow but good take on the ladies cops.

Coming to the best films of the year, it was a very weak or I can say the weakest year to end the decade. Somehow I managed to find 10 films that makes my list, sadly I couldn't make time to watch Super30, Manikarnika and few others but whenever I do I will try to update the list in future..

Gully Boy was the easiest pick as top movie even though I wasn't fully satisfied, Zoya Akhtar had ample chance to make it more hardhitting, the album specially deserved that. Chhichhore is a surprise 2nd, mainly because I never had any expectations from it but Nitish Tiwari delivers after the Dangal heroics. Dreamgirl is very much a guilty pleasure and I have no shame in admitting it.

Not going to post 'Performances of the year', so among the films I saw, the ones that stood out were - Ranveer Singh (Gully Boy), Vicky Kaushal (URI The Surgical Strike), Hrithik Roshan (War), Geetika Vidya Ohlyan (Soni), Ayushmann Khurrana (Article 15), Alia Bhatt (Gully Boy), John Abraham (Batla House) and Naveen Polishetty (Chhichhore)

Here's my Complete list -

Top10 Hindi Movies of 2019 : 

1. Gully Boy
2. Chhichhore
3. DreamGirl
4. Badla
5. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
6. URI - The Surgical Strike
7. Article 15
8. Batla House
9. Soni
10. Luka Chuppi

Romeo Akbar Walter, Section 375 and Kesari miss out..

Worst Hindi Movies of 2019 : 

1. Kalank
2. The Accidental Prime Minister
3. Pagalpanti

Just listed 3 this year due to less movies I saw, but these three were very torturous to sit through.. Marjaavaan and PM Narendra Modi would definately had made their way in worst category, guess I in a way consider myself lucky to not see both those movies.

Most Disappointing Hindi Movies of 2019 : 

1. Bala
2. Kabir Singh
3. Photograph

Ayushmann irritated with another similar kind act with only change been the subject. I just felt no connect with Kabir Singh though I dont belong to the section who bashed it for the way love is portrayed in it, and Photograph just needed tight editing as it felt way too slow to sit through till the end despite a likeable chemistry between Nawazuddin and Sanya.

Mini Review : Chhapaak, Tanhaji The Unsung Warrior and Jawaani Jaaneman

Due to lack of time and other priorities, I am gonna just post my short views on the films I watch. Will try my best to return back to normal long analysis posting once I get free maybe mid year or end of 2020. But, will make sure I do post on every movie till then even if its just 3-4 lines.

Chhapaak
Directed by : Meghna Gulzar
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9614460/

Silent pyaar... 

I was expecting a very hardhitting movie, when I came to know about this new movie of Meghna Gulzar, with Deepika in lead and also starring Vikrant Massey with story about real life incident of a acid attack survivor. But when the trailer was out, I knew this won't be on that level, and I was right, Chhapaak just never reaches to the point it should. Moreover, it feels like Meghna was trying too hard to show 2 stories, one about the incident and other how she has managed to live with all the struggles initally and enjoy the life.  That just made less impact on me, a linear narration or focus on just one aspect would had worked. Also, for me Deepika's performance didn't work much (No, it has nothing to do with her JNU visit, I aint that stupid and give low rating for that). Have enjoyed Meghna's previous two movies completely but this one just fails to make a mark on me except for the quite haunting title track and some good directed scenes.
My Rating : 5/10



Tanhaji : The Unsung Warrior
Directed by : Om Raut
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8108274/

Teri mitti jazbaat se judi hai aur meri akkal paani se.. tu jaan de sakta hai, main jaan le sakta hoon.

It takes a while for the story to get going almost like 20-25 mins before Tanhaji comes to know the intentions of Udaybhan Singh. All the scenes between Tanhaji and Udaybhan makes for a great watch including the climax. I specially loved Saif as Udaybhan doing all the evil stuff, minus the crocodile eating sequence which was quite yuck to see. I understand Kajol was necessary to have a romantic angle but if I was the director, I would had preferred showing more of Udaybhan, and maybe buildup towards the final battle. Liked the use of 'Ghamand kar' track's catchy tone at many places in narrative. Its a decent movie still with a enjoyable final 30 mins!
My Rating : 6/10

Jawaani Jaaneman
Directed by : Nitin Kakkar
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9248952/

I hate phonecalls .. 

Its fun watching Saif Ali Khan's character trying to act young despite knowing he is old now, and so is his hilarious dance sequence to a old classic song(I forgot the name). Alaya Furniturewala is good in her debut, Tabu is totally wasted, hardly gets 3-4 scenes in total, same case with talented actors like Farida Jalal and Kumud Mishra  Its the poor writing and the drama sequences that don't work because the characters has too much of sameness going in the narration. Oh but the interval sequence was one of most wierd and bizarre scenes I have ever seen with a irritating chorus of 'No Music'. Chunky Pandey looked slim in the movie, but still in his over-acting avatar. The subplot of property buying felt useless and just derails the screenplay further. If not for Saif Ali Khan, this would had been quite a torture, the father-daughter dynamic had scopes but the execution generates no emotion, watchable once at the most.
My Rating : 4/10