Mini Review : One Night in Miami

Directed by : Regina King

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10612922/

Everybody talks about they wanting a piece of the pie, well I don't. I want the goddamn recipe.

Spoilers ahead...

On the night of Feb 25, 1964, Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) wins a boxing bout against Sonny Liston and arrives at a hotel to celebrate with his close friends, Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr). What was supposed to be a victory celebration turns into some heated debates between them regarding the civil lights, their responsibilities towards the community and leading the way to empowering the black people.

Very much like Ma Rainey's blackbottom, this film too is based on a play and thereby while watching you get the feel of watching a play specially the entire hotel room sequence. 

It felt a very disjointed movie, some scenes work here and there, love the one involving Jim Brown and the white guy who gives him warm welcome at his home and behaving like he is always there for anything Jim wants, only to later decline him entry inside the house because he is black, oh the irony.

Cassius Clay's boxing scenes didn't work at all, felt it was shot ameaturishly or maybe was secondary so didn't get the importance it otherwise would had. 

Takes a while, but when the 4 guys (I hardly knew anything about them in real, was a surprise to me to learn that Muhammad Ali had changed his name and converted into a Muslim) finally meet at the hotel, is when the film feels heading somewhere for atleast a while. Their conversations which start as their personal thoughts soon develop into interesting debatable angry conversations, with Malcom X going against Sam Cooke accusing him for not making right use of his singing and the power of words, and rather been a slave to white people instead. It soon shifts on Clay's conversion and if he really wants it or was Malcom in any way influential. There's Jim who is unclear if he wants to keep playing football or become a movie star. And then Malcolm who is having his own troubles within his 'Nation of the Islam' as he intends to start his own organisation. 

Its hard to take sides with anybody, almost everyone's perspective felt right to me. I enjoyed all 4 performances, but Leslie Odom Jr act worked most for me including that last song he performs. Also, I was wondering if Lance Reddick had come from the sets of 'John Wick', continuing the same role and similar style. 

One Night in Miami, is one of those rare films that has a strong 2nd act, but very few worthy moments to enjoy in rest parts. Still a nice directorial debut from Regina King. 

My Rating : 6/10

Mini Review : News of the World (Netflix)

Directed by : Paul Greengrass

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6878306/

'I guess we both have demons to face, going down this road.'

Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) moves from town to town with a unique profession of reading news from across the world. He happens to accidentally come across a 10 yr old girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel) in Wichita Falls, Texas as he finds out her parents are dead and she needs to be sent to her aunt and uncle many miles away. Captain takes the responsibility as they both set on a long journey which will be full of obstacles and also result in their bonding. 

Its a premise thats done a lot, even similar to our very own 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. Despite the predictability and very well knowing where we may be heading, its a film that delivers due to some honest good performances and the direction of Greengrass who keeps you engaged through variety of problems put forward, be it how Captain interacts with Johanna because they both can't understand their languages (she's from Kiowa community). Then the evil guys who try to snatch her away from him as she helps, and the misery doesn't end when another town guys go after them. 

What I like is the sweet bonding properly developed over time making us love that final scene even more when Captain does what we feel he should be doing for Johanna. I don't know if this is fictional or a news reading profession actually exists in real, I may be interested if so. .

The pace is the only hiccup I felt, maybe could had been more tight and trimmed by few mins. Also, it takes some time to like character of Johanna.

Another likeable performance by Tom Hanks with good support from Helena Zengel, its the journey they both follow that makes this a lovely watch.

My Rating : 7/10 

Mini Review : AK vs AK (Netflix)

Directed by : Vikramaditya Motwane

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11651796/

Tu aisa waisa chu**** nahi hai, Tu chu**** ka Ranveer Singh hai. Ekdum Top.

Spoilers ahead...

Anurag Kashyap (film-maker) and Anil Kapoor (actor) have a heated arguement at a talk show resulting in Anurag spilling water right over Anil's face with the media present there. Anurag's reputation is further spoiled as a result with the running news on TV about Anurag's next films getting shelved without him even knowing. Its then when Anurag with help of his assistant Yogita Bihani (camera-girl) decides to show Anil who is the boss as he kidnaps his daughter Sonam Kapoor (actress) and gives him till sun-rise to find her or she will be dead. The rules are, he will all the time film Anil searching her, his phone has to be always on loudspeaker and cops shouldn't be involved. 

A very interesting premise, something not tried in our industry before I think.. and I haven't seen such story film in Hollywood too yet though some have been made. I was hooked on it right from the start, its always fun when stars are willing to take personal insults in the movie. Here, Anil gets called mr India for his films go and disappear without anyone knowing, or the comments made on his acting style by Anurag. And Anil hits back with how Anurag is known for his abuses and not good film-making, there's even a great dialogue where he compares him to 'Chu**** ka Ranveer Singh' (the english translation in Netflix changed Ranveer Singh to Chris Hemsworth for some reason). Also, you see Anurag getting confused with Anurag Basu (has happened few times by even media) and Madhur Bhandarkar. 

There's also a very fun Harshvardhan Kapoor (also playing himself) who is been hammy when he tries to give his own version of 'find sonam' script, and the hilarious moment when he asks Anurag to cast him after been fucked by his last Bhavesh Joshi disaster. 

The entire police station scene is full of laughs, and also the stage scene where Anil has to dance for his fans and only then they will help him out. Love that long chase sequence involving Anil and the taxi driver who is the clue to where Sonam could be. 

Anil Kapoor is in super duper form, unlike the accusation given in the film, he actually is giving one of his best performance in here, incidentally last time I enjoyed him this much was in 24 1st season where he was finding his kidnapped daughter too. While Anurag Kashyap entertains with the fun he is having making Anil run to his tune. 

I think the film messed up at the end, if only it went for a open ending and stopped right at Anil's dialogue at the hospital. The spoon-feeding and those never ending 'Kashyap sabka badla lega' kind of lets the film down for me in those last 10-15 mins. Also, I wanted some more insults coming or maybe few more celebrities could had been included to make it tougher for Anil not disclosing the real kidnapping of Sonam.

Leaving asides the problems with the final act, AK vs AK experiment works very well, Motwane delivers another enjoyable film, after a little disappoinment with Bhavesh Joshi and the underwhelming Trapped, this one works a lot for me. 

My Rating : 7/10 

Mini Review : The Life Ahead (Netflix)

Directed by : Edoardo Ponti

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10627584/

Some people say that everything is written and nothing can be changed. But I wanna change it all and go back to the beginning, when nothing was written.

Madame Rosa (Sophie Loren) gets asked by her doctor Coen (Renato Carpentieri) if she could keep Momo (Ibrahima Gueye), a 12 year old street kid who he feels under her guidance could become a better boy. He had just robbed Madame Rosa, but she agrees and thereby we see their bond develop while Madame Rosa's health keeps deteriorating.

Its an adaptation of a novel and remake of 1977 version which I haven't seen and couldn't find the film anywhere to watch. Reading from some reviews, I understood that the current version changed things around, which are actually the reasons why the film turns out to be just watchable despite been having potential for many touching moments. 

The problem is no character development, the bonding between Madame Rosa and Momo develops too rapidly, I would have liked it take more time which is why that sunrise sequence at climax despite been beautiful didn't really invoke feelings as it was trying to. The entire Momo's drug dealer angle was un-necessary, we could had been told he's into that and decides to leave it, rather than the entire how he starts and develops interest in it. There could had been lot more scenes between Momo and Hamil (Babak Karimi), their interactions were good to watch.

Also, no past history is told about Madame Rosa, except for that code on her hand suggesting she is some sort of survivor. I found Lola (Abril Zamora) act pretty irritating too. 

What worked was Ibrahima Gueye performance, and his scenes with Iosif (Iosif Diego Pirvu). Sophie Loren's act was bit of mix for me, I think the below average writing messed it up than she did. Also, loved the background score and the music used, specially 'Io Si (Seen)' by Diane Warren with wonderful lyrics from Laura Pausini, comes right at the end credits. 

Its watchable, but just misses the mark on the emotional level. 

My Rating : 5/10 

Recap 2020 : Best Hollywood Films/Series, Disappointing and Worst

Just like the Hindi Movies, saw only 12 English/World movies in theatre.. and then 37 movies on the laptop (the count will keep growing here it seems). Also saw 10 series out of which 'Dark' was without any doubt the best I have seen ever, the final season lived upto the expectations to make it the best series till date. 

The Haunting of Bly Manor was a good follow-up to 'The Haunting of Hill House', this one however was more on love and loss concept in a horror surrounding. 'Sex Education' 2nd season was a fun watch minus the ending that was lets just say no one wanted it. 'Upload' was a nice surprise short series that I just out of curiosity watched and happy to have given it a go. 'Narcos Mexico' Season2 worked for me due to Felix and how he reaches his downfall, does require to sit through almost half or more of the season that is at a very snail pace, still a good watch. 

Talking of the top movies, the quality was lot higher in 2020, I loved almost every film listed and also the ones that didn't make the cut. The Trial of Chicago 7 works for the lovely courtroom drama that is mix of serious and comic moments. Soul is another great Pixar animation movie talking of the life on earth and relating to life after death in fun way plus the message of living every moment. 

Judas and the Black Messiah is hard-hitting with a spectacular performance from Daniel Kaluuya, and a brutal ending. Deservingly won an Oscar! While 'Promising Young Woman' is a very enjoyable take on revenge involving Carey Mulligan's lovely act 

Special mention to 'Another Round', a unique concept of using alcohol in right quantity to enhance the lifestyle and make body more active. There's no chance I would ever forget that final dance by Mads Mikkelsen on 'What a Life'.  Also, 'The Platform' very much like Parasite shows up the divide between upper class and lower class in a very creative manner. 

'The Half of It' was a surprise addition, a lighthearted rom-com that worked in all ways, mainly for the friendship angle between leads. While 'First Cow' also deals with friendship, as long as you can sit through the very very very slowish first 20-25 mins, the ending is very heartbreaking here. 

So, Here's my complete list ... 

Best Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. The Trial of Chicago 7

2. Soul

3. Judas and the Black Messiah

4. Another Round

5. Promising Young Woman

6. Sound of Metal

7. The Platform

8. The Half of It

9. First Cow

10. The Father

Minari, Collectiv, Palm Springs, Onward and Better Days miss out.

Best Series around the World in 2020 : 

1. Dark S3

2. The Haunting of Bly Manor

3. Sex Education S2

4. Upload 

5. Narcos Mexico S2

The Sinner S3 misses out, while Money Heist S4 and 13 Reasons Why S4 were very average at best. 

Worst Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. She Dies Tomorrow

2. Eurovision Song Contest : The Story of Fire Saga

3. Da 5 Bloods

'She Dies Tomorrow' suffered from a terrible execution of what was a good premise to build story on. Eurovision Song Contest didn't work for me because of the male lead otherwise in parts I did find it watchable. While Da5 Bloods felt a big bore even the cameo of Chadwick Boseman couldn't help.

Disappointing Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. Wonder Woman 1984

2. Tenet

3. Mank

One of rare occasion in Hollywood when all biggies failed incredibly. Wonder Woman 1984 couldn't come anywhere close to the magic of 1st one, the idea of greed became tedious after a while. Tenet has a typical Nolan's confusing screenplay playing with time but this one lacked the feels and emotions completely. And Mank was well, just not my kind film specially when I couldn't like the classic Citizen Kane on whom it is based. 

Recap 2020 : Best Hindi Films/Series, Disappointing and Worst!

Didn't knew a year would come when I would see so less movies in theatre, just 8 in the theatre and 11 on laptop. Irony is that count of theatre might be 0 when I make list for 2021, well who knows corona goes away magically in coming months. 

Also, saw plenty of series with Scam 1992 knocking it out of the stadium, what a series, what performances and what a brilliant use of entire cast of talented actors that over the years have been wasted in nothing roles or cliched characters. 

Asur took the next spot.. totally enjoyed the shuddh hindi and the plot despite some visible flaws. Maybe flawed cheezon ko pasand karne ki aadat ho gayi hai. PaatalLok was another great series that was engaging and didn't disappoint in the finale.

Even though there wasn't a single special film that I could love to the core, there were still plenty good films and considering the times we living in, have to be satisfied by that. Top5 were actually very neck to neck in terms of quality, sorted them out in terms of their repetitive appeal for me. 

Ludo was at the top, another of Anurag Basu's enjoyable films that has a great ensemble cast. Rajkumar Rao's Mithun mimicry and habit of dancing whenever in tension was highlight of the movie along with the ever reliable Pankaj Tripathi. Gunjan Saxena, does get little caught in the cliches of routine biopic yet it provides some hard-hitting moments with a lovely father-daughter relationship involving Pankaj Tripathi and Jhanvi Kapoor (she can act for me). 

Raat Akeli Hai was a lovely slow-burner, didn't really go KnivesOut way as trailer suggested which actually worked in its favour with the mystery angle done well while exploring male dominance and violence against women themes and ofcourse Nawazuddin Siddiqui's great performance. 

The experimental AK vs AK is terrific with Anil Kapoor in super form, only let down by the unwanted spoon-feeding in final 10 mins. While Tillatome Shome's performance in 'Is Love Enough? Sir' is great to watch in a very good movie that explores a very taboo relationship. 

Malang despite having some regular routine mess Mohit Suri world always has, works for its tight screenplay and the Aditya-Disha chemistry. Easily my guilty pleasure movie of the year. 

Special Mention to Bulbbul that reunited the 'Laila Majnu' pair, it was also a good watch.  The much talked about 'Dil Bechara' was lets say 

This year again I ain't posting Best Performances, so the ones that stood out for me were - Pankaj Tripathi (Gunjan Saxena), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Raat Akeli Hai), Tillatome Shome (Is Love Enough? Sir', Tripti Dimri (Bulbbul) and Anil Kapoor (AK vs AK), 

Not posting Hindi Albums and Top100 songs too this year, couldn't listen most of the albums, will try to cover it up with the 2021 list if possible. 

Here's my complete list... 

Top 10 Hindi Movies of 2020 : 

1. Ludo

2. Gunjan Saxena : The Kargil Girl

3. Raat Akeli Hai

4. AK vs AK 

5. Is Love Enough? Sir

6. Malang

7. Bulbbul

8. Thappad

9. Kaamyaab

10. Tanhaji : The Unsung Warrior

Angrezi Medium, Indoo Ki Jawani and Lootcase miss out. 

Best Series of 2020 : 

1. Scam 1992

2. Asur : Welcome to your Dark Side S1

3. Paatal Lok

4. Panchayat 

5. Special Ops S1

Mirzapur S2 misses out.. Also 'She'  and 'JL 50' was interesting in many parts. 

Worst Hindi Movies of 2020 : 

1. Coolie No.1

2. Baaghi 3

3. Love Aaj Kal

Varun Dhawan overacted both versions, the Mithun mimicry was torturous and Sara Ali Khan again disappointed, I think some songs were the only saving grace in this film. Baaghi3 was silly with another over the top action like the 2nd part. And Imtiaz Ali enters the list where I don't like him to be, Love Aaj Kal trailer was so good but the movie never worked for me minus some parts of 'Kal' where as the 'Aaj' part felt no connect and emotions at all, again Sara Ali Khan a let-down but I feel any other actress won't have made any difference too. 

Most Disappointing Hindi Movies of 2020 : 

1. Angrezi Medium

2. Love Aaj Kal

3. Gulabo Sitabo

Irrfan Khan deserved a better last movie, no where close to Hindi Medium, he however still gave some good scenes to enjoy. And Shoojit Sircar's run of great films ended atleast for me Gulabo Sitabo was pretty average even with the great twist. 

Mini Review : Hillibilly Elegy (Netflix)

Directed by : Ron Howard

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6772802/

Everyone in this world is one of three kinds : a good terminator, a bad terminator and neutral.

J.D Vance (Gabriel Basso), a Yale law student gets a call from his hometown Ohio by his sister Lindsay (Haley Bennett) as he learns his drug addicted mother Bev (Amy Adams) is in hospital. He is forced to go back despite having job based meeting and then an interview next morning. 

Told through flashbacks with J.D the narrator, we get to know about his early life, the relationship with his mother and grandma Mamaw (Glenn Close), a dysfunctional family where he had to go through plenty of drama. The movie basically tries to go two ways, and succeeds at it, one been how your life would turn out if that one particular moment didn't happen, which in this case is when Mamaw decides to take over responsibility of young J.D knowing Bev would end up being a bad mother which she already was due to her drugs addiction. Through Mamaw's help and later girlfriend like Usha (Friedo Pinto), we see J.D become a better grown up guy rather than getting indulged into violence and drugs with the kind of friends he had made earlier. 

The other point movie makes is about the family background, you can't run away from it or well atleast most can't. And yet you could be successful despite the drama or kind of toxic childhood you have to go through specially if belonging to a middle class or below, maybe use it as a fuel rather than get destroyed and taking those bad traits of your parents. J.D could easily had said no and stayed to finish his interview, but he preferred going back to a mother who never really cared like a mother should do. But part of blame goes to Mamaw who didn't look up to what Bev was turning into, which is one of reasons why she was quick to react to avoid history repeating with J.D. 

I love that particular scene where Mamaw is asking for extra food to feed J.D and later gives much larger portion for him to eat, which was the point where J.D did realize the effort she is putting in and he had to change and become serious to not let the chance go begging of becoming someone in life. And followed all the struggled and low jobs he does to earn money. 

Performances wise, Glenn Close is excellent, love her concerned looks at J.D or the restrained anger whenever Bev would create issues. Her relationship with J.D gives some of best scenes in the movie, and I would had liked more of it and J.D's childhood shown which I felt was little less. Amy Adams some might find over the top, but her act worked for me, that skates hospital scene was hilarious and also the way she would hold J.D hands while crying wanting comfort of someone is there with her. I personally enjoyed Gabriel Basso performance too even though he may not be on same level, liked how he portays the dilemna, a career finally getting to a high and yet his family background might just spoil it. Also, lovely cameo from Friedo Pinto playing Indian girlfriend of J.D.

I had a very good connect with the story even though there's nothing I have experienced like that in my life, many places I felt bad for J.D or for that matter even Bev. Hillibilly Elegy is a very well made up film by Ron Howard, just minor issues else I enjoyed it a lot.

My Rating : 7/10