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shilpa-mankikar
Reviews
Diwal'oween (2017)
Funny & for families
It shows different cultures getting along, and especially the Indian American lifestyle. In Ameria, we learn to love other cultures from holidays. The jokes are very funny - typical New York and New Jersey. The cast is very diverse. The actors were very funny. There are many surprises in the story and shots. The music is good, a few Grammy winners. The Art Direction and Costumes are colorful. It's a feel-good movie that you can watch with your family. These days, we live in neighborhoods with many different kinds of people, so it's nice to see something positive. I would love to see this as a regular TV show or series.
The Empress (2022)
Great series!
I didn't know much about Habsburg Empire, but loved this series. I have not compared it to previous versions or historical data. I want more episodes. I am a professional film & TV maker & love historical subjects. The costumes, cinematography, and storytelling was great. Good writing. They really sustain the tension between the royal family themselves, and the outside world. There is a lot of danger and tension. There is a lot of opulence to the world. There are bad guys and good guys. It's women-centered. What a season cliffhanger! Why didn't they greenlight a full series? Now it led me down a rabbit hole of wanting to know more about Sisi.
The Laughing Club of India (2001)
Feel-good
All the laughter and funny facial expressions will make you laugh. Insight into laughter as medicine. How people have recovered from various diseases with laughter therapy.
Awake: The Life of Yogananda (2014)
Fascinating
As a South Asian American, Hindu, and person who has recently gone to (what I didn't realize was) Yogananda's center in LA - I found this fascinating! There are so few stories Indian American from this time period. His travel down South was fascinating, as was his "break-up" with his best friend / fellow guru Dhirananda. We still deal with this kind of racism or misunderstood Hinduism, so it was interesting to see how he navigated it at an even earlier & more closed-minded time. It also touches on the Hindu-influenced 60's which still permeates California and Hippie culture. My only note is that I wish they interviewed more women among the "celebs", some of whom have MeToo cases like Bikram Yoga.
The Childhood of a Leader (2015)
Totally over-rated
This was stupid and had nothing to do with Hitler but implied his name in all the promotional materials for...what reason? It has a lot of great production design, but is a very average and typical story about a wealthy family, a woman who speaks 4 languages who could have had her husband's job in another time, a husband who May or May not be having an affair, and a child. Also the abuse shown is hardly anything even compared to MadMen.
Vetka sireni (2007)
Interesting movie
I grew up listening to, studying, playing Rachmaninoff's music but knew nothing about his life. Also had not heard of the Cast/Crew before. American title is "White Lilacs" on Amazon. Also the Main Actor who plays Rachmaninoff is not Credited here....?