Reviews

Goodachaari (2018):

Adivi Sesh's intention of changing Tollywood with rarely attempted genres is commendable attempt. His previous outing Kshanam was a mystery thriller and now his new film Goodachaari is a spy thriller. Even with not so eye grabbing promos, Goodachari has good buzz only because of Kshanam. Audience waited for another unique experience and Did Sesh achieved it?

Plot:

Arjun (Adivi Sesh) gets recruited into a spy organization after repeated applying for the job. He is inducted into Trinetra, a secret service bureau that recruits him for a mission. He soon becomes an agent.On the very first day as an agent, a minister gets killed, his girlfriend (Sobhita) is killed and all fingers point out that he's behind this. He is on the run to find out who the mole in Trinetra is and who actually killed his father in his childhood. As he goes on the mission, many secrets come out.

My Review:

Adivi Sesh's intention is good of bringing change in Tollywood is good but it would be lot better if he chose new subjects other than inspired works like these. While Kshanam is taken from Flight Plan, Goodachaari is taken from almost all the famous spy films like MI, Kingsman etc..

There is nothing wrong with taking points from other works until or unless you focus on content. Kshanam is amazing with good thrill and emotions in right places but Goodachaari is too fake and tried hardly to look as an effective Mission Impossible of India. Goodachaari is too dragging, bland and sometimes confused.

Sesh's character desires to join in Spy Group but once he gets place in it he starts behaving like regular college kid with silly antics and behavior. There is not a single scene in the film where we feel the suspense. It is too bland and boring. A couple of things we expect to find in spy-thrillers are suspense and characters with intelligent minds. When coveted plans are revealed that should make us go 'Oh boy! I didn't see that coming.' But in Goodachari characters that seem to lack common sense and logical thinking.

Shockingly production values didn't impress. ENtire pre climax and climax were shot in some bad locations outskirts of city but shown as Bangladesh. Cinematography, Music are poor compared to Kshanam.

SO,Goodachaari is nothing but a cinemaholic attempt to remake all his favorite scenes from famous spy films.

My Rating 5.75/10

The 15:17 to Paris (2018): The Star-turned-Director Clint Eastwood has memorable films in his career with Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, American Sniper and Sully. He was after real-life hero tales continuously and this year he came with an even lesser known Thalys Train Attack. Surprisingly, Eastwood did a rare feat, he's cast the real men involved in the events the film depicts as themselves. So how did it go?

Plot: In the early evening of August 21, 2015, the world watched in stunned silence as the media reported a thwarted terrorist attack on Thalys train #9364 bound for Paris--an attempt prevented by three courageous young Americans traveling through Europe. The film follows the course of the friends' lives, from the struggles of childhood through finding their footing in life, to the series of unlikely events leading up to the attack. Throughout the harrowing ordeal, their friendship never wavers, making it their greatest weapon and allowing them to save the lives of the more than 500 passengers on board.

My Review:

If you watch this film expecting thrilling hostage scenes in train and inspiring heroic acts, you will disappoint as hell. The 15:17 to Paris is one of the most aimlessly made biographical drama film. As far as films on terrorism go, there's not much action to be seen here. The entire train attack lasts hardly more than 15 minutes.This is no action film and not drama too.

I think the script was written by the actors/real life people as it mostly focuses on uninteresting aspects of their life. Their travels, discussions and acts all looks like a Holiday videos. How did they even think that we are interested in watching their lives when almost nothing happens? May be! That is the point. MAy be Eastwood tried to prove that the most boring lives could also turn heroic but No..That didn't got conveyed to me while watching it.

All three real life heroes did good even when this is their first time. Eastwood succeeded in bringing out performances from them. And that's the only place Eastwood succeeded. Even the train sequence is blandly shot.]

My rating 5.25/10

Sanju (2018):

Of all the celebrities, Sanjay Dutt has the most controversial career. With several twists and turns including drugs, sex, Mafia, Sanjay Dutt's life definitely will make a brilliant film.What if it is directed by Raj Kumar Hirani, who is Dutt's best friend? Then this is going to be a perfect example of how a biopic should be made right? Unfortunately No!

Plot:

Sanju is the story of Sanjay Dutt, Bollywood superstar, acclaimed actor, convicted criminal, son of the screen legend Nargis and the much-respected actor-activist-politician Sunil Dutt. The film skips Dutt Jr's childhood and takes us through his work on his debut film, his mother's illness, his rocky relationship with his father, his alcoholism and drug addiction, the allegations of involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, his arrest under the draconian and now lapsed TADA, the acquittal on terror charges and conviction under the Arms Act, his jailing and ultimate release.

My Review:

Sanju only covers 3 stages of his life or else we can say 3 confessions of his life. Why he became a drug addict? Why he has AK 56? Why was he labeled as Terrorist? Sanju shows reason to these questions like a confession given in court.To anyone who wants to know deep into Sanjay's past will only get what Sanjay wants to show you.

Even with Hirani's master technique of blending humor in serious situations too, Sanju still thrives to sympathize Sanjay Dutt.Throughout the film, Sanjay Dutt character is shown as an innocent guy who landed in troubles to save his family.Rajkumar Hirani does the only thing he can. By making Sanjay Dutt, Sanju. By choosing to show us a child-man, full of insecurities and flaws. By making the film much more about an errant son and a loving, forgiving father, than a king-size, get-outta-my-way superstar 'jo har fikr ko dhuein mein udaata chaala gaya'. And yes, by giving that errant son a chance of redemption, because it wouldn't be a Rajkumar Hirani film otherwise.There are a lot of issues untouched in the film.

Hirani did his best in bringing out drama with perfection but it doesn't seem fair when he didn't bring out the best with such amazing chance.

Performance wise Ranbir Kapoor is good in the role of Sanjay Dutt but Makeup artists efforts deserves more applause.Paresh Rawal is the show stealer in the role of Sunil Dutt. All his scenes are the best part of the film.

So,Sanju is a 2 and half hour confession of Sanjay Dutt about the blame he faced. Hirani disappointed...

My Rating 7/10

Hereditary (2018):

I strongly believe that only one horror film will be a Masterpiece per year and rest will disappoint. 2018 already got a masterpiece with A Quiet Place but surprisingly another film caught huge attention with its amazingly cut trailers. The most interesting aspect is that it came from the same production house which bought one of my most favorite horror The Witch. SO did it reach my expectations?

Plot:

A matriarch (Ann Dowd) in a household passes away and the family is stuck in what seems to be a permanent loop of grief. Annie (Toni Collette) tries her best to take control of the emotional index in the house but there is something not quite right with her daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro) - as is the norm in horror, the child is seeing things the adults are not.

My Review:

Horror films have a habit of following a formula and recycling it until another film comes and charts a new course.The Witch started a course of a slow-burning horror which doesn't rely on cheap jump scares but still injects fear into each and every nerve of body. But unfortunately, no other film tried its style and Hereditary is the only one which came after a long time.

Unlike most horror films where it feels like you are inside a horror-themed fun house of people in costumes jumping at you, there is an atmospheric creepiness built in Hereditary that makes you consistently uncomfortable. Hereditary starts with a tragedy and enters the main plot soon and moves slowly by injecting scenes into our mind with lot of detailing.The entire trauma faced by the family is shown too disturbingly. Even with less jump-scares, this movie still gives you goosebumps in right moments and especially the second tragedy is too hard-hitting.

Aster's approach to scaring you has a refined and scholarly sheen - there is not a single moment of manipulative loud music just to induce shock value. But unfortunately he changed his track at the end which strongly resembled The Witch which totally disappointed me. The climax twist made me hate the entire film a bit.The final 10 minutes of the film is when Aster completely embraces the supernatural and it becomes a bit of a let down for two reasons - the revelation is not horrifying or unique enough for hardcore horror nerds, and if seen from the metaphorical lens, it comes across as an overtly explained and overlong spoon-fed information for audiences.

Collette's performance is amazing but she is No Essie Davis of Babadook or Nicole Kidman of The Others..But Milly Shapiro is a revelation.Even when with less screen presence then other roles, she is the major scare point of the film and it is a praise. Alex Wolff is scary too.

So,Hereditary almost promised an experience like The Witch but unfortunately it showed me The Witch again. It is vastly similar to that film.

Note:- Indian Censor ruined experience with its brutal cuts...

My Rating 6.5/10

Ready Player One (2018):

Halfway through Ready Player One,a lengthy sequence of The Shining was included which I was totally unprepared for..Who would have thought that we are going to see The Shining,one of the greatest horrors of all time,on an Imax screen and Perfect 3D...A pure Spielberg master-creativity in bringing us one of the most nostalgic adventure movie with mind blowing VFX...

Plot:

In the year 2045, the real world is a harsh place. The only time Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) truly feels alive is when he escapes to the OASIS, an immersive virtual universe where most of humanity spends their days. In the OASIS, you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone-the only limits are your own imagination. The OASIS was created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance), who left his immense fortune and total control of the Oasis to the winner of a three-part contest he designed to find a worthy heir. When Wade conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends-aka the High Five-are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS.

My Review:

Spielberg has been a great storyteller from the beginning, a master of the camera, it is as if he sees each edit in his head before the film is finished.Even when present young-age film makers are stumbling upon each other on who is gonna make the best visual wonder,Spielberg a man who is almost 75 has most visual telling abilities than most of the other makers.Steven Spielberg is the father of spectacle.The film-maker's singular vision in weaving ambitious drama around cinematic sorcery launched the age of blockbuster entertainment.In Ready Player One, he returns to an arena he predominantly parented with the optimism of a kid who hasn't forgotten what it's like to be an audience..

Ready Player One is a truly awe-inspiring, towering piece of work, the work of an artist absolutely confident in his abilities and artistry, his finger on the pulse of world movie goers. With a salute to eighties pop culture, and video games, the characters hurtle through the worlds in the film, encountering some of the more famous and infamous characters of the eighties. What I liked is that they are not the major characters, they simply exist in this work called The Oasis. Slipping into this virtual world you are as likely to encounter King Kong as you are the T Rex from Jurassic Park (1993), the cast of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and the totally unexpected Overlook Hotel of The Shining (1980) and hilariously creepy "Chucky" too..

Because Spielberg is quite the master of crafting giant spectacle with heart, you get some truly jaw dropping action sequences in the film, more so because we're inside VR and the filmmaker is no longer confined to the boundaries of what can be realistic. The scale is so huge and sprawling that it feels like Spielberg is just showing off what is possible with cutting edge CGI and an unlimited imagination nowadays..The Mega Race at the start itself is worth the ticket price...Make no mistake; there are legitimately jaw-dropping action set pieces in Ready Player One that rival anything seen in even the most impressive blockbuster franchises, and they leave a lasting impression. 3D is one of the best I have ever seen

Ready Player One is flawed too..Performances are just decent..Nothing special except the charming presence of Olivia Cooke..She is absolutely stunning....As per the plot,Ready Player One is a typical Spielberg-ish adventure set in virtual world..There are no surprises and turns..It just gives you an long-lasting expression...

So,Ready Player One is a crazy nostalgic ride with the best VFX you will see in recent times..Spielberg's epic craft..

My rating 7.5/10

Awe (2018):

Awe is one of the rare films which promised us an unique experience from the first looks itself.Awe' has been in the news for the reason that the film is presented by hero Nani. With several prominent actresses featuring in it, the film also increased buzz around it.Directed by debutante Prashanth Varma,Awe has finally hit the screens yesterday.SO how is it?

Plot: The film begins with Kaali (Kajal Aggarwal) coming to a restaurant and starts scribbling something. The film then reveals episodes about several people present at the restaurant.The people present at the restaurant are - a watchman Shiva (Avasarala), a chef Nala (Priyadarshi), a stewardess Meera (Regina), two lesbian customers Radha (Eesha) and Krish (Nithya Menen) and a magician Yogi (Murali Sharma).How are they linked with Kaali? And what is the final twist in the tale?

My Review:

Awe is an unusual film. The trailer didn't give away anything, except the fact that a few well-known actors have come together to do something new. A film like this can be a double-edged sword, with potential to be a game changer or end up as an experiment not many would care to watch. Awe turned out to be a slow-burn, shape-shifting film as it introduced its key characters and the strange worlds they inhabit.

Awe is hyperlink kinda film which involves 7 different stories which are happening in the same restaurant.Each and every individual story is interesting and blend of many genres.There is drama,comedy,fantasy,sci-fi and horror too.But no story gives not even a slightest hint of where it is leading.SO many may feel them boring after some extent.

Climax twist reveal all the answers to the audience with brilliantly made scene but it will definitely get mixed reactions from audience.Few people will get it and many may not and even to the people who understood the twist will start questioning more which leads to more questions.

Performances are amazing and such stellar cast in a single film really is amazing.Each and every character have done their roles with perfection.Nani and Ravi Teja are amazing with their comedy timing and dialogue delivery.

With cinematographer Karthik Ghattamaneni and composer Mark K Robin, the director treats each of the segments and characters differently, with distinct colour palettes and background scores. When it all comes together with the big, final reveal, it turns out to be a a laudable idea and the writer-director doesn't over-explain this to his audience and had given enough hints throughout the film,especially in title credits and theme song.

Director Prashanth Varma's idea had been shelved for lot of years as producers aren't fully confident about the film. We have seen festival films like Ship of Theseus and Lucie (Kannada) made in other languages and we hardly see any such attempts made in Telugu with capable makers. Awe is such a film. This film has a different format of story telling. The screenplay of the film is excellent. Direction is very good. The director has written the script meticulously and all scenes are interconnected.But he desperately added some complex segments like Time travel and magician elements which reveals flaws.

So,Awe is slightly flawed but commendable experimental film which is must needed for Telugu Cinema.

My Rating 7.25/10

Bhaagamathie (2018):

Bhaagamathie is one of few such films which was under production since 2 years and faced lot of inconsistencies which resulted in delay in its release.After several hurdles,the movie got released with decent buzz because of its lead actress and genre.Even the promos generated curiosity among audience.SO how is it?

Plot:

Eshwar Prasad(Jayaram) is an honest minister who appoints Chanchala IAS(Anushka) as his personal secretary. As time passes by, he opposes the high command for a cause. In order to pull him down, the government targets Chanchala. They take her to an undisclosed location called Bhaagamathie bungalow. Upon their investigation, they get the shock of their lives when they start to see Chanchala behaving like Bhaagamathie. Who is this Bhaagamathie? What does she have to do with Chanchala? and what is the twist behind the whole political set up? To know the answers, you need to watch the film on the big screen.

My Review:

Even though Bhaagamathie is touted as a scary horror with periodic elements,it is a political thriller filled with supernatural elements.He has used horror elements and royal setup to cash in on the image of Anushka who is known for such movies like Arundhati.The story of Bhaagamathie, is nothing like what was suggested by the filmmakers through the theatrical trailer and the nightmarish posters. It was supposed to keep the audience on the edge-of-the-seat with a spine-chilling backstory of the central character Bhaagamathie, a ghost from the past century. It was supposed to send the shiver down our spines while we witness the horrors suffered by the characters that wander into Bhaagamathie's territory. Instead, we get a blown-out version of Tamil film Pizza. And shades of all horror movies that have been made in the South Indian film industry thus far.

There's always a thin line between being scary and being loud. Horror films are always difficult to make because you cannot really tell if you're scaring the audience or boring them. Director G Ashok's flirts with this thin line on more than one occasion in his ambitious venture 'Bhaagamathie' but with no success.

The scary moments that the director has relied upon are outrightly boring. Much of the movie is passive, only after Bhaagamathie's role gets introduced does it turn a bit interesting.Second half is decent but climax twist may sound interesting,it is heavily inspired from Pizza (which is in turn inspired from The Usual Suspects). Even the ending scene is inspired from Pizza.

Anushka has got a role that puts her at the center stage of the proceedings. She gets to play a character that has scope for multiple variations and thrill the audience. Unfortunately, despite the presence of all the elements she only manages to scratch the surface when there was much more to achieve.Unni Mukundan and Jayaram shined in their roles which brought us a fresh feel even when their roles are cliched.

Technically,Bhaagamathie is just average.Especially I was disappointed with Madhie as this is his weakest work.Thaman is as usually loud.

So,Bhaagamathie is a typical political thriller dressed as a supernatural thriller and hugely inspired from Pizza.

My Rating 5.75/10