Reviews

Rahab Ahmed is your name. You decided to relocate from America to India for two reasons, 1-America is racist and 2-you firmly believe that India is your motherland and that your future is secure here. But you overlooked two basic truths, 1-you belong to the "minority" community and 2-this is India, a country of bigots. Therefore you are totally unprepared for what will occur next. You could be accused of two things, 1-of smuggling beef and 2-of eloping with an innocent Hindu girl. #Afwaah is thus an important film with excellent performances by all actors. Hats off to director Sudhir Mishra for narrating this tale in an unbiased manner. Some more brutality would have definitely added value to the film. Rating 3.5/5.

The hero, an RJ, has a medical condition termed "prosopagnosia" that causes him to have trouble recognizing people's faces, but his memory is intact. He sees a murder happen one night, but because of his condition, he is unable to recognize the perpetrator. He approaches the ACP with the facts, but his life is now in jeopardy. Telugu film #PrasannaVadanam deals with a unique subject and keeps you involved in the proceedings. Young actor Suhas plays the lead role and he is amazing. Without a doubt, he merits additional big-screen viewings. Rashi Singh portrays a villainous figure and she does it with aplomb. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Rating 3/5.

#IshqTera tries to narrate a different story; but sadly, director #JojoDsouza is unable to do justice to the script. The heroine, Hrishitaa Bhatt, has a traumatic past, hence as she grows older, she suffers from multiple personality disorder. Sometimes she is "Kalpana", a simple, loving, working mother. At other times, she is "Laila", who wears bright lipstick, visits bars and sleeps with random men. Her husband tries to cure her by altering his personality. The topic is intricate. If the film had been directed by someone more experienced and skilled, it would have been a worthwhile viewing. Performances are okay. Rating 2.5/5.

It is not acceptable to treat senior citizens like "disposable items". They experience feelings as well. They need someone to confide in, someone to pamper them and someone who will be there for them when they need medical assistance. However, youngsters nowadays are egocentric and don't have time for this kind of crap. Although they may have millions of Instagram followers, when will they truly "follow" their parents, who have given up all of their joys in order to raise them? #JunaFurniture raises a really important point. Actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar is in top form here. His body language and his dialogue delivery are flawless. He also manages to extract good performances from the others. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Rating 3.5/5.

At a farmhouse, a lone man and three married couples get together to socialize. Suddenly the lights go off and the sound of a slap and a kiss reaches our ears. What could this indicate? That a woman slapped a man after he forcibly smooched her? But did the lady not enjoy the kiss? Has infidelity become common these days? Can a married man be just "friends" with a married lady, or would it lead to something more intense? A bolder script would have done wonders, but Marathi movie #AlibabaAaniChalishitaleChor raises a pertinent issue and keeps you engaged in the proceedings. Performances and direction are excellent. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Rating 3.5/5.

#SwatantryaVeerSavarkar is certainly not an entertaining film, but hats off to actor-director Randeep Hooda for attempting a film of this genre. Though it seems like a protracted history lecture, it is clear that he has invested a lot of love, sweat and attention into narrating this biopic. Parul Bose and Nilesh Wagh did a fantastic job with the production design. Though they are shown as being cordial towards each other, it is evident from the scenes featuring Gandhi and Savarkar that their opposing doctrines prevented them from tolerating one another. Performances are good. Running time needs to be reduced by 25 minutes. Rating 2.5/5.

Even if you are a parent, how acquainted are you with your son, Adam? He used to cry when he came home from school after being bullied. You did not, however, comfort him. As he got older, he came to terms with the fact that he was gay and lonely. He could never be a "happily married" family man. What if he suddenly befriends a handsome guy and they start dating? Would he seek your approval? Would you find it admissible? #AllOfUsStrangers is certainly worth watching, especially for the awesome performances by Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Their kinship is sensationally depicted. The film serves as a powerful reminder that the best way to appreciate life is to spend it with those we love. Do watch it. Rating 4/5.

You are the only son of a powerful king. But you are not regarded as a man because of your feminine bearing and ardent love for dancing. Unable to bear the loneliness and the frustration, you pass away. However, you return as an ugly, menacing ghost, waiting for your lover in a "purani haveli." Is there a chance your significant other may come back? Will he marry you and let your soul attain "moksh"? Hats off to director Sree Harsha Konuganti for creating a film which is appealing and which looks at same-sex marriages with due sensitivity. The performances by the three leading men are commendable. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Telugu movie #OmBheemBush is certainly worth watching. Rating 3.5/5.

You used to be a haughty, wealthy snob until yesterday. You were on a luxury cruise where you treated the staff as your personal slaves and they tolerated your eccentricities. All you cared for was posting "perfect" photos on Instagram. But the scenario is reversed now. You are marooned on a desolate island. You lack the knowledge necessary to catch fish and to cook it. You are unable to live without assistance. Now the same staff comes to your aid. They cook for you and take care of you. However, they take full advantage of the situation and become your masters. Director Ruben Östlund's portrayal of "haves and have nots" is amazingly riveting. Performances are excellent. Running time needs to be reduced by 20 minutes. #TriangleOfSadness rating 3.5/5.

Outside his chalet, Samuel is discovered dead. His wife Sandra was the only person at home when this happened. The cops are unwilling to brush off the incident as an "accident", hence she automatically becomes the prime suspect. But is she guilty? Was her spouse an unsuccessful, abusive and unhappy man, which is why she murdered him? #AnatomyOfAFall, partly French, partly English, is undoubtedly a fabulous film. The courtroom scenes are expertly handled. Sandra Huller delivers a bravura performance, ably supported by the rest of the cast. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Don't miss this one please. Rating 4/5.

In good faith, you invest your hard-earned income in a bank or a scheme which promises handsome profits. You patiently wait for the returns that never materialize. When you inquire, you are curtly informed that there were market fluctuations which resulted in huge losses and you should now say goodbye to your money. #Thunivu imparts a crucial lesson: the common man's money is more safe and secure in a piggy bank instead of an actual bank. And when actor Ajith Kumar conveys this message, we undoubtedly want to listen to him. The plot is introduced right from the first scene and the entire film is fast moving. Action is over the top. Manju Warrier is wasted. Running time needs to be reduced by 20 minutes. Rating 2.5/5.

Anvitha is a fastidious chef. When she cooks, every ingredient is chosen with utmost care. So when she decides to have a baby without indulging in physical intimacy, she leaves no stone unturned in selecting the perfect guy's sperm. Sidhu, an engineer, seems like the ideal candidate for the position. However, he develops feelings for her and refuses to be "used and thrown". The key players in #MissShettyMrPolishetty make the film watchable. Anushka Shetty looks ravishing and puts in a restrained performance. But it is Naveen Polishetty who steals the show. He is lovable and credible. Running time needs to be reduced by 20 minutes. Rating 3/5.

Here is my unbiased review of the movie Retribution. Matt Turner, a financier, has absolutely no time for his family. But one fine day, he decides to become a good dad and drive his kids to school. However, he picked the wrong day. Why? Because that day, an unknown man planted a bomb beneath his seat and threatened to blow up the car. In #Retribution directed by Nimród Antal, Liam Neeson convincingly portrays a father who would stop at nothing to safeguard his children. The film has some watchable moments, but the climax is a bummer. I expected more tension and some brutal action. Rating 2.5/5.

Describe the punjabi male. A punjabi male is a man who wears flashy clothes, keeps his shirt buttons open so that ladies may ogle at his wonderfully chiselled chest, has scant respect for women and whose intelligent quotient is pitifully low. Describe the bengali female. A bengali female is a lady who is super astute, who is a strong advocator of women's rights, whose proficiency in English would put Shashi Tharoor to shame and who organizes cultural programs at her residence. So what transpires when they cross paths? Sparks fly and they fall in love. But will their families accept each other? Will love triumph against all odds? #RockyAurRaniKiiPremKahaani is entertaining in some parts and irritating in others. Alia Bhatt is adorable. But the scene stealers are the supporting actors, especially Shabana Azmi, Churni Ganguly and Kshitee Jog. Running time needs to be reduced by 25 minutes. Rating 2.5/5.

You seem very vexed. You had a traumatic past and your psychiatrist feels that you are unfit for your job. Meanwhile two young girls go missing and being a judicious cop, you are called upon to investigate the case. You gather a list of suspects, you torture them to extract a confession, but you are unable to do so. You are shocked when you realize that your best friend could provide a vital clue which he had hidden for a long time. Rajkummar Rao, as always, is impressive. Akhil Iyer provides good support. The climax will certainly spring a surprise on the audience. Running time needs to be reduced by 20 minutes. Be prepared to welcome "the second case". #HITTheFirstCase rating 3/5.

The city of Hyderabad has metamorphosed into a market. What exactly is on display here? Young, gullible girls from impoverished families. And who is the buyer? Rich, influential men who are old enough to be their fathers. Society recognizes this as a "marriage" since due protocol is followed. But we, as viewers, are convinced that this certainly isn't a union of two souls, but is a commercial transaction. #Bazaar1982 may have been released in 1982, but is relevant even today. The film boasts of amazing performances by Smita Patil, Supriya Pathak and BL Chopra. Music by Khayyam is superlative. Long after you leave the theatre, the Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Aziz song "phir chidi raat baat phoolon ki" will remain in your head. Please watch it on priority. Rating 4/5.

My review of VIOLENT NIGHT: David Harbour is certainly not your quintessential Santa Claus. He swears, he drinks and he pukes. He is also frustrated due to the fact that todays kids are junkies, they are selfish and they don't value his existence. One night, he connects with a young woman named Trudy who seeks his help in saving her wealthy but dysfunctional family. Trudy believes in him and his magic; she genuinely feels he is "real". Hence he decides to do whatever it takes to rescue her family. #ViolentNight is an engaging fare with good performances. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Rating 3/5.

It is a known fact that black bears are not predatory, they will not kill and eat humans. This rule applies to normal black bears. But what if they inhale bags of cocaine which are released from the skies? Then there is no stopping them. They turn into maneaters and go on a rampage. The potential victims are - a drug dealer and his son - a single mother, her daughter and her companion - three muggers - a cop - and a besotted forest officer. #CocaineBear, based on a true story, is set in Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. The film is funny, horrifying and thrilling. When was the last time a movie actually met all of these requirements? The short running time of 95 minutes is a bonus. Rating 3.5/5.

Philippa Langley has just watched a play on King Richard III of England wherein he has been defamed; he has been called a hunchback and an usurper. She instantly connects with him and starts seeing his apparition. She feels something is terribly wrong with the way the world perceives him and is determined to set things right. Despite suffering from a chronic ailment and being neglected by everyone, she singlehandedly clears his name and unearths his final resting place. Sally Hawkins plays the lead. It is certainly a complex role, but she is an amazing performer. Do watch #TheLostKing because Bollywood would never create something like this. Rating 3.5/5.

Alice and Jack are supposed to be living the ideal life. He goes off to work every morning. She cleans, cooks and remains at home. Both adore each other and life moves smoothly. But is this actually the "perfect" existence? Why is Alice not allowed to express her fears or make enquiries? Why is her friend's suicide attempt passed off as an accident? Why do arbitrary thoughts and images keep haunting her? #DontWorryDarling is a thriller which will undoubtedly make you worry, make you ponder. Florence Pugh puts in a remarkable performance. Running time needs to be reduced by 15 minutes. Rating 3/5.

In an accident, two girls lose their mother, but their father doesn't want to grieve with them. One day, a man enters their house and commits suicide. Since then, the girls are plagued by a "shadow monster" called #TheBoogeyman. The film isn't very scary, but is still worth watching for the excellent performances by Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair. As you watch the film, you sincerely hope that the monster would leave them alone. Two lessons to be learnt here, one - parents ought to act as a support system for their kids, and two - face your fears instead of running away from them. Rating 3/5.

Man is away the entire day earning his livelihood. Wife is preoccupied with housework. Their young daughter is in her room studying, with the door shut. But is she really studying? No. She covertly sends her nude videos to her paramour, who threatens to make these viral if she does not indulge in prostitution. Ultimately she has no option but to commit suicide. Such occurrences are on the rise. Teachers, security guards, cops and hostel wardens are all involved in this appalling scam. Tamil movie #Bakasuran deals with a pertinent topic and boasts of good performances. It certainly needs to be watched by all pubescent women. Running time needs to be reduced by 20 minutes. Rating 3/5.

Four people brandishing weapons forcibly enter a house inhabited by a married gay couple and their young daughter. They have come here on an important assignment. They claim that the world would end if the couple doesn't pay heed to their horrific proposal. When their suggestion is rejected, disaster strikes. So what is really going on? Is it the end of the world? Why was this particular family selected to save the world? Would you voluntarily murder someone you loved? #KnockAtTheCabin boasts of good performances and is watchable in parts. There was a lot of potential to create a scary and taut thriller, but the director lets you down. Rating 2.5/5.

Widower doctor Nate and his teenage daughters are on a safari. He sees this as the perfect occasion to take a break as well as to reconnect with his kids after the untimely demise of their mother. But once they enter the jungle, fate has other plans. A rogue lion is on the prowl. Its pride has been slaughtered by poachers and it is out for revenge. It is vicious and it is certainly not in a mood to spare anyone. #BeastMovie, directed by Baltasar Kormákur, is watchable in parts. Some more brutality would have made it a real thriller. The South African locations have been beautifully captured. Rating 2.5/5.