AninditaRoyMusings

DREAM SCENARIO: A wonderful funny dark comedy with the machinations of a psychological thriller. Nicolas Cage delivers his best performance with sincerity and dignity and the ensemble cast dazzles with authentic presentation. The movie is not recommended for children as it has some mildly erotic scenes which is an essential requisite tempering for a Hollywood movie. Overall, this is a concept movie, bluntly surreal and deals with the intervention of the omnipresent social media in the lives of the
millennials that can transform a normal human being into an outcast. This is a quirky movie with interjections of humor and clement horror. It does not have a happy ending as most Hollywood movies do but you would love the conceptualization and execution of this stellar movie

RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCE: While watching this movie, I wonder why women of color have to try so hard to be accepted by mainstream America. The black musicians have a better sense of music and rhythm, but they have to shake their booties, wear blonde wigs and white makeup and put up a tits and ass show in the name of entertainment. Beyonce has a golden voice and is at the top of game in the rhythm and blues genre. After her courtship and subsequent marriage to Jay-Z, she has branched out to rap as well. A nice effort to socialize her music and act to the rest of the world. Now we are panting for Shakira to do the same.

PRISCILLA: Despite the scenes of foreplay, this movie is a boring watch.It essays the forelorn life of Priscilla Presley who is married to a megalomaniac like Elvis. Their courtship is a rollercoaster ride which is dominated by Elvis and his mood swings. The movie is set in the naughty sixties where sex and radio were the only recreation. And women had to flutter their false eyelashes and wear falsies to get male attention.The movie also depicts narcotics and substance abuse which is kind of an imperative for creative people. The movie does not display Elvis’s music and his songs are part of the background score.The movie ends with the exit of Priscilla from Elvis’s estate Graceland with Dolly Parton’s “I will always love you” playing in the background.If you feel for Princess Diana and our homegrown Dimple Kapadia you will probably like this movie.This movie is not recommended for children. 

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SAM BAHADUR (Sam the Brave): This biopic of General Sam Manekshaw who rose to the rank of Field Marshal during the Bangladesh Liberation Movement in 1973 is an engaging watch. The advantage of a biopic is that the director has a ready template to work on and Meghna Gulzar, with her in-depth research and crisp editing makes it a worthwhile watch. While watching the movie, you would not feel that you are watching Vicky Kaushal- yes his performance is that convincing. His gait and mannerisms sync up really well with the character of Manekshaw. The ensemble cast of Fatima Sana Sheik as Mrs G, Sanya Malhotra as Mrs Manekshaw, Neeraj Kabi as Jawaharlal Nehru performs really well. The cinematography is fantastic and is commensurate with the period details from 1933 to 1973. Manekshaw fought for the British in 1933 for World War ll and in the Sino-Indian war in 1962 and 1967 with much success. Clippings from the past are shown with a little help from VFX and add to the proceedings flawlessly.This movie is kind of a documentary with minimal music well composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. The movie would uplift the nationalism within you and help you understand Indian history better which is as The Guardian puts it “one damned incident after the other”. The movie ends with Manekshaw’s demise in 2008 and his last words were “Its OK”. Watch this movie even if you are not a fan of the Indian Army for an excellent cinematic experience. 

NAPOLEAN: Set in the 18th century, this movie essays the cradle to grave life story of the French Revolutionary Napolean Bonaparte-his meteoric rise and subsequent fall resulting in his exile at St. Helena where he eventually succumbed to death. The cinematography is breathtaking and captures the look and feel of the bygone era. The battle scenes are elaborate and use of special effects is great. The movie starts with the execution of the French queen Marie Antoinette for treason leading to the rise of Napolean as the French Emperor. The movie is not suitable for children and sexual innuendos would have been sufficient in place of the erotica. Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix is superlative as Napolean and so is Vanessa Kirby who plays his wife Josephine. Aamir Khan might have taken inspiration from Napolean as he divorces his first wife Josephine, sires an illegitimate child and then reconnects with his first wife to gain her mental support during his battles. Interestingly in the war scenes, no one wears protective headgear or eye-guard. The autocratic Emperor, Napolean loses the battle of Waterloo and goes into exile. The battle scenes are not dramatized well and are kinda boring. The background gospel music is exquisite so much so that you would feel like listening to it as the end credits roll. The movie depicts Napolean as a villain citing the several lives lost during his conquests and his lack of reforms as a leader. This period movie will appeal to history aficionados especially fans of European period drama. 

12th Fail: This is an uplifting movie about a small town boy who struggles in the board exams but rises like a sphinx and cracks the tough UPSC exam the second time and becomes an IAS officer through sheer grit and determination. His family and friends including a supportive girlfriend rally around him and keep him in good cheer and helps him not to lose hope amidst challenging circumstances. Vikrant Massey who plays the protagonist Manoj Kumar Sharma is superb with his expressions and dialogue delivery. Set in a rural setting in the town of Bilgaon in Maharashtra, the cinematographers create a rustic village setting which is somewhat dull and drab.The ensemble cast renders a fantastic performance and makes it all look real and believable.The movie makes one ponder about the rigors of the Indian education system that produces nerds with no real life skills. The constant ragging and bullying along with the non sensical academic pressure can sometimes prove to be life threatening resulting in suicides at a tender age.A major rejig of the Indian educational system is required that can enthuse the youth with job-ready skills and empower them with a glorious future. The movie sends out an important message about failures and the need to forget them and restart anew. There is not much song and dance in the movie and the song “Restart” composed by Shantanu Moitra is an apt placement in the end. It is a socially responsible movie and so do watch it.

TIGER 3: Take a load of this, a Yash Raj movie without one take Rani:yeah it is a brand Salman Khan movie and the USP of the movie is Entertainment, Entertainment and Entertainment. This movie is an unique example of what a well-knit screenplay and crisp editing can do to a run-of-the-mill storyline and a threadbare plot. Every frame is so pitch-perfect, you cannot even blink for a second.The difference between a Shahrukh Khan movie and a Salman Khan movie is that Salman Khan is not a people-pleaser and you really have to work hard to earn your living. It would be fun to analyze the texture of his skin that makes women melt like silly putty.He draws the best out of every character including Emran Hashmi.The thinking women’s sex symbol Rajit Kapoor makes a brief appearance. Shahrukh does a friendly cameo.The point to note here is that the Khantistic quad (including Saif Ali Khan) are all A-listers and at the wrong side of fifty. It was good to see that Salman has roped in Arijit Singh in spite of past misgivings.Katrina Kaif is all hearts and gives her mentor the bestest performance. The background score is superlative and can surpass the standards of a Hollywood movie. But it is really surprising that Shahrukh Khan appears at the end credits as part of the supporting cast. Hrithik Khan Roshan shows up at the climax with a hint of a sequel. And yes, there is no French kiss and the display of affection is limited to hugs and embraces. It would be interesting to know who is Salman Khan’s body double: he has already hightlighted Shera in “BodyGuard”.This movie is suitable for adults and kids alike.If you loved Bajrangi Bhaijaan, you will surely love this movie.Sallu Bhai singlehood suits you!
PS: I do not write reviews for a living, I write it because “Pocket Mein Rocket Hain”.

MISSION RANIGANJ: This movie is based on the true story about a rescue misssion at a coal mine at Raniganj in West Bengal in 1989.Akshay Kumar who plays Mr Jaswant Singh Gill (the mastermind of the rescue mission) is the main draw of the movie backed up by an ensemble cast of a few 80’s era TV stars.The movie is a realistic portrayal and thanks to crisp editing and true to life dialogues, the movie is a gripping tale of the heroic rescue mission that saved 65 lives of coal miners.Kharaj Mukherjee and Rajesh Sharma both play negative roles. Parineeti plays a de-glam role as the wife of Akshay Kumar, but I couldn’t understand why the director asked her to dance up a storm despite being preggers and why she asked to smile while her husband was going through a near-death situation while trying to rescue the miners. But these are small foibles in an otherwise captivating movie.

TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR: (Spanning 20 years of her super successful career) Can you ever think of listening to music for non-stop 3 hours, of course you can if it is the iconic popstar Taylor Swift with her mellifluous voice and great stage presence. She changes costumes with every song-silver, golden, white, lavender, blue all shimmery with sequins and faux fur. She is thoroughly grounded. She does not don vulgar clothes or resort to cheap dance moves. Each time she flashes her leg, it is covered with skin-colored clothing. She is a great performer and she gyrates to each song and is backed up by a bevy of backup dancers. The charisma, the energy she displays is simply superb. She plays the guitar and the piano with equal elan. Despite using commonplace props like hockey sticks and umbrellas, the synchronized choreography would grab your eyeballs and also the grandeur of the lighting and fireworks. She is mesmerizing and just too cool.(She asks “Can I take 10 mins of your time to perform my favorite song?”). This one-of-a-kind experience is for your eyes only at just 5 dollars. The way she bows in front of the audience at the end is bound to sweep you off your feet. I was surprised to see a few people recording the show in spite of anti-piracy laws. Oh Calcutta!: You lost me here….

BAGHA JATIN: An awesome period drama with great production value, this movie would capture the heart of any patriotic Indian. (A Hindi version has also released). Dev, over the years has matured as an actor, improved his diction and dialogue delivery and with his charisma carries the movie single-handedly on his own shoulders. Dev has grasped the pulse of the audience, and stays true to the character and displays age-appropriate demeanor. The movie is a product of good research, teamwork, passion and an ardent desire to please the audience. This period drama displays an eye for detail, and the cinematography and the camera angles are superb. Even the CGI with the tiger is pitch-perfect. Dev resists from display of brawn or his dancing skills. Set in 1905 in undivided Bengal, the movie captures the plight of the average Indians under British rule and the now-lost fire of the Bengali youth and their guts to reveal and even sacrifice their lives to ensure the birth of this nation. Even if you are not a history buff, this movie will stir your soul.