Bollywood Movie Reviews

Reviews

'Drive': Neither Fast, Nor Furious

Y-a-w-n. We're back to the same old circus - Bollywood wants to make a "Hollywood thriller" yet again, and this time they have raided Netflix for release space.

'The Current War': Far from electrifying

"The Current War", based on true events, is a period drama about the greatest inventors of the nineteenth century industrial age -- Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch)

'Terminator: Dark Fate' is enjoyable fare

A direct sequel to the first two films of the franchise, this sixth instalment of the "Terminator" series, which began way back in 1984, is all about karma and karmic connections.

'Dolemite' is Eddie Murphy at his raunchiest

Why is this film about a raunchy standup comedian being touted as Eddie Murphy's comeback? An outstanding comic talent such as he doesn't go away. And even if we are looking at dates, Murphy was in much finer form in his last release "Mr Church", where he brought to great use his penchant for wry social comment into play.

'Bhram": Kalki's eerie performance the only saving grace

If you are an addict of spooky cinema, there is nothing in "Bhram" that you haven't seen before. This, perhaps, is not a bad thing in the supernatural-horror genre where the audience revels in familiar scares.

'Bigil' is Vijay's show all the way

For a film that speaks stridently on women's empowerment and the sins of sexism, "Bigil" is awfully enamoured of its male protagonist who all but preens when he is on screen. The camera clings to Vijay like a Siamese twin letting go of him only long enough for the incidental characters (and that includes leading lady Nayanthara) to let us know how privileged they are to be in the same narrative as Vijay/Bigil

"Housefull 4" is more like a haggard circus

Give them some points for consistency. Maintaining the same low IQ over four films â€“ and crafting it into a moneymaking franchise â€“ is no small deal. By now, the makers of these "Housefull" films have chucked all notions of sensible storytelling and intelligent humour. Why bother? What matters is setting off a big bang hype before release, and the box-office math solves itself.

'Wounds' is a horrific tale of cellphone abuse

Cockroaches are not the only creepy creatures crawling all over the frames of this subversive horror drama that takes the genre by its shoulder and shakes it hard. The end results are less stirring than imagined.

'Made In China', faulty in parts

"Made In China" is symptomatic of what's often happening in Bollywood right now. They have a concept driven by content that's high on blending entertainment and message, and the idea is original, too. Yet the effort gets lost in execution, hampered by unsure storytelling.

'Saand Ki Aankh' aims well but misses bullseye

"Saand Ki Aankh" aims well but misses the bullseye. The film is important for what it is trying to tell you, but the effort gets weighed down by an obvious obligation to tick-mark the diktats of commercial cinema.

Netflix's new Japanese film is a magnificent mess

For the want of a better way to describe this repugnant revolting piece of hedonistic art , I'd say "The Forest Of Love" is a monstrous epic. Those familiar with the director's deranged filthy overview of suburban life the inexcusable excesses of "The Forest Of Love" come as no shock. For the uninitiated this film is enough to put you off Japanese cinema for at least five years. Not to mention the serial-killer genre for a lifetime.

'Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil' is an engaging sequel

"Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil, is the sequel to the 2014 released, dark fantasy adventure film, "Maleficent", which was the original live-action, re-imagining of the classic, fairytale, "Sleeping Beauty".

'Zombieland: Double Tap': More comic than a horror

Designed as a road-trip film, Zombieland: Double Tap is more of a debauched comic-action drama than a horror Zombie film.

'Downton Abbey': Cinematography, acting keep you glued

There is something magnetic about this period drama. It holds your attention from the first frame to the last, in spite of its frothy and lightweight narrative.

'Diego Maradona': Superficial and lacks soul

Asif Kapadia's documentary on Diego Maradona, portrays the "God of football" -â€“ the titular superstar Argentinian footballer -- with feet of clay. Yes, the film shows him as a rebel, a cheat, a hero who was revered as God, and moreover as a man imperfect and raw..

'The Sky Is Pink': Sensitive but Soppy

The statutory note first: Don't forget a box of tissues. Sky, pink or white -- take your pick in colour but the tissues are a must, more than cola and corn. "The Sky Is Pink", Shonali Bose's most commercial film yet, rides exaggerated sentimentalism aimed to keep your tearducts working overtime while the show is on.