Tubelight Review - Slight Flicker, More Shine.

Tubelight, the Bollywood adaptation of an American movie Little Boy (2015), is Khan's fourth straight Eid release and his seventh since 2010.

As far as the Indian audiences are concerned, Salman Khan is metonymous with Eid and for distributors, Eid is metonymous with Salman Khan. 

Genre :- Family Drama 

Run-time :- 2 hrs 51 mins.

Cast :- Salman Khan, Matin Rey Tangu, Sohail Khan, Zhu Zhu, Om Puri, Yashpal Sharma, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub,

Director :- 

Plot –Tubelight, a drama set during the 1962 India-China war is about Laxman doing​ everything in his power to bring his brother Bharat back from the war zone, in one-piece. 

Direction and Screenplay :-

From the actor-director duo who gave us blockbuster's like Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, this is yet another installment which if not anything will surely leave you teary eyed with the perfect concoction of emotions, drama, music and some first rate performances.

The movie would've definitely fared better had the screenplay and narrative been tight enough to hit home.

Regardless, Tubelight splinters the boundaries of conventional Bollywood male machismo and presents a vulnerable but brave protagonist who lets his heart lead him through the complexities of the world around him.

Cinematography :-

Cinematographer Aseem Mishra has given a well-shot cinematic ode to the topography of a small town in Kashmir. A wonderful job capturing the gorgeous locales, stark beauty, even that of the war.  

Music :-

Pritam, a frequent collaborator with Kabir Khan, has struck gold with the compositions for this album.

‘Tinka Tinka’ bags a place in my favorites list for its emotionally potential lyrics and soulful voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

‘Naach Meri Jaan’ takes you to a gleeful headspace and is more like an invitation to celebrate the forthcoming festival, Eid.

'Radio' is just another crowd pulling song, aimed at getting stuck in your ears.

'Main Agar' could've been better with regards to the lyrics.

In one word: Addictive. 💕

The Highs -

▶ To be honest, acting has not always been a strong point of this mainstream actor. But in recent years, we have been seeing a sea change in his attitude, persona and adroitness in acting. And this one surely falls under the list of sufficiently good acting by Salman Khan. 

▶ The background music is garden-fresh and sets an ebullient mood right from the title sequence to the end credits​.

▶ This one's a tear jerker. Except one or two places, all the other scenes have a perfect blend of emotions and drama.

▶ Kabir never disappoints with his direction. Perfectly shot scenes coupled with above average special effects will make sure your eyes are glued to the celluloid.

▶ The chemistry between Matin-Salman  and the real life siblings Sohail-Salman is one of the high points in this movie.

The Lows -

▶ The weakest thing about Tubelight is the pace. It is slow enough that it almost hit my snooze button. Well there are saving graces, but not enough to save this ship from sinking. 

▶ The screenplay is very dry for it to strike the exact chord with the audience. Had there been a little more spice in this dish, it would've been more palatable.

▶ Salman has definitely worked hard in order to portray the character of an uncorruptible simpleton and it is evident in his performance. But there is a thin line between being 'just right' and going 'over the top' and Salman somehow breached it by tossing it over to the "now that's completely unnecessary" zone.

▶ The movie had all the right ingredients to formulate a gripping narrative.

1) An opportunity to plant a sweet slap on racism.

2) Preaching the power of good intentions and belief.

3) A dekko at the lives of the menage of the army men.

Sadly, the film manages to do full justice to the last one and a moderately good representation of the second one.

Performances :-

▶ The role of Laxman is a step up from Salman's 'Bajrangi.' Here, he takes off his Superstar cape, gets hit multiple times, weeps like a baby and adapts himself to the mould of a person lacking common sense and proper reasoning. It is no wonder that Salman Khan personifies innocent self-belief in the appearance of a pure hearted man child, and he nails it this time as well.

As far as execution and deliverance of emotions are concerned, he goes all Radhe (Tere Naam) on the naive Laxman. Notwithstanding the fact that he goes overboard in numerous scenes, his performance in few scenes is surreal, you’ll cry even before the ‘officially sad’ bits start. 

▶ Matin Rey Tangu as Guo is a scene stealer. He will leave a trace of smile on your face everytime he is in the frame.

Also the chemistry between Salman and Matin is one of the best things about this movie.

▶ Sohail Khan justifies the role of Bharat (Salman's younger brother) who is off to the battlefield to guard the nation. More could've been done with his character which seems underwritten.

▶ Zhu Zhu as Liling (Matin's mother), makes the most of the limited opportunities the screenplay gives her.

▶ Late Om Puri as the father esque Uncle plays an enjoyable part in the movie.

▶ Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub plays the local rabble-rouser who beats up Laxman on a few occasions. 

⏩ Watch o Not ? 

Yes you may. Heres a heads up! Do not go expecting it to be as good as Bajrangi Bhaijaan, it certainly isn't. But all the highlights surely makes up for a decent one time watch with your fam. ❤

⏩Verdict : 

Its shine might be inconsistent, but when Tubelight does achieve full wattage, which is frequently enough to stand out, it does light up the screen. It does much more than just entertain by giving you takeaways to preach for life.  

Warning: This life affirming movie is like a sob fest that won't leave a dry eye on the seat. Do not attempt to watch it without tissues in easy reach.

Ratings - 2.9/5

Wonder Woman Review - Way To Go, Gal!

Not even a week and the highly anticipated superhero flick Wonder Woman (WW) is already the biggest grossing femme-centric comic book superhero movie ever.

⏩ Genre :- Fantasy/Drama/Action

⏩ Run-time :- 2 hrs 20 mins.

⏩ Cast :- Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Dawid Thewlis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Connie Nielson

⏩ Director :- Patty Jenkins

⏩ Plot – It picks up from where BVS left off: Diana, sitting at her office in Louvre, where she’s presented with a photo by Bruce from her WWI adventure, requesting her to shed some light on her procurement of the sobriquet "Wonder Woman." Cut to (flashback) the hidden isle of
Themyscira in Amazon, where a tribe of athletic, leather-clad female warriors lives in a bubble of yesteryear's antiques, ignorant to the opposite sex and the first world war that rages outside their magical land.
One fine day, a spy (Chris) is "plucked" from the ocean and rescued by Diana. What follows is their expedition to a part of the world that's brewing with hostility, hatred and war-friction.

⏩ Direction and Screenplay:-

Another superhero movie. Another World War backdrop. Another film where a man named Chris (Pine) plays a man named Steve (Trevor). Another act of selfless sacrifice. Another save-the-citizens-from-GermanBombs-Invasion setting. Rings a bell? *whispers* Captain America. But the irony is that despite all the first-hand similarities, WW is nothing like it. The major distinguishing factor between the two is a pleasant distend of relief that she is a gloriously badass woman, one who wears femininity and empathy with the same pride and gracefulness that she wears her armour-plated bra.

Also, why do people think WW is a movie targeted for the feminine audience? *News Flash* It's not even remotely feminist. In fact, she is much more than a woman against the adversaries committing menacing felonies. With her indestructible bracelets, god-killer sword, shield and the Lasso of Truth coupled with her determination and perseverance to reclamate peace back to the world, she displays speed, durability, reflexes and longevity like no other. In a scene where she had to climb a gargantuan tower, I bet my bottom dollar she did it better than how Spiderman climbs those buildings in NYC.

It's great to see how Director Patty Jenkins preferred WW's disposition over her clashes, considering this is an origin story and requires some character building. And the approach yielded precisely, the positive results she might have anticipated.

Jenkins deftly uses Diana’s entry into the human world as a mirror for our own limitations. First, our warrior princess is taken aback by the bizarrely restrictive clothing women have to wear. Then she’s stunned by the way men instinctively dismiss her as physically weak and intellectually useless.

⏩ Editing and Cinematography:-

▶ Well, the movie is every bit intriguing and thrilling. But the (over)extended final fight could have been reduced by 5-6 mins. And the whole movie, by a decent 20 minutes.

▶ Cinematography of WW is top notch. Cinematographer Matthew Jensen has given nuances to the age old trademark of DC - Gloomy, Grimy setting with little to none light by adding vivid and warm undertones to the palette. Also hey, there's even sunlight here! Bye bye lustreless screens.😂

⏩ Music :-

▶ Rupert Gregson-Williams‘ high-octane score is marvelous enough to give you goosebumps, standing as the years best one so far.

⏩ The Highs -

▶The masterstroke of this origins story, directed by Patty Jenkins, after her 13-year long gap, is that it accentuates and celebrates Diana’s feminine traits. Her secret weapon is not the bullet-repelling jewellery; not her swordplay; not her ability to fire shockwaves from her wrists. It’s not even her luxuriant, swooshing hair. It is her empathy. (Although now I mention it, the hair is pretty impressive.😉)

▶Wonder Woman was originally designed to draw strength from empathy and love. To her great credit, Jenkins doesn’t shy away from these mainstream feminine characteristics but makes them the basis of Diana’s power. This lady isn't fuelled by adrenaline, but by compassion and empathy.

▶ Jenkins enthusiastically embraces a broad range of action options - precise archery, detailed and thorough swordfighting, smacking ninja moves and grand VFX driven battles. It’s worth noting that she’s also given her hero a worthy costume to fight. Wonder Woman’s redefined looks ticks all the right boxes.

▶The action is a highlight. There are two first-rate extended battle sequences, most bad ass female fighting sequences seen since Trinity froze in mid-air to kick a cop in the face in “The Matrix.” While the final action scene is weaker, it is not as dumb as the volcanic structure in the sky in the midst of haywire town wolfing down everything that came in the way or whatever the hell Suicide Squad was trying to do in its final act.

▶ This one wins hands down as far as the God vs God fight theme (where Marvel's Thor failed miserably) is considered. No balderdashing and more plausibility. Her emergence as Wonder Woman in a No Man’s Land sequence makes you stand up and cheer for her. (The theater woo-hood and that scene was received with a round of applause).

▶ It also pinpoints the character’s pure sense of heroism, identifying selflessness in a way most comic book adaptations abandon in favor of blunt displays of power (*coughs* Captain *coughs* America)

⏩ The Lows -

▶ The surprise adversary at the end of the movie is a bit underwhelming and cliche.  Also, WW is given hardly as fist pumping dialogues but considering her persona and dynamism - better a superhero flip than a monlogue, eh?

▶The CGI is unbalanced and wobbly during the second act where digital doubles
exposure takes over and trips your head for a good five minutes.

▶ Also, once the prime antagonist is revealed, you can help but scoff as how decrepitly frail and underwritten his character is as compared to our stiff and zestful demi-goddess.

⏩ Performances :-

▶ Gal Gadot who plays the play the red, white and blue bathing-suit clad demi-God. Gadot was introduced before fans at the 2015 Comic-Con when the Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice panel was held and there's no looking back for this woman who can literally kick ass! You can't help but be in awe of all that Ninja-esque prowess during the fight. All that training and hardwork even during her pregnancy has paid off and has got her the role of a lifetime. And not merely her looks or action chops, but she’s got a presence that’s something to behold, commanding the screen in every frame she’s in. All hail, Gadot! 😍🙏

▶ Chris Pine as Steve Trevor is the next big thing. His comic timing, support to our leading lady and chemistry with Gadot is quintessentially adorable yet well established.

▶ The supporting cast does a fine job - including a multicultural battle unit in the tradition of old World War II movies, featuring Ewan Bremmer, Saïd Taghmaoui, and Eugene Brave rock.

▶Robin Wright as Antiope is Diana's aunt and a fulfilling warrior leading the Amazon Army. It’s a treat to watch Wright growl like a pro wrestler, stealing scenes early on.

▶ Dawid Thewlis justifies his role as a mysterious character (Saying too much about him will act as a spoiler).

▶ Danny Huston is perfect as the scornful and iniquitous General Luddendorf who would go to any lengths to win the war.

▶ Elena Anaya as Doctor Poison is every bit menacing and wicked.

▶ Connie Nielson as Diana's mother Hippolyta is has a graceful and regal bearing in her. Hers is a perfect casting as a mother who is tough on the outside but fearing and hesitant to let her daughter off to save the word.

⏩ Watch o Not ?

Definitely.
Unlike Man Of Steel and Green Lantern, WW knows how to tell a story, how to assemble a scene, and how to stage an action sequence that’s not only seamed precisely but also exciting. It succeeds in introducing a team of characters and ensuring they matter and work with the spirit of togetherness.

⏩ Verdict : 

Jenkins and the screen writers have created a legend, who may not be easily defeated, questioned or put to trial. The one that fits exactly into the clan of superheroes with ease, and stands out like no other. WW probably does the best job with a superhero origin story than any film of its kind since the first Iron Man, back in 2008. This one has heart and it stands tall next to other great superhero films from this year including “Logan” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”  It even surpasses them in many instances.

By crafting a satisfying origin story that gifts the beloved Amazon, a formidable first step towards big screen domination.

⏩ Ratings -  4.5/5