Insidious: The Last Key - Doesn't Scare, But Scars You

⏩Genre :- Horror/Thriller

⏩Run-time :- 1hrs 45 mins

⏩Cast :- Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson

⏩Director :- Adam Robitel

⏩Plot – Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) is going on to examine the current supernatural troubles happening in a house in New Mexico, a home that Rainier used to live in, which will cause her to travel deeper into both her past and The Further.

⏩Direction and Screenplay :-

Being a prequel to the 2015's hit Insidious 3, this one serves as a back story of the famous demonologist Elise (Shaye) and her experiences in The Further.

▶Unfortunately, the writing by Leigh Whannell makes this one, nothing but a ghoulish offering, indicating that the franchise is coming to a close. The story itself also does not feel detrimental to the overarching plot of the series. Couple this with some fairly lifeless ghost scares which are unintentionally funny, making this the least engaging film in the series.

I honestly had huge huge expectations as Elise was going to be the heart of this installment. Unfortunately, all the jump scares and good part were revealed in all the trailers barring a major twist (which, according to me, is the only saving grace in the whole 103 mins film whatsoever).

▶Director Adam Robitel showed some serious potential when he helmed the found footage movie – The Taking Of Deborah Logan. And even though Adam used some beautiful shots which "could've been" used to scare the audience, the script fails to shoulder it and the movie falls into a chasm of boringness right within the first 15 minutes.

⏩Editing and Cinematography :-

▶Editing by Timothy Alverson is smooth but few glitches involving 2-3 flashback scenes, makes the viewers quite uncomfortable as the seam seems (see what I did there? :P) lost in transition.

▶Cinematography by Toby Oliver is quite appealing and favors the atmosphere of the film. The dark blues and heavy smokes, make scenes set in "The Further," particularly grim. Also, there are 3 scenes towards the beginning for which Mr. Oliver deserves a round of applause. (Come-on, clap!)

⏩Music :-

▶Apart from Lin Shaye, the background score is actually what makes the film bearable. Well, I don't know about the Last Key but the key to raising the hair at the back of your head is the spine chilling music by Joseph Bishara (who incidentally was the lipstick demon in the original film, if you don't already know). The haunting and creepy soundtrack coupled with Lin Shaye's delivery makes sure you don't get up from your seat.


⏩The Highs -

▶The narrative is more focused in the character building of our hero, giving us more of a look at where this woman comes from and how her abilities have shaped her life.

▶Tucker and Specs are the highlights and act as apt comic reliefs once again. These two have so much potential, I wonder why isn't their dark comedy spin-off in works already!?

▶Javier Botet (REC, Mama, Crimson Peak,etc Why am I even... Just google him you guys!) who plays the central ghost and has now become the go to guy for playing spooky monsters thanks to his Marfan Syndrome affliction. This guy nailed it with just his hand gestures, making the key-fingered monstrosity, already my favorite creation.

▶Whannell’s screenplay is based on the idea that humanity is at times as monstrous as the creatures that roam in the night but the very idea succumbs because of the pressure of justifying the genre, leaving your satisfaction somewhere in between.

⏩The Lows -

▶Failure in creating a scary atmosphere. There’s rarely a sense of true and absolute danger to the main characters let alone the audience.

▶Way too many loose ends. The storyline is so messy, that one particular scene was so out of character for Elise, it ruined her development over the last 3 parts. Sore!

▶A good horror movie is like the process of good sex, it makes you scream! And as a horror flick, Insidious is so immature, you’ll want to leave way before the climax

▶In one particular scene, Elise' niece is pinned down on the ground by KeyFace (This is they've used in the credits. I am not even kidding) and he is progressing towards her... (wait for it) What was supposed to be scary and intense gets hilariously stupid as the lady keeps on making moaning sounds constantly for about a minute, till the Key Monster reaches her! I know, right?
The whole theater broke into laughter because... Hey! What else are you expecting when your camera is shamelessly focused on the movement of the subject's assets as she is hyperventilating while producing moaning sounds. *Scoffs*



⏩ Performances :-

▶Taking a moment here to appreciate the fact that this generally successful horror franchise installment has a woman in her 70s as the lead character who is a well-reasoned badass who displays equal measure of compassion and badassery.
Lin Shaye is just what this film needed.

▶Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson as nerdy ghostbusters are fun for most of the part but go over the board sometimes as they awkwardly creep on starlets half their age.

Also, the line -
"She is the psychic and we are sidekicks," made me cringe over and over. (*Mouths* No, seriously! Who says that?🙄)

⏩Watch o Not ?
Uh... Skip? Maybe.
The demonic creature itself in this film does not have much time to shine and while the finger gag is unique and intriguing, its overall design is lackluster compared to past antagonists like the Lipstick-Face Demon from the first film.

Also, where the fuck did the alien-esque monster go? 😭

⏩Verdict :
The fourth film in the “Insidious” tetralogy is only worth your time if you are an avid horror enthusiast or a fan of the Insidious concept. For the vast majority of the general public, the film will fail to attract any new fans. While the past films featured well-crafted sequences of spookiness (which “The Last Key” contains in fleeting glimpses), this film really should be the last “Insidious” sequel.
But this chapter gives Lin Shaye, a new relative who’s also a poltergeist whisperer. So more installments can be expected. 🙄

⏩ Ratings -  2/5

Golmaal Again Review - Saving Grace For The Golmaal Franchise!

Director: Rohit Shetty

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Tabu, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Khemmu, Prakash Raj and Neil Nitin Mukesh

Plot: An adventure of five friends who are on a quest to save the orphanage they grew up in, from a high profiled goon. Things go haywire when an eerie supernatural presence lurks in the background.

Direction and Screenplay -

When you witness a group of actors posing alongside or on super expensive sports cars on graffitied sets, where the sky is filled with colorful confetti and there are 100s of people dancing in the background, you know who the executor of this carnival is. Yes! Rohit Shetty who is known for making larger than life movies with an extravagant cast did the same this time around but a notch better than what he did with his last 2 installments of the Golmaal franchise.

Props to him for reviving the Horror-Comedy genre which was lost and almost extinguished after the disasters like Great Grand Masti and  Kya Super Cool Hai Hum.

The Direction by Shetty fares well and it's lovely how most of the sequences are shot covering a scene in its entirety in one continuous sweep without involving editing of any sort. On the other hand, the loosely based shots and establishing long shots are a problem as it makes the objects too sharp to seem real.

Yunus Sajawal (screenplay) and Farhad Sajid (dialogues) are actually good for the most part of the movie with the slapstick comic lines and showcasing character attribute to their best. But few slices are repetitive - Like the one where the ghost gives a "demo" of its existence followed by some over explanation by the cast.

Still, the movie has its moments. Like genuine moments that play out well-generating giggles and squeals at the cinema hall with some even rolling with laughter.

Editing and Cinematography:-

At 150 mins, Golmaal Again is wayy too long for some audiences to sit through, without yawning. But the camaraderie between the actors and their USP saves this ship from sinking.

Talking about the cinematography, the opening aerial sequence over Ooty and the song Neend Churayi Meri were garishly color corrected and unbearably loud. While the rest of the movie was quite according to the mood and setting of the plot with quirky, warm and vibrant colors.

Music:- 

Pritam Chakraborty who is known to be quite inspired by golden hits, failed to strike a chord with his rehash remixes of
"Neend churayi meri."

The Highs -

Being a follow-up, this one traces back the relationship of the fab five right to their childhood in order to explore and showcase the genesis of the characters. Also, there are a lot of references right from "chinese billi" to "lagana dikhana."

This movie has an endearing mix of wordplay and buffoonery involving a bunch of grown men acting like nincompoops. And to add to this, the background music of more than one fun sequence is straight out of Tom and Jerry. 

The previous parts had Rimi Sen and Kareena Kapoor as mere eye candies. But thankfully in this part, the women and actually given a substantial and strong role. Tabu and Parineeti literally and figuratively, drive as well as fly the film's narrative.

The film even throws in a couple of social messages, like anti-superstition statements and a half-baked girl education line.

The real laughter generators of the movie is the not-so-subtle placements of products. It’s a laugh riot to watch how lazily with little to none thought the products are placed unapologetically floating around in the screen. I mean... We see you, Ching’s Secret, Finolex, Kwality Walls and others. We see you loud and clear!

At one point in the film, when Prakash Raj’s Vasu Reddy gets almost electrocuted while touching a stage mic, Lever’s Pappi Bhai does an exaggerated version of the same thing. Takes a pause. Turns around to say, “I was kidding. I’m experienced at this." We see what you did there, Johnny Boy. 

There are some scenes that are just so silly that you can't help laugh at the silliness. No seriously, I'll let that pass because hey, who doesn't fancy a good laugh.

The Lows -

The addition of subplot drags the movie. Prakash Shetty murmurs in one scene - “Mujhe sirf ek achche plot se matlab hai (My only concern is a good plot)”. We know right? Same.  Same.

The background score is deafening (except for the paranormal scenes) and could pierce through your eardrums. So please carry earplugs or cotton along.

Sometimes jokes are stretched too far, ceasing the smile that had just begun to erupt. And dude, why the well would you think of using Ku Klux Klan costumes for the ghosts? I mean the idea is completely lost on me. We are tolerating Trump already, can't bear the sight of the KKK getting back in action. 

Also, the hideous father-daughter hooking-up jokes don't help at all.

Gopal falls for her and it’s almost pedophilia, considering they all refer to her as ‘bachchi‘ (child), with her trotting around in dungarees and talking like a child. It gets more questionable when, in his mind, the two of them are dancing to a rendition of the song Neendh Churayi Meri, a song that came out when Parineeti was eight years old. And Devgn, who was in the original song, was a well-established hero back then, paired with his now-wife, Kajol. Even for the sake of pop-culture, it’s unsettling enough.

Performances:-

Tabu, as a level-headed librarian Anna with superhuman ability to see ghosts, tries to lend some subtlety to her role and actually maintains the stability.

It would be a while until Parineeti Chopra grows out of her manic pixie dream girl-like characters. It's getting way too much now.

Ajay Devgn as Gopal, the angry youn... ahem man shows his vulnerable side by being petrified of ghosts and therefore, hates nightfall.  But when it comes to fighting off goons, he turns his Singham mode on with a menacing stare, swift punches and kicks and a body language as cool as a watermelon. Sometimes he gets too much into the Singham character, that it feels as if he will now break out into the famous, "aata maajhi satakli" but thankfully he uses "main yeda hain" instead.

Arshad Warsi is effortless as Madhav, the ultimate prankster who never lets Gopal rest easy with his devious tactics.

Kunal Khemmu as Laxman Sharma is the best in the gang and with a timing as accurate as a discuss shooter, he is skilled enough to lift the sagging spirits of the audience.

Lucky's (Shreyas Talpade) lisping is fun to listen to because of the properly placed dialogues.

Tushar Kapoor gets a complete voice changeover by a veteran actor. Naming him could spoil all the fun for you so I'll leave it at that.

Also, watch out for a supercool cameo by one and only... Bola na I won't spoil it. Sshh!

The supporting cast is better than the primary cast in many scenes.

Sanjay Mishra elicits many laughs as a Shatrughan Sinha imitator with an attitude of an old hipster. Backed with terrific delivery and a style of his own, he is sure to tickle your funny bone. B. O. R. N, Bone! 

Johnny Lever proves that he is still in form, not with the jokes, but with his all-time famous execution.

Watch o Not?

Trying to reinvent a horror comedy genre in Bollywood, Golmaal Again has its moments and should please those that seek it out. Not so good as far as the script is concerned, but its the performers and their timing and knack for generating laughs that keep you glued. The way the writers and the cast demand that you stay invested in paper-thin characters is commendable. This film is meant for all those who don’t bury their heads into the serious. If you don’t go there so much as a purist but rather as someone who enjoys a good jolt and moderate comedy, this is well worth catching. And just in case you missed it in the trailer, the movie sends at least three reminder pleas asking you to remember it is not about logic when it is magic. Yeah, we get that!

Verdict :

Nevertheless, Golmaal Again makes for a decent watch if you are cool with a long first half and a dark and confusing second half. It’s a film that would appeal to many just because it belongs to the “oh-so-funny” Golmaal franchise and if you are looking to kick back and relax. If not for the gang of five, watch it for the supporting cast, the real heroes of this mish-mash.

Ratings -  2.9/5 

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

Sachin Review: A Straight Drive Direct To Our Hearts.

Whaaaaat? Released already? Yess mister! Sachin has hit the theaters this Friday and people can't seem to stop talking about it. To be more specific, I can't. I tried my best to hold back the tears, but I cried my heart out. It was like a trip down the nostalgia portal, from which I never wanted to return.

⏩ Genre :  - Sports Documentary.

⏩ Runtime:- 2 hrs 20 mins. 

⏩ Cast: - Sachin Tendulkar, his friends and the whole country (including you). YES, YOU!

⏩ Director: - James Erskine.

⏩ Plot – Seriously? Still, wanna know? Just Google "Sachin Tendulkar." Google it! Arre karr na. 🌚

⏩ Direction and Screenplay :-

Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a tale of a restless 10-year-old boy and his journey from watching India's first World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev lift the trophy, to the fulfillment of his dream of holding it in his hands for India. He is the most celebrated sportsperson in India, a virtuous hero who created an era, which Indians are proud of.  It is more of a documentary, wherein you get to see Tendulkar's cricket and personal life in substantial detail, as well as it reveals few aspects of his life which have never been heard of or seen before. 

Directed by Emmy-nominated James Erskine, the film took over four years in making and features some real never seen before and some made-up footages to trace the journey of Tendulkar from a young boy to unarguably the greatest batsman of all time.

The fantastic narrative style of Lil Master touches every corner of the viewers' hearts. The sequential picturization of every important aspect is very beautifully crafted by James Erskine through words. Insertion of the logs from Dhoni, Kohli, Ajit Tendulkar, Sourav, Bhajji, Yuvi, Sir Don, Sir Viv. Richards and lot more gift a gorgeously decorative frame to the film. 

The film showcases finely the relationships between Sachin-Anjali, Sachin-His Father, Sachin-Ajit but the relationships like Sachin-Sourav, Sachin-Rahul and so on are not so well-narrated but fine.

⏩ Editing and Cinematography:-

Cinematography by Chris Openshaw is cool suiting the light-hearted feel of the movie. He has used cool and subdued undertones for the most part of the movie.

Editing by Avdhesh Mohla is smooth and the bites of all his friends and family are appropriately allocated. 

 ⏩ Music :-

The background score by A.R Rahman has been rightly placed and it gels beautifully with the narrative offered by Sachin and keeps you fascinated throughout. The usage of ‘Vande Mataram’ is one of the finest in our Hindi cinema. ‘Hind Mere Jind’ and ‘Sachin Sachin’ will stay with you for a long time after you leave the hall.

⏩ The Highs -

▶If you’re of the generation that grew on Bhajji’s off spins, Sachin’s masterstrokes, Ganguly’s aggression and Dravid’s ‘Mr. Wall’ days, this will bring you back to Cricket once more. And not to mention, ‘Sachin… Sachin… Sachin… ’ never dies. Because Sachin isn’t a name. It is an emotion.

▶ No matter how many times we’ve seen the clip, it’s impossible to not cheer at the World Cup Win, 2011 or choke up while watching Sachin deliver that heartfelt retirement speech at Wankhede. 

▶ I am so thankful this isn't a biopic, but a documentary about a man, narrated by the man where he tells his own story in his own words. Not a journalistic or potboiler approach but a sincere and honest depiction which is so intimate and personal, in a way where the audience claps and cheers alongside those who clapped and cheered live, years ago. That beautiful feeling of having already experienced the present situation in the past and still enjoying it with the same sense of euphoria.

▶ What makes the movie endearing is a peek into his private life like his love story, footage from his wedding, the birth of his two children and the special bond he shares with his father. The footage might be blurry at times, but you don't mind as it engrosses you. 

▶ People who are not associated with cricket might not experience the same magic but still will like the film. The documentary styling might not highly appeal to the masses. But come-on, his life doesn't involve controversies for you to expect masala and high voltage drama. Calm yourself. 🌚

▶ Sachin has squeezed his heart into the narration. One can see the spark in his eyes in many scenes (especially when he talks about his father and mother) making you connect with his feelings and emotions.

⏩ The Lows -

▶ The dramatized version of Sachin’s childhood track could have been better as well as engaging but honestly, this doesn't cause any void in your movie viewing experience since you're so overwhelmed by all the other things. And after the childhood phase passes, there isn't a single dry spell in the movie.

⏩ Performances :-

▶ Since this is a documentary, there are no performances as such but yes, Sachin seems to have done a lot of work in his delivering style, approach, and expressions. Definitely more convincing than "Boost is the secret of my energy." 😹

▶ Jokes apart, he might not be an actor but he engages you with his story-telling and it's impossible to be unmoved with his disappointments and achievements.

⏩ Watch o Not? 

Defi-fucking-nately! You gotta watch this one if you're a cricket fan (well that's almost the entire country) and have grown up watching this legend bowl us over with his extraordinary prowess in the field and his humble attributes in real life. 

⏩ Verdict : 

This ship sails through the air of nostalgia, relatable moments, motivation, achievements, spirit, admiration, hardships, never say no attitude and our collective love for a man whose name we turned into a chant. You gotta be too ignorant or ahem, Maria Sharapova, to miss this masterpiece our very own, Lil Master.

Get ready for a goose-bumpy ride! I can bet on the fact that by the end of the movie, you'll be the happiest you've been in any movie so far. Do yourself a favor, please!

Pro tip - Get yourself some tissues just in case, you know. 🙈 Also, please don't hold yourself back from cheering with the audience - "Sachin... Sachin!!" 

Ratings -  4.5/5