Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

 Well, I don't know why this movie was made nor what made me watch it. Maybe because its from Quentin Tarantino, and stars Leonardo and Brad Pitt. Looks like there is some tangible truth to it but only on sidelines, otherwise its all fiction. I then came across this link which justifies why QT did this movie the way he did it link. Anyways, definitely you will not miss much if you dont watch it. Total time-pass movie and I am not sure why there were many scenes which we could have done away with - like Brett Lee, Cliff killing his wife, Cliff going to meet George, etc. Film-making is good, since its from QT, and all actors have done great but nothing much in the storyline. Audience tends to get bored especially since it is almost a 3 hour watch. At least I did. Also, I guess there is some humor since genre seems to be 'Comedy' but clearly I was not laughing other than at myself for watching this movie.

Rating: Average

She Said

 A true story that inspired the #MeToo movement across the world. I never knew Harvey Weinstein and after this movie, I came across this timeline and it is mindboggling what an animal he was, and how successful he was in keeping several of his victims' mouth shut! Truly remarkable piece of journalism by the NY Times folks and to think what they would have gone through to bring this to public is beyond imagination, especially leading normal lives like you and me. And that's exactly what this movie brings forth - both personal and professional lives of the journalists. It starts off with Trump campaigning and then graduates towards Hollywood. Great acting, casting, screenplay, and the works. Definitely worth the watch.

Rating: Good

The Finest Hours

 The true story is what makes watching this movie totally worth it. Add to this excellent cinematography, screenplay, editing, casting, acting and it's a whacker-of-a-movie. After Titanic, many movies have come out now which portrays the sinking of a ship in a fantastic manner, and this one's as good as it gets. Definitely worth the watch.

Rating: Good

Pushpa - 1

 Watched it just because of all that I had heard about it. Well, looks like I shouldn't have! Nothing in this movie that underlines popularity. Just the same old tale of a bad guy (hero in the movie) who is invincible. Wonder why such movies become so popular. What's with crowd wanting bad guys to succeed!! As usual, cops are treated with disdain, and powerless. At least for the most part. The main character has portrayed his role well as a villain, with same ugly looks. The fight scenes are computer-generated, so doesn't touch at all. Dialog is very thin. Story-line is simple about smuggling tree trunks and getting away with it easily. Casting is good, location is good. Songs and dance are very average. Watch it for crowd's sake, if needed.

Rating: Average

Language: Telugu but available in most Indian languages as dub

KGF - 2

 Well, the film goes along the same lines of prequel, so nothing wrong with direction. But my memory had faded, so I couldn't place who was who when I started watching it. Plus, after some time, it became very monotonous - the same invincibility with a lot of build-up. Kind of became superfluous. There were many instances when he could be easily shot yet was not. The villain 'lets him go' - that was ridiculous when he had hatched such a big plan of killing him. Dialog is good, acting is intense, scenes are powerful yet couldn't place it in the same level of KGF -1. Okey-dokey.

Rating: Average

Language: Kannada

The Banshees of Inisherin

Set in Ireland, the slow-pace of this movie reminded me of A Hidden Life. The casting and acting by all is top-notch. The movie starts off with very gentle-mindedness. It is a very simple storyline but later on it turns very gruesome. Almost on the lines of Fatal Attraction's rabbit getting cooked type! So avoid if you can! 

Rating: Average

Why did I watch this movie? Well, that's funnier than the movie itself! I thought one of the actor was one of the Farrelly brothers (of Dumb & Dumber fame), and also saw somewhere it had won lot of awards. Hence, falsely thinking it was another ROFL kind of movie, watched this movie in entirety, only later to realize it was Colin Farrell, not a Farrelly!

Everything Everywhere All at Once

If I had seen the synopsis of this movie [When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance] I would never have seen it. If RRR had never made it to Oscars, I would never have known about this movie. It just so happened that I was seeing the Oscars live and rooting for an award for a movie (RRR) first time in my life, that I came across this EEA@O and wondered what it was all about since it was winning so many awards.

Well, I remembered something when I watched this movie. A book should be such that a movie can never be made out of it and a movie should be such that a book can never be made out of it. This definitely falls in the latter category. The script-writing, film-making, visual-effects is all beyond the ordinary - and award-deserving for sure. Definitely not my type of movie because me and sci-fi stay poles apart, and there were several moments when I thought of switching off midway, but I hung on till the end. There were many times I was telling myself - this is crazy, ridiculous and stupidest movie! And there were many times when I was ROFL-ing! The Raccacoonnie concept and picturization was absolute comedy. The metaverse reminds one of Interstellar, Matrix, Inception, Birdman and likes, jumping pad scenes are mind-bending!

Rating: Good

Rise

A true story of a Nigerian family that immigrates to Turkey & then settles down in Greece. But their sons excel in Basketball and they get drafted into NBA in the United States! Their hardships are depicted very well. The screenplay, dialog and narration is very simple, so movie-making is not that great but full credit to the cast. And, of course, the tale itself is gripping and supremely inspirational. One can't help getting moved at the end of the film.

Rating: Good

Language: English

Up & Away

A simple movie for the kids seen with & for daughter - complete with animation and flying carpet and kids adventures such as exploring, getting caught by a Sultan, escapade, hungry crocodiles, etc! Timepass. 

Rating: Average

Sri Krishnadevaraya

 After daughter played a small part from this movie in her school day, was interested to watch this movie. Also, came to know around the same time that this great emperor had ruled during the same time as Vyasaraja and Purandaradasa. And it had a great cast of Dr Rajkumar, Bharathi, Narasimharaju and Jayanthi. Truly remarkable to make a film at those times with limited resources of such tales - it is equivalent to Bahubali of current times. The first half is all about how he got two wives and just when I thought there was nothing shown in the movie other than his romances, some titbits of important happenings were shown - such as how he intelligently captured some of his enemies, his honor for other religions, his appreciations towards poets, Tenali Ramakrishna's antics, etc. But the eye-opener of the movie was knowledge about Timmarusu. Really could not believe all that he had to go through and such a sad ending to his and his family's life. And Krishnadevaraya's own life at such young age of 58. I must applaud the director for such a grand enterprise and bringing the story to life and eternity. 

Language: Kannada

Rating: Good

Wonder Women

 2022 Indian English language film about few pregnant ladies attending prenatal classes - each person in her own state of confusion, distress, anxiety and even joy. A movie for the wife, and she totally liked it! Not much in the movie actually. Just different lives, different tales all entwined by their state of pregnancy. Acting, dialog, screenplay all ok-ok. Nothing much to write about.

Rating: Average

RRR

 Looking at the trailer, I never felt like watching this movie because it was filled with so much of action and violence, which is not of my liking. But the hype that this movie got and the fact that the director also directed Bahubali somehow made me watch it. And I was glad I did. There is something about Rajamouli that really woos the audience to the theatre. And this is a movie that should be watched on the big screen although I watched it on TV. The way the movie begins, how each character is portrayed, etc. is truly fantastic. Of course, in some cases, it does look like Rajnikanth-kind of fantasy scene where one man lifts a bike on his hand and wheels it around and throws it like a toy but still such scenes does not repel away the educated audience. Somewhere deep down, one feels a human can actually do that if he is sufficiently motivated. Coming to the movie itself, it reminded me of Sholay at several instances - especially the bond that was shared by the two protagonists. It was really heart-warming. The music by Keeravani is superlative in many aspects. The songs of Naatu, Naatu and Komaram Bheem gives goosebumps. The choreography of Naatu, Naatu is unfathomable. Dialog is power-packed. Setting and attire are all perfect. All in all, excellent film-making and one that tops the chart.

Rating: Must-see

Language: Telugu

Update: I came across this website and the story (and storytelling) now seems absolutely un-believ-able!!

Hawaizaada

 One more movie that I stopped seeing half-way through. In fact, I didn't even watch more than half an hour. It seemed very whacky for my liking although I got the intent behind the tale - mainly being that protagonist is slightly off track and crazy. Didn't seem like my kind of movie, so stopped watching despite this being a movie inspired by true events. I guess after A Hidden Life, I am skeptical about spending even 2-3 hours on movies which are even true stories (which is my liking in general). 

Language: Hindi

Rating: Average

Main Aur Charles

 Watched this movie only half-way through and didn't feel like watching any more. The true story & life of Charles (in itself) is fascinating & I got to know more about him after this movie but the movie itself was not something I liked very much. Perhaps because I was not able to follow it clearly. The casting seems to be good though, and the protagonist has done a good job as an excellent and charming personality. 

Language: Hindi

Rating: Average

A Hidden Life

 True story about Franz who refused allegiance to Nazi and paid his life for it. "What you say in your mouth and what you think in your heart are two different things. Just praise Hitler and get your life back." And he refused and lost his life, his wife and three kids. Story is depressing although heroic. Movie is very, very slow. It hardly moves. Could have been shot down in under 60 minutes as a documentary in fact. But they have done good justice to Austria and surrounding beauty all around. Very boring movie, not really worth the watch. Reading about Franz would be faster.

Rating: Average

Kantara

 Full kudos to Rishabh Shetty for bringing forth the local Tulu custom to the big screen and making waves on the national and international circuits. His acting in the climax is superlative. Lot of violence in the movie is not generally my forte but I guess that's what the audience wants, eh? Or is it? Be that as it may, the overall film-making is great and definitely something that is worth a watch in the theatre.

Rating: Good

Language: Kannada

On the Basis of Sex

 Wow, what a woman! Ruth's story is incredible, and the movie is very well-made with crisp screenplay and some excellent dialog. Great casting and the actors have done justice to their respective roles. Setting up the location as per the year is as good as it can get. Definitely worth the watch for the great lady that Ruth was and the 'Radical Social Change' that she was part of.

Rating: Good

Sugarless

 Quirky dialog. Some real hard hitting facts. Light hearted humour most scenes - from finish to end except for a few. Overall good acting, again barring a few. Pleasant location/setting arrangements. Only one song had dance and that had good choreo. Very well made film making good use of digital effects. All in all, a good romcom, and definitely worth the watch.

Rating: Good

Language: Kannada

Raksha Bandhan

 Another one of Akshay Kumar's movie carrying a social message. After Toilet, Pad Man, etc. this one's about Dowry. The director has done great deal of good trying to bring in humor where there didn't seem to be any. The first few scenes are real jolly good ones. Not ROFL but good enough. The setting and acting and screenplay are all ok-ok but will pass. The dialog is chirpy. As expected (with the topic), there are few sad scenes but well narrated. Certain parts could have been edited and unnecessary (like the kidney ones) but anyways. Worth a watch on a lazy sunday.

Language: Hindi

Rating: Good

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

Wow, what a man! Nambi Narayanan is an astounding genius and many thanks to Mr Madhavan for this biopic else many of us would have lived through this life of ours without knowing about him and his greatness! Apart from the Man himself, the movie is equally good. Clean, neat and tight screenplay, professional acting from all and all-in-all a great movie-making which doesn't fail to impress. This movie (and Mr Nambi) is as good as The Imitation Game (Alan Turing) and The Man who knew Infinity (Ramanujan). Definitely a must-watch.

Rating: Must-see

Language: Hindi