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05 May 2023
Films, Reviews & Recommendations No Comments Permalink

“Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2” is a Shakespearean styled succession with indigenous sensibilities

May 5, 2023 No Comments

Written by Author Kalki Krishnamurthy, Ponniyin Selvan is a 50+ year old Tamil historical fiction novel which is a pop culture relic in the Tamil Diaspora.

Starting from actor MGR to Kamal Hassan and Mani Ratnam, it was a huge dream for many filmmakers to adapt this Tamil magnum opus on to the screen.

In 2022, the first part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan saw the light of the day and it became a huge success. The first part concluded with a cliff-hanger which featured Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) and Vandhiyathevan (Karthi) sunk in the sea and a mysterious lady attempted to save them.

The sequel of the film starts with a prologue narrating the young romance between Young Aditha Karikalan (Santhosh) and young Nandhini (Sara). The film then progresses to show the status quo of Arunmozhi Varman who is severely ill and, in another side, Nandhini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) is plotting the murder of the Chola heirs along with the rebel group of Pandyas.

Did Nandhini’s murder plot succeed? How does Aditha Karikalan’s (Vikram) romance comes into the play? Did Arunmozhi Varman become the king? These questions form the rest of Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2.

Understanding the essence and reverse engineering:

Most people misinterpret Ponniyin Selvan novel as “real historical account of Cholas”.

Author Kalki Krishnamurthy converted a lot of research into the real history of cholas and the conspiracies surrounding the kingdom. He used these facts and conspiracies, tied them with fictional knots to make his own version of the Chola history, and he even acknowledges it in the novel at certain points.

Every medium has its own share of boon and bane.

The literary medium gives you the space to imagine a world of yours whereas the film medium presents you it’s world. While the novel’s centre focus is on King Arunmozhi Varman aka Ponniyin Selvan, it technically doesn’t revolve around him. It’s about the snowball effect of events that led to his coronation and the golden age of Cholas.

The writer trio of Ratnam-Jeyamohan-Illango Kumaravel understood this essence of the novel and the second part takes a deep dive into the mind games and political ploys between the heirs of Sundara Chozha (Prakash Raj) and the rebel group of Pandyas.

The film cuts the clutters of countless subplots of the novel and puts its centre focus on the doomed romance between Aditha Karikalan and Nandhini which forms the inception of all the cholas chaos.

Director Mani Ratnam cements the raw and realistic approach in this sequel just like he did in the first part. He uses the lens of DOP Ravi Varman and he pushes the minimal field of view to the maximum level possible to extract the micro-emotions out of the actors performing the characters.

The 360-degree panning shots and the low-angle shots add the cinematic quality to the conversations in its staging making us feel engrossed to this game of thrones. Especially the pre-climax confrontation scene between Nandini and Aditha Karikalan will truly be marked as one of the best staged scenes of all time in Indian Cinema.

These intricacies felt like a reverse engineering of his films Thalapathy, Iruvar and Raavanan. Watching the film, I got to understand how the source material “Ponniyin Selvan” has shaped his filmography.

Usually, film connoisseurs emphasize on the policy of “show don’t tell” which works for film medium a lot of times.

But, in Indian Cinema most of the time it has not been the case as filmmaking sensibilities here are defined by the diverse theatre culture across different regions. It was always about conveying the Navarasas through the body language and dialogues rather than showcasing a spectacle out of it. This made me understand the reason behind the success of vintage Tamil period dramas like “Vanjikottai Vaaliban”, “Chandralekha”, “Madurai Veeran” etc. which understood the pulse of rooted dramatic storytelling.

It might not be an overstatement that Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 follows the steps of these classics.

Vicious Cycle of Power, Karma:

Throughout the film, Ratnam emphasizes on the vicious cycle of power and karma and that chases the lives of the royal family members. The hunger for power can change anyone even the most beloved people’s minds around you. But, behind this hunger for power, there lies some warmth and unfiltered love.

Ratnam delivers a nuanced perspective along these lines with the characters of Kundhavai (Trisha), Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) and Vandhiyathevan (Karthi). As the film revolves around mind games, intellect of the characters plays a great impact into the story. Especially Arunmozhi Varman aka Ponniyin Selvan’s character who shines a lot in this part because of the smartness and his brains over brawn approach which makes him a more matured royal king than just a cardboard cut-out.

The scene where Arunmozhi tackles the killers of Pandyas in the Buddhist monastery is where this aspect is evident. It’s not just the character sketches by Ratnam but the actors who breathe life into the characters, blended with sharp dialogues that deliver great justice to the source material.

The Masterful Technical Brilliance:

The lens of Ravi Varman focusses into the skies a lot of times which makes it a trademark of Ratnam’s visual language and it made me realise how rarely we see shots of skies in Indian Cinema.

Apart from the power of pen and the lens, the masterful sound design by Akash Krishnamurthy and Craig Mann captures the impressions of the claustrophobic tunnels, the walls of magnanimous castles, the silent waters and the bloodshed battlefields. Thotta Tharani’s production design is something noteworthy in this part especially the placement of veils throughout the film felt like it conveyed the wavering principles of the characters. The music by AR Rahman focusses more on re-recording and background score which gives the operatic tone to the film. He understands where to use the silence as James Coltraine always used to say that “music is always the silence between two notes” which makes us empathise with the situations and the characters.

The placement of the melancholic “Chinnanjiru Nilave” song, the sensual “Aga Naga” song, the triumphant “Veera Raja Veera” song (which is taken from Dhrupada composition) and the divine “Aazhi Mazhai Kanna” song (which is taken from Aandal Paasuram) are brilliant in its own way. The editing by Sreekar Prasad takes its steady pace to sit with us.

While the film has a lot of high points, the game of thrones has some flaws here and there.

As the film revolves around multiple locations, the geography felt confusing. While the drama is finely crafted, the action pieces could have been more fluid and the VFX was hammy at many points. This might not be a downside but as this film takes a lot of creative liberty to the source material it can irk the fans, which leads to a plethora of discussions and debates amongst the diaspora.

Still, it’s safe to say that Ratnam gave his own twist to “Ponniyin Selvan” novel just like Stanley Kubrick did for Stephen King’s “The Shining”.

This further proves that the 40-year legacy of filmmaker Mani Ratnam has always been about treading experimental waters. And I hope that in the near future this might be a blueprint for further “Ponniyin Selvan” Adaptations and classic literary novel adaptations.

In a nutshell, Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 is a Shakespeare styled succession drama of family and power with indigenous sensibilities that retain the essence of the source material and a masterclass in conversations staging.

27 Apr 2023
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‘John Wick Chapter 4’ is an epic rhapsody of blood, blasts and bruises that is meant to be experienced in the big screens

April 27, 2023 No Comments

It won’t be an overstatement that Chad Stalhelski’s Sleeper-hit 2014 Action film John Wick divided modern action film-scape into two eras: “Pre John Wick” Era and “Post John Wick” Era.

The franchise set a golden standard for modern action genre (neo-noir genre too). While most of the action franchises deteriorate with the addition of instalments, this new instalment cements the fact that John Wick franchise is one of the most consistent action franchises in Hollywood.

What started out as a minimal budget action entertainer in 2014, with John Wick Chapter 4 turned out to be a multi-million-dollar grand globe-trotting action spectacle.

Providing a Sensory Action Experience:

John Wick Chapter 4 borrows every great aspect from its predecessors and amplifies it 4-times to offering a definitive neo-noir action experience than just “watching”.

The distinct character sketches and meticulous production design contributes to the open-world action video game/VR Game reminiscent narrative structure like Watch Dogs, Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto, which has main quests and side-quests ultimately leading to a great action set-piece.

More than just a viewer you’re made to feel as a participant of the proceedings of the John Wick world experiencing the punches and blasts.

From the neon-lit Osaka city to the picturesque Paris streets, the stunt choreographers of the film use the geography in the most out-of-the-box manner and delivers the authenticity in every action set piece which sets a benchmark in terms of the level of intensity.

In a current scenario where most of the cookie-cutter action blockbusters prefer under-lit sceneries to cover-up the mishaps in technical side, John Wick 4 provides the visibility in action sequences making us recognise each and every move of the characters.

Cinematographer Dan Lausten and editor Evan Schiff makes some of the most unconventional yet creative choices by providing water like fluidity and vibrance in action sequences. The eagle’s eye view shot of the scene where John Wick (Keanu Reeves) kills the goons with Dragon-breath gun is noteworthy and totally provided the unmatched gaming experience (even without a VR headset/joystick) in silver screen.

The blend of Hard Rock and Synth in the Background score by Tyler Bates and Joel J Richards intensifies this video-game like audio-visual sensory experience.

Homage to the Old School Action and Modern Action genre:

Starting from the rising popularity of Akira Kurosawa’s Samurai films to John Woo’s “Gun-Fu” films, Asian Action films have been a great influence in Hollywood action genre.

Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves’ famous 1999 collaboration, The Matrix gave a great justice to the art of Gun-Fu Martial art styles. When these two unstoppable forces, once again joined the hands for John Wick in 2014 it was total carnage.

John Wick franchise doesn’t really try to mimic the John Woo films but derives great facets from it providing a new and original spin to it. More than the “Gun-Fu” influences, John Wick Chapter 4 takes its inspirations from Sergio Leone’s “Dollars Trilogy”, Bruce Lee’s Martial Arts films, Japanese Samurai Films and Jackie Chan Films making this instalment a genre amalgamation.

In one of his interviews,Chad Stahelski mentioned that the Eagle’s eye view Dragon breath-gun fight scene was inspired from an Indie Videogame titled Hong Kong Massacre. Be its making or its narrative or its setting, the world of John Wick bridges the gap between old-school and modern sensibilities providing an homage and at the same time standing on its own.

Behind the blood, there lies emotions:

Director John Woo says that “action films should reflect our deepest emotions and actions without emotions is useless”. The humane emotions that’s inherent in the franchise makes us anchor to our seats through every action set piece.

From the first film, every viewer thought that “how can a guy go on a killing spree for a dog?”

But Chad Stahelski provided the emotion with full conviction making you empathise with John Wick.

The further instalments explored the themes of brotherhood, loyalty, friendship, purpose and John Wick Chapter 4 provides more emotional drama than its predecessors adding the mythos to its world.

Charon (Late Lance Reddick) in this chapter emphasises how loyalty is an important quality where even Winston (Ian McShane) acknowledges how much he was more than just a Concierge but a “friend”. John Wick’s colleagues like Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) blur the lines between good and evil in this neo-noir world.

Just like Gilgamesh from Epic of Gilgamesh who killed everyone who came across his path to attain immortality, John Wick character especially in Chapter 3 and 4, kills everyone who comes across his path to attain “freedom”.

To kill the unstoppable John Wick, Marquis De Gromant (Bill Skarsgard) sends Caine (Donnie Yen), a visually-challenged assassin who comes out of his retirement. In introspection, Caine and John Wick are two sides of the same coin. Their paths are same but their purposes are different.

John Wick’s character arc in this chapter can be encompassed with the words of James Baldwin – “The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose”.

In his path to freedom, through the eyes of Caine, John Wick understands what’s freedom without a purpose and what it means to empathetic. He is given poetic freedom in the end that after all this spree he always destined to be a “loving husband”.

It’s no wonder that his goodbye was something reminiscent of Spike’s ending from the 90s Hajime Yatate’s “Cowboy Bebop” anime series which Keanu Reeves himself has acknowledged in many interviews.

In a nutshell, “John Wick Chapter 4” is an epic rhapsody of blood, blasts and bruises that is meant to be experienced in the big screens!

22 Apr 2023
Blog, Reviews & Recommendations, Series, Talk Time with Nidhi No Comments Permalink

‘Beef’ – Recurring motifs and use of symbolism in the series

April 22, 2023 No Comments

I’m sure you picked up on the symbolism of the crows in the series Beef, but did you notice all the other recurring motifs symbolizing and foreshadowing critical aspects of the narrative and the character’s fates?

Pss… spoilers ahead !

Let’s start with the obvious one – Crows !

In some cultures, crows are often associated with ill fortune and are believed to bring bad luck.

So, in the first episode when Danny Cho (played by Steven Yeun) says “Crows love me” while climbing a tree (hint: foreshadowing his fate), what he means is the black birds don’t bring him bad luck.

Or when Amy Lau (Ali Wong) initiates a flirtatious conversation with Paul (played by Young Mazino) at the terrace of Jordan Forster’s (played by Maria Bello) home, we see her get startled by a crow – symbolizing the looming disaster that’s upon her.

There are several subtle sequences in the series where we see crows either flying in the background or being mentioned in conversations, which have prophetic or ominous connotations. But that also means that they were following Danny and Amy’s feud just like us!

Fast forward to the last episode, when the two crows are “spilling the tea” with one another about these emotionally damaged humans Danny and Amy, we see a turning point. Another symbolic representation of how the bird is associated with transformation.

In some Korean myths and legends, crows are depicted as shapeshifters or magical creatures capable of transforming into humans. But here, Amy and Danny transformed into each other. Sure, the “magical” berries could’ve been responsible for that too, but I’d like the crow theory better.

The Tamago Chair

We’re introduced to the world of artsy chairs at an exhibition hosted by Fumi Nakai (played by Patti Yasutake), who’s the widow of a renowned architect and artist. She’s also George’s mum and Amy’s very judgemental mother-in-law !

Why are chairs a significant element in Beef?

In various Eastern cultures, chairs are often associated with status, power, authority, and hierarchy. For example, the head of the family would traditionally sit on the most important or highest chair at family gatherings or for meals. Emperors, officials, or other high-ranking figures would sit on elaborately decorated chairs as a symbol of their status and prestige.

So, what does that tell us about Fumi and her perspective on her family’s reputation?

The woman who has not worked a day in her life is holding onto these pieces of furniture to show (not sell) her rank in society. And the same mindset is instilled in future generations, i.e. George Nakai (played by Joseph Lee), who values The Tamago higher than any business transaction, because that chair is a status symbol. Also, a memory of his late father’s work.

Speaking of which, let’s talk about George’s art – the vases.

The Vases

I’m not talking about the aesthetics of the sculptures, but the ornament or the container itself.

The husband is the homemaker in Beef – holding the fort, keeping the family together and containing all of theirs and his own emotions… symbolically, in a vase.

And that is exactly why Amy subconsciously detests those goopy, lumpy vases, because George is more zen and has the ability to control his emotions, while she doesn’t.

Which also perhaps why she feels like a fraud, because anyone who works with plants is a nurturer and tends to be kind, calm, empathetic and rooted. All of which, we know, Amy is not.

This leads me to another motif …

Water Leak

I might be over analyzing this but hear me out.

There are two distinct sequences in the series where there’s a mention of plumbing issues and remodelling that require immediate attention.

Danny walks into Amy’s home twice suggesting a potential water leak, and the respective reactions from Amy and George is where the symbolism lies.

Amy is frustrated and overwhelmed to have to deal with another issue, while George’s reaction is more restrained. Amy sees water-leaks as loss of control or as an inability to manage a situation. It’s almost like an emotional leakage indication the need to release or express pent-up emotions.

George, on the other hand takes it upon himself to fix the leakage; once again, he’s able to contain the information as well as his emotions and deal with it.

The Handyman

Since Amy’s profession gave an insight into her insecurities and personality, Danny’s job as a handyman and his work ethic is an insight worth highlighting.

He could’ve had any profession but he’s a handyman who symbolize practicality, resourcefulness, efficiency, and adaptability.

While we see the enraged side of Danny, he’s comparatively calmer and more collected in his approach to solving problems. What Amy lacks in emotional stability and health, he lacks in material wealth. So not only are they each other’s outlet for their respective shortcomings, but they even balance each other out.

Popcorn Rating –  [5/5]

Beef is one of the most deliciously cooked and presented series I’ve watched in a while.

I’m sure there’s a whole lot more that I’ve missed.

Did you notice any other themes and symbolism in the series?

11 Apr 2023
Films, Reviews & Recommendations No Comments Permalink

‘Murder Mystery 2’ is a witty, befuddling whodunit

April 11, 2023 No Comments

Netflix’s sequel, Murder Mystery 2 reunites Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as the crime-solving couple Nick and Audrey Spitz, who have now formed their own struggling private-investigation firm. Despite the unimpressive nature of the first film, Murder Mystery (2019) and the questionable necessity of a sequel, this follow-up surprisingly offers a mixture of charm and humor that is hard to resist.

In the sequel, the Spitz couple finds themselves at the extravagant wedding of their friend, the Maharajah (Adeel Akhtar), only to witness his kidnapping.

The film then takes the audience on a whirlwind journey from a tropical island to the streets of Paris, as the couple and a colorful ensemble of suspects try to solve the mystery.

One of the standout aspects is the undeniable chemistry between Sandler and Aniston, who once again demonstrate their endearing and relatable connection as a married couple. Their good-natured bickering and authentic portrayal of a long-term relationship adds depth to the otherwise formulaic story.

The film’s humor leans heavily on dumb gags, and while it may not be for everyone, there is something genuinely amusing about the loopy, laid-back timing of Sandler’s delivery.

Director Jeremy Garelick and writer James Vanderbilt manage to inject some much-needed energy and visual elegance, lifting it above its predecessor. However, the sequel doesn’t offer much in terms of substance or innovation.

The exotic locales and the allure of movie stars simply being movie stars may provide a temporary escape for viewers, but the lack of a compelling plot and the reliance on slapstick humor leaves it feeling like a time-filler rather than a truly memorable experience.

Despite its shortcomings, this entertaining, if ultimately unremarkable, continuation of the Spitz couple’s adventures provides a mildly enjoyable experience.

The film’s blend of amiability and dumbness may not appeal to everyone, but for those seeking a lighthearted watch after a long day or as background noise during household chores, the sequel offers a pleasantly surprising escape.

Popcorn Rating –  [2.5/5]

Sandler and Aniston reprise their roles as the crime-solving Spitz couple in this surprisingly amusing sequel, offering a lighthearted escape for those seeking simple pleasures and a touch of charm.

06 Apr 2023
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Who else is excited about the new “Barbie” movie? Teaser out now

April 6, 2023 No Comments

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place.  Unless you have a full-on existential crisis.  Or you’re a Ken.

From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (Little Women, Lady Bird) comes Barbie, starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (Bombshell, I, Tonya) and Ryan Gosling (La La Land, Half Nelson) as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera (End of Watch, the How to Train Your Dragon films), Kate McKinnon (Bombshell, Yesterday), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Juno), Ariana Greenblatt (Avengers: Infinity War, 65), Issa Rae (The Photograph, Insecure), Rhea Perlman (I’ll See You in My Dreams, Matilda), and Will Ferrell (the Anchorman films, Talladega Nights).  The film also stars Ana Cruz Kayne (Little Women), Emma Mackey (Emily, Sex Education), Hari Nef (Assassination Nation, Transparent), Alexandra Shipp (the X-Men films), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami, Peaky Blinders), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education), Scott Evans (Grace and Frankie), Jamie Demetriou (Cruella), Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Emma), Sharon Rooney (Dumbo, Jerk), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls), Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy), Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dua Lipa and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (The Queen).

Gerwig directed Barbie from a screenplay by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale), based on Barbie by Mattel.  The film’s producers are Oscar nominee David Heyman (Marriage Story, Gravity), Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, with Michael Sharp, Josey McNamara, Ynon Kreiz, Courtenay Valenti, Toby Emmerich and Cate Adams serving as executive producers. 

Gerwig’s creative team behind the camera included Oscar-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (The Irishman, Silence, Brokeback Mountain), six-time Oscar-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (Beauty and the Beast, Anna Karenina), editor Nick Houy (Little Women, Lady Bird), Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (Little Women, Anna Karenina), visual effects supervisor Glen Pratt (Paddington 2, Beauty and the Beast), music supervisor George Drakoulias (White Noise, Marriage Story) and Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Shape of Water, The Grand Budapest Hotel).

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Heyday Films Production, a LuckyChap Entertainment Production, a Mattel Production, Barbie.  The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and released in theaters only nationwide on July 21, 2023 and beginning internationally on July 19, 2023.

Barbie will be released in the UK on 21st July 2023 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

03 Apr 2023
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‘Citadel’ kicks-off its global tour with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden in India

April 3, 2023 No Comments

Created by Russo Brothers’ AGBO and showrunner David Weil, the 6-episode series features Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Stanley Tucci, and Lesley Manville in pivotal roles, with two episodes dropping on April 28 and one episode launching weekly through May 26.

The phenomenal lead pair of Prime Video’s upcoming global spy series, Citadel, journeyed to Mumbai for the epic Asia Pacific premiere. Ahead of the grand evening, the lead cast of the action-packed series, Richard Madden, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas sat down for an entertaining chat and revealed what went into making this ground-breaking spy franchise. Created by Amazon Studios and Russo Brothers’ AGBO, with David Weil serving as showrunner and executive producer, Citadel will premiere exclusively on Prime Video, with two episodes dropping on April 28, and one episode rolling out weekly through May 26.

“We are excited to open the first window to the great universe of Citadel, and thrilled that we get to host the Asia Pacific premiere in Mumbai,” said Gaurav Gandhi, vice president, Asia Pacific, Prime Video. “Citadel is the beginning of a new, ambitious, landmark franchise—one built on a completely original IP— with interconnected stories that traverse the globe. This is an amazing way to create a really diverse global community of storytellers, and make entertainment truly borderless. The popularity of the genre, the novelty of the concept and the magic of the Russo Brothers, David Weil, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Richard Madden, and everyone else involved with Citadel, gives us confidence that audiences will love this truly global series.”

“Over 75% of Prime Video India’s customers watch international shows and movies in English or local languages on the service. With localisation in Indian languages, over 25% of the total viewing time of international shows and movies is now in local languages. Keeping that in mind, we’ll be releasing Citadel not just in English and Hindi, but also in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam,” said Sushant Sreeram, country director, Prime Video, India, “With Citadel, we are building an interconnected universe that takes borderless entertainment up a notch. Each Citadel series is locally created, produced, and filmed in-region, and stars top talent, forming a distinct global franchise. We are thrilled to be a part of the global Citadel universe and build this franchise together with an Indian instalment that is currently in production. I am certain that our customers in India will appreciate the scale and ambition that we are trying to bring to storytelling through Citadel.”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas who plays Nadia Sinh said, “When Jennifer Salke, who is the head of Amazon Studios, presented Citadel to me, she wanted to create an international, global franchise – an original IP that truly connects the world. Amazon strongly believes in diversity; and true diversity is represented internationally, not just by having different skin tones, but also by hearing the way people speak, actually delving into the culture. And this show has incredible ability to span across every country and continent. So, I didn’t even know the story and I said yep, doing it.”

Actor Richard Madden who plays Mason Kane shared, “Citadel has been incredibly physically demanding. But I think that’s what really is dreamy. It’s not simply a gun show or a fight sequence. This is how these two characters interact physically, and how they dance together. We learn in each action sequence a little more about the two of them. Just like in the drama scenes, the stakes are so high because of the adrenaline of what’s going on. The show just works both in the drama and action sequences.”

Citadel is executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO and showrunner David Weil. Alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden, the 6-episode series features Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville in pivotal roles. This thrilling spy series, that takes viewers around the world, will premiere exclusively on Prime Video starting April 28 with two episodes and then one episode rolling out weekly through May 26. The global series will stream across 240 countries and territories in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and other international languages.

31 Mar 2023
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‘The Last of Us’ – Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster

March 31, 2023 No Comments

The Last of Us based on the critically acclaimed and beloved video game series has successfully made the transition to television with its debut season on HBO.

The show brilliantly blends elements of action, adventure and drama, taking viewers on an emotional journey through a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the Cordyceps fungus.

The series stays true to its source material, following the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they navigate a dangerous and unforgiving landscape filled with infected creatures and hostile human factions.

The casting choices for these lead characters are spot-on with Pascal and Ramsey delivering compelling performances that capture the essence of their characters. Their chemistry is authentic and heart-wrenching, reflecting the growing bond between the two as they struggle to survive.

The supporting cast is equally strong, with standout performances from Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Anna Torv as Tess. Each character is given ample depth and development, ensuring that viewers become invested in their individual stories and struggles.

Visually, The Last of Us is a masterpiece.

The production team has gone to great lengths to recreate the game’s hauntingly beautiful world with lush, overgrown cityscapes contrasting sharply against the harsh realities of life in a post-apocalyptic setting.

The infected creatures are horrifying and well-realized, with realistic makeup and special effects that bring them to life.

In terms of storytelling, the show does an exceptional job of balancing character-driven drama with high-stakes action sequences. The pacing is deliberate, allowing viewers to become immersed in the world and its characters while still maintaining a sense of urgency and danger.

The writing is superb with faithful adaptations of the game’s most memorable moments and the addition of new storylines that enhance and deepen the narrative.

One of the show’s greatest strengths is its exploration of themes such as survival, morality, and the human condition. Through its characters and their choices, this artful show presents a thought-provoking examination of what it means to be human in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction.

The Last of Us is a must-watch series for fans of the video game and newcomers alike.

With its strong cast, gripping storylines and stunning visuals, the show successfully brings the game’s world to life on the small screen.

Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless and eagerly anticipating the next episode!!

22 Mar 2023
Blog, Talk Time with Nidhi No Comments Permalink

5 thrillers to watch if you liked ‘Farzi’

March 22, 2023 No Comments

Slightly late to the party, but I finally watched Farzi.

But if you’re like me, and liked Farzi, here are 5 films / series you can watch along the social themes of survival, and virtues and values where greed or pride leads to downfall.

Good girls

The show starring Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman is a witty and irreverent drama that explores the theme of female empowerment in the face of adversity. Three suburban moms decide to rob a local supermarket to take car e of their families’ financial needs.

What starts as a necessity soon becomes a hobby with these unsuspecting moms discovering their knack for this life of crime, gang heists, debts, secrets and more.

You know how Farzi takes us through the process of making counterfeit money, from finding the right quality of paper, to creating the perfect color ink. You’ll witness the same process but through the resources available to a suburban mom; hint – nail polish – kaafi ghareloo nuskhe

Watch these Good Girls being completely badass on Netflix.

Queen Pins

You’ve heard of counterfeiting money, but have you heard about counterfeiting coupons?

Loosely based on a true story, Queenpins follows the lives of Connie Kaminski (played by Kristen Bell), wh is a former Olympic medallist suffering from an existential crisis, financial debt and a failing marriage and her friend, JoJo Johnson (played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste), an unemployed makeup artist and wannabe social media influencer.

Both tired of being in a rut and struggling to make ends meet, they chance upon an idea to “win” coupons from companies, which soon turns into a multi-million dollar counterfeit coupon scheme.

Connie and JoJo take couponing to a whole new level, forging and selling on an industrial scale, and making millions in the process, before their luck runs out.

This light-hearted comedy thriller  of survival makes Queenpins an entertaining watch. What’s quite interesting is how determined the authorities and loss prevention officers are to stop this pink-collar crime.

Queenpins in streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Molly’s Game

Another film about a former Olympian duping the system is Molly’s Game with Jessica Chastain in the titular role.

Based on the true story of a world-class skier, the film tracks Molly Bloom after the unfortunate end of the Olympic career due to an injury.

Instead of getting a degree, Molly takes on odd jobs till she stumbles upon the opportunity to work at an underground poker business played by the most famous and wealthy individuals.

This is where Molly’ Game becomes a game of tact and survival – Like our boy Sunny in Farzi, Molly quickly learns the ropes and establishes a business to successfully run an underground celebrity poker club. As the business grows, so do the stakes.

You can watch this story of ambition, risk and redemption on Netflix.

21 Blackjack

That leads me to another film with gambling as a backdrop – 2008’s film called 21.

This too is inspired by real events and people following the journey of six MIT students who are trained by their university professor to become experts in card counting in Blackjack and are flown to Vegas every week to make millions at the casinos.

They manage to trick players every night using strategic mathematical skills and advanced card-counting techniques, to cash in the big bucks… till they get too big for their shoes. As the stakes get higher, the casinos become more suspicious, and the team begins to navigate dangerous waters to keep their winning streak alive.

Shuffle through Netflix to watch this intellectually thrilling heist drama. If you’re not great with numbers like me, you might have to pause it a few times and figure their strategy at the table.

Fakes

Going back to the subject of counterfeiting, but with a lighter theme is the series called Fakes.

You want to take a guess?

Well, I’ll tell you anyway. Fakes is also inspired by a semi-true story of two teens who “accidentally” build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America, before a whole lot of shit goes down and they eventually get busted by the cops.

Unlike any of the other films in the list, the USB of this series is its narration. Each episode is told from the respective teenager’s point of view, often breaking the fourth wall. While one character is a neurotic brainiac named Zoe (played by Emilija Baranac), the other is an obnoxious, rich spoilt brat named Rebecca.

So, you have sort off keep track of each version of the story and connect the dots to solve the case.

Although it’s based on a true story, the cheeky treatment makes Fakes a fun watch, streaming on Netflix.

By the way, did you notice that all the stories have characters go from rags to riches… to rags !

03 Mar 2023
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Anubhav Sinha and Bhushan Kumar’s ‘Bheed’ to be a Unique Black & White Cinematic Experience

March 3, 2023 No Comments

After building intrigue among the audience with black and white images reminding us of the 1947 India partition, the makers of Bheed have released a video putting the speculations to rest. The pictures, which look from the 1947 India Partition are shockingly from the 2020 India Lockdown reminding similar times when people were uprooted from their homes.

12 years after the 84th Academy Award-winning French film ‘The Artist’, Bhushan Kumar and Anubhav Sinha’s upcoming social drama Bheed is another feature film made completely in black and white.

Depicting the hard-hitting reality of social disparity at the times when borders were drawn within the country. The Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar starrer is a story of the time when migrant workers were stranded without necessities, trying to find their way home in the middle of a nationwide lockdown.

Anubhav Sinha speaking more about the film says, “Bheed is a story of the most perilous times which changed everything for humanity. The key objective of shooting the film in black and white was to showcase how the visuals of the social disparity during India’s Lockdown were strikingly similar to what people went through during the 1947 India partition. This story is about people whose lives changed in a snap and the colors from their lives were lost when the border was drawn within the country.”

Bhushan Kumar says, “Bheed is a special film as it communicates the story of the toughest times people had to face just to reach their homes. It is a very important story and who better than Anubhav to direct it? The film has been shot in black and white as it depicts the struggle in our society that we often overlook.  I’m glad that we are able to bring such an important story to our audiences with a unique cinematic experience.”

The Anubhav Sinha directorial is going to be one of a kind, black-and-white film that speaks about the partition that our generation experienced in 2020. The audience is enthralled by this extraordinary idea of depicting the 2020 India Lockdown in black and white for the first time on the silver screen.

Directed by the master of telling real-life stories Anubhav Sinha, Bheed has a noteworthy ensemble starring Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Kapur, Bhumi Pednekar, Ashutosh Rana, and Dia Mirza. The film is jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Mediaworks. The film also features Virendra Saxena, Aditya Shrivastava, Kritika Kamra, and Karan Pandit.