Vijay 69 sets out with a premise that should resonate universally — a story of perseverance, second chances, and the determination to break through societal constraints. Anupam Kher headlines as the titular Vijay, a 69-year-old retired club swimming coach, training for a triathlon, the film tries to challenge the typical narrative surrounding ageing and ambitions. Directed by Akshay Roy (known for the incredible 2017 film, Meri Pyaari Bindu), the movie seems like it has all the right ingredients, but somewhere along the way, it loses its momentum.
‘Red One’ is a Christmas ‘Avengers’ film, except I’m not sure who’s the target audience
What visuals come to mind when you think of a Christmas movie?
Happy families. Happy homes decorated with Christmas trees, stockings and presents. Cute and fluffy Santa Claus spreading the holiday cheer. Lively neighbourhoods. Feel good, celebratory vibes with dash of drama.
Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner ‘All We Imagine As Light’ gets a UK release
BFI Distribution releases the UK trailer for All We Imagine As Light. The 2024 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winner, written and directed by Payal Kapadia, opens in UK and Irish cinemas on 29 November 2024, followed by a BFI Blu-ray and BFI Player release in early 2025. The film recently sold out the 2,200 capacity Royal Festival Hall for its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 18 October and is already tipped as a strong contender in the forthcoming awards season.
Go Dharmic’s First Diwali Gala in Westminster: A Grand Success
Go Dharmic marked a historic milestone on Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, by hosting the first-ever Diwali Gala at Westminster. The event brought together a distinguished gathering of guests to celebrate the spirit of Diwali with the theme ‘Be The Light’, emphasising a powerful message of peace, compassion, and non-violence toward all living beings. Among the esteemed attendees were Baroness Sandip Verma, Shivani Raja MP, Ed Winters and Heather Mills, who each highlighted the vital mission of Go Dharmic to foster a world where everyone can coexist harmoniously with nature
‘Go Dharmic’ Presents First-Ever Diwali Gala Dinner 2024 at Central Hall Westminster
London, UK — Go Dharmic, a global movement for compassion and action, is delighted to announce its Westminster Diwali Gala 2024, taking place on October 23rd at the iconic Central Hall Westminster. This vibrant evening will bring together the community to celebrate Diwali with joy, culture, and philanthropy, with all proceeds going toward charitable causes.
The event will commence at 6:30 PM and promises an unforgettable evening filled with entertainment, a curated multi-course vegan Indian meal, and opportunities to engage with prominent speakers, VIP guests, and special appearances. As part of the evening’s program, guests will also have the chance to participate in a charity auction, which includes an exclusive item—a Virat Kohli-signed T-shirt—among other exciting offerings.
The gala will provide a unique opportunity for networking and celebrating Diwali in the heart of London while supporting Go Dharmic’s humanitarian work.
Founded by Hanuman Dass in 2013, Go Dharmic is committed to alleviating food poverty, providing education, and delivering disaster relief. The funds raised from this event will directly support these vital causes, helping families and individuals facing humanitarian and environmental crises.
Hanuman Dass, the founder of Go Dharmic says, “Diwali is all about the triumph of light over darkness and the joy of new beginnings. While we celebrate, it’s important to remember those still facing tough times. This Diwali Gala is our chance to spread hope and light to those in need, creating brighter tomorrows together.”
Go Dharmic invites everyone to join in for an evening of celebration, community, and philanthropy, where the true spirit of Diwali—sharing and giving—will be at the heart of the event.
Click here for more information and to reserve tickets.
‘The Buckingham Murders’: A Gloomy Journey Through Grief and Mystery
Set in the quaint but chilly town of Buckinghamshire, The Buckingham Murders follows Jasmeet Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan), a grieving mother and a detective, who is on a mission to solve the disappearance of a local child (Ishpreet), who is later found dead, eventually the case becoming a murder mystery. Having recently lost her son, Jasmeet’s loss weighs heavily on her as she delves into the unsettling investigation in Buckinghamshire.
What sets this film apart from a typical whodunit is its exploration of Jasmeet’s internal struggle. This isn’t just about solving a crime—it’s about dealing with grief, guilt, and the emotional toll of loss. The mystery of the missing child almost feels secondary to Jasmeet’s journey, which gives the film a depth you don’t often see in traditional thrillers.
Kareena Kapoor Khan: In Her Element
Bollywood’s Bebo has acting chops, but in The Buckingham Murders, she steps into a role that’s far more subdued and nuanced than her usual glamorous characters. Her portrayal of Jasmeet feels raw, real, and restrained. There’s no over-the-top drama here—just quiet, simmering emotion that pulls you into her world of pain and determination.
She carries the weight of the movie on her shoulders, and boy, does she carry it well. It’s almost like watching her in a Kate Winslet mode, especially reminiscent of Winslet’s performance in Mare of Easttown. Kareena nails that brutality straightforward detective vibe but also lets you see the vulnerability hiding beneath the tough exterior.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s restrained yet impactful performance is undoubtedly one of the film’s highlights. She doesn’t rely on melodrama to communicate her pain. Instead, it’s in her quiet moments—her expressions, her body language—that you truly feel the depth of her sorrow. This subdued approach is a refreshing change from the often exaggerated portrayals we see in Bollywood thrillers. Honestly, it’s one of her most mature performances to date.
Hansal Mehta’s Masterstroke
Hansal Mehta is known for giving us hard-hitting, realistic dramas, and The Buckingham Murders is no different. The atmosphere is heavy, drenched in melancholy, with a slow-burn pace that gives you time to soak in the emotional layers of the story.
What I loved about Mehta’s direction is how he uses the gloomy backdrop of Buckinghamshire to reflect Jasmeet’s inner turmoil. The grey skies, the rain-soaked streets, and the chilling winds all mirror her state of mind. The film’s cinematography is subtle but effective, never distracting from the story but enhancing the overall mood of despair and isolation.
The emotional complexity of the film is its biggest strength. It’s not just a murder mystery; it’s a character study of a woman battling her demons while trying to find justice for a missing child. Jasmeet is far from a superhero cop—she’s flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human. That makes her so much more relatable, and her emotional journey is something you can’t help but feel invested in.
The director has always had a knack for weaving realism into his films, and The Buckingham Murders is no exception. The dialogues are natural, the characters feel grounded, and the story unfolds in a way that feels genuine. There’s no forced happy ending, no unnecessary romantic angle—it’s a straightforward yet deeply layered narrative.
The Mystery Element
While I personally enjoy slow-burn thrillers, the pacing of The Buckingham Murders was a bit too sluggish for me. The film takes its time setting up the atmosphere and delving into Jasmeet’s psyche, but in doing so, it sometimes drags, especially in the middle sections.
Don’t get me wrong—the mystery at the heart of the story is engaging, but it sometimes takes a backseat to Jasmeet’s journey. While this worked for me, if you are coming and expecting a full-blown detective thriller might feel slightly underwhelmed by the lack of constant twists and turns. The film is more of a psychological exploration than a pulse-pounding murder mystery, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re in the mood for a dark, introspective thriller that dives deep into grief and personal loss, then The Buckingham Murders is worthy enough for you to go and spend some time. Kareena Kapoor Khan’s stellar performance and Hansal Mehta’s grounded direction make this film stand out from typical Bollywood mysteries.
While it may not have the fast-paced thrills some might expect, it more than makes up for it with its emotional depth and atmospheric storytelling. The Buckingham Murders isn’t just a murder mystery—it’s a haunting, thought-provoking film that lingers with you long after the credits roll.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is stuck in the past. It lacks substance and entertainment
The reboot of old classic films often makes good business-sense as it guarantees a footfall of audience who love nostalgia.
But it’s also critical to revive the film keeping the present in mind, and its relevance to the world at large.
Unfortunately, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is stuck in the past. It lacks substance and entertainment.
The dark fantasy comedy horror picks up 40 years later, from where its prequel ended and re-introduces us to the beloved / cult characters for Beetlejuice 1988, except it’s all too childish.
If you haven’t watched the original (or don’t remember it), none of it will make sense because everything feels rushed, unfunny and dated.
Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is a quirky host of a supernatural talk show, producer by her boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux). During the taping of an episode, Lydia is spooked by visions of the ghost Betelgeuse in the audience, which alarms her of his revival.
The family reunites in the home for the funeral of Lydia’s father, which is where we’re introduced to her estranged daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who is a typical teenager defying her mom and blaming her for all inconvenience.
What follows is chaotic and incoherent turn of events from the mortal world to the afterlife, with a Tom & Jerry – esque chase sequences between Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), his minions, Lydia, Astrid, Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara), and an extremely underutilised Delores (Monica Bellucci).
I desperately wanted to enjoy the film, but I’m not quite sure who is its target audience – is it the original viewers of the classic or the new generation? Because the audience’s palette for dark comedy horror has evolved. However, the film’s has not.
Overall, the reboot of the franchise seems to be a good business opportunity with Halloween around the corner, giving everyone a new set of costumes to enjoy this holiday. Last year the world turned pink with Barbie and this year it will be an influx of black & white striped Beetlejuice and “Bobs” in oversized yellow blazers, and perhaps a few black widows with staples across their faces.
Other than that, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice doesn’t offer anything memorable and lacks the charm of its predecessor.
‘Blink Twice’ is a psychological thriller that seeks to address accountability
There’s a lot of conversation around the unfair advantage that Zoe Kravitz has as a “Nepo baby”. However, we need to also talk about “Nepo babies” who create remarkable works of art such as the new psychological thriller Blink Twice.
Zoe Kravitz makes her directorial debut with this film, which she co-wrote with E.T. Feigenbaum, and it is a fantastic joy ride.
Blink Twice centres around Frida played by Naomi Ackie and her fascination with tech Billionaire Slater King played by Channing Tattum.
Frida is a waitress lucky enough to meet and be love bombed by Slater at his event. She is captivated with his enigmatic allure, and his circle of friends as she agrees on a whim, to travel with them to his private island for a getaway.
What I particularly enjoyed is how Blink Twice explores some issues in our society, as it addressed themes around patriarchy, sexual assault, the importance of sisterhood and trauma. It also uses a lot of symbolism such as colours like red, white and green that play a significant role in the telling of this story.
Another interesting use of symbolism if the presence of a snake as the catalyst to spark their awareness, as it gives reference to the biblical story of Adam & Eve & the serpent. While in the bible the serpent is a symbol of chaos, here, the narrative begs to ask the question – what if the influence of the serpent is what sparked our awakening? Like a form of rebirth.
Kravitz and E.T. have created a piece of art that seeks to address accountability by everyone because trauma has become a fad lately, that everyone uses as an excuse for bad behaviour.
The choice of Channing Tatum to play the role of Slater King is quite interesting because of his boyish charm, he successfully disarms Naomi’s character, Frida & the audience, because before we know it, we are thrust blindly into the rabbit hole.
Blink Twice is the kind of movie you watch over again; I will not be surprised if it gained a cult following.
You can watch the trailer here:
“Stree 2” : A mixed bag of spooks and laughs. It’s an entertaining sequel but not a groundbreaking one
Stree 2 picks up a few years after the events of the original film.
The small town of Chanderi is once again haunted by the mysterious spirit, Sarkata (headless ghost). This time, the stakes are higher, and the backstory is deeper.
Our beloved trio—Rajkummar Rao’s Vicky, Aparshakti Khurana’s Bittu, and Abhishek Banerjee’s Jaana—are back, trying to unravel the mystery while dealing with their struggles.
Shraddha Kapoor also reprises her role, adding layers to her enigmatic character.
What Works in Stree 2
One of the best things about Stree 2 is that it doesn’t lose the humour that made the original so enjoyable. The comedic timing, especially between Rajkummar Rao and Aparshakti Khurana, is as sharp as ever.
Their banter feels natural and continues to be a highlight, providing much-needed levity amidst the horror elements. The film does a great job of blending humour with horror, keeping the audience entertained throughout.
Rajkummar Rao once again proves why he’s one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors. His portrayal of Vicky, the reluctant hero, is both endearing and hilarious. Abhishek Banerjee as Jaana also stands out, delivering a performance that balances comedy with genuine fear. Shraddha Kapoor brings a mysterious allure to her role, keeping us guessing about her true intentions.
Stree 2 dives deeper into the folklore of Stree, offering more insights into her origin and motivations. This added depth helps in making the story more engaging and gives the characters more to work with. It’s interesting to see the filmmakers expand the lore, which was hinted at in the first film.
Where Stree 2 Falls Short
While Stree 2 tries to capture the magic of the original, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. The freshness and novelty that Stree (2018) brought to the table are somewhat missing here. The sequel feels more formulaic, following the beats of the first film without bringing anything significantly new to the table. The sense of surprise and originality that Stree had is less potent this time around.
One of the issues with Stree 2 is its pacing. The film starts strong but loses steam in the middle, with some scenes dragging on longer than necessary. The horror elements, while effective, don’t pack the same punch as they did in the original. There are moments when the film struggles to maintain the tension, which can make the viewing experience feel uneven.
Stree 2 tries to juggle multiple subplots, and while it’s ambitious, it sometimes leads to a cluttered narrative. The plot lacks the origin of its title and often misses the “Stree-ness.” There are moments when the film feels overstuffed, with too many threads vying for attention. This can make the story feel a bit disjointed, and some characters don’t get the screen time they deserve.
The Film is a fun ride, especially for fans of the original. It retains the humour and charm that made Stree such a hit, with strong performances and a deeper dive into the lore. However, it falls short of capturing the same magic that made the first film a standout.
The novelty of blending horror with comedy isn’t as fresh, and the pacing issues can make the film feel a bit uneven.
Should You Watch It?
If you loved Stree and are curious to see where the story goes, Stree 2 is worth a watch. It has moments of brilliance, especially in the humour, and the performances are solid across the board.
Just don’t expect it to fully recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle that was the original. It’s an entertaining sequel but not a groundbreaking one.