ajopaul01 Reviews

Wish You Were Here (I) (2012)

Slow Burner and well acted.

[7/10 · 1 May 2023]

Another Aussie gem that needs wider recognition. It's a very compelling thriller with its characters peeling their onion layers as the plot moves forward. Edgerton holds the movie on his own and so does the rest of the crew. If you like an afternoon slow burner, I do recommend this.

The plot is revealed gradually and keeps the viewer guessing all along the way. Meanwhile the writers handled the sensitive nature of relationships very well without losing focus on the main plot. Everything that unfolds is very much relevant to the main plot. And all the sub plots were addressed well towards the end.

Wednesday: A Murder of Woes (2022) Season 1, Episode 8

Excellent ep 1-7. But.. finale was a crash site!

[7/10 · 10 January 2023]

Let me be clear, I loved the series. Best from Netflix in a while. Some great writing, suspense build up for the finale was edge of the seat stuff. The quirky and witty lines for Jenna Ortega were delivered with great timing. Her portrayal of a lead protagonist will be hard to top. Also every member of star cast performed their respective roles to the best of their abilities. I especially loved the energetic Enid.

However after all the good stuff up until episode 7, the final episode was an utter disappointment. I felt it was rushed, filled with clichés, forced lines and what not. It was as if the director was changed for the last episode? Could be the pressure to set up a good finale got to the team.

Anyways I will be waiting for the season 2 because overall Wednesday has earned my respect!

Nope (2022)

Long and boring. Not sure what the hype was?

[5/10 · 13 September 2022]

I watched this with much expectations. Look I don't mind a slow burner. However please try to keep it interesting. I could not connect with any of the characters. I found the sister to be annoying even. There were lots of references to a chimp that went rogue and killed the cast at a sitcom filming set, but no corelation to the actual plot. And we wonder what was that all about!

While I appreciate Jordan Peel's style of film making, but unfortunately he has missed the mark here. The alien creature is revealed towards the end. However we don't know what is its intent are or how it got here and whats its purpose.

The plot has gaping holes with some poor dialogue writing. As far as technical aspects of the film are considered, they are all top notch. Sound effects, cinematography or the locations. Here's hoping Jordan Peel is able to make good movies in the future.

Purple Hearts (2022)

Can this be remade with a better star cast and direction?

[5/10 · 4 August 2022]

Such a nice premise but spoiled it with some poor dialogues and acting by lead characters. Trust me I had a feeling it was the usual Netflix garbage, when I started it, but there was something about the female lead and her sincerity to made me sit through this whole thing.

For Gods sake this was #1 Netflix Movie in my country as well!! Can this be remade with better cast and direction in future?

The Silencing (2020)

Good intentions poor execution.

[5/10 · 15 March 2022]

Story and cast had a great pretext. But the delivery failed. Many sub ploats were left unexplained. Poor writing in the screenplay department.

I did enjoy playing the guessing game but there were far too many flaws in continuity and general direction.

Like how did Rayburn survive a gun shot and yet drove all the way. Plus his car brokedown twice in the sanctuary and he does not carry a phone. How did he manage to get it back to his home office.

Why in the world did doctor boone do the knuckle tricknin front of sheriff?

Ghajini (2008)

Aamir roars in Ghajini.

[8/10 · 24 December 2008]

Ghajini is an out an out action thriller set at the backdrop of romance and revenge drama. Its almost a frame 2 frame remake of Tamil hit Ghajini, which was originally inspired by Memento. Since I loved both the versions. It was difficult to expect anything newer or better from the Hindi version. So the verdict would mostly revolve around "did the makers ensure the benchmarks are met". Its a definite 'A' for being able to meet the gigantic expectations. No, the director has not disappointed you.

The high points are the few thrills that are part of the narrative, the edge of the seat kinds.

While avoiding comparisons, Aamir is done a terrific job playing a confused and furious person in search of the killer of girl friend. His corporate getup was styled differently and looks convincing. I can already sense, the style being a rave shortly in the corporate dressing. His toned up body looks fab, and justifies few of the over the top fights.

Asin has won my heart again, din't think she would be able to do so, repeating the feat she did 2 years ago. In few of the reels she literally stole the movie from Aamir. The climax is different and is better picturised.

Overall when you leave the theatre you do feel if you missed something.. I can only sum up the following could be why i felt so..

1. I knew the story and could predict the dialogues in advance. 2. The length was a mild problem 3. The action sequences looked dated in parts, one blow and 4 on the ground. 4. The originals were too good to repeat it.

Oh I wished, I had the bliss of not having watched the originals, to take a fresh look at it.

For the humongous effort of the team, go watch it if you are hungry for masalas beyond cakes and wine this holiday season..

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)

Funny !

[9/10 · 8 October 2008]

Kal Penn has done it again. The premise was set perfectly and the movie took us through the different oddities about the paranoid and mad ways of American reactions to war against terror. These two gentlemen are put behind bars and sent of Guantanama Bay. The journey begins there and its a fun ride ahead. The movie apart from being rip roaring funny, also brings out lot of mistaken or rather true clichés of American society. Be it geographical ethnic or even racist. The sensitive subjects are treated pretty nicely. I should say hilariously too. The expression Kal Penn brings about for different situations are perfect and fits the scenes very well. Trust me he's got a funny looking face.

Good Luck Chuck (2007)

Nice comic time pass.

[8/10 · 8 October 2008]

Well its a little more than time pass. The film starts of with a bunch of underage kids playing dare sex games. Its here that during a petty fight our leading actor is cursed with a hex that, whenever he had sex with his girlfriend she would find her true love in the next guy she dates. This becomes a legend. And girls start queuing up to have sex with him. However he is never able to convince the girl he likes to fall in love with him. Dane cook as Charlie the dentist has a convincing role. He's essayed it pretty nicely from a man who's ready to satisfy any woman he meets , to the smothering boyfriend. His funny acts do tickle few funny bones of the viewer. In her part, Jessica was brilliant as this held up girl reserved about being emotionally available and a disaster for the folks and things around her. Other actors have done decent jobs, especially Charlie's boob fanatic friend Stu.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Nice heart warming romantic comedy

[8/10 · 8 October 2008]

As I summarized in the title, this one is a nicely directed and acted movie. The characters are given enough time and focus and they grow on you and you start recognizing them as one of us. Peter is this not so smart but extra sensitive lover of a popular TV star. Sarah is the one who walks out of his life. But circumstances prevail and they end up seeing each other almost every moment. The plot gets interesting and thicker and the proceedings keeps you guessing if they will get back together again. A good weekend afternoon watch. A word of caution there is quite amount of female as well as male nudity. The funny moments are present here and there and it does bring a smile on you, if not a loud laughter.

Hancock (2008)

This is a must watch ..

[9/10 · 11 July 2008]

I was surprised, yes true, if you have mamoth expectations don't expect. But the surprise factors are what touched me. Back in India it released today, got a chance to catch the preview show last night, it was fun.

For starters, It takes a whole new take on superheroes and how screwed or messed their life can be, inspite of having all the powers of the world. I must agree to many comments summarizing it as Superhero yet Human. Charlez Theron looks hot in her sequences, perhaps could have opened her character at least a little in initial reels.

The pace and the humor on the proceedings are spot on, arguably there are very few talented stars with the impeccable comic timing, as Will Smith, portrays on screen.

Its a must watch even if you loved superhero movies or even hated them. The makers should be credited for creative risk they have taken for the same.

Cheers!