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Kaalkoot (2023)
Last episode action scenes are a LET DOWN
I liked the show. It was compelling and well crafted except the exaggerated action at the climax that detracted from the authenticity that had been carefully maintained throughout the narrative. Advice for the director would be to maintain the realistic portrayal of events that resonates more deeply with the audience. I hope future series sustain the believability essential for this type of show.
In first season, Ravi Shankar Tripathi is rookie police officer begins his career with thoughts of resignation by the dark aspects of his job. His first major assignment involves investigating an acid attack on a woman named Parul. As Ravi delves deeper into the complexities of the case, he discovers a newfound respect for the meaningful impact that diligent policing can have on society.
Throughout the seven episodes Ravi encounters numerous dead ends and misdirections. His investigative journey leads him to uncover a deceitful plot by Rashmi who consumed by jealousy towards Parul had created a fake social media profile to tarnish her reputation. Rashmi actions included posting lewd photos and insinuating that Parul was seeking inappropriate conversations online. Although Ravi untangles the web of lies surrounding the fake profile he concludes that Rashmi is not responsible for the acid attack.
The investigation takes a significant turn at the Ali Cyber Cafe which frequented by Parul due to its proximity to her coaching center. After analyzing patterns and correlations, Ravi discovers that a disproportionate number of acid attack victims were patrons of this cafe. Digging deeper, he explores unresolved cases and speaks with a convictNitin Seth who reveals he attacked his sister over her secret abortion which he learned through an anonymous email.
Ravi's search for the source of these invasive emails leads him to uncover the widespread use of a malicious software known as keyboard logger by hackers to steal personal information. This software is found in several locations college, residential computer, cyber cafe etc but not at the abortion clinic. The trail eventually points to Manu Sharma, known as Desi Rebel who had access to an extensive network of computers throughout the city due to his role as an internet service provider.
The climax is the worst part of the series as it was packed with unrealistic action scenes when Ravi and his partner Yadav attempt to arrest Manu. After dramatic confrontation Manu fatally shoots a political figure and wounds/kills several police officers including Ravi. Despite his injuries Ravi miraculously persists ultimately catching Manu in a tense showdown near a notorious pond where crimes against newborn girls occur even manages to rescue an infant.
The mystery of the acid attack unravels with the revelation that Parul's ex-boyfriend Maanav Gupta orchestrated the attack out of jealousy over her communications with another man. The series ends with Ravi's life taking a hopeful turn as he marries Shivangi and celebrates new beginnings with Parul who announces her plans to study law in Delhi.
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Once you step out the door, you are in trouble
It's 1948 Los Angeles a place where the air is thick with jazz and the streets hum with the stories of the war returned. Ezekiel Easy Rawlins, our hero, is a man who's seen too much and wants nothing but a quiet life. But life, as always has other plans.
One evening, in Joppy's bar a spot where black men like Easy find solace and a stiff drink, a white man, DeWitt Albright steps in. Dressed like he owns the place, he's got a job for Easy. It's undercover and it smells of trouble but Easy's just lost his job and the mortgage isn't going to pay itself.
Easy takes the gig hunting for Daphne Monet, a white woman lost in the jazz filled nights of black speakeasies. It's here that Easy's journey spirals into a tale of deceit, murder and a quest for truth that digs up more than just the past.
First stop, John's Place, an illegal jazz club where the music seduces just as much as the secrets it hides. Here Easy steps into a scene straight out of a movie but the plot thickens when he learns about Howard Green's murder right outside the club. The plot? It's more tangled than Easy anticipated.
The search for Daphne pulls Easy deeper, introducing him to characters like Coretta, Dupree's girlfriend, who offers more than just information and Mouse, Easy's old friend, whose loyalty is as fierce as his methods are questionable.
The deeper Easy delves, the murkier the waters become. He finds himself in the middle of a dangerous game involving corrupt cops, vicious criminals and the very fabric of LA's societal tensions.
In a turn of events, Easy's quest leads him not just to Daphne but into a labyrinth of murder, blackmail and betrayal. Each discovery sheds light on the dark corners of a city divided by race and wealth, pushing Easy to question not only the motives of those around him but his own principles.
As the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, Easy finds himself at odds with more than just the city's criminals. The police are on his trail, and the truth about Daphne reveals a story much bigger than Easy could have imagined - a tale of love, loss and the price of freedom in a world that's still grappling with the aftermath of war.
Despite the danger, Easy's resolve never wavers. With a cool head and a sharp mind, he navigates through the chaos, driven by a desire to do right by his friends and his city. In the end, Easy's journey is more than just a quest for truth; it's a journey of self-discovery, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As the sun sets on LA, Easy, battered but not broken, finds himself changed. The detective work might have started as a means to an end, but it becomes his calling. Sitting in his garden, Easy reflects on the journey, the battles fought, the friends lost and gained. Life in LA is complex, but Easy Rawlins is ready for whatever comes next, with the wisdom of his experiences and the strength of his convictions guiding him into the future.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
What Indian Space Industry could have been!
T, this story isn't just about his science work.. it's also about some tough times he went through.
At the start everything seems happy. Nambi is enjoying life with his family. But suddenly people get mad at him because of a news story that says he shared important secrets with Pakistan. This gets him into big trouble and he's taken by the police. Then Srk appears in the movie as himself interviewing Nambi about his life and all the ups and downs he's faced especially during his work at ISRO.
Nambi shares his journey starting with how he was inspired by great scientists like Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam to work on rocket fuels. He even gets to study at Princeton and NASA! But instead of staying in the US, Nambi decides to return to India to help ISRO.
He does some amazing work like getting a great deal on rocket technology from Scotland and learning about liquid fuel in France. All of this helps India make a big leap in space technology with the VIKAS engine and dreams of a cryogenic engine which could have put India ahead in the space race.
But then things go wrong. Nambi is accused of spying and giving away secrets which wasn't true. He's treated badly and gets beaten up by cops but he fights hard to clear his name and eventually, he wins his case in the Supreme Court.
The movie suggests that the whole spy accusation might have been a plot by international agencies to stop India's progress in space technology. It points to a character, Barry Amaldev who might have been working against Nambi because of global politics.
Even though Nambi faces many challenges including being forgotten by many and fighting for the compensation promised to him, he never gives up. He's recognized for his contributions much later and receives a award in 2019.
The movie tries to tell us about Nambi's amazing contributions and the difficulties he faced. But it seems like the film focuses a lot on the drama and not enough on the real, emotional story of Nambi's life and achievements. While it shares important facts, it sometimes moves too fast or doesn't give enough depth to the emotional parts.
Despite these issues, the movie does a great job of showing how important Nambi's work was for India's space journey. It also makes us think about how sometimes great people face big problems not because they did something wrong but because of misunderstandings or politics.
Duranga (2022)
Interesting plot
Season 2 kicks off with more drama and suspense focusing on Abhishek Banne. After a tough life, Abhishek finds some solace with the Patel family and Ira. The first season was all about getting to know the characters, setting the stage for the action packed Season 2. This time the story revolves around chasing down the partner in crime of Bala Banne the serial killer. This accomplice has started attacking women in a way that's similar to Bala's style. The main storyline is about how the Mumbai Crime Branch finally catches this bad guy.
The season starts with a twist. Sammit Patel wakes up from a coma confused about everything around him. He finds out Abhishek has been using his identity which actually helps both of them stay off the radar for different reasons. Abhishek is Bala Banne's son and hiding under Sammit's name keeps people from getting suspicious. Sammit decides to enter Abhishek's life as Professor Dev Sahani either to shock Abhishek or to see a different life he might have had.
But there's more to Sammit than meets the eye. He claims he was forced to work for Bala Banne because Bala threatened his family. But we soon find out that Sammit has always had a violent streak and his parents neglect only made it worse. This big revelation changes everything. While the police are looking for Bala's accomplice, they don't realize Sammit is the guy they're after.
The crime branch in Mumbai is under a lot of pressure. A new wave of attacks on women has started following Bala's old methods. The team thinks Bala's son, Abhishek is behind it all but the viewers know it's actually Sammit. This creates a lot of tension especially after one of the attacked women, a prostitute, almost survives to tell the tale but is killed by Sammit before she can speak up. Now the police especially Ira and her team are in a race against time to catch the real culprit.
Abhishek knows he's in a tight spot especially after the prostitute's death. He worries the police will come after him thinking he's following in his father's footsteps. To clear his name, Abhishek tries to track down Gopu, a man who used to find women for his father. He plans to use Gopu to lead the police to the real accomplice. But the plan falls apart and Ira ends up saving Abhishek, bringing them closer together. Abhishek opens up to Ira and she doesn't judge him for his past.
Meanwhile Sammit's true nature as a psychopath comes to light. He starts getting rid of anyone who could threaten him including their family nurse and a cop from Ira's team. He even tries to kill Abhishek's sister Prachi. Sammit's parents, blinded by their belief that he's just traumatized, fail to see the monster he's become.
The story takes another turn when Rosy Telkar, believed to be dead, is revealed to be alive. This changes everything for Sammit who's been trying to cover up his tracks and avoid being linked to Bala Banne. Sammit kills Gopu to keep his secrets safe.
In a dramatic showdown, Abhishek faces Sammit, ready to end it all. But it's Ira who ultimately takes Sammit down shooting him when he tries to attack Abhishek again. This act of selfdefense might have ended Sammit's reign of terror.
The season ends on a mysterious note. At a family celebration, Anya, Abhishek and Ira's daughter, hears a whistle similar to the one Sammit used, so its speculation about her mental state and the possibility of Sammit's influence not being fully eradicated or even his survival.
Cuttputlli (2022)
Skippable movie
In the quaint town of Kasauli Himachal Pradesh, sub inspector Arjan Sethi, once an aspiring filmmaker finds himself entangled in a perplexing web of serial killings. The murders, each marked by a sinister doll left at the scene, send shockwaves through the small community.
The investigation first points to Purushottam Tomar, a math teacher with a dark secret but the narrative takes a sharp turn and The pursuit of the killer becomes a harrowing journey for Arjan leading to the unmasking of Christopher, the son of Agnes Fernando. Disguised as his mother, Christopher is driven by vengeance against those who remind him of a past filled with rejection and bullying due to his progeria. The betrayal by his only friend, Sofia ignites a fury within him, resulting in a chilling spree of murders.
In climax Arjan kills Christopher.
The Circle (2017)
Cautionary tale about the perils of living in a digital age
Mae Holland is a young woman excited to start a new job at The Circle, a powerful tech company that combines all of ones online interactions into a single platform. This innovative company is led by Eamon Bailey who prides on transparency and the integration of technology into everyday life. Mae (Emma Watson) quickly rises through the ranks due to her enthusiasm and commitment to the companys vision.
As Mae becomes more involved with The Circle, she volunteers for an experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy and ethics. She becomes fully transparent and shares every moment of her life online for millions to watch which initially seems like a groundbreaking step towards openness and honesty. This decision catapults her to fame within the company and the world at large.
But the experiment takes a dark turn as the invasive nature of technology becomes apparent. Mae's relationships begin to suffer including those with her parents and her childhood friend, Mercer, who becomes a target of the company's overreaching surveillance capabilities. The situation escalates when a tragic incident, resulting from the company's pursuit of unchecked surveillance forces Mae to reconsider the true cost of technology and transparency.
The climax of the movie reveals Mae's growing disillusionment with The Circle. Instead of abandoning the principles she now questions, she devises a plan to expose the company's leaders by applying their philosophy of transparency to them. Mae turns the tables on Bailey and his cofounder, revealing their secrets and questionable ethics to the public and ignites a debate about privacy, freedom and the role of technology in our lives.
Movie ends with Mae kayaking alone, a callback to her life before The Circle and reflecting on her actions and their repercussions. The movie closes on an ambiguous note and leaves us to ponder the balance between technology's potential to connect and its capacity to control.
The Best of Enemies (2019)
So much more than just historical fact
Movie tells the real life story of Ann Atwater, an African American civil rights activist in Durham, NC and CP Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 school integration ordersthese two fierce opponents are unexpectedly brought together to co chair a community summit, aiming to address the issue of racial segregation in schools.
Ann is a tireless advocate for her community, fighting for better living conditions and equal rights. CP runs a gas station and is deeply entrenched in his white supremacist beliefs, leading the local KKK. Their paths cross when the city decides to tackle the court ordered integration of schools through a process called a charrette, which requires community members to meet and discuss the issue at length.
Initially both Ann and CP are skeptical of the charrette process and each other. But as they engage in dialogue and confront each other's viewpoints a transformation begins. CP influenced by the personal stories and struggles shared during the meetings starts to question his long held beliefs. A pivotal moment comes when Ann helps CPs family in a personal crisis and shows kindness despite their public enmity.
The climax of the movie occurs during the final vote on school integration. In a surprising turn CP casts his vote in favor of desegregation, effectively betraying his KKK but signaling his shift in perspective. This decision leads to a backlash from his former allies but also the beginning of an unexpected friendship between him and Ann.
The film ends on a hopeful note and shows the lasting impact of their relationship, with the former enemies becoming lifelong friends who continued to speak together about their experiences.
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Decent but could have been better
Movie does a great job of setting the scene. Alcatraz with its grim and isolating atmosphere almost feels like another character in the film. Morris is the brains behind the escape and cool, calculated and you cant help but root for him despite the slow pace of the movie at times.
The film does a good job of building tension especially as the escape plan starts to come together. See the inmates using spoons to dig through the prison walls , make fake heads to fool the guard and crafting a raft out of raincoats. Its all pretty clever and shows how desperate they are for freedom.
But the movie could have done a better job of developing the other characters. The guards and the warden are pretty one dimensional and it feels like a missed opportunity to add depth to the story.
Another issue is the pacing. The movie takes its time to build up to the escape which is great for tension but can feel a bit draggy. There are moments where you are just waiting for something to happen.
The movie ends on an ambiguous note which is a realistic touch considering no one knows for sure what happened to them. Its worth a watch if you're into true crime or escape stories but it might not stick with you long after the credits roll.
Gaslight (2023)
Skippable movie
Meesha goes back to her big, fancy house after a long time. She uses a wheelchair so she needs ramps to move around. Her dad who lives in the big house, asked her to come back. But when she gets there, her dad isn't there. Only her stepmom, Rukmani, is there. She tells Meesha that her dad is away for work.
Meesha feels something is not right in the big house. She hears strange sounds, like music playing by itself, and thinks she sees her dad but he's never really there. Everyone in the house says it's just her imagination but Meesha doesn't believe them.
Meesha and her friend, Kapil try to find out what's really happening. They learn about some secrets - like Rukmani might be hiding something about Meesha's dad and someone wants to sell the big house.
At a party, Meesha and Kapil hear Rukmani talking about secrets. Then they find out her dad wanted to turn the house into a hotel but then he disappeared. They also hear a rumor that Rukmani might have a baby with someone else, not Meesha's dad.
Meesha finds some of her dad's things and uses them to try to find him. They find him in the water in the house but he's not alive anymore. Meesha is very sad and knows Rukmani is involved.
Then there's a big twist! The person who everyone thought was Meesha is actually her friend Fatima, pretending to be her. The real Meesha had been very sad because her dad wasn't around and had gone away.
Fatima was trying to find out the truth for Meesha. But then there's more trouble. Kapil and Rukmani were working together and Kapil did some very bad things. In the end Kapil gets hurt by his own actions and Rukmani feels really sorry about everything.
BlackBerry (2023)
Like Founder but better
Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin were childhood friends with a vision. They dreamt of a world where communication was seamless and instantaneous. With a shared dream they embarked on a venture. Their aim was to create a mobile device that could send and receive emails effortlessly.
But financial challenges were relentless and their dreams seemed to be slipping through their fingers. That's when they crossed paths with Jim Balsillie a businessman recently ousted from his firm. Seeing an opportunity for a fresh start and recognizing the potential in Blackberry, Jim joined forces with Mike and Doug.
With Jim on board, a new chapter began. He infused the needed capital into Blackberry and together they started to see their dreams materialize. The launch of their mobile device was a success and Blackberry began its ascent in the tech world.
But just as they were basking in the glory of their success a daunting challenge was lurking around the corner. The announcement of Apple's iPhone sent shockwaves through the tech industry, threatening to overshadow Blackberry's success. The trio found themselves at a crossroad, with differing opinions on how to steer Blackberry through the storm.
Amidst the rising competition, a dark secret came to light of SEC. Jim had backdated shares during Blackberry's nascent days to hire key employees from around the world. This sent the company's reputation into a tailspin. The media was relentless and the trio found themselves in a whirlpool of allegations and scrutiny.
As the tension among them escalated the boardroom turned into a battlefield. Mike, the tech genius, was adamant about staying true to Blackberry's original vision. Doug the silent pillar, was torn between loyalty and the harsh reality of business. And Jim strategic mind faced the ramifications of his past actions.
In the end, the truth unraveled, leaving the trio and the world to reflect on the journey of Blackberry.
OMG 2 (2023)
Nowhere near as good as the first one
The movie tells the story of Kanti, who loves Lord Shiva, living in a place where people are very traditional about religion. Kanti is a good dad, but things change when his son Vivek gets in trouble at school for doing something wrong.
The big problem starts when a video of Vivek spreads everywhere and he gets kicked out of school because of it. The video shows him doing something in school which is thought to be vulgar by society and because Vivek didn't have the right information, this makes Kanti very upset with the school and the way things are in their society.
Kanti finds out that the school and society are missing something important - they don't teach about sex education. So he decides to do something about it.
In court, the story becomes a big and funny fight between Kanti and the school's side, led by Kamini Maheshwari, who is related to the school owner. But this fight in court doesn't feel real at all and makes the serious issue look like a joke.
Yami Gautam's acting was very annoying. She was over acting soo much, it didn't feel real. It was like with every scene her acting got worse and took me away from the story.
Pankaj Tripathi's acting was the only good thing in this movie. He acted well and made the story feel real which was missing from the rest of the movie.
Chernobyl (2019)
In depth view of the disaster
Wow, where do I even start? This series is a masterpiece that had me glued to the screen from start to finish. The finale Vichnaya Pamyat was a rollercoaster of emotions and revelations that left me speechless.
The series starts with a bang-literally. The explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant sets the stage for a gripping narrative. From the get-go, the show doesn't shy away from showing the immediate and horrifying effects of the disaster on the plant workers and first responders. The confusion, denial, and chaos that ensue are palpable, making the first episode a heart wrenching watch.
As we move through the series, we're introduced to Valery Legasov, Boris Shcherbina, and Ulana Khomyuk who become the central figures in managing the crisis. The episodes focus on their efforts to contain the disaster, from the dangerous mission to release trapped air from the reactor to the evacuation of Pripyat. The tension is relentless, and the stakes keep getting higher. The series also delves into the lives of the firefighters, miners, and ordinary citizens showing the human cost of the disaster.
The finale takes us back 12 hours before the explosion, revealing the decisions and mistakes that led to the catastrophe. We see the plant's management, including Dyatlov, Bryukhanov, and Fomin, making critical errors, such as delaying a crucial safety test and proceeding with it despite obvious risks.
The courtroom scenes are the highlight. Each testimony adds another layer to the complex puzzle of what went wrong at Chernobyl. Legasov's final testimony is a gut-punch, revealing not just the mistakes made at Chernobyl, but systemic flaws in the Soviet Union's entire approach to nuclear safety.
Legasov's courage to speak the truth comes at a great personal cost. He's stripped of his legacy, and his revelations are kept from the public. But his actions also expose the deep-rooted problems in a system that prioritizes secrecy over human life.
The show does an excellent job of showing that the Chernobyl disaster was not just the fault of a few individuals but a result of a flawed system. It's a haunting, beautifully crafted story that stays with you long after the credits roll. A well-deserved 10/10 from me.
The Mauritanian (2021)
Will make you think twice about Justice
If you're into movies that make you think and question stuff, you've gotta check this one out. It's not just some courtroom drama; it's about a guy who got seriously messed up by the system.
The movie is based on the true story of Mohamedou Ould Salahi, who was held in the U. S. Guantanamo Bay detention camp for 14 years without a trial. Salahi was suspected of being involved in the 9/11 attacks. The film starts with Salahi being taken away by the Mauritanian police in 2001 and not returning home. For three years his family had no idea if he was even alive.
Nancy Hollander, a legal activist and lawyer played by Jodie Foster, takes up Salahis case. She's not trying to prove his innocence but wants to ensure he gets a fair trial. She's joined by her assistant, Teri Duncan, and they both visit Salahi in Guantanamo Bay. On the other side, the military prosecutor Stuart is preparing for the prosecution.
As the story unfolds, both Nancy and Stuart discover the horrifying truth about Salahis treatment. He was confined in Jordan for five months, interrogated in Afghanistan for 18 hours a day for three years and then sent to Guantanamo Bay where he was tortured for 70 days. The evidence against him is either classified or obtained under duress making it inadmissible in court.
In the end, Salahi gives a statement to the Supreme Court of Justice, expressing his faith in U. S. justice and the power of forgiveness. He was eventually released but not before spending 14 years of his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit.
So, if you're scrolling through options for movie night and want something that's more than just popcorn entertainment, this one's a solid pick. Trust me, it'll give you a lot to talk about.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
A good 49 min short film
Its a short film about the guy named Henry Sugar, he's really rich and doesn't have to work.
The story is told in a fancy way like someone reading a story out loud on a stage. Different people take turns telling the story and the stage changes to match the story.
At the beginning, the author, Roald Dahl, says it's a true story but It's not! Some people think Henry Sugar is a fake name to hide the real person's identity but that's just a fun idea, not true.
There are other characters like Dr. Chatterjee and Imdad Khan. Imdad Khan is a circus performer who can see without using his eyes, thanks to a Yogi's training. Henry steals Dr. Chatterjee's notebook to learn this trick and starts winning money at casinos.
Henry soon realizes that winning all the time takes the fun out of gambling. Plus hes never worked in his life and he's always wanted more and more money. But in the end, he gives it all away. The movie conveys a message about the emptiness of wealth and the importance of a life well lived with loved ones highlighting the transformation of the self centered protagonist.
Reptile (2023)
Good slow burner investigative film
There was a young real estate agent named Will Grady. He worked alongside his girlfriend, Summer and his mother, Camille in their family business. One day, tragedy struck when Summer was found dead in a house they were showing to potential buyers.
Will then becomes the prime suspect given that he and Summer appeared to be on the verge of breaking up. Adding to the story, Summers ex-husband, Sam, was involved in some shady dealings as a heroin dealer.
But there was another character in the mix, Eli Phillips, who held a deep grudge against the Grady family. His father had taken his own life after a real estate deal gone wrong, and he blamed the Gradys for his father's death. Eli had a personal vendetta against them.
As the investigation unfolds, it seems that anyone could be a suspect with motives and opportunities aplenty. But the shocking twist came when it was revealed that Summer's murder was not a result of personal animosity but a desperate attempt to silence her. She had stumbled upon a web of crime and corruption that went far beyond her relationship with Will.
Detective Tommy Nichols who led the case began to peel back the layers of deceit. His close knit circle of friends including his police colleagues, started to fall under suspicion.
Eli plays a crucial role by providing Tommy with a thumb drive that exposed money laundering scheme involving the Gradys real estate company and a private security firm run by one of Tommys best friends. It is then we know that corruption ran deep reaching even the Captain and the Chief of Police.
Tommy found himself in a dangerous predicament as he was the only one in his circle of friends who remained untainted by the corruption. When his knowledge became a threat, his life was in peril.
In the end the truth prevails and justice was served. Will Grady gets arrested for Summers murder revealing her threat to expose the drug money laundering scheme.
The movie ends with Tommy wounded but resolute, cleaning his hand under a motion sensor sink symbolizing the cleansing of the town from its deep seated corruption.
Jaane Jaan (2023)
Murder in the hills
In the misty hills of Kalimpong there was a woman named Maya. But she hadn't always been Maya; once, she had gone by Soniya. She had been the wife of Ajit, a cop with a love for money and a knack for cruelty.
Fourteen years ago she made a daring escape from Ajit's clutches, seeking refuge in the tranquil embrace of this hill station in northern West Bengal. There she embarked on a new journey, one of raising her daughter and running a cozy cafe where steaming cups of coffee and delicious Chinese cuisine were served with a smile.
Life in Kalimpong was peaceful until fate decided to toss a curveball her way. Out of the blue Ajit reappeared, storming into her cafe and then her home with a vengeance. What started as a war of words escalated into a chaotic confrontation, and before you could say "plot twist," Ajit lay lifeless on the floor. He had met his demise in the strangest way, choked by the cord of an immersion water heater - the most unlikely murder weapon in the Himalayas.
Maya no criminal mastermind by any means, found herself in a tight spot. But just when things seemed darkest an unexpected savior arrived in the form of Naren, a brilliant but solitary math teacher who lived next door. He didn't hesitate to step in taking charge of the grim situation, providing instructions, alibis and playing the role of the helpful neighbor.
Of course it wasn't just altruism that drove Naren. It was an open secret that he had feelings for Maya feelings she had brushed off until now. But witnessing his resourcefulness she couldn't help but see the value in his support.
Inspector named Karan entered the scene. He was portrayed by Vijay Varma
Naren maintained a respectful distance from Maya but he exuded shades of Shah Rukh Khan from "Darr." Karan on the other hand, had a roving eye and didn't shy away from making crude remarks about Maya.
All these elements came to a head in a brilliantly plotted scene that left us guessing about character motivations and the story's progression.
This is a story of love, betrayal, unexpected alliances, and a dash of intrigue set against the picturesque backdrop of Kalimpong's misty hills.
The Nurse (2023)
Book is much better than the show
As others have already mentioned, its based on true story and book by Kristian Corfixen and is a psychological thriller that revolves around Christina, a nurse who becomes entangled in a web of secrets and deception.
Christina gets caught when her colleagues become suspicious of her unusual behavior and as their suspicions grow they decide to investigate further and eventually catch her.
The show leans more towards entertainment rather than accurately representing facts and events. If you're keen on getting the real facts I highly recommend reading the book. The book provides a comprehensive and detailed account of everything making it a far more informative choice compared to the "made up" true story show.
I'll provide a summary below to give you a taste of its depth and encourage you to explore it further-
Motivation: Christina's motive for stealing medication and altering records stems from personal struggles. She faces financial difficulties and mounting debts which push her to make unethical choices to ease her financial burden.
The Web of Deception: As Christina continues her deceitful actions she becomes increasingly skilled at covering her tracks. She not only steals medication but also fabricates patient histories to justify her actions. This makes it difficult for her colleagues to initially catch on.
Suspicion Grows: Despite her efforts to maintain a facade of normalcy her colleagues start noticing unusual patterns. They become suspicious when patients conditions don't match her records and medications seem to go missing when she's on duty.
The Discovery: The turning point in the story comes when one of her coworkers stumbles upon concrete evidence like discovering hidden stashes of stolen medication or finding irrefutable proof of falsified records and a hidden folder on the hospital's computer system
Confrontation: Armed with this evidence the colleagues confront her and deception is unveile and she faces the consequences of her actions.
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Too real and too close to heart
I absolutely love this fantastic film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's portrayal of lost love resonates with me on a personal level. The script is masterfully written and the creative exploration of 500 days keeps the story engaging.
The reviews here capture it perfectly especially for every young man who has gazed into the eyes of someone they believed to be their true love, only to have their heart shattered, casting a shadow over their life for what feels like endless summer days. This is a tale of two imperfect individuals just like it happens in real life.
This isn't a movie for couples in the early stages of dating. I'd recommend it for those young lovers who have recently experienced heartbreak or for those in a solid relationship who can exchange knowing glances after the film and say 'Love is a rollercoaster and sometimes it takes a movie like this to remind us we're not alone in the ups and downs'
The Nice Guys (2016)
Light hearted but predictable mystery
It's a murder mystery involving a missing girl and various groups searching for her. What sets it apart is its unpredictable humor that sneaks up on you. It may not have you gasping for breath with laughter but some of it is humorously placed without disrupting the film's pace. It a time kill for some good, lighthearted fun. Heres a glimpse of the plot: SPOILERS
Set in 1970s Detroit, Judith Kutne (Kim Basinger) secretly aids the auto industry in evading emission regulations. Her estranged daughter, Amelia (Margaret Qualley), tries to expose her. Amelia collaborates on an incriminating film with her bf Dean.
Judith has Dean killed and goes after Amelia. Misty Mountains, a porn star involved in the film, is also eliminated. Misty Mountains elderly aunt contacts detective March (Ryan Gosling) to find Amelia.
Amelia hires enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) to shake off her mother's henchmen. Regrettably, Jackson mistakenly locates and pummels Holland, the wrong person seeking Amelia. Judith's thugs also assault Jackson but he escapes. Realizing his error, Jackson teams up with Holland, although neither of them knows the true reason behind Amelia's disappearance.
They discover Judith's deception but lose Amelia, who is killed by a hitman.
The truth emerges when they locate a film reel. It's screened at an auto show, exposing Judith. The auto companies escape charges. Holland and Jackson start their detective agency, "The Nice Guys."
Painkiller (2023)
Skip it. You wont miss much
In the beginning of each episode they have parents who've lost their kids to opioids share it themselves. Talk about a real emotional start!
But here's the deal- this series is in a rush to spill the beans on the whole OxyContin mess, and it sometimes loses sight of telling individual stories. Like others have already mentioned, it's like a high-octane version of Hulu's Dopesick.
The show is based on a New Yorker exposé and a book called Pain Killer. It paints a vivid picture of how OxyContin messed up lives over the years. The main villain? Matthew Broderick playing a billionaire named Dr. Richard Sackler, the brains behind the supposedly non-addictive miracle pain med.
There's also Glen Kryger played by Taylor Kitsch, your typical family man who gets hooked on Oxy after an accident. And then you've got Shannon Schaeffer played by West Duchovny, who's like this bright-eyed Purdue Pharma rep making a ton of money by convincing docs to prescribe Oxy.
The hero and narrator is Edie Flowers played by Uzo Aduba. She's a tough U. S. Attorney's Office lawyer who knows her stuff. She's brought in years after her investigation into Purdue and she's not too sure about making a difference. But she spills the beans on how this whole mess started with Richard's uncle Arthur Sackler.
It's got a boatload of facts about the FDA, Purdue's marketing schemes, and tons of legal battles but it also throws in a bunch of made-up characters.
That's the tricky part with these "explainer dramas." they leave you scratching your head about what's real and what's fiction.
It tries to educate and entertain, but it falls a bit short compared to some hard-hitting documentaries on the same topic. It's a flawed ride that might leave you wanting to dig deeper into the real story of corporate wrongdoing in healthcare.
Heart of Stone (2023)
Half baked action film
There are hardly any action sequence that captures attention (like a high-octane chase involving bikes and a garbage truck on an Icelandic mountainside). But its quick pace and chaotic presentation reduces its impact, setting the tone for the movie's overall performance. This trend continues throughout the film, which fits into Netflix's pattern of potential action franchise-starters that often fail to resonate. Much like The Gray Man and Red Notice, this movie also pieces together elements from more accomplished films, resulting in a disjointed experience.
Drawing parallels to the recent Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, this movie finds itself in a double bind-sharing plot similarities with its predecessor and attempting to replicate the allure of earlier Mission Impossible movies. Regrettably, it misses the mark, lacking the finesse required to pull off such an endeavor. The cast falls short in bringing charisma to the screen. While the script's limitations contribute to this, the movie's core problems run deeper.
The story begins with a MI6 mission in the Alps, introducing field agents Parker and Yang, along with tech experts Bailey and Rachel Stone. The narrative gradually reveals Stone's hidden talents as she steps into action despite her role as an analyst. Unknown to her team, she operates as a highly skilled agent within the secret Charter organization. Empowered by the Heart-an advanced AI system-Stone assists MI6 without their awareness, leveraging rapid information processing for optimal outcomes.
As the plot evolves, Keya Dhawan emerges as a formidable Indian hacker with designs on the Heart. This initiates a worldwide pursuit that takes the characters to various locations. Stone navigates her intricate web of identities, wrestling with her loyalty to the team and the Heart's calculated directives. But these intriguing conflicts are swiftly brushed aside leaving untapped potential.
The film's shortcomings extend beyond narrative gaps to character development. Rachel Stone's potential remains unfulfilled as she delivers snappy yet unconvincing lines and sticks to a rigid moral code. On ither hand Dhawan's villainous role lacks complexity and her motivations remain elusive. Gadot and Bhatt face challenges with stilted dialogue and excessive exposition. The use of American English and idiomatic phrases even for non-American characters disrupts the film's flow.
Chemistry between Gadot and Dornan feels lacking failing to ignite the expected romantic sparks. A more promising connection emerges between Stone and Bailey yet this subplot remains underexplored. The supporting characters though briefly introduced, contribute minimally to the overall narrative. The film's action sequences suffer from subpar choreography and disjointed editing. Stone's distinctive abilities fail to differentiate her actions from those of her MI6 counterparts.
Practically nothing about it works, from its stunts, to its characters, to its familiar plot - a combination made worse by the fact that it's trying to ape far more fun and technically proficient action tentpoles from recent years. It's a losing strategy Netflix can't seem to shake.
El hoyo (2019)
Interesting movie but open ending
Movie revolves around Goreng, who volunteers for a prison called The Hole in pursuit of a diploma. Each level in The Hole contains two prisoners and a platform with food descends through the levels. People above eat first, leaving leftovers for those below. Goreng starts on level 48 with Trimagasi, an old man who chose The Hole over prison. They encounter Miharu, a disturbed woman searching for her daughter and a plot to survive unfolds.
As the movie progresses, Goreng is moved to different levels, encountering various characters like Imoguiri, who worked for the Administration and aims to instill solidarity among prisoners. Goreng's attempts to change the system and improve cooperation among levels become central to the story. The film explores themes of social hierarchy, greed, and selflessness as Goreng and his fellow prisoners navigate the challenges of survival within the prison's unique structure.
The ending is open ended and leaves room for interpretation. Goreng and his fellow prisoner Baharat attempt to disrupt the system by rationing food and promoting cooperation. However, their efforts are met with resistance and they face significant challenges as they descend through the levels.
At the end, when they reach the metaphorical level 333, which has a devilish connotation, the film takes a symbolic turn. My theory is that both Goreng and Baharat might have succumbed to their injuries sustained while trying to save Miharu. The events that follow could be happening within Goreng's fading consciousness..
Dobaaraa (2022)
Could have been better
The pacing of the film is expertly handled in the first half but unfortunately the execution starts to feel sloppy in the second half, with many crucial reveals feeling rushed.
Unlike most of Kashyap films the cultural rootedness seems to be missing. This may have been a deliberate artistic choice so that the audience could project their own lack of personal reconciliation onto the characters on screen. But this leads to a lack of emotional attachment to the film's big reveal which comes right before the cathartic finale.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The opening shot introduces us to a 12-year-old boy named Aney (Aarrian Sawant) who lives in the colony and has a passion for making home movies. He keeps a TV and camera recorder in his room and one stormy night he becomes curious about strange noises coming from his neighbor's bungalow. Peering through their window he sees blood stains on the floor and a supposed dead body but before he can comprehend what's happening a man (Saswata Chatterjee) appears in front of him causing Aney to run for his life. As he flees a speeding firetruck runs over him, resulting in a tragic accident.
The film then jumps to the present day where we meet Antara (Taapsee Pannu), her husband Vikas (Rahul Bhatt), and their daughter Avanti. They have moved into the same house where Aney used to live. Antara works as a nurse at a hospital, and we learn that she once aspired to become a surgeon. After returning home from work, Antara and Vikas learn about the tragedy that occurred 25 years ago from their dinner guest, who was Aney's childhood friend. Coincidentally, a freak storm is brewing outside, causing geomagnetic mayhem across the city.
The film builds tension with a voiceover on the radio explaining the rare geomagnetic storms, before finally cutting to the night. The old TV set in the house turns into a portal through which Antara finds herself able to communicate with Aney. They realize they are talking to each other across time, and Antara saves Aney's life by warning him not to investigate the neighbors' house. But Aney is still skeptical, so he goes outside and sees everything happen as Antara had predicted.
In a flashy cut we see Antara waking up disoriented the next day, realizing that she's now a famous surgeon in the same city, with only a police officer (Pavail Gulati) willing to believe her bizarre time travel story. She's facing a crisis because she doesn't know how to get back to her own timeline. The film poses philosophical questions about the butterfly effect in chaos theory asking whether Antara should give up her dream of being a recognized doctor to save her daughter's life and whether saving a life means sacrificing your own dreams.
Antara eventually discovers that in this version of her life, Vikas is actually married to someone else and he had been cheating on her for a long time. She also learns that the dead body Aney saw at the beginning of the film was Vikas's wife who was killed accidentally in the middle of an argument born out of an extramarital affair. With this confession, the truth finally comes out and the film ends on a philosophical note about the unexpected consequences of our actions.
Guilty (2020)
Read this review and skip the movie
Kiara Advani as college student Nanki Dutta and Gurfateh as her boyfriend, "VJ" Pratap Singh, the plot revolves around the #MeToo movement.
When a new student at Nanki's university named Tanu Kumar (Akansha Ranjan Kapoor) joins the movement and accuses VJ of raping her on Valentine's night 2018, Nanki sets out to find the truth. With the help of VJ's defense lawyer, Danish Ali Baig (Taher Shabbir), she investigates the case to uncover what actually happened that night and whether her boyfriend is guilty.
Since India has a high incidence of sex crimes against women, the filmmakers attempt to raise awareness of the need for women to stand up against these crimes for their own welfare.
The character of Nanki had been a victim of molestation during her teenage years. The movie's ending shows her bursting into tears upon revealing her misfortunes to a room full of college students where she was consoled by one of the other female students.
Guilty makes a powerful feminist assertion that victims of sex crimes speaking up about their experiences is a brave and righteous thing to do. But filmmakers could have reworked the screenplay to improve the impact of the acting and character development.
Despite being a thriller, the investigations and the resolution of the plot were too easy and predictable, and the movie appeared more focused on making a "feminist statement" than on bringing justice to the victims.
In the ending scene, Tanu Kumar speaks up about her rape incident in front of the public, admitting to trying to seduce VJ but being raped by him in front of his friends when he lost control. VJ is then simply shamed and walks out of the room without being arrested. I find this portrayal of non-arrest to be concerning, but the movie is trying to represent the dire situation in India where 95% of sexual predators are walking free after committing hideous crimes.
The dialogue throughout the film contains verbal abuse and slangs making it unsuitable for a family audience.
Filmmakers need to understand that #MeToo is the voice against sex crimes and not an excuse for drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuity. While I am uncertain about what punishment VJ would have faced had he been convicted of rape, I feel guilty for wasting my time watching this film.
47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019)
So bad that its laughable
It is an absolute disaster of a movie. From the laughable acting, dialogue, and logic to the predictable cliches and absurd jump scares, this film is a complete mess. Even the opening title looks like it's from the 90s. The lack of coherence is evident in many scenes where it's hard to tell what's happening or who's who. The audio dubbing is also painfully obvious, and the physics make no sense, with fish somehow being able to scream.
The movie reaches a new level of absurdity with the introduction of an underwater tornado, which is just one of the many eye-rolling moments that make you question why you're even watching this movie. The final scene is also a perfect example of how ridiculous this film is, as the characters take turns getting bitten by sharks and saving each other, as if a shark bite only takes away 20% of your health.
It is a complete waste of time. Don't bother trying to give it a chance, unless you're in the mood for a good laugh at the expense of this poorly made film.