SnigBhaumik Reviews

Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Enola Holmes - Good Enola, Bad Holmes

[6/10 · 7 November 2022]

Indeed Enola Holmes brings a fresh air in the Holmes-verse. It is a delight to watch Millie Bobby Brown in the titular role. Boy, how she has improvised herself from those early days of Stranger Things. She is quite a delight in all the roles she is appointed into.

She alone can now carry on full length Hollywood feature film on her shoulders. And for that simple reason the full fledged inclusion of Sherlock Holmes in the Enola Holmes movies is not at all required. Understood, they wanted to have a star power behind this Enola brand, and the super pleasant and yet powerful presence of Henry Cavill attracts the audiences without a doubt. But this indeed diminishes the Sherlock name itself. In the first outing of Enola, the passive existence of Sherlock was acceptable and agreeable. But in this second one, they wanted to have more of Sherlock than what is suitable and needed. And after bringing him, in order to make the Enola character more prominent, they have ruined the main base of the brand - that is Sherlock.

The end result is a confused Henry destroying the Sherlock character.

And if that is not enough, they have introduced a more diminished Moriarty as well. I have seen so many adaptations of Sherlock, never witnessed such nonthreatening and feeble characterization of some of most powerful characters literary world have ever produced. Well hold on, Dr Watson also trying to join this series, and we will be witnessing the slaughter of his as well in Enola Holmes part 3. If the movies are about Enola, why all those characters from Sherlock appearing one by one?

Not needed, at all.

Enola is enough, she is witty, funny, intelligent, charming, presentable, skillful and having all other qualities one needs to be a successful filmy character. Without the Holmes surname may be she won't have had this popularity right from day one, but now she is independent and do not need her big brother to stage and help her. Let it be her movie and her only, not a confused batter that might destroy both the characters. Only a passive (and strong) presence of Henry (aka Sherlock) may be added.

6 points only to Enola (read Millie Bobby Brown), not to Holmes.

Looking forward to see "Enola Holmes", not "Enola (and somewhat Sherlock) Holmes".

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

Please release next season soon!

[6/10 · 17 October 2022]

Don't be misguided by the review title above.

I am not requesting the makers to release the next season soon because I cannot wait to see what happens next. I am asking them to release it soon because I am afraid I will forget this season and all the characters entirely if the next season comes after one year or so. And I am in no mood to watch this first season again just to recap and remember what had happened earlier.

Not sure, why all the characters are so hollow, so mechanical, so lifeless. Why the script is so weak and painfully uneventful. If they claim this slowness is because of building the characters and background, I am a big fan of character building, but unfortunately even if they tried hard, no characters could make a mark in your mind.

Was disheartened to witness those lowly "origin stories" of some of the most powerful characters, places and events in the original trilogy.

However, still I will watch the next season simply for the love of the original "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy; and will hope they will be able to make some justice to the LOTR world.

The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)

No Uhtred, your job is not yet finished!

[9/10 · 17 March 2022]

First of all, congratulations Uhtred, for the most amazing journey. It has more that five years since your campaign was started. Since then it was roller coaster ride for all of us. We have tried similar kind of rides many times earlier also, but except of a very few, none of them even come closer to this.

Everyone around you, be it your friends Beocca, Leofric, Finan, Ragnar, Sihtric, Pyrlig, Sigtrggr; or your enemies Kjartan, Ubba, Skade, Aethelwold, Odda, Cnut, Haesten, Bloodhair, Aethelhelm - everyone is so incredible by their personality, belief and spirit. And what can be said for your love life. Brida, Gisela, Eadith, Aethelflaed - quite a seductive queue of wives and lovers you have deservingly enjoyed.

Some of the characters like Aelswith, Edward, Aethelred made your quest even more challenging and finally rewarding. Thanks for them.

Your account was made much more pleasurable journey by individuals like Aldhelm, Erik, Hild. No amount of appreciation would be enough for them.

Of course the most impressive was your so complex and intricate relationship with King Alfred. As per the witnesses like me, he was the only competitor of yourself. We can see none other.

We must thank Bernard Cornwell for creating you; and John East, Edward Bazalgette and few others for bringing you to us.

But Uhtred, even if you have realized your childhood rights, this is not a stop, this is just a pause. Your promise to Alfred is not yet fulfilled. King Constantin might try to grab your lands again. King Edward is far from a stable and mature ruler. Looks like there is quite a distance still to be traveled before the dream of a united England comes true.

We will wait for your return, your job is not finished yet.

Vikings: Valhalla (2022– )

Lame and Pitiful

[2/10 · 28 February 2022]

Was excited and waiting for this series since it was first listed in the Netflix "coming soon" page. And started watching as soon as it started airing. As of now, I could drag myself only to episode 5.

As quite a fan of original Vikings, and later of The Last Kingdom, this one is just appeared as so so mediocre. Not sure how Netflix could approve this after those brilliant ones.

You cannot count the inferiority list. The actors are hopeless, not a single one suited their characters. And of course the characters are totally hollow themselves. In terms of the story line, feels neither the writer nor the director had any clue what to say. The background music and dialogs almost make you muting your speakers.

Two stars given for some production values.

Downton Abbey (2010–2015)

What would I watch after this

[10/10 · 25 October 2021]

Now this is one TV show that will remain with you forever. And you will wonder what you will watch after watching this one, which show that might match this.

You don't write a lot of words and praises for these kind of shows. They are way past any reviews or any critics comments. A few points, however, if I may dare.

First, the dialogs - you feel they can't be written in a better way.

Second, the cast and their acting - as if each of them are born for their respective roles only. Specially Maggie Smith and Jim Carter. Oh Heaven!

Third, the story, the script, the production design, the presentation, and the way the whole tale has been told. If you want to witness the early twentieth century wholesome British society live, there you go.

But don't blame anyone else if you face very hard time finding another show to watch after this.

Searching (III) (2018)

Something very fresh

[9/10 · 30 September 2021]

After long time, this one is something new and very fresh. The story, the presentation, the direction and the acting all stacked up so nicely.

Full marks to director Aneesh Chaganty and an awesome John Cho.

Rating it 9/10. One point deducted only for the ambitious (and somewhat pulled off) ending. But you won't feel a pinch for that, I promise.

Sense8 (2015–2018)

You go to see this!

[10/10 · 22 July 2021]

The Wachowskis have done it again.

Complex storyline, complex plot, complex characters, complex script, complex presentation - everything you can think about it complex.

Well, this is the way of The Wachowskis'.

But.

Beautiful thoughts, wonderful character building, innovative fable, great mix of pacing, superb casting, ingenious writing, skillful imagination, fantastic cinematography - everything you expect from a drama like this are there.

Sci-Fi pieces do not always need to be full of battle scenes, lots of mindless CGIs, loads of uncontrollable out of the world theories. Once simple concept can be pulled together and presented so beautifully.

See this if you love better Sci-Fi story, rather than maddening visuals. If you love character development, rather than somebody just appeared on the screen, and did miraculous things. If you love Sci-Fi stories fusioned into everyday life, rather than aggravating fantasy (I do love those stuff as well, but this one is not one of them).

And special mentions must be there for the soundtracks - wonderfully collected, chosen and mixed up in suitable moments.

A word of caution though.

The pacing is often very slow. You must keep patience while watching this. There will be many moments when you would just want to walk away leaving in between. But stick to it. And by the time you are in the first half of the second season, you will be just glued to it.

Hats Off!

Let them come, Wachowskis!!

Joker (I) (2019)

Top contender for 9th Feb, 2020

[10/10 · 3 January 2020]

So Joker is now at #26 in the list of top rated movies of all time in IMDb at the time of writing this. After watching the movie I critically examined the top 25 movies that are ahead of Joker right now, and concluded a few can actually go ahead of this - a very few. And movies like The Dark Knight, The Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club and a few others may not be eligible for sitting ahead of Joker.

All in all, Joker now onwards should be synonym of Joaquin Phoenix. With due respect, the age is Heath Ledger is gone. Joaquin cries, laughs, bleeds, runs, sweats, sings, dances and kills. Gives everything to create a towering character in the history of cinema, and in the history of movie acting. In each frame you can feel the pain of the deprived and dispossessed man. In each frame you can witness how a simple and chaste man can be transformed into a villain by the torments of the society when all of his tries go in vain.

And finally we must congratulate Todd Phillips for this masterpiece and thank him for creating an eternal character here.

92nd Academy Awards:

Best actor: Joaquin Phoenix Best director: Todd Phillips Best movie: Joker.

6 Underground (2019)

Typical Michael Bay

[7/10 · 30 December 2019]

Before watching the movie didn't read the name of the director (which I normally do), later after finishing the one got to know it was Michael Bay. Then everything made sense.

No plots, no stories, back and forth cuts from past and present, not much of logical stitching. But fascinating action scenes, superb car chases, full adrenaline rush, typical 3D like cinematography, big noises and destructions everywhere. Doesn't sound like Michael Bay?

But full number to the casts. Love Ryan Reynolds - his innocent and naughty expressions are die for. Direct from the Dealpool way of doing things. The other casts are also surprisingly good, all befitted to their respective roles. Go for it. 127 minutes of picturesque mayhem.

Gemini Man (2019)

Deserves better

[7/10 · 18 December 2019]

Will Smith is a hitman (read, sharp shooter) who can put a bullet from 2 miles afar precisely to a man's neck who is sitting on a train running at 286 miles per hour. That's how the movie starts. You are of course excited after experiencing that shot. Unfortunately, the pace and excitement does not last long. In fact it slows down soon after that shot only. But the story is pretty good, could have been a much better flick. Clive has been wasted, Mary is sweet. That being said, still this does not deserve that lowly ratings, comments and reviews. The actions are slick, acting is okay, theme is innovative, race is good, has both actions and emotions. The Junior could have been acted by Jaden also.

Don't go by the negatives, give it a shot.

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

For the love of Rambo

[7/10 · 18 December 2019]

As a fan of John Rambo, I love everything he does. While the First Blood is the all time favorite in this streak, and the 2nd and 3rd installments were equally good, the final two installments haven't done quite a justice for this legendary series.

This one is not larger than life like the earlier ones. He is not against an army of soldiers, not as a part of a mission for his country and all. Here he is just a mourning father figure going all out for revenge. Even if so much of killings and bloods, you don't feel repulsive just because of Rambo and Sly. Even at the age of 73, there is nobody who can compete with him in such roles. But as a devotee of the character, you might feel he could be much more than just killing a bunch of drug dealers and women exporters.

Even if it is named as Last Blood, I hope it won't be the last outing of one of the greatest action character. The final dialogs of Sly encouraged me too.

Solace (II) (2015)

Did I expected too much?

[4/10 · 17 December 2019]

Sorry if I expected too much from that line up - Anthony Hopkins, Abbie Cornish, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Colin Farrell. In the end, only Abbie Cornish did stand out from the mud of a boring story line and more boring direction. The story is absurd, but we have seen more absurd stories create brilliant films only because of script writing, editing, acting and direction. In this instance, it could never staged that tension and nervousness it so desperately tried for. May be however an one time watch for the movie goers like myself, but you'll do yourself a favor by not expecting a lot from this one.

What Happened to Monday (2017)

Afraid that day might come

[9/10 · 4 December 2019]

A brilliant piece of storytelling, a masterful example of emotionally crafted sci-fi movie, and of course amazing case of acting skill of Noomi Rapace.

In the end, you ask yourself "Was Nicolette Cayman really wrong in her doings?" I'm afraid that day might come soon when the enforcement of one child policy might go to this extent, before the human race is threatened to be extinct because of over population.

Congratulations Max Botkin and Kerry Williamson for the intense story and Tommy Wirkola for the vivid presentation.

Unknown (I) (2011)

Ignore few plot loopholes, you'll be appeased

[8/10 · 3 December 2019]

A professor on this way to a seminar in Berlin met an accident and after waking up after 4 days of coma, he realizes his identity is stolen by somebody else, even his wife has accepted the other man as her husband. His pursuit to get back his identity discloses his dark past and darker acquaintances. He then attempts to reconcile the evil deeds he has done before.

Remind you of Jason Bourne?

However, love Lian Neeson in these sort of characters. His soft and strong charm makes himself the star he is today. Diane Kruger's role is brief, but impactful. None other leaves any footprint though.

Many plot loopholes, you gotta ignore them - then you will be able enjoy this one. But one question I dare ask "Why Bressler wasn't just abducted and killed? For a group so powerful it would have been an effortless job."

Taking Lives (2004)

A movie that you'd enjoy while watching and soon forget after watching

[6/10 · 2 December 2019]

The plot is pretty standard - a psychopath serial killer, an FBI agent hunting him. The killer fools the agent in between, but finally truth prevails.

Angelina Jolie is good as the agent and sexy as usual, but it is Ethan Hawke who steals the show. Not much of a suspense was created by the killings and the chase, and in the somewhere in the midway you start to suspect who might the killer much before he is exposed before you. However, I felt the ending was a pleasant surprise, that way the bad guy was captured.

Not that bad, one time watch. Expected a better package from the powerful star cast though.

Earthquake Bird (2019)

I'm probably too naive to understand this

[4/10 · 29 November 2019]

A troubled girl finds everything difficult in her life because of a unfortunate childhood accident. She ultimately finds love but there also her friend caused debacle crashing her down totally. The movie is all about her struggle questioning herself "Was it because of me? Why me?"

Could have been a good one time watch if some more substance cooked into it, but unfortunately it is not.

Rating 4 only because of two things - a good performance from Alicia Vikander; and very beautiful Japanese locations. Alicia carried the whole movie single-handedly, reminds me her character in Ex-Machina - like a sweet hapless confused little thing.

Super Deluxe (2019)

So satisfying

[10/10 · 27 November 2019]

A newly married lady (almost) unwillingly makes love with her past lover. But the lover unfortunately expires on the act.

A bunch of teenagers forage for a peek view of a porn movie. But their adventure turns into a tragic and unexpected twist.

A little boy hungry for his long absent father's love, suddenly welcomes his dad. But what he received is not exactly what he expected.

All these independent stories are told in unison, and finally concluded in this 2 hour and 56 minutes of melodrama. It will take you to altogether different world. A world full of situational comedy, absurd yet relevant dialogs, innovative camera works, superlative acting, reflective human reactions, slow yet gripping story movements, creative representation of unknown yet inter-dependent events, precipitous yet cute love story and so on.

And after 3 hours of the roller, you will feel so satisfied that you would want to start watching this again there and then. Hats off to Kumararaja to so wonderfully stitch complex thoughts of philosophy, science and human mind. I couldn't believe that the theories like Butterfly Affect, Human existence on the universe could be so seamlessly blended in a seemingly innocent and social movie like this.

When are you making another one Kumararaja?

The Forest (2017)

Nailbiting until episode 5.25

[8/10 · 14 November 2019]

A teenage girl gets missing in a seemingly peaceful and friendly village in one dreadful night. A couple more follow her soon after. The first girl found dead a few days later. Mother of one of them is a local police officer.

All hell break loose when the investigation kicked off. Never ending flow of secrets and mysteries keep on coming. Every resident of the village has a hidden character. A newly appointed captain of the police force leads the chase from the front. And a lady, a teacher in the school where the teenagers go, helps the investigation in a troublesome way.

Love these sort of short and sweet mini-series from Netflix. Brilliant direction, gripping storyline, wonderful casting, beautiful location and great acting. Bet you won't be able to leave it half viewed.

Unfortunately, soon after the last episode starts, the grip gets loosened. The skillful villain who successfully hid himself for so long, looks pretty sluggish and fragile. The final twist also does not match with the character of the series.

That been said, La forêt is surely one of the best mini-series in the genre. Go for it, and bite a few nails of your hands.

The End of the F***ing World (2017–2019)

Bold and Beautiful

[9/10 · 12 November 2019]

Whatever it is, this show actually reflects the inner human protests against everything that we do not like. Kudos to the makers to create such bold and transparent characters, to portray the tug-of-war happening inside our mind, to devise an environment which is factual but hidden in the society.

First season was good, and the second season is brilliant. They haven't yet dropped by curtains of the show, so eagerly waiting for the third season. This is surely one of the best shows created by Netflix.

The lead actors Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden are simply outstanding. Loved Alex in The Imitation Game, but here he broke all boundaries. Haven't seen Jessica much earlier than this, but now count me as one of her fans. Even thought Naomi Ackie was excellent.

The dialogs are smart, the locations are apt, the casting is wonderful, the story is satisfying, the presentation is astute. Well sone.

Vinci Da (2019)

True achievement

[8/10 · 6 November 2019]

A deserving yet struggling makeup artist meets a stranger for a challenging job. The actual character of the job turns his life upside down. And the stranger creates a quite a mayhem in Kolkata with his (un)willing help.

This movie is a real achievement for Srijit Mukherji, Rudranil Ghosh and Ritwick Chakraborty. All the actors did brilliant job. The screenplay is brilliant and intelligent. Only sometimes I felt some over-acting from Rudranil. Ritwick alone carried the film brilliantly. The overall story is amazing to continuous grip on the audience. However, the name "serial lawyer" does not make much sense, as not much law exercises has happened.

Bravo Srijit. Hope more like this will come from you.

Bornoporichoy: A Grammar of Death (2019)

Ignore the negatives

[7/10 · 5 November 2019]

For a while just ignore all these negative reviews and low rankings. Except of two things - 1) severe over-acting of Jishu and 2) last 10 minutes of the script that made Abir doing some illogical acts - the movie is very nicely created.

Without spoilers, I can say that the clues left by the killer are brilliant; the modus operandi is nicely unveiled and the cat-n-mouse game between the detective and the killer is decently presented.

Give it a chance folks.

War (2019)

Nothing new even spending 2 hours 34 minutes.

[5/10 · 4 November 2019]

Glossy actions. Slick choreography. Handsome hunks. Elegant locations. Big production budget.

Slippery storyline. Unnecessary twists. Repeatedly stretched. Plot full of potholes. Funny attempts to stitch. Typical (and boring) terrorist theme.

That's how you picture this flick.

Rattlesnake (2019)

Disappointed for the missed opportunity

[6/10 · 25 October 2019]

A mother with her little daughter stuck on a Texus wasteland, the kid gets bitten by a rattlesnake, the mother gets her cured by a stranger - but the payment of the cure is what the movie is all about.

The story is innovative, but somewhere in execution it gets lost in translation. You can feel the director is slowly drifting away from the primary focus (which should have been about the core mystery) and concentrating more other trivial stuff. Showing the leading lady's dilemma is fine, but too much of that diluted the actual interest.

And in the end, you will feel somewhat disappointed on how much better this could have been.

Men in Black: International (2019)

A shame

[4/10 · 21 October 2019]

Being a fan of MIB series (until now), it was hard not to watch this episode for so long (it's been 4 months since this one was released). I normally don't decide by negative reviews till the time I personally watch it. But somehow in this case, those reviews felt correct.

And actually they were. It is a shame to see the MIB franchisee go down that bad. Neither a Sci-Fi, nor a comedy, nor a nothing. In every minute you'll feel the vacancy created by the absence of Smith and Jones. The actors here tried hard to push comic timings and dialogs, but alas they are not Will Smith.

What a wastage of actors like Chris, Tessa, and above all Liam Neesson. What a wastage of a brand like MIB.

Shame.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Why is this Fast & Furious?

[5/10 · 16 October 2019]

Just a mindless action mayhem, nothing else. Not sure why actors like Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham and Idris Elba did signed for this movie.

But the action scenes are pretty slick and well shot given the production budget and all modern CGI. 5 out of 10 is only for this. Except that, the story, the characters, the dialogs - all baseless.

The title should have been anything but the Fast & Furious. Nothing in this movie that can brand itself as an F&F franchisee.

Seen this one sometime back. Was so rejected, didn't post the comments yet.