Advertised as a tale of love, war and deceit, Rangoon screams Vishal Bhardwaj from all angles. Not at all a bad sign, one must also add that this is one of his simpler films. Predominantly a love story, barely anyone discusses religions of the key players in Rangoon. It has a Muslim lead […]
Bhansali’s Women – A Heady Mix of Dignity, Bravado, and All Things Elegant
Known for his ornate, elaborate magnum opuses, Sanjay Leela Bhansali doesn’t stand by norms. For what the trade considers event films, Bhansali often weaves nuggets from history and intricate emotions onto a saleable fictional mould that, more often than not, sells. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one who knows his women. They […]
‘It’s Only The End of The World’ review – a flawed yet deeply involving family drama
Xavier Dolan’s family drama It’s Only the End of the World is a case of curious writing. One might accuse him of a rather flaky, convenient narrative pattern, and rightfully so. At the same time, the film is so confident in its skin that you nearly buy everything you’re served. […]
“Ghazi”… A riveting account from history, suitably fictionalized!
Sankalp Reddy’s Ghazi (The Ghazi Attack in Hindi) opens with a weirdass disclaimer. Almost like a mutual funds television commercial, even the narrator sounds exhausted by the minute-long thing. Well, we can’t blame anyone as co-producer Karan Johar hasn’t had a good run with nationalists of late. Talking about nationalism and related […]
‘Toni Erdmann’ review – Original, funny and equally heartbreaking
With a title that resembles a swanky fashion label, Toni Erdmann is anything but modish. An intricate, culturally rooted father-daughter tale, the film is high on pathos with an omnipotent shadow of loneliness looming large. For a film that runs for an excruciating 160 minutes, our ‘wait’ for the plot […]
“Jolly LLB 2″… A watchable rehash, minus any humour or quirk!
Jolly LLB 2 as a sequel or a franchise film is a peculiar proposition. A wayward lawyer hero who soon realizes his folly, fights a mighty, corrupt attorney and ultimately with the help of the truthful judge, Indian judiciary and Jolly triumph. In what is projected as the second edition […]