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kothapallibalaganesh
Reviews
Extra Ordinary Man (2023)
Protagonist's characterization deserves more recognition
Telugu cinema has only few writers who are quite adept at amalgamating quirkiness within the story and be able to harness it to unlock the potential of screenplay and Vakkantham Vamsi is one of them.
The justification of the title "Hero playing an extra in films and the dichotomy of it being an ordinary job, birthing to Extraordinary Man title" is a testament to director's explicit style.
Gladly, actor Nithin who surprisingly belongs to the same tribe off late, collaborates with Vamshi to deliver a quirky, relatable breezy film with a very ambitious yet underwhelming second half.
It might not work out well throughout, but Extraordinary Man has it moments. Vakkantham Vamsi's unconventional proclivity towards creating a fictious second half where Hero assumes an identity and pushes the fellow characters into oblivion actually thwarts the film's potential to be unique and ends up feeling stretched.
Nonetheless, the film has it bright moments, soaring above all is the Protagonist's characterization which stands tall in the first half as an extremely optimistic human being who stays impervious to countless slurs and comments hurled at him by the society and family alike.
In this film, Vakkantham Vamsi flaunts his greatest strength i.e. Hero characterization and hits a bullseye with it. Wish we could have a spin off on hero's journey as an extra alone.
Nithin proves to be irreplaceable in his role as a hustling extra and incites positivity through his palpable performance. The sound, especially songs of the film's, exalt the film's standards leaving in wanting more.
There are many things in the film I wish the film the Filmmaker would've done differently. More emphasis on hero's characterization, juxtaposition of "screenplay within screenplay" act in the second half and better usage of supporting characters. Perhaps, Vakkantham Vamsi should follow his instincts and furnish his filmmaking prowess more and go ahead, success will eventually follows. Nonetheless, the writer deserves highest praise for designing a character who brushes off all the negativity around thrown at him and continues to pursue his dream with smile. Wish the film dwelled more on it and made the hero more three dimensional.
In conclusion, Extraordinary Man offers what it promises, and deserves a watch!!!
Special mention to the song "Brush Vesko" for it's stunning cinematography, vibrant costumes, dexterous production design, ruminating lyrics, nifty choreography, protagonist's appearance, harmonious tune and stupendous sound quality.
They don't orchestrate songs like these anymore. I wish they had.
Gonna cherish this song for a long time.
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
All hail the deadites!
The most remarkable thing about Evil Dead Rise is undoubtedly the inimitable performance of Alyssa Sutherland who essays the Mom-Deadite on the cusp of engorging her children. Alyssa Sutherland infuses an inexplicably alluring charm to a blood-smeared ghost. Having seen most of the horror films, and as a big connoisseur of horror, I believe what Alyssa Sutherland brought to the role is a distinctive amalgamation of beauty & beast in one entity. She reinvigorates what traditionally was a gory, stinky, scrubby, glue-y into a grotesquely gorgeous ghost with vivacity galore. She crawls, slithers, limps, engorges, howls, allures, and overall captivates us with spellbinding performance - tenaciously grasping the attention of audience towards her. In short, she rewrites the acting nuances in portraying a ghost and metamorphoses into an exemplary Deadite which leaves a perpetual impact on cinema history. The housefull-boards in front of the theatres, swarming of audiences, yelling, clapping and whistling for the ghost sends the message rather lucidly i.e., Horror is the most entertaining-successful genre in cinema.
The rendition of evil dead by Lee Cronin is an embellishment to the iconic undead world created with such conviction by the legend Sam Raimi. The film, rather satirically, is set in a dilapidated L. A apartment on the verge of a collapse. To exacerbate the precariousness of the apartment, an unprecedented earthquake opens the much-awaited segue for the audiences to witness what they're here for in the first place - the deadites. Lee Cronin's take on the much eminent franchise unapologetically treads in the trademark gory-blood-soaked body horror tropes, yet the rudimentary element of mom being the ghost sets the film on a different pedestal. The film makes us root for the victims compassionately, but the inner impulses aim for the carnage. The prologue of the film ushers the audience right into the theme of the film - it has got one of the best title sequence ever in cinema history. Hailing from the renowned franchise, evil dead rise rightfully succeeds in making the audiences the emissaries of scare in this scary film. Each character, especially the leads (children), contributes their best gory-self to justify the USP of film and boy!!! They take the pre-established dread to new levels. In a nutshell, Evil Dead Rise is an honest, conscientious addition to the legendary franchise dotted with avant-garde sound design, fear inducing cinematography, irreplaceable performances by the actors and some much assuaging tributes to classics like The Shining, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Psycho.
Workin' Moms (2017)
Wonder Women in Urban setting
Workin' Moms is a bold, cathartic attempt at encapsulating the hustle-bustle of modern women in an urban setting, and rightfully so, it succeeds in delivering a finely balanced dosage of fun and frustration entails from being a leading woman.
The story pretty much promises palpable emotions, three dimensional characters set in a funny, irreverence tone, making it a watch that's important and liberating. Catherine Reitman, the show creator, leads the show as the conflicted Protagonist imbued with inspiring traits backed by stupendous performances by Dani Kind and the rest of the talented cast. Working moms does not shy way or sugarcoat the plight of being a mom and a boss. However, it honors both the hats with valid juxtaposition between professional and personal lives.
The show progress slowly, takes sweet time to impart its significance to its viewers. However, once the epiphany hits, it becomes an unremitting watch rollercoaster using its leading characters. Every character in the show maneuvers with a purpose instead of filling the void. Each deal with their own angels and demons and complement each other for being who they are!
To suffice, Workin' Moms is a great, fun, ruminating & important show where women lead off and on screen. I call this an anomalous reinterpretation of Wonder Women in an urban city rather than isolated Amazon kingdom. The only downside to this show is the end; we are not ready yet to say adios.
Unbelievable (2019)
A meditative Masterpiece on morality and hope!
Unbelievable on Netflix is a pristine, breathtaking, and equally provoking impartation of an 8-episode story centered around two female detectives swimming against the stream to apprehend a serial rapist on the spree. The series masterfully encapsulates the plight of a woman in despair, parallelly, extolling the valiance of women in the force. A rare phenomenon weaved around a riveting investigative drama that is as disturbingly delightful as any show in recent times.
The series is blessed with one of the greatest performances I have ever witnessed in any TV/Film by the enigmatic Merritt Wever as a detective intertwined in a self-conflict to bring justice, and the prodigious Kaitlyn Dever as a victim enduring the societal prejudice seeking justice silver-lined by Toni Collette's mystical charm and elegance.
The show has this inexplicable way of taking its audience into a transcendental neuro-visceral space pervaded with a plethora of emotions needled deeply into the heart & soul making this show one of the remarkable, iconic, and trailblazing shrines of writer's creativity.
Of all the ocean of well-regarded and acclaimed investigative crime drama shows, Unbelievable is the pacific. It's cathartic, deep, unfathomable, beautiful, and bold. My etymological prowess is falling inferiorly short in articulating this ruminating masterpiece.
My greatest takeaway from this show is: Somewhere, Someone's morality is rooting for you to achieve what you deserve, even in the hardest of times.
Unbelievable is undisputedly One of the greatest literary & artistic emeralds of television co-created by the unremitting - Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon
Susannah Grant - The Legend strikes again.
Based on the 2015 news article "An Unbelievable Story of Rape", written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, and their book A False Report (2008) based on the same research.
A must-watch!
Kumari (2022)
Beauty, Beasts and the barbariac superstitious beliefs.
Kumari on Netflix is an Indian-originated mythological folklore told with utmost ingenuity and enchanting visuals. Right from its engrossing premise to the climax, the film sticks true to its genre and nature with an astounding soundtrack and a dreadful back-story that teleports audience to the bed-time grandma story ambience.
The film perfectly blends the genres like folklore horror, mythology, thriller and mystery purposefully channeled into contributing to a tale dotted with empowering performers by Shine Tom ,Aishwarya Lekshmi.
Nirmal Sachadev's bold attempt at redeeming the folklore genre to its original glory succeeds with slight incoherency which is clouded by the film's novelty.
The film is a must watch for its bold attempt, authenticity and 3-dimensional characters.
Ticket to Paradise (2022)
A Ticket to Past
Classic George Clooney and Classic Julia Roberts star in this classic rom-com film that is full of optimism, fun and vibrance. Also, the film succeeds in teleporting back to good old Hollywood days leaving the audience in celebration.
Beautifully crafted cinematography, legendary lead actor duo, linear screenplay, and boyous movements complete this pleasant trip to Paradise pervaded with passion and emotion.
A must watch to brighten up your day. And a good opportunity to commemorate good times spent watching films that means less and matter more.
Just so glad that they made this film.
A ticket that is indeed to Paradise.
Bullet Train (2022)
There is no bad film with Brad Pitt in it
Bullet Train is what happens when you put Deadpool 1&2 in a jar, add John wick to it before garnishing it with Thor: Ragnarok and Hangover trilogy -- Served by the OG Brad Pitt himself.
The film is steeped in non linear narration with characters juxtaposing central theme.
" An absolute dark humorous ride that goes 500mph and refuses to stay unfunny. Mad, Dark, Irreverent, Stylish, and Iconic at same time.
"
David Leitch witty dark humor stays intact by not getting carried away with its intercutting screenplay and belly-aching humor. The maker deploys every troop of an action-comedy with a formidable star presence of Brad Pitt.
It's smart, hilarious, funky, sleek and gripping.
If you are a Brad Pitt fan, God! You are going to witness one hell of a Pitt-phenomenon.
Must must must watch.
VR (Vikrant Rona) (2022)
An indigenous mystery
Danka Danka Dankaaa Danka (you've got to watch the film to get this recital)
Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Whoodunuit, Action - Vikramt Rona topps every prime genre like a dream. The film is so steeped in a mysterious fictional world that your heart itches from satisfaction. This is something worth experiencing in a lifetime.
Kichcha Sudeep in Vikrant Rona is so Batman-ish than the Batman in every Batman movie ever made. His sparkling presence as Rona is something that gives James Bond nightmares. Swagger, Dapper, Cooler, and what not.
As Indians, we need no cinema of Hollywood standards or a film that feels like a Holywood film. We already have Hollywood. Instead, we need what Vikrant Rona is: rooted, indigenous, provoking, unveiling, traditionally & culturally promulgating, and anecdotal as if our grandma is telling a bedtime story. This is what we deserve. Anup Bhandari swings his wand to create the magic.
Within minutes, the film takes the audience into a fantastic mystery world so deep the film feels like an invisible ghost murmuring a scary take in the ears during midnight.
To forget is a human virtue!
Anup Bhandarkar contradicts this notion with an indelible mystery in his own anomalous way of storytelling. The world he created and god that glossy cinematography by William David will haunt your cerebrum. Then the top-notch music swoops in its visceral form poking needles into the heart so tenderly it feels like therapy. Every technician imbued the film with god-standard craftsmanship, especially the actors in the finale.
Vikrant Rona is a fairy tale set in a world filled with mystery, ghosts, darkness, legends, nightmares, twists, and vengeance. All weaved together with love, passion, and perfection.
I am a man of mystery and Vikrant Rona is my pandora.
The film can't be judged by a review, only by experience. Cease everything, book your tickets and thank yourself for watching the film.
K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022)
G. F.O. A.T
Art is for the Humans, by the Humans Period!
Not watching this mighty film on big screen is equivalent to seeing Monalisa in real life. She's only an art if she's on canvas. If not, she just a normal looking human being like everyone.
Similarly this brutally crude, appealingly exhilarating, superabundant entertainer can only be savored on Big Screen.
Cinema is where the 24 commanding art forms come together into an invincibly aggregated energy and we as Humans are bound to behold the beauty: The KGF Chapter 2.
We can't teach a monkey to ponder & dissect the facets of a multilayered piece of art even if we dedicate our whole lives in training it. Of all things bestowed on the so-called "supremely heavenly entities" Human Beings, the ability to cognize, analyze & comprehend an art form is the apex of all. Imbibing art, appreciating the art form glorifies the Human existence and maintains the balance between sanity & insanity of Life.
KGF Chapter 2 is barely an integral chapter in the history of Indian Cinema. It's a frickin' textbook on commercial condiments of art-imbuing Cinema. It's something bigger than you, me, and us and above us.
It's the redemption of endangering big screen phenomenon called CINEMA. This is CINEMA. It's inspiring, loud, taut, larger-than-life, rooted, astonishing, wild, inspiring & joyous.
I am completely steeped in the notion that the maker Prashant Neel who throttled this carnival is an alien and until he himself persuades me into believing he's not I am going to firmly stick to that assertion.
If you are a human and resist watching films like this you are not worth being a HUMAN. I'm sorry! But this is how it is. Cinema is not just an entertainer. CINEMA is art. Cinema is giving Life. Cinema is eternal, Cinema is responsibility, and Cinema is an experience with no replacement.
Cinema is larger than life. Beyond! Period. If you say otherwise fight & win me (that's impossible)
This is not a review. It's a thank you note to the Cinema makers, of the cinema KGF, & by the Cinema admirer.
- Bala (ScreenWriter)
Haemoo (2014)
Darker Titanic
Haemoo holds a great potential to become a Masterpiece but ends up on a much assuaging note baffling us with its emptiness.
The film slowly grows into its original form and presents a spine chilling second act. But the screenplay rushes the audience to jump into scenes with offering much needed calmness to dissolve the tone & gore of the film. It succumbs to the consequences entailed in the middle of the sea thus letting it's audience digest the depth hastily. Which unfortunately doesn't create impact that's required to fully appreciate the film.
The characters appear undecided, not fully explored but the actors compensate with their performance.
In conclusion, Haemoo is surely a good film with great VFX and tone.
Worth a while.
Don't Look Up (2021)
The urge to Satire is when Art breathes Life.
Films like, Don't Look Up, needs much more appreciation than scrutiny for being so candid, crude, and blatant in depicting the deplorable Political duality existing on our world irrespective of Country or Continent.
Also, The film solemly wins for just staying on the motive and not taking detours to anoint commerciality. The fact that we burst into laughs just by watching feeble scientists & activists yelling out of their lungs against the imminent threat capable of wiping the life on planet is how appropriate & relevant the movie is in current times.
If there's any one who deserves the big piece of cake it'd be the Director-writer Mr Adam McKay for showing such courage & modesty that is soo rooted to fundamental story telling.
Ti suffice, Don't Loook Up is a horror story with Satire as it's Genre.
Jersey (2019)
A Father's Odyssey
There are films that stand against Time. Jersey is something that stands intact till the time ceases.
Gowtham, portrayed by Nani, is a star. A charcter with flaws played Flawlessly. Perhaps, the best tribute a pen can give to the screen. There is no Jersey without Nani, there is no Gowtham without Tinnanuri.
Nani is a breathing ode to Jersey.
Unrivalled & Endearing.
Once in a life time performance embellished with A pen insulated with Honesty.
Must Watch!
Hunter Hunter (2020)
Beauty, Beast, Brutal and Brave
Brace yourselves for this criminally underrated, gutteral wild hunt of a vindictive mother amongst the fauna of cryptic Jungle.
@CamilleSully the wail of a Mother, the eyes of an injured predator.. You are Irreplaceable 🙌 & impermeable.
@ShawnMSLinden Dark & Deep🎥🙌
Thoughtful and Entertaining.
Must watch.
Life as We Know It (2010)
A Film that lets you say: I like it.
The film welcomes you into being a part of fortuitous family of one ambitious woman & frivolous yet zealous man, both unlike charactes, trying to live an unprecedented life that bonds them together by a radiant baby girl.
Life as we know it is a simple, moodlifting, emotional yet surprisingly quirky drama bolstered with two perfectly fitted cast, with Katherine Heigl on her A-game, trying to decipher the puzzle of parenting as we submerge & watch it with a smile mounted on our lips expecting an obvious-clichè end but yet rooting for it happen cause the characters deserve it somehow.
In short, Life as we know it is an instanood charmer with palpable emotions subtly toned to match the comic quotient of the film.
A MUST WATCH