Dear Comrade tries hard to be a unique love story with a message. It is a story about Bobby who is Arjun Reddy 2.0 and Lilly, a timid girl who plays state level cricket. The story fails miserably as it attempts to bring in so many topics of communism, anger issues, women's cricket, mental health, breakups, sexual harassment, pseudoscience like sound therapy etc. It is annoying to watch such broad and complex topics being used as props to make the story compelling. Even sensitive topics like mental health and sexual harassment are casually thrown in and their treatment is insulting.
Vijay Deverkonda is channeling Arjun Reddy and Rashmika's acting is terrible. The only saving grace of the movie is the music. After a slow and tortuous journey for these characters, the climax is very unimpressive. I couldn't wait to get out of theater. Dear Comrade is a hard pass.
Reviews
17 Reviews
Super 30
(2019)
Same old tropes about a man with questionable past
18 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I had no expectations from this movie but I was interested in what the movie has to say about a teacher of a coaching center. Anand Kumar whose Wikipedia page was sparse before movie was all updated before the movie release. Even his research and publication history was questioned in the past. Also, many people condemned him for promoting false information about students he coached. Coaching poor kids who are already smart is not a great task either.
The movie puts Anand Kumar on a pedestal and the focus is on Hrithik all the time and poor kids are just props. The movie is so predictable and the dramatic scenes are unnecessary. The only interesting bit was his father s scene as postmaster. The Sholay scene is cringeworthy and the contraptions shown in the climax to save 'holier than thou' teacher are just boring. Same old movie tropes and cartoonish bad guys drags the movie. Hrithik did what he could but this was not a role for him.
I wish I didn't watch this movie and don't recommend to anyone.
Gully Boy
(2019)
Gully Boy should stay in his gully except for MC Sher
23 March 2019
Except the music, the movie is predictable and a big nothing burger. Yes, it is not 8 mile because it can't touch it at any measure, even the rap tracks. Ranveer Singh looks like an adult man trying to be young college dude and he shouldn't have rapped at all by himself. Alia Bhatt 's role is not about an empowered woman but just about a dramabaaz. As usual, her acting is linear and loud. It is a movie that put Indian rap scene in spotlight and the only saving grace of the film is MC Sher played by Siddhant Chaturvedi. He was so charming and was perfectly billed for his role. He stole the show from everyone.
Kesari
(2019)
Lengthy saga of Sikh bravery
23 March 2019
After watching Kesari trailer, I thought this might be an Indian version of 300. But no, the movie doesn't feel that way at all. Based on a true story, which I didn't know before, there is enough heart and soul in this venture to keep us entertained. Akshay Kumar even with a fake looking beard, shone in the movie. The comradeship of the 36th Sikh regiment and their struggles were nicely portrayed but other groups like Pathans and British folk were one-dimensional making them feel like caricatures . It is entertaining but the length and slow motion action scenes just make it very exhausting. It is enjoyable to watch an Indian bravery story but a better screenplay and tighter editing would have made it a better viewing experience.
Us
(II) (2019)
Decent horror film with great acting
22 March 2019
Us is a horror movie with a story plot not fully realized. It's not the kind with stupid jump scares and well-executed. But the story doesn't explain a lot of it. When they tried to do it in last 15 mins made it weird and exhausting. I think horror can be generated leaving the story in ambiguity. The twist at the end is actually revealed in the trailer which took away the surprise element. Like Get Out, the comedy come pretty naturally.
The focus of the movie is Adelaide (Lupita N'yongo) and her doppelgänger. Lupita just hits the ball out of the park as her doppelgänger feels like a different individual. Other actors were good too. Acting and music is the best part of the movie.
It might be one of those movies which can be much appreciated on second viewing after reading the subtle commentary Peele leaves under the story. It is a decent movie and original compared to all the recycled and sequels content out there.
Uri: The Surgical Strike
(2019)
URI sets a bar for Indian action movies
14 February 2019
URI was still playing in my little town in US so I wanted to know what's the hoopla around it. From get go, I was mesmerized by the cinematography of the movie especially the fire exchange scenes. Though the family drama dragged a bit but every actor delivered, even the little girl. Vicky Kaushal acting is at finest as many top Bollywood actors like Ranvir etc go over the top that I cringe to watch. I have not watched his body of work before but man, he was great. The fictitious elements like Garuda s and high level cover operation (Hollywood style) were very entertaining. Also, the movie unfolds in chapter format like cerebral western movies. Also action scenes are not ridiculously slow motion, an overused annoying treatment. Overall, it is very well-made movie that was very entertaining to watch. Not your typical masala action but more refined version of it.
Glass
(2019)
Not your typical Superhero universe.
18 January 2019
Though I gave a 10/10, the movie is 8/10. My 2 extra stars is for not giving me the same old 'good wins over the evil' story arch or just flashy fight/action sequences of DC or Marvel universe. I suffer a great fatigue from over-saturated comic superhero movie market and Unbreakable movie was the only 'superhero' movie that I truly enjoyed even before 'Dark Knight' came.
I think people who wrote bad reviews for Glass are just upset because it is the last of the trilogy or they didn't watch the first 2. Just the screenplay was a bit problematic as it feels jumpy and somewhat inconsistent. Every actor stays true to their character and James McVoy shines. For some reason, I felt Sarah Paulson's performance was weird and robotic. May be they should have cast someone else. Cinematography was great. The story is very interesting and entertaining with some decent amount of action. I don't think it's the best ending for this trilogy but I don't mind it. Watch Glass without any expectations if you enjoyed unbreakable and split, you might like as well.
The Favourite
(2018)
The Favorite is one of my least favorite
10 January 2019
The movie is predictable if you watched the trailer. I just came to see what is the hype all about but it was a very hollow movie. Queen Anne is a character you can't even feel sorry for being so dumb and at a point, it feels more like a caricature for comedy. Rachel Weisz was good in her role of Sarah and Emma Stone was not impressive as for her award nominations. The men in the movie were just props. Overall, the movie was a bore fest. I think it was made with A list actors to score some awards but not entertain the audience and for art of filmmaking.
Dumplin'
(2018)
2 thumbs down
10 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The story is old and stale with all possible stereotypes with a predictable end. A self conscious big girl who tries to make a statement in a pageant run by her mom and also want to do it for her aunt. I never hear country music, so I couldn't enjoy any Dolly Parton songs. Every other second they are quoting Dolly and I don't who she is but it made it sound dumb. Acting was poor and all characters were just 1D. I thought it could be a cool chick flick but no, it is just a waste of time.
2.0
(2018)
2.0 is a wasted opportunity!!
5 December 2018
Went to a 3D dubbed version of 2.0 and what I ended up watching is a cheesy and pretentious story with characters of no emotional value and shallower than a comic character. Like any Shankar's staple, it has a message and thats where the good part ends. All characters were so one-dimensional that there is no room for acting. Rajni was channeling his Chuck Norris. Akshay didn't bring in any exciting to the movie and Amy's character is robot version of female stereotype in South Indian cinemas. For the most expensive Indian movie, the VFX quality was commendable but inconsistent and 3D only magnified the flaws. It is a pity that 2.0 is a wasted opportunity due to poor writing. If over-the-top genre of movies is your thing, you might enjoy it.
Bohemian Rhapsody
(2018)
Go to enjoy Queen's musical journey
27 November 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this movie from beginning to start. Though the beginning was a bit slow but it makes up for all the making of songs and concert that follow. It is centered around Freddie Mercury but other characters are never left out. The makers didn't follow the exact order of events and left controversial stuff so that the band and their songs take the center stage. Also they made Freddie more relatable who is confused with his sexuality and showed how endearing his relationship with Mary was. I wasn't aware of their band as I wasn't born when they were popular but I am hooked on their greatest hits and performances. Critics who are complaining that the movie was too sanitized can take a hike as it's not a documentary about Freddie, it is an enjoyable Queen story to watch (and listen). If you love rock music, you shouldn't miss this.
Savyasachi
(2018)
This is a -10 star movie
3 November 2018
This movie is silly right from the beginning. Cinematic liberties in this movie is taken to the extent that the writers of Savyasachi misinterpreted and mixed the concept of vanishing twin syndrome, ambidexterity and dissociative personality. His left hand has a mind of it own - now that's stupid but it doesn't end there. Naga Chaitanya can't even move his left hand, I don't even want to talk about acting and dialogue delivery. Another star kid who echos his father dialogue and dances on Dad's remix song. Heroine Is just another prop to add movie time. Comic relief distracts us from this ridiculous concept. A serious tense track is suddenly intercepted with a scene directly from cheap comedy show like Zabardast. Bhomika had no role and Madhavan was just a cartoony villain. I recommend this movie if you want to pull your hair with 'both' hands.
Devadas
(2018)
Decent comedy
8 October 2018
I don't watch trailers for Telugu movies and the only thing I knew were actors. I had no expectations from this one. Das character is written and performed well by Nani. But Dev character was stereotypical and Nagarjuna didn't capture it well as it was weird to see him kill ppl brutally. Few songs were good. Together both actors were good which was the lifeline of the film. Comedians like Vennela Kishore and actresses didn't add to the movie to make it better. A one-time watch.
Nota
(2018)
Telugu version is Cringeworthy
8 October 2018
I guess this movie with Deverkonda was made to appeal Tamil folk. The Telugu version was just cringey in 1st half with a song in the pool and overdramatized scenes of political riots and floods. The character of protagonist is very polar, sometimes chill and confused and other times hothead which is weird. 2nd half had too many subplots to the point that it was annoying, and made the film look something from 1990s. With so many actors, the film couldn't budget for technicalities, making it look sloppy. Deverkonda, even with his current popularity can't save this disaster of a film.
Geetha Govindam
(2018)
Boring movie!!
19 August 2018
Same old love drama between the lead characters. Deverakonda could be replaced by any actor in this movie and it would just be the same. The lead characters were just boring and dumb that you can't even like them. Everything in this movie is so predictable and the twist was deliberately added to make it somewhat unexpected but it wasn't even convincing. Only good performance comes from Vennela kishore who gives good laughs but he only comes at the very end. The friend character was decent but underutilized. Why Nithya Menon was even in it, I think just to distract us how horrible this movie is. I don't understand why this movie is so highly rated lol!!
Sanju
(2018)
A letdown
30 June 2018
It is not an honest portrayal of Sanjay Dutt, but just a Hirani's reimagined biography which ignores the troubling facts of the protagonist. For older folk, Sanjay's story is well known and this movie just paints him as an innocent victim in most of the cases. It is just sad to see it promoted as biography as it is very one-sided take of his life. It is emotional with melodrama and has humorous bits.
Ranbir is a good actor but this movie doesn't put him on a higher pedestal. It is a good mimicry than acting. Supporting cast was okay.
It's not Hirani's best but can be watched once if you love Sanjay D or Ranbhir.
Spyder
(2017)
Save your $$$. SPYder is not worth it.
28 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
ARM takes a lot of inspiration from C. Nolan movies. While it worked nicely for Ghajini (Memento), he made a bad attempt in this case - Dark Knight! Mahesh's character was not developed well and Rakul's role was created to add romantic songs which were forgettable. The first half builds up nicely for the antagonist, SJ Suryah but what follows next, it is a big let down. The parts that are supposed to be clever, turns out be funny (Aunties) and outright silly (big boulder). The climax falls flat as the antagonist too fizzles out. My biggest disappointment was that the movie couldn't match up to exorbitant tickets prices in US. P.S. There is no robotic spider that was shown in the teaser :( SPYder is an effing call tapping software.
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