Jini-B Reviews

Byomkesh Bakshi (1993–1997)

Incredible Storytelling in the Indian Detective Fiction Genre

[10/10 · 20 September 2020]

This series was produced before I was born, and it truly blows my mind how relevant it still is, about 30 years later. The books are great, and the production crew has really tried to stay true to the stories. I am amazed by how real it seems - there is zero melodrama, something that is a staple to most Indian shows these days. The acting and direction reigns supreme, and the production value is also so true to the time period that the series was based in. The age progression is also done so well!

The main actors - Rajit Kapur and K. K. Raina, are both so magnetic on screen and as a member of the audience, their performance would reel anyone in. They have a wonderful banter going on and the chemistry in their bromance is so fun. The direction by Basu Chatterjee is fantastic. He has not only managed to stay true to the book series, but he also brought the stories to a wider audience, and immortalized the character on screen for the Indian audience to marvel at. I watched the series over the period of a few months, and finishing the last episode was a bittersweet feeling. Absolutely loved this show. Really wish more Indian shows managed to convey this fabulous spirit of storytelling.

Man with a Million (1954)

Nice, One-time Watch

[7/10 · 25 June 2020]

This movie is a humorous take on the concept of monetary status, and how the idea of perceived wealth is more important than the actual possession of said wealth. While the movie does not compare to the genius of To Kill A Mockingbird and isn't half as charming as Roman Holiday, it is a feel-good movie in and of itself.

The American protagonist is down on his luck, trying to find a way to sustain himself on British soil - a situation he finds himself quite on accident. Two eccentric British gentlemen have a wager between themselves and choose this American man to help them reach a conclusion. He is handed a one-million-pound banknote and is sent out into the streets to live on it for 30 days. The man, Henry Adams (Gregory Peck), is not told much about the wager. He finds himself in a series of interesting situations that ultimately lead to one of the Britons winning the bet.

The movie is based on a short story by celebrated author, Mark Twain, and I'd have to admit, I liked the short story better. Some creative liberties were taken in the movie, and I preferred the original version in the story. Moreover, the novelty wore off fairly quickly. It would have been more interesting with some other witty elements, but it was a nice movie nevertheless. I enjoyed the idea of the story and how the movie talks about our society and the economic influence people enjoy due to the concept of perceived wealth.

The acting department mainly features Gregory Peck, as he has the maximum screen-time, and he does well with what he has been given. The female lead, Jane Griffiths, appears quite late into the movie, and even then does not have much to do. The supporting cast includes actors that were funny enough, but not so memorable in their respective roles. Overall, the movie was pleasant enough but can only be considered a one-time watch.

Aparajito (1956)

Harrowing and Haunting

[9/10 · 17 May 2020]

The description of this movie seemed so bleak that I had a difficult time before finally deciding to watch it. I have been watching a lot of Satyajit Ray films lately, and wondering at how he managed to create such different atmospheres in each of them, and leaving a touch of his own self in each. The story is a fairly depressing one, and yet there are moments of delightful optimism within the lead characters. The two boys playing Apu at different ages are both very convincing in their roles, but Karuna Banerjee's performance seals the deal for me. The way she has used her dialogues and her silence to bring out the emotions felt by her character and the interactions she has with her on-screen son, have been truly remarkable. The run-time is about an hour and 45 minutes but this movie will stay with you.

There have been many poignant moments in this movie, but one which is most hard-hitting is where a critical point in the film is signified with a shot of a flock of pigeons flying away against the beautiful backdrop of the river Ganges - powerful! The story by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay is so entrenched in intense emotions but this movie does full justice to the material.

The title is wholly significant and portrayed wonderfully in the movie conclusion. Aparajito - a beautiful concoction of pain, struggle, and incredible determination.

Charulata (1964)

The Loneliness of a Disparate Marriage

[9/10 · 8 May 2020]

There are numerous films dealing with the emotions and situations dealt with in this movie, but very few deal with the subject as deftly as Satyajit Ray does here. Essentially the tale of a lonely wife, the story primarily deals with the emotions a woman goes through when she is stuck in a disparate marriage. In Charulata's case, while she is married to a good man (Bhupati), he is very busy chasing his dreams and is unable to give her much time. So she spends most of her days, reading and sewing to pass the time.

Until, her brother-in-law, Amal makes an appearance in the story. She finds that he shares similar interests and they quickly strike up a friendship. Unfortunately, for all parties involved, Charulata develops an emotional bond with Amal, and she feels a sense of possessiveness for him.

What I found most beautiful about this story was that it was a very ambiguous tale. I couldn't blame any of the characters and in the end, I felt sorry for them all. You cannot vilify Charulata, who is just looking to connect with someone, and even though she understands that her feelings for Amal are not just, she cannot help herself. You cannot call Bhupati an irresponsible husband because, at the core, he is a really good man, who is very invested in his business, and does not have the same interests as his, possibly, much younger wife, whom he deeply admires. You also cannot say that Amal is a homewrecker as he did not set out to seduce his sister-in-law, he simply found a good friend in her and wanted to help her realize her talents. So, you end up wishing the best for them all in the impossible situation they find themselves in. It is no wonder that this is based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore, who is one of Literature's greatest artists, and an absolute pro at writing about complicated relationships and love. It was a privilege for me to have been able to celebrate his work like this, on his birth anniversary.

The acting is A-grade. Each character is brought to life by the actors and the emotions seem to be so visible and so heart-breaking. The camera-work is absolutely incredible, especially the shots in a garden sequence where the camera tracks the movement of the female protagonist on a swing. That scene is visual poetry. The production team does a fantastic job with the sets, and it is reminiscent of the architecture and interiors of the time period. And what do I say about Satyajit Ray, the man who knew what needed to be said, and exactly how to say it. The conclusion is open-ended but hard-hitting. The work of a true artist. This movie is intricate, sensitive, and a non-melodramatic portrayal of an impossible situation. A must-watch.

Pratidwandi (1970)

Impactful and Metaphorical

[8/10 · 5 May 2020]

Not having known much about what to expect, I was taken for quite a surprise with the Calcutta Trilogy. With a constantly bleak environment in each film, this series educates about the conditions of that era. Out of the three, this seems to be the happiest, and that should tell you much about the other movies.

This movie is filled with very subtle metaphors and fantastic direction. The story quickly reels you in and the audience would automatically start to root for the protagonist. There is one scene, where the protagonist, previously educated in medicine, hallucinates all the people he finds applying for a particular job position as skeletons. This was a fantastic scene and the framing must have been quite cumbersome, but it really drives in the point.

One other thing that really won me over was the last scene, which was incredibly poignant- a mention about the death of dreams, and the circular nature of life. So many wonderful moments in the movie, but these two struck me the most.

Dhritiman Chatterjee's acting was remarkable and he really delivered quite a performance. He really makes the audience root for him and quickly develops a connection with the viewer. The supporting cast were also fairly good in their roles, although they didn't really have a lot of screen-time, considering this movie was completely from the protagonist's point of view. Overall, this was a really symbolic movie with not-so bleak an ending.

Elysium (I) (2013)

Reasonably Entertaining, Lacks in Character Development

[5/10 · 5 May 2020]

While I did think Elysium was entertaining enough, I did not understand why the movie had to be so shallow. You don't really get to know any of the characters, and you don't end up rooting much for them either. A longer run-time could have been much more satisfying.

The cinematography is excellent and I loved how visually appealing it was. But, the science fiction aspect of it was severely lacking. The screenplay really needed to include the "Why?" behind Elysium to develop a deeper connect with the audience. A lot of unanswered questions remain.

With regard to the casting and direction, it was fairly good. Damon, Foster, and Copley are good in their respective roles and the supporting cast also do justice to their roles. Overall, this was okay, but it could have been great.

The Zoo (1967)

Suave Portrayal of Bengal's Beloved Satyanweshi

[8/10 · 4 May 2020]

I have watched a number of different renditions of Byomkesh Bakshi, especially over the last few years, and this has been one of the most stylish portrayals of the character. First things first, I feel this is one of the weaker plots in the Byomkesh series and there are some much greater stories in the series. So, going in, I was a little skeptical, but there are certain elements that have been added in this, which make it more interesting.

Second, Uttam Kumar's portrayal of Byomkesh was great. He captured the spirit and embellished it with his own nuances, which make it a very engrossing watch. The supporting cast were also quite good. I liked the chemistry between Byomkesh and Ajit. The direction was good, although the pace was a little choppy in parts. I also felt there were certain elements in the movie that weren't quite Byomkesh-like. The disguises, the gun, and the bachelorhood were in stark contrast to the actual book character, and were a little jarring. But overall, this movie was entertaining and fun.

Pather Panchali (1955)

Heart-wrenching and Brilliant

[10/10 · 2 May 2020]

I have been saving this movie for a long time, telling myself over and over again, "I'll get around to this someday". Today, on the 100th birth anniversary of Satyajit Ray, the director, I finally got around to it; and I am in despair, and I am in love.

This is a beautiful portrayal of rural life and the perils and pitfalls of poverty. The characterization in the screenplay reduces the pace of the film quite a bit, but it engages the audience and reels you in. You start rooting for the characters, and the payoff is especially bittersweet in the end. The cinematography is beautiful and the emotions are almost tangible. There is poetry in the frames, soul in the score, and everything comes together wonderfully.

The actors are absolutely perfect in their roles. Every single actor is incredibly endearing and they will wring the emotions out of you. You will feel the pain, the despair, and the little moments of happiness. Satyajit Ray did a masterful job on this movie and I am not surprised that it won so many accolades and is still listed as one of the best movies of all time. This is a Gem.

Maqbool (2003)

Legendary Ensemble Cast, Fantastic Acting and Direction

[8/10 · 2 May 2020]

This is a violent film and does not attempt to sugarcoat a thing. This film is just a constant bloodbath, and in the violence you find some gems. The acting is above all praise, there is not a single person who doesn't seem to fit his or her role. There are acting legends in various roles in the film, but one star outshines them all. Irrfan Khan is absolutely perfect in this. The pathos, the pain, the ambition, everything is played to perfection. This man knew his stuff, and it is tragic to think that he isn't going to be in movies anymore. What a brilliant act - this movie was made for him, and he makes it what it is in the end - an absolute must-watch.

The cinematography, the screenplay, the performances, the music, everything works as an asset to his film. Definitely a memorable movie, one of the best of the decade.

Bhumika (1977)

Good Performances, Repetitive Plot

[6/10 · 28 April 2020]

This film has some iconic actors and they all deliver good performances, however, some things ended up putting a damper on my experience. I understand that this was based on a real person's life, but this seemed just a tad repetitive for me. It seemed like the main character was in an endless loop, and I didn't feel like the story progresses much. If I try to think about what the future holds for this particular character, it does not seem like there would be much of an improvement. It seemed like a very bleak ending, realistic in some aspects, but altogether, a little dark.

Sharey Chuattar (1953)

Ensemble Cast with Comedic Legends

[9/10 · 26 April 2020]

I would have never known about this movie as this is now about 70 years old, and is much before my time. That would have been a real miss for me. This is a really good movie, and is very entertaining. The screenplay is already funny, but the expressions and the dialogue delivery by the comedic legends in this movie surpass all compliments I can give it. Every single comedic performer is at their best. Uttam-Suchitra, although an iconic pair in Bengali cinema, are just starting out here, but there chemistry is still pretty evident. It was nice seeing them before they became icons in the industry.

All the other actors were perfect in their roles. Even before the dialogue delivery, their expressions will make you laugh. This was a very surprising find! I enjoyed it.

Basanta Bilap (1973)

Incredibly Funny!

[9/10 · 22 April 2020]

I don't usually laugh out loud while watching most movies, so this was a pleasant and wonderful surprise. I laughed so hard I now have a stitch on my side. This was a very funny movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I never expected to laugh so hard at a movie and this has just been phenomenal. The comic timing of all the actors is noteworthy, and every actor has done a very good job in their specific roles. However, the best, and the one who has overshadowed everyone else has been Anup Kumar. His comic timing, his expressions, and most importantly, his screen presence, is brilliant.

Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Aparna Sen were great in their lead roles, and Rabi Ghosh and Chinmoy Roy were fantastic additions to the cast. The roles of the other women were short though, as the film revolved mainly around the interactions of the male group. This movie is truly enjoyable, and I have been rewinding and watching the funniest scenes over and over again, especially the one with the cycle. A brilliant comedy that deserves all the love. Multiple-time watch for sure!

Bawarchi (1972)

Simple and Sweet

[7/10 · 20 April 2020]

This was a simple film with some very nice moments. I did have some complaints though. There are some over-the-top moments and some parts seemed a little too redundant. There are some scenes which are a little too sweet and become difficult to relate to.

Now coming to the positives, this was a feel-good film with nice performances. I specifically liked the supporting cast more than the leads. They were very believable and I enjoyed their performances a lot. Rajesh Khanna does justice to his role, although I found it difficult to relate to his character, which had only positive shades. That seemed far from reality and I didn't particularly enjoy that part. But the other characters were more relatable for sure. Jaya Bachchan was a nice addition to the cast.

What I enjoyed the most was the fact that this movie was so natural and talked about dysfunctional families so well. This was quite entertaining.

Chashme Buddoor (1981)

Light-hearted Entertainment

[8/10 · 20 April 2020]

Definitely one of the most popular romantic-comedies produced by Bollywood, this seems both like a parody of certain Bollywood cliches, and a tribute to Bollywood itself. There are certain over-the-top moments, some melodrama, but underneath it all, it is what it is- a funny, light-hearted film that will make you smile.

Farooq Sheikh and Deepti Naval have a lovely onscreen chemistry. There is a very clean and pure vibe to their relationship in the movie, and it is so beautiful to watch. Rakesh Bedi and Ravi Baswani are funny as two wannabe womanizers. Their account of their interaction with Deepti Naval's character was very funny, and was a parody of many iconic Bollywood scenes.

The music is good, topped by Kahan Se Aaye Badra which is a beautiful, beautiful song that I am going to keep humming for the rest of the week. This was a feel-good movie that is definitely going to win hearts for a long time to come.

Nauker (1979)

Bland and Lackluster

[6/10 · 19 April 2020]

This movie is branded as a comedy, however it was not that funny. I was expecting a lot considering the main cast, but this was disappointing. The premise could be interesting, and could work very effectively as a comedy-of-errors plot, but the actual product was a bit of a mess. Not a lot to write home about- both lead actors were okay but considering the screenplay, they didn't really have much else to do. I got bored often, but carried on because I kept expecting some kind of a plot twist, or something funny. Suffice it to say, this was really a sad state of events. A one-time watch for me.

Gharaonda (1977)

Convoluted and Cliched

[6/10 · 18 April 2020]

Amol Palekar has not disappointed me so far and so I thought this was going to be entertaining and fun. However, this was not as enjoyable as I was expecting it to be. The story is immensely complicated even when it did not need to be. Moreover, most of the characters were unlikable by the end of the tale. I enjoyed Amol Palekar's acting, as usual, but Zarina Wahab's character was very selfish and confused, and I really thought the writing needed to be improved. The premise itself was interesting but it was not used as effectively. Could have been quite impactful, talking about the impossible housing situation in big cities, but this left much to be desired. There was a lot of melodrama near the end, and Shriram Lagoo's character was extremely unlikable. I did not enjoy this at all.

Permission (1987)

Poetry In Every Frame

[9/10 · 17 April 2020]

This movie itself was sheer poetry. I had never even heard about this movie until someone brought it up to me recently. I don't understand how Bollywood fails to give recognition to such films while commercialized movies are often brought up even today. This movie has brought to light exactly how complicated relationships can be, and how important communication can be in a relationship.

There is subtlety in every aspect. The story itself is so beautiful and the premise is wonderful. The flashback method of storytelling is used very effectively and the editing must be mentioned here. Coming to the acting and direction, there is not enough praise I can put here. This is so, so poignant. Naseeruddin Shah is so good in his role. His helplessness in the complicated situation is so subtly put forward. Not at any time can you vilify his character, in fact not a single character can be said to be a villain in this film. No single person was at fault and yet this whole situation became frustratingly complicated. Rekha is also very good in her portrayal of the wife, caught up in a horrid situation. She doesn't become too melodramatic, and you genuinely end up feeling for her, as well as Anuradha Patel's character.

This movie feels like poetry in motion. A gem.

Padosan (1968)

A Classic Comedy

[7/10 · 16 April 2020]

I have heard so much about this movie, the music especially. I had an idea about the story and this was quite enjoyable. The only complaint I had with the film was that it was a slapstick comedy which didn't particularly match my own interests. Despite that, I thought it was a pretty good one for those who enjoy this particular type of humor.

The music is really good though. Very catchy songs that have since become legendary. The song battle was really fun! The actors were also great in their respective roles. I loved Kishore Kumar and Mehmood especially.

Mom (I) (2017)

Incredible Story of Seeking Justice

[8/10 · 7 April 2020]

This film was dark and at times was difficult to watch. The initial setup was pretty depressing and I really wanted to stop watching, but as the story proceeds, it got very engrossing. The way the story continues was well done and my eyes got glued to the screen. Sridevi is a revelation in this movie and I really loved her performance. No wonder she is considering one of Hindi cinema's greatest.

The supporting cast was great in their respective roles. From Nawaz and Akshaye, to our neighbours Sajal Ali and Adnan Siddiqui, they were all great additions to the movie. The cinematography was dark and fit the tone of the movie. Overall, this was a good film. I loved it.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

A Little Boring

[7/10 · 2 April 2020]

I had high expectations from this one but this quickly fizzled out. Honestly, the last Hunger Games book did not need two separate movies, so this one didn't really have a lot of progression. There wasn't much character development and not a lot happened really. It seemed like filler material and was incredibly slow. The actors were okay in their respective roles but I really thought it would be better since I had enjoyed the other movies in this series. I will continue on to the last film of the series to get some closure, but this was a one-time watch for me.

Hichki (2018)

Inspirational and Emotional

[7/10 · 1 April 2020]

I missed this movie during the original run and wasn't aware of the summary. So when I sat down to watch it, I went in completely blind. This movie was educational as it taught about Tourette Syndrome and brought it to light in front of the Indian audience. I haven't seen any other movie talk about this neurological condition and I was pleasantly surprised.

One of the best things about this movie is the cast. Rani Mukherji is brilliant as usual. She acts circles around everyone, of course, but Neeraj Kabi and some of the other supporting cast are also very good in their roles. The story is well-sketched out, but the script does tend to be too "Bollywood" sometimes. There are moments where it gets too cheesy, but the rest of it is pretty great. Inspirational, educational, emotional. Altogether a great movie about the student-teacher relationship and how some teachers can change their students for the better.

A Star Is Born (2018)

Deeply Emotional and Personal

[8/10 · 21 March 2020]

I have been avoiding this movie since I thought this would be too sappy. Well, after watching the movie, I have to say, I was not quite accurate in my thought. I have to mention, I knew the story and I had watched remakes of the original story, so I was well aware of what was to come. What this movie did, though, was make it so deeply personal that I couldn't help but root for the characters to have a happy ending.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga exhibit scintillating chemistry and they really looked like they were completely invested in the story. I enjoyed the concert scenes, but the conversation scenes where they get to know each other were what really drew me in. Bradley Cooper has done a wonderful job in his debut directorial venture, and he sure exhibits a natural flair for storytelling. I am eager to see more from him in the Director's chair.

The best thing about the movie was the cast. The lead characters were great, but the supporting characters were no less. Billy Elliot was so good in his role as Cooper's brother in the film. The songs were emotional and beautiful, and both the leads did a great job on their vocal performances. I was surprised by Cooper; Gaga, as usual, does a great job. There's a real pathos in her voice which draws out emotions from the audience as well.

The other elements, including the cinematography, sound design, and editing were all very well done, and works to further benefit the movie. This was a great adaptation of the well-known and well-loved tale.

Section 375 (2019)

An Important Perspective

[8/10 · 16 March 2020]

This surely is a must-watch film as it gives a glimpse into how law is misused in this country, by the people who the law was supposed to protect in the first place. The perspective shown in this film is very rarely seen in the media, which is why it is an important movie. Being a woman, I was flabbergasted by certain proceedings in this movie, but I don't really want to go into the spoiler area, so I am going to keep it at that.

This screenplay was very good and the editing was done well, which made the movie compact and crisp. The movie features great performances by Akshaye Khanna and Richa Chadda. I sincerely miss seeing Akshaye in movies and I sure hope to see him around more. He has delivered probably one of the most impactful roles in his career so far, so it is doubly sad that the movie wasn't more popular. I didn't even know about it when it came around. This film deserved better. A must-watch perspective into law and justice and the difference between the two.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Hard-to-Watch and so Twisted

[9/10 · 16 March 2020]

This was quite the "comedy", oh boy. The title pretty much tells you about a pretty important piece in the story- the three billboards. The story was very nicely built up, and the acting by the main leads was absolutely amazing. They brought their characters to life. One can feel the pain in Frances McDormand's every move, the rage and confusion behind Sam Rockwell's actions, and the struggle in Woody Harrelson's eyes. Great casting!

There were times when the movie became almost too difficult to watch, as it dealt with a lot of different matters- rape, murder, domestic violence, police brutality, homophobia, and racism. But each topic was dealt with it in a sensitive way, and it didn't feel like a confusing mixture of social issues.

I cannot speak enough about the direction and the screenplay. It was a very mature portrayal of problems that plague the society, and one woman's struggle to get justice for her daughter. This was really a great movie. Even on the second watch, this doesn't feel at all stale.

Article 15 (2019)

Ominous and Hard-hitting

[9/10 · 16 March 2020]

Ayushmann Khurana has done it again. I am in awe of how he manages to pick these kinds of interesting stories. I know he is bound to fail with a script or two, but he does seem to have a nose for out-of-the-box storytelling. Here, again, he has managed to find a story that needs to be told. I had seen the trailer for this film and it gave me goosebumps. If the trailer had had that kind of an effect on me, I was eager to know how the movie would turn out.

And this was a smash out of the park. This was hard-hitting and the ominous atmosphere set up in the cinematography, has been very interesting. The acting has been pretty great. Ayushmann was great, of course, but the supporting cast was also really good in their roles. They built up the story in a wonderful way and it made my skin crawl. It is very difficult to stomach these kinds of stories but I also believe these movies must be seen to make any kind of impact on society, so we can come together and reduce the crime rate in our cities. I hope to see more movies dealing with these difficult subjects. India needs more movies like this one. Kudos to the team for coming up with this.