sitanshugreat Reviews

The Villain (2014)

Good intent, but average execution

[6/10 · 1 July 2014]

Ek Villain, in essence, asks us a question of morality: who or what is the real villain? Nobody is born villain. Circumstances force us to become one. This is the driving force of the movie.

Suri's direction is laudable. He has learnt his mistakes from Aashiqui 2 and made a better and ambitious second one. Suri is one of those rare directors in India who is focused more on the story than on the "ways of selling the story". He is passionate about the characters he builds and the dynamics they display. This is one reason his films feel realistic (but not entirely). The non-linear story telling keeps the narrative exciting.

The film's weak spots are compensated by its music. The music is appreciable. It is melodious, catchy, and memorable. Mithoon and Ankit Tiwari have continued their streak(after Aashiqui 2) of producing melodious songs that stay in our heads for a long time. The production is top-notch. Shraddha Kapoor's singing debut is also praise-worthy. Her vocal, breathy performance is heartfelt and sincere.

The cinematography is appreciable. There is a long and continuous.....

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Masters of Sex: Catherine (2013) Season 1, Episode 5

Heartbreaking

[10/10 · 1 November 2013]

This episode was a tearjerker. It was like the 'Ozymandias' of Breaking Bad. A lot of sadness spilling around.

It is baffling to see how Masters' study is affecting lives all around. How one little curiosity is met with so many hurdles. The study is like a giant machine in the center that is spinning the lives of the everyone who is acquainted(even remotely) to the study. Who's to be blamed? No one. It's no one's fault. But everyone is grieving.

It was interesting to watch Dr. Haas and his relationships with Vivian and Virginia(the two among the many V's he encounters!). Things are getting further complicated for him. In the future, he might find himself trapped in the thick web of confusion!

Interestingly, the writers thought that it was too much grief for the viewers and so, for our sake, ended the episode with an unintentional humor. That was one of the many moments when Masters' was himself and not pretending to be a robot!

Masters of Sex: Thank You for Coming (2013) Season 1, Episode 4

The Best Yet

[10/10 · 23 October 2013]

This episode was amazing. The way it was pulling the psychological strings of our mind was perfect. It was the best episode yet.

Starting with an intimate interview of an unknown guy, we are quickly pulled into the way the story unfolds. It was fantastic. Acting was top- notch. Direction was brilliant.

What was worth noting was the element of psyche that played throughout the episode. We get to see the disturbing past of William Masters. I found that very emotional. It was great. Everything looks so real, so believable. You actually feel attached to everyone.

I am impressed by the way this series is heading. What started off as a slow-burner is slowly beginning to spread, like a forest fire. Maybe we are all in for a surprise.

Kudos to the makers. Keep surprising me :)

Masters of Sex (2013–2016)

So Far So Good

[9/10 · 11 October 2013]

Afer finishing up with Breaking Bad, I switched to Master of Sex. Because it was something different, something that has caught my imagination. I have seen two episodes so far, and I'm impressed. The series has an interesting premise and it definitely looks great on the television.

What I found interesting about Masters of Sex is that it has managed to dignify Sex. Most of the other TV shows(Game of Thrones, for instance) throws a random sex scene just to titillate us. But here, it is all for a purpose. A purpose that Masters has safeguarded for a long time. It will be interesting for the viewers to see how the story unfolds.

I am really looking forward to this show. I hope to see some pleasant episodes in the future.

Breaking Bad: Ozymandias (2013) Season 5, Episode 14

As the end draws near.

[10/10 · 15 September 2013]

The end is drawing near. The sun is going down. There is one more episode left to be seen. The journey so far has been unforgettable.

"Ozymandias" - the title emphasizes on the futility of empires built by man. how shackled and hollow these glorious-looking empires actually are. Walt built this massive empire for himself, and now it is coming down, brick by brick. Walt is no longer as lucky as he used to be. Now, he can't control the situation, but rather gets controlled by the situation.

Direction is top-notch(as always). Acting is so amazing that words cannot justify its intensity. Walt is seriously trapped between himself and his alter-ego. Bryan Cranston is perfectly portrays this duality of character.

The events that unfold in this episode tell us that the end is gonna be dark as hell. With just one more episode left, Breaking Bad is going to be remembered for decades as one of the television's best series ever.

Breaking Bad: To'hajiilee (2013) Season 5, Episode 13

Breaking Bad Outdoing Themselves for the Thousandth Time!

[10/10 · 9 September 2013]

Breaking Bad continues the tradition of "Outdoing Themselves". And with the latest episode, they have confirmed that the writers are using 100% of their Grey matter.

Frankly speaking, it surprises me how the writers are able to achieve these new heights. Every time a new episode arrives, I am just waiting for the writers to make a mistake. But, every time they are able to wrong me with amazing confidence.

With this episode, my faith in Breaking Bad has been reinforced 1000 times. Our favorite anti-hero Walter White is tested beyond his capacity. And so are we, viewers. The last ten minutes are indisputably the most exhilarating moments ever encountered on television. It's like a roller-coaster ride that decelerates to zero moments before it reaches its maximum speed. That's right. When the screen blacks out, you are literally left wanting for more(again, another Breaking Bad Tradition!).

One of the reviews I came across beautifully described what happens in this mind-blasting, nail-biting and hair-raising episode:

"Walt, trapped in the back of a truck, powerless at last, his hands cuffed and his voice muffled, as the forces he has unleashed attempt to destroy the one thing he swore to protect."