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9/10
Unintentionally Funny... Or maybe not
13 October 2024
Been a while since I've watched something that doesn't try to be anything. Just a story that elicits humor and some mystery as well.

I was browsing Netflix for good movies and decided to check out award-winning ones. This was one of the movies that caught my eye. Firstly, 'cause Mammootty's in it, and secondly, the plot sounded authentic.

The movie starts slow and does have that art house feel in the way the camera doesn't move at all, but lets the character move in the shot itself. What begins as a routine pilgrimage turns into a literal out-of-body experience for James, the main protagonist, played by Mammootty.

I really enjoyed watching the absurd situations play out because that is where the hidden humor lies. Life is like that, some things are just so ridiculous that there is nothing else to do but laugh.

One character that stood out for me, is the mother who is the only one who believes that her son has returned.

And the scene where James enacts a scene from a Rajnikanth movie is amusing, too.

In many parts of the movie, I had to ask myself, "What is going to happen now?" The story is like that. And no explanation is offered. Like everyone in the story, the audience is also left wondering what the hell is going on?

That's art! Watch it.
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9/10
Howl or Hunt?
17 August 2024
Wow! Love the idea behind the story. The make-up artists did a great job of making the animals look authentic.

Thomas Cailley, the director, and Cailley and Pauline Munier, the writers, have succeeded in retaining the humane aspect of the plot by having characters that want to help instead of reacting in fear.

The story has an element of mystery as you're always unsure of how things will develop, and that's the art of good storytelling.

Overall, I found some scenes very moving even when the possibility of communicating through words has diminished.

It does make one wonder how you would react in such a situation. If you were one of those "changing," would you gladly welcome it? And if you were one of the spectators, would you focus on self-preservation?

Recommended.
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The Convert (2023)
8/10
Love and War
20 July 2024
I'm not sure how much of this is based on truth, but kudos to the director, Lee Tamahori, for making it look so authentic.

The plot is simple yet effective. The savagery of British settlers and the Maoris themselves makes the plight of the central character, Thomas Munro, even more tragic.

I wouldn't say it is as spellbinding as Apocalypto, but I think this is in the same league. The story manages to showcase some aspects of Maori culture and the reasoning behind those practices.

I began watching it because of Guy Pearce and continued till the end because of the Maoris.

Expect bloodshed, romance, and tiny bits of wisdom.
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Fallout (2024– )
9/10
One for the Conspiracy Theorists
14 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I started watching this show because I was curious about the game - which I've never played - and also because it has a good rating.

Well, the first season is done and I finished watching it in two days. It's that interesting. The plot twists and story keep you hooked from the get-go, and the character arcs keep you guessing what our heroes will do next.

For example, "the ghoul" starts off as a cool dude, then does some shady "surfies" stuff, and then slowly becomes an anti-hero figure. Of all the characters, he is probably my favorite because of his complete lack of correctness.

There is a romantic side to the story, which I don't much care for, but I guess you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Definitely looking forward to season 2. And yes, I do recommend watching this if you like sci-fi with a healthy serving of bloodshed.
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Kaala Paani (2023– )
7/10
Watch out 2027!
10 November 2023
Undoubtedly, it is an interesting show! My only qualm is that the makers might have borrowed a recurring theme in the plot from a South Korean show, released in 2022, called "Trolley." That show also revolves around the "trolley problem," which deals with the dilemma of whether to sacrifice one person to save a larger number of people.

As soon as Ashutosh Gowariker's character, Admiral Zibran, brought up the theory in a scene, I was reminded of the Korean show. There is no other similarity between Kaala Paani and Trolley, though many of the climactic scenes seem to deal with this theme in some way or the other.

On the whole, the writers and directors of the show have put together a thrilling and exciting story that is relevant in present times.

I enjoyed watching the backstories and character development of Chiru, Ritu, Ketan, and Jyotsna. Not to give away too much, but the deaths of some of the main characters took me by surprise.

I find the character of Ketan Kamat, played by Amey Wagh, the most interesting because he is one of those people who doesn't see things in black and white. His character adapts to the situation that he is in, which might lead him down a good or bad path. I guess he fits the adage of "survival of the fittest," which is another recurring theme in the show.

Would I recommend this show? Definitely! I binge-watched it in three days despite a bad internet connection. I promise you'll be on the edge of your seat as this roller-coaster of emotions unfolds.

P. S. As for the trolley problem, I don't think I would sacrifice one person to save many. I would let fate decide.
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4/10
Poignant Plot; Poorly Executed
27 October 2023
There's nothing to learn from this movie. Though the world is changing around them, the characters are stagnant and two-dimensional.

While Lily Gladstone's character, Mollie Burkhart, gracefully waltzes through her scenes like the rolling plains of Oklahoma, Leo's character, Ernest, is anything but earnest.

The movie does come off as an enactment of a true-crime podcast with a predictable outcome.

The sets and costumes look authentic, so kudos to whoever did that.

I spent most of the movie just waiting for something interesting to happen, but nothing did. There were two scenes in the whole movie that actually moved me: 1) Ernest decides to stand up for something and testifies in court. 2) Mollie meets him in the next scene and confronts him about what he did to her.

I guess that is the crux of this movie. "How far would you go for what you love?" On a metaphorical note, I think Mollie represents the unblemished and sometimes gullible aspect of the natural world. And Ernest - Well, we're all Ernests (without the a) wrestling with our conscience, but eventually doing what's wrong.
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8/10
The Forest King
12 August 2023
An interesting documentary. Veerappan is a name that everyone who grew up in the 90s in South India knows. I remember hearing the news about him kidnapping the actor, Rajkumar, when I was in Manipur in Northeast India. Before that, he was mainly famous for being a sandalwood smuggler, but that kidnapping added to his notoriety.

It's hard to fully understand someone who takes on the law because we only get to see and hear what the media reveals. Yet, living with the primitive inclination of an eye for an eye is something anyone in civilized society frowns upon. In the most simple terms, that is what Veerappan was. He lived like the law did not apply to him. For some of us who secretly fantasize about anarchy and a lawless world, that is the ultimate level of truth. No pretense, no justification, just pure cunning and violence.

There is no excuse for the murders he committed and the elephants his gang poached. Those who live by violence will die by it.

Many villagers and police officers were killed, and families were traumatized by the fiasco of capturing Veerappan. In the end, he left behind a devoted wife and two daughters that he never got to spend time with. If he had a moment to look back at his life before he died, I wonder if he felt peace or regret.
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7/10
Is Rocket a Badger?
7 July 2023
An entertainer all the way. The plot focuses on the backstory of Rocket and has more than enough scenes for you to tear up. I just wish there were more superhero stories where characters didn't have to die for a protagonist to find a purpose.

The scenes with Rocket's friends almost seem like a Disney movie hidden within a Marvel movie.

As expected, there's the usual childish comedy between the members of the Guardians which is funny at times. Gamora seems to have forgotten Quill - something about the events in Infinity War and End Game where half the human race was wiped out and then unwiped. So Quill is stuck on that and tries to convince (?!?) Gamora that they are meant to be together.

The High Evolutionary is an over-the-top villain who doesn't seem menacing at all. I don't know if it's the acting or the character itself. Seemed more like a character from Dexter's Laboratory.

Two characters that made this movie enjoyable for me were Cosmo the Spacedog and Mantis. Cosmo pleading with Kraglin to take back something he said is my type of hilarity. And Mantis is wholesomely cute. They both have exotic accents. Hmm, I'm noticing a pattern.

The heart-tugging scenes in the film seemed like they were included on purpose and did not gel with the action and silly humor. That's why I give this only 7 stars.
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Drops of God (2023– )
8/10
The Winds of Tomorrow will Blow Tomorrow
2 June 2023
Great show! The first few episodes really caught my attention. I liked how the story unraveled bit by bit. And a competition focused on tasting wines and food - Yes, count me in.

Though I'm a novice at recognizing any kind of wine since I only like wines that are homemade and sweet, I understand why enology is an interesting subject. Imagine tasting a bottle of fermented grape juice and being able to discern how, when, and where it was made. That is crazy!

Anyway, this story manages to intertwine the dying wish of an eccentric wine collector with the lives of two talented and equally eccentric people who could benefit from his death.

Some parts of the show seem a bit drawn out, but the final episode was quite moving.

If you love wine culture and family dramas, this is for you.
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9/10
Here Comes the Owl-Bear!
3 May 2023
This one's a real feel-good entertainer. Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez make a surprisingly comedic pair. What I really enjoyed about the film was the mix of subtle humor and D&D folklore. Though I've never played Dungeons & Dragons, I think I can understand why many people enjoy it. The silly and over-the-top monsters in this one were quite amusing.

I think anyone who likes fantasy would enjoy this film because it has a bit of everything. A doting father with all his failures, a lady-warrior who likes tiny men, a sorcerer who is still learning the ropes, a druid who transforms into an owl-bear - What!? And let's not forget, Hugh Grant, playing a con man.

It's got it all. Grab something to munch on and prepare for two hours of fun and adventure.
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Man in Love (2021)
8/10
A Real Tearjerker
30 April 2023
It's a cry-fest. The beginning of the movie is actually funny because of how Ah Cheng tries to woo Hao Ting. Their personalities are so different, yet after a little stalking, he realizes how wholesome she is. I also found the relationship between Cheng and his niece quite endearing.

Apparently, this film is an official remake of Han Dong-wook's 2014 South Korean film of the same name. No surprises there.

Halfway through the movie, things begin to crumble and that's when you need to get out the tissues.

I have seen similar movies like this before, but the actors have done a great job and you start to feel their pain (if that's possible). Seeing certain scenes made me remember incidents from my life.

The ending does seem sad and hopeful at the same time. I guess all good things come to an end.
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Gannibal (2022– )
8/10
A Titillating, Macabre Tale
3 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Cannibalism isn't a light topic by any standard, but Gannibal manages to intertwine it with a story about redemption, guilt, the innocence of children, outdated rural culture, and morality. That's a lot of layers to sift through. From the start of the series, there is a hint at the lead character's (Daigo) troubled past. He is a police officer who is sent to work in a small village. To add to that, his daughter Mashiro has stopped talking. We find out what exactly caused these unfortunate circumstances later in the series. Daigo's wife, Yuki, seems to be the only normal person in their family.

Enter Kuge village - A fictional town (Thank Zeus) with a small population that appears idyllic on the surface, but has many secrets. The Goto family unofficially controls the village and is feared by the rest of the inhabitants. Meanwhile, there is a subplot about the previous police officer in Kuge who went missing while investigating the Gotos.

Daigo, for all his faults, is an upright person and tries to uncover what happened to his predecessor. What slowly begins to emerge is a dark and creepy practice of cannibalism and child sacrifice that dates back many years. It is overwhelming to watch how Daigo and his family have to juggle their own demons while dealing with real demons that are causing havoc in Kuge.

A must-watch if you like thrillers and character-driven stories.

P. S. Kokone Shimizu, the little girl who plays Mashiro steals the spotlight every time she appears.
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Alice in Borderland (2020– )
7/10
Where is my Mind?
27 December 2022
Interesting for sure. Sometimes it seems like this is Japan's answer to Squid Game, but Alice in Borderland does explore other topics like existentialism.

I don't remember much of the first season, apart from some action-packed games which I liked. In the second season, some players refer to their time at a beach and I have no recollection of that whatsoever.

Regardless, there are positives and negatives in the second season. Something which I didn't care much for is Arisu's over-the-top acting. Some of the other characters have a more calculated approach to the games which I could relate to.

I must say that the last episode of Season 2 kept me guessing even after the last scene. There are some very dramatic reveals and reunions that are touching.

Definitely worth watching if you like apocalyptic storylines with some romance and camaraderie thrown in.

What's with that card in the last scene, though? Damn, it never ends...
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8/10
Death Beckons
14 December 2022
An interesting watch, though the trailer and plot might make it seem run-of-the-mill. What seems like a trivial feud between two friends, turns into something much more serious and poignant.

It's strange how much pain we hide from the world and create fantasies in our minds, making us victims of our own doing.

Inisherin, a fictional place, represents any unassuming, sleepy village with the local pub being the only place where everyone congregates. What do you do when one of your only friends stops talking to you for no fault of your own? Well, I would probably stop being friends with the person. That's the sensible thing to do.

Pádraic (Colin Farrell), being a simple man, does not know how to say goodbye to his friend. And this movie is about the consequences of the rift between him and his friend.

Look out for the understated Banshee. It's amusing how Martin McDonagh skilfully made her presence known.

As Pádraic states at the end of the movie, "Some things there's no moving on from. And I think that's a good thing."
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The English (2022)
9/10
Only the strong survive
14 November 2022
Wow! Loved the cinematography and the effort that was put into the costumes and recreating the scenes of that time. I've always been interested in Native Indian culture and found the character of Eli (Wounded Wolf) really intriguing. Although the story is also about Cornelia and her tragic journey, it was Eli's vindication that captivated me.

Imagine being there at that time with only your weapons and wits to protect yourself. Everyone scrambling to get their hands on land even it if meant killing innocents in the process.

The story does have closure, but not the kind that fairy tales are made of. Everything is as it should be... still wandering.
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Soft & Quiet (2022)
8/10
One bad idea spiraling out of control
12 November 2022
Can't really rate this as it is more of a social commentary about the world today.

Most of the movie is difficult to watch since the main focus is on racism. From the get-go, it's clear that hiding their racist inclinations would be a challenge for the lead characters. I watched the trailer first so I was expecting the worst, but I'm thankful the director didn't show some of the graphic parts cause just the thought of them is gruesome.

Would definitely not recommend this to anyone hoping to watch a good movie.

There is a lesson hidden in there somewhere: Choose your friends wisely. When you begin to believe that another person is less of a human than you are, it's only a matter of time before you act on it.
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8/10
The Power and the Might
7 October 2022
Everest is one of my "coulda-woulda-shoulda" dreams. Sure, I could still prepare and try and make an attempt in a few years, but climbing it has become overrated. And as this docu shows, a gamble.

Olly Lambert does a great job of stitching together clips from many sources and making it seem like the disaster is unfolding as you watch. I've seen some of the earthquake clips before but rewatching them in the context of how the events unfolded is pretty overwhelming.

The focus is kept on three regions: Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp, and Langtang Valley. I don't know if only these places were affected by the earthquake, but the interviews try to tell the stories of the people who were in those places.

I felt like some incidents that are talked about were given too much weightage to make things more interesting - after all, this is Netflix - but in the end, I wasn't there so I can't rationalize it.

Climbing is something only a person who loves the mountains can understand, and no matter how seductive these marvels of mother nature are, we should never underestimate the risk involved.
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8/10
Groovy beats and Cool plot
22 September 2022
The originality of the idea and its execution is what makes this a fun watch. You won't know where the story is going for at least half of the movie.

I personally would have liked a little more background on Mona Lisa, but it doesn't add or subtract from the plot.

I assumed that the moon would have something to do with her powers, but the story does not dwell too much on the whys and whens.

My favorite part though would have to be Mona's expressions on the flight. That there is some real good acting. I wasn't surprised when I looked Jeon Jong-seo up and found out that she was in "Burning" and "The Call." Both are worth checking out.
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The Hole (2021)
9/10
Atmosphere and visuals!
4 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
So profoundly simple, yet poignant. It starts off like a story about rural life and then becomes an exploratory undertaking, then seems to have some supernatural connection between the old shepherd and the explorers. Finally, it concludes with the end of the exploration and the eerie calls of the shepherd across the valley.

Sometimes every day things can be art, and Michelangelo Frammartino has proven it.

You'll need widescreen and HD to fully experience this cinematic gem.
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Suzhal - The Vortex (2022– )
8/10
Twists in the Mists
7 July 2022
So many twists, but the plot keeps you engrossed. I would have preferred some supernatural element to the story because there was scope for that. I think the writers did a great job in keeping the momentum. I, on the other hand, was very keen to find out where they had done the shooting because of the TN 43 number plates, but it evaded me. There were some scenes that looked a bit familiar to places I've seen in Ooty.

The soundtrack is also quite fitting, especially for the festival procession scenes.

The subject matter that results in the deaths in the story is dealt with in a sensitive way, and though it is a very important issue, the final episodes of the show spiral into a depressing vortex.

One question still remains: What happened to Ammani?
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9/10
Common Sense is no longer Common
9 June 2022
Quite a controversial question in modern times, but the closing moments of the documentary reveals a pretty straightforward answer.

Came across Matt Walsh's videos on YouTube and though I didn't think this documentary would be groundbreaking content, it did answer some of my own questions such as when the Trans movement started and how it gained so much media attention.

It's true that gender identity has become a minefield, but it's refreshing to see that some people still care about the truth.
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9/10
Fantastic
22 May 2022
Season 3 did not disappoint. The animation in some of the stories is so lifelike. Especially, Jibaro!

"Night of the Mini Dead" is hilarious. And I liked the ideas portrayed in "Bad Traveling" and "In Vaulted Halls Entombed." Love Death & Robots seems to have become a benchmark for animation. Jibaro went beyond all my expectations. The dancelike movements, intricate details of the location, and the soundtrack all made it a great watch.

Can't wait for the next season.
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8/10
Limbic mimicry
12 May 2022
A great conclusion to "The Crimes of Grindelwald." It was an interesting watch and I liked how the story developed. I guess the only surprising part would be the minor role that Credence played. I thought he would have influenced the story a bit more.

My favorite part in this film would be Newt and the crab-like creatures in the dungeon where Theseus is kept. That really made me laugh.

A nice conclusion, all though I wonder why the Qilin doesn't think Newt is pure of heart, too.

Hope there are more sequels.
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The Survivor (2021)
5/10
Almost beat Rocky
5 May 2022
There are moments in the movie that are touching, but there are also moments that seem like lines you read in a historical account.

Ben Foster is at his usual best. I don't know if the accent he was using was authentic, but some of it was hard to understand.

I didn't like the use of black and white for the flashbacks. Supposed to be artistic, but it diminished the overall weight of those scenes. I did like the old posters that were stuck on the walls in the boxing gym and train station. It did add a 50's aesthetic to the scene.

It is a simple story, and though it would have been great if he had had a few more wins under his belt, it is still a good reminder of the people that were affected by the holocaust.
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Missions (2017– )
8/10
Jeanne's Addiction
1 May 2022
An interesting story. It weaves and wanders a bit, but keeps you hooked. I was hoping to find out the source of all the occurrences after the second season, but the third season threw a curveball.

There is closure at the end, but no clear answers. I hope there's a third season.
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