ankit-imsnoida

Bad Newz (2024)

Absolute garbage!

Why are people recommending this movie? Saw some great comedians promoting it on their Instagram. Quickest way to lose their credibility.

One of the worst movies I have seen recently! Completely nonsense and not even funny.

The setup is so unconvincing even though they spend almost 1 hour on it. Tripti's character is a big red flag. Doesn't own up any of her issues and gaslights others.

The first part (good news) actually had a convincing situation and Akshay - Diljit shared a solid chemistry. Although, Vicky and Amy fail to do it here. Apart from a few scenes.. the movie is extremely bad.

Just watch the trailer. There's nothing apart from that in the movie.

Three of Us (2022)

How to capture all emotions in one scene!

This movie is simply a masterpiece! It's so simple yet so powerful. The dialogues are written with simplicity yet carry so much weight and depth.

The movie is a shot of nostalgia and would take you on a ride. The writing and screenplay is so powerful that on many occasions it feels like so many complex emotions are captured in one scene (you feel joy, sadness, love and jealousy at the same time)

Jaydeep A and Shafali Shah gave an outstanding performance. There were scenes where both of them said nothing yet communicated so much via their eyes and expressions.

The Indian film industry needs to cherish such actors and celebrate them more. OTT has helped a lot in resurgence of such performers.

The movie is shot in Vengurla (a small konkan town in Maharashtra) and it is lovely. The movie captures the calmness (with a pinch of melancholy) of the town beautifully.

Overall, a must watch :)

Choona (2023)

All over the place!

The story starts well and then, falls apart. After a few episodes, one simply loses interest and the screenplay fails to grip you. A few side stories are unnecessary and many plot points are not built properly.

The story digresses many a times from the main plot and when it comes back..you are not as invested. They should have focused more on the 'hiest' and the nuances around it.

The humor is also quite basic and only a few scenes would truly crack you up.

Jimmy Shergill is amazing; although, the character development didn't help him much.

Had a lot of hopes from this series.. although, it didn't turn out to be good.

You can skip this one.

Jaane Jaan (2023)

Absolutely Amazing!!

Jaideep Ahalawat absolutely killed it in this one. Just go and watch this movie for him. So happy to see such a brilliant performance after a long time!!

This is one of the best suspense thriller movies produced by Bollywood in a long time.

Will not write any detail about the movie because you need to see it without reading or watching anything about it. Only then you'd be able to truly enjoy it.

The movie hooks you from first min and then, just doesn't let all. All the actors have given a great performance but Jaideep stole the show.

The setting of the movie is perfect. Kalimpong captures the essence of the film beautifully.

Love how OTT is encouraging big actors to invest in good stories and great screenplays. No nonsense...no stupid songs.. no unnecessary romance.. just pure storytelling.

Do go and watch now.

Elemental (2023)

Much better than expected!!

Would give 7 but adding one extra point for the music! :D

Went to see after reading many reviews and I had mixed feelings about it.

Although, it turned out to be good (definitely better than expected). Don't listen to anyone.. just go and watch this and make your own judgement.

The good- 1. Pixar again was able to successfully create an entire universe and personify things which we see around us. I know we expect a lot from Pixar but it's difficult to do this again and again. The details of the universe in the movie were quite good.

2. The characters were quite good. I fell in love with them.

3. Story was well packed and I didn't feel bored at any point.

4. Steal the show song was too cute!

The bad- 1. The find your passion theme was a little forced and wasn't justified propely through the screenplay.

2. A few things were illogical (but it's an animated movie afterall)

Overall, will definitely recommend it!

Modern Love Chennai (2023)

Where's modern love in this?

Modern love is famous for telling stories which are a little different from the idea of regular love/romance. It also explores love in relationships beyond "lovers". Therefore, this series doesn't capture the essence of modern love universe.

It has simple love stories which we have seen before quite a few times. If you're looking to watch light hearted romance, then, this series works will work for you. You'd be disappointed if you want to re-experience the original Modern Love Franchise.

I really enjoyed the 2nd episode as it was quite different and kept me hooked. 6th was also nice!

Another thing I liked was how they picked stories from all different classes, stratas, etc.

Dahaad (2023)

Underwhelming ending!

1. The series overall is average. Watch it only if you have a lot of free time. You won't find anything different that you have not seen before

2. The ending is quite underwhelming. If you are showing a psychopath in a series, his or her past needs to be shown carefully and it needs to do justice to their current behaviour. Although, the reason that the psychopath gives in the end for killing women isn't disgetable. His past isn't shown well for us to believe in his psycho personality.

3. They had a great cast (Vijay Verma, Gulshan D) .. although, the screenplay couldn't extract the best out of them. Sonakshi Sinha has done a decent job compared to her previous performances.

4. Themes explored in the series (in the beginning) like Love Jihad, Caste based discrimination, Gender discrimination, etc will divide the audience as usual.. even though all of these are the realities of today's world.

Vaathi (2023)

Very relevant topic but so poorly made

I know they try to dumb down a script and try to make it simplistic. But you should not do it to an extent that it becomes unrealistic.

These kind of movies only inspire people but don't inspire change because solutions which are offered are way simplistic and are not possible.

I have been working in the Ed sector from 10 years; we definitely need more passionate educators like Baalu Sir but it's not going to be such an easy fight.

These movies show one GOD like person who comes to save people. If it were that easy, we'd have solved half of our problems. These issues are far more complicated and complex. The movie shows problems in a very very simple manner like everything is black and white.

Also change doesn't come so easily. It requires immense collective effort and time.

I wish these filmmakers would actually do some ground research and make real movies on real people who are actually doing some work.

Trial by Fire (2023)

Marvelous Storytelling!

This series MOVED me A LOT!!

After a long time, Netflix has come with something original and completely brilliant. I expected this series to be good but it turned out to be Marvelous.

This series is beautifully written and very well directed. From the first min, the series is able to build much needed tension and hooks the audience. The series is paced so well..& nothing is exaggerated.

I have seen some of the best performances in a long time.. all the actors did a great job. But Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande stole the show.. the did complete justification to their role and helped the audience in connecting with the horrifying pain of the actual parents who went through this.

More and more people should watch this. These people are real heroes and should be celebrated.l more.

Govinda Naam Mera (2022)

Good one time watch!

This is a good time pass movie! If you are tired and simply want to enjoy/relax, then, Govinda naam Mera is for you.

Casting: All the actors so a decent job including Kiara (which is surprising). Bhoomi got very little screentime.. they could have utilized her more.

Comedy: It's an absurd comedy like old priyadarshan movies. Put logic aside and simply have fun.

Plot: Quite decent. The shocking reveal in the end was somewhat predictable but still keeps you hooked.

Music: I didn't like it much. But thik hai!

Overall do give it a try :) it's a good OTT movie. Happy that they didn't release it in theatres.

CAT (2022)

Close to the level of Sacred Games

After a long time, Netflix has come with a series which is close to the level of Sacred Games. Barring last two episodes which I couldn't fully digest (which failed to bring everything well together).. the series is brilliantly made.

What's good?

The screenplay is quite tightly written and keeps you hooked throughout. Acting overall is superb. Randeep Hooda especially does an amazing job and gives a fantastic performance. Casting has been great and the supporting actors also play their roles quite effectively. I really enjoyed some plot twists and they have me goosebumps.

Some scenes are so gruesome and shot very well. Amazed with the cinematography.

What could have been better?

Ending was okay but I couldn't digest it properly. They over did certain things. Could have kept it simple as there was no need for shock value towards the end.

Freddy (2022)

Better than expected!

The good:

It's a good one time watch.

This is Kartik Aryan's best performance so far. I had little expectations from him but he proved me wrong. Happy that he attempted a different range and pulled it off.

The pace of the movie is great and it keeps you hooked. The shocking reveal is also great and it's quite difficult to predict.

I was also quite happy with how Freddy's character developed. The ending was creepy and left me shocked.

What went wrong?

Alyya F was a let down in the movie and it was a similar case with the actor who played her boyfriend. They could have definitely done a better job with casting. Kartik does most of the heavy lifting and other performances were quite weak.

Can definitely give it a watch.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part One (2022)

Not worth the hype

The Bollywood is making such trash movies that PS 1 looks amazing in front of that. Although, as a stand alone movie it's quite below average. Apart from great sets, VFX, etc ..the movie doesn't do much.

Even after watching the movie for 60-70 mins, I personally didn't feel any connection with the characters. Unline Game of thrones where strong characters were built slowly.. here the character development is super rushed.

We know the movie is based on a war for a throne but you actually don't feel like cheering for anyone. It's so dull in its narration that you don't feel invested enough to take a side and cheer for that character.

Aishwarya was the shining star who did a decent job in the movie. The main character (messenger) was damn irritating.

If you don't have any context of the history or the books, it'd become even worse for you.

I don't understand the hype at all.

The Midnight Club (2022)

Great Concept poorly executed

I loved the setup! It's the right amount of grim (and not too over the top horror set ups that we generally see). I also loved the concept of midnight club - stories within the story.

I was hooked to the series for the first 2-3 episodes. Post that it just becomes confusing.

Here are my problems:

• The midnight club stories don't relate to the overall plot. Yeah, they have tried to include symbolism in it via connecting with the lives of main characters but it doesn't come off that well.

• The horror post 4-5 episodes just diminishes and the stories around love and friendship takes over (which is fine but this is supposed to be a good horror series so please!)

• Some characters are very irritating including the main one. You stop liking her as the episodes progress.

• The ending is blah!

Chup (2022)

Better than Bollywood's current standards

The movie is average but it impresses in parts. It has its hits and misses.

Hits: 1. Dulquer and Shreya impress with their performances. Dulquer has done an amazing job. You can watch the movie only for him.

2. They did a great job with the climax (last 2 mins were over the top) but overall a solid ending.

Misses: 1. Sunny Deol and Pooja Bhatt (they could have picked better actors)

2. Movie is too slow for Indian audience. I also felt that they could have added a little more to increase the overall thrill.

But overall do give Chup a try. It's refreshing. The movie contains many gruesome parts so ensure you don't take children with you.

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022)

When would Bollywood invest in good stories and dialogues?

Who has written the dialogues of this movie? A 10 year old can think of better dialogues. The movie has been dumbed down so much that you feel like you are watching a better version of Chota Bheem.

Alia Bhatt disappoints with her acting but she is not at fault. The screenplay doesn't allow to showcase her acting skills.

The love story in the movie is so rushed that you feel uncomfortable watching it. 2.5 din ke pyar mei pagal ho rakhe Hain dono?

The movie is a brave attempt and VFX thik hai but movie paisa waste hai. Please mat dekho. Also I truly doubt Ayan Mukherjee's potential as a director.. he should give the 2nd part to someone else.

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

What were they thinking?

The movie is full of stupidity and is filled with loopholes.

Some sequences are good which catch you off gaurd but apart from that everything is senseless.

The movie has stupidest guards who get horny for a complete psycho killer. Another pyscho killer (who gets completed deranged on hearing a simple word) roams freely in the madhouse. A family fails to recognise their own daughter and upon discovering that they have a psycho living with them, they act all cool.

The twist in the movie feels good only for a few seconds.. it's all downhill from there. I feel they could have made a sequel (no matter what they did prequel would always have been predictable)

You can skip this altogether. We have suffered on your behalf.

Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)

Definitely watchable (but not as great as expected)

I feel people have become quite polarized (things are either great or pathetic). Kashmir Files became a super hit even though from film making point of view it was mediocre. Similarly, LSC is getting such bad reviews even though it's again somewhat mediocre. It has some great points and equally bad ones. Music and cinematography of the movie are one of the best that you'd have seen in Bollywood in the recent years. It is shot so beautifully and is very pleasant to watch. We can see that they have put immense amount of hardwork to make this movie. Although, Amir's portrayal of Laal is a big miss (he simply over acted). Some events in the movie were forced and could have been avoided. Please go ahead and watch the movie (don't follow the crowd). :)

Darlings (2022)

Beautiful acting and superb in patches!

This movie has been quite refreshing. Loved the first half. It was beautifully shot and presented. All actors are simply brilliant! It's so well acted that it looks damn authentic and scary. None of it is exaggerated.

However, I was disappointed by the 2nd half. What started as a thriller became sort of like a parody towards the 2nd half.. they might have done it intentionally but it didn't set well with me.

Overall it's definitely watchable. Do give it a shot!

Modern Love Hyderabad (2022)

3 out of 6 episodes are good!

Few stories are quite touching! Modern Love Hyderabad explores the idea of love beyond the generic theme "a girl meets a boy"; it showcases other valuable relationships where love exists. The 1st story is very authentic:) Loved the 3rd one as well as it made me cry. Was disappointed with a few stories which didn't make much sense.

It's worth watching once.

Sumit Sourav: Vansh Ka Naash (2022)

Quite relatable and funny!

It's damn relatable for most middle class Indians (especially 90s kids). He has also delivered the jokes quite well! Laughed continuously! Loved the opening song too! Sumit is definitely under rated and deserves more recognition!

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022)

Extremely inconsistent and shallow

I don't understand how people are rating this high. Feels like expectations from Bollywood has gone down a lot. Some scenes and dialogues of this movie are good and that's it. Beyond that movie lacks everything else. It's highly inconsistent, the main character lacks depth, Kiara is not needed in the movie (doesn't do anything significant) and horror is very cliche. You can re-watch bhool bhulaiya one and avoid this completely!

Bullsh*t: The Game Show (2022)

Becomes boring overtime

It's a new concept and it's fun when you watch it in the beginning. Although, after a few episodes, it becomes quite dull. They don't spend enough time on contestants after a few episodes because of which you don't feel connected to them.. you don't care as audience whether they'd win or not. The host is natural and funny as always... But he too doesn't have much Wordplay after a few episodes.

Gullak (2019)

True! Authentic! And relatable characters!

The best thing about TVF is that the stories and characters they come up with are damn real and relatable. Unlike, backward and melodramatic saas bahu shows, gullak is progessive as well as quite authentic!

The stories are hilarious and they aren't not over the top (just like life).

This deserves to be on TV!

Murder (2020)

Shallow movie

How can honor killing or any sort of killing be justified? The father expects that his daughter will return if he will kill her husband? What kind of logic is that? They are trying to justify toxic love. Even if you think your child is wrong, violence or killing is never justified. The dad doesn't even try to talk to them once calmly. How can such a person be considered a good dad? They are trying to justify anything in the name of emotions or bonds.