Blog | Amodini's Movie Reviews - Part 18Amodini's Movie Reviews | Movie Reviews by Year, Genre and Rating

Movie Review : Love Aaj Kal 2

Posted on February 15, 2020 by amodini

Rating : 2.8/5
Genre : Romance
Year : 2020
Running time : 2 hours 22 minutes
Director : Imtiaz Ali
Cast : Sara Ali Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Randeep Hooda, Aarushi Sharma
Kid rating : PG

Imtiaz Ali’s reputation precedes him – he’s given us cult romances like the lovely Jab We Met and the understated Socha Na Tha. His game seems to be slipping though, because Love Aaj Kal 2 is not a patch on the original Love Aaj Kal. The storyline is similar with two love tales unfolding, and this film also tries to answer some pyaar-wale questions. However, it has not the sheen or the oomph of the original – everything is so . . . inept.

So there’s Zoe (Khan) and Veer (Aaryan) a modern young couple who hang out together but can’t commit. And there’s Raghu (Aaryan/Hooda) and Leena (Sharma), an older couple with their own issues. We see the Zoe-Veer messy tale unfold in real time. Raghu narrates his sad kahaani – ergo flashback – to Zoe when she comes by his cafe, in the hope that Zoe and Veer can right their situation before it is too late. But will they?

Veer is a nerd and Zoe’s a go-getter, type-A event-planner, and there’s real chemistry between the two. On a purely descriptive level, Kartik and Sara fit the bill though neither are very good actors; I kept thinking what this film could have been with maybe a Ranbir or an Alia. Director Ali tries too hard to be with it – the first half of the film felt superficial with its frenetic club-hopping, social media, co-working spaces and one-night stands. Underneath it all though we are still regular people, but LAK didn’t deem it fit to show us that side of its characters.

Ali’s films are generally dialog-heavy and Love Aaj Kal is no different. I did find the screenplay lacking, and the flow, especially in the first half, choppy and it has to be said – boring. My husband in the next seat dozed off. But the biggest problem is the lack of character development. Veer and Zoe are flat – we know about them, but who are they really? And why should we feel for them or get invested in their lives?

The second half got better because it got down to the nitty-gritty, anguish-inducing choices. There are some scenes which could have redeemed the film but it was too little too late. LAK also suffers on the musical front. Where the original had gorgeous songs, nothing stands out here except maybe Shayad.

It feels like a real comedown from Deepika and Saif to Sara and Karthik. Are they the future of Bollywood? The thought is dispiriting.

Love Aaj Kal 2 is sadly, for us the viewers, a big disappointment. A strict one-time watch, if that!

Kidwise: Some love-making and lip-locks.

Posted in 2020, bollywood, directors, rating-PG, romance | 1 Comment

Movie Review : Jawaani Jaaneman

Posted on February 8, 2020 by amodini

Rating : 3.6/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2020
Running time : 2 hours 10 minutes
Director : Nitin Kakkar
Cast : Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Alaya Furniturewala, Faria Jalal, Kumud Mishra
Kid rating : PG

London-based 40 year old playboy Jaswinder “Jazz” Singh (Khan) is enjoying life as usual when he meets a pretty young thing. Said PYT reveals that there is a 33.33% chance Jazz could be her father. Jazz’s world turns on its head.

When I initially heard the “33.33%” dialog it appeared that this might be a remake of “Mamma Mia” – were there 2 more potential dads waiting to crawl out of the woodwork? Apparently not. Also, unaware of the story and watching an aging (and widening) Saif gyrate suggestively on the dance floor was a little repellant – I’m thinking another aging Bollywood hero unable to take on age gracefully! Thankfully the film turned quite a different corner with Tia’s arrival.

Jawaani Janneman is a different tack for a Hindi film, and Nitin Kakkar is the man to helm this. Kakkar, director of films like Filmistaan and Mitron, builds the storyline of JJ very well. The kahaani is revealed in little “jhatkas” (the bombshell, then the mom, and the boyfriend and so on …) which keeps up the interest. Kakkar also picks a fantastic supporting cast, from the fabulous Kumud Mishra (he plays Jazz’s brother) to veteran Farida Jalal (she plays Jazz’s mom).

Saif Ali Khan does a great job exuding exasperation at having his life interrupted, and a surprising (for Jazz) fatherly love for his new found daughter. Khan really does look good playing his age and the new-found-fatherhood act sits comfortably on his shoulders. Tabu as Ananya, Tia’s yogini mom is a hoot – only she can combine nonchalance and concern with such effectiveness! Debutante Alaya Furniturewala is confident and can act, unlike mom Pooja Bedi.

This was a fun, light watch and had humorous as well as poignant moments. Do see.

Kidwise: Pretty clean. Some suggestive dialog and innuendo which is why I go with the PG rating.

Posted in 2020, bollywood, drama, feel-good, goofy, humor, quirky, rating-PG, touchy-feely | Comments Off

Movie Review : Music Teacher

Posted on January 25, 2020 by amodini

Rating : 3.6/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2017
Running time : 1 hour 41 minutes
Director : Sarthak Dasgupta
Cast : Manav Kaul, Amrita Bagchi, Neena Gupta, Divya Dutta
Kid rating : PG13

Beni Madhav Singh (Manav Kaul) is a small-town music teacher, who makes a modest living in Shimla. When student Jyotsna (Amrita Bagchi) wins a singing competition and gets a shot at the big time, Beni is encouragement itself, but she is hesitant; Beni is all she wants. On his insistence she takes the opportunity and is catapulted to fame and fortune, far, far away from Beni.

When the film opens, it’s been 8 years and the love story has gone cold. But the small town is agog with excitement since Jyotsna Roy is coming to town for a concert. Beni, wallowing in memories, must face his conflicting emotions.

Music Teacher moves forwards and backwards in time, but is beautifully told. All the characters in the film, minor and major are well fleshed out, and we are truly invested in Beni’s life was we piece together the story. Kaul is a marvelous, understated actor (you might remember him from Tumhari Sulu) and Bagchi is no less. Neena Gupta as Beni’s mother manages to convey so much on screen; I especially liked the scene where she exhorts her son to go fulfill his dreams asking him “Are you happy?”

Director Sarthak Dasgupta has taken this love-tale and portrayed it very sensitively on screen. You feel for both Beni and Jyotsna, and the scene where they meet after a long, long time, he awkward and hesitant and she, unshed tears shimmering in kohl-laden eyes, was gorgeous and left me teary-eyed.

I can’t find a flaw in the film. It’s poetic, and tranquil, and so heartfelt. Quite lovely – do watch.

Kidwise: Some love-making scenes make this film a little PG-13-ish.

Posted in 2019, All Netflix, bollywood, directors, drama, Netflix Recommendations, rating-PG13, recommended, romance, WhaTWON | Comments Off

Movie Preview : Panga (releases 24th Jan, 2020)

Posted on January 18, 2020 by amodini

Panga stars Kangana Ranaut, Jassi Gill, Richa Chaddha and Neena Gupta and is about a national level kabaddi player striving to get back in the game at the ripe old age of 32 AND post-motherhood. Ashwini Iyer Tiwari (of Nil Battey Sannata fame) directs.

Posted in 2019, bollywood, directors, drama, New Films, Previews, women | Comments Off

Movie Review : Good Newwz (2019)

Posted on January 11, 2020 by amodini

Rating : Average (2.7/5)
Genre : Comedy
Year : 2019
Running time : 2 hours 12 minutes
Director : Raj Mehta
Cast : Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, Kiara Advani, Adil Hussain, Tisca Chopra
Kidwise : PG-15

Good Newwz milks the idea of IVF-mixups for comedy. In the film 2 couples both with the surname of Batra – Varun and Deepti (Akshay and Kareena), and Honey and Monika (Diljit and Kiara) go to the same IVF clinic run by the Drs Joshi (Adil Hussain and Tisca Chopra). However the clinic mismatches the egg and sperm, causing each Mrs Batra to be impregnated with the sperm of the other Mr. Batra.

The film then proceeds to tell us what happens when the hopeful couples hear of this. Varun and Deepti can’t countenance the overtly Punjabi (per Bollywood this is loud demeanor, flashy furniture, and a penchant for joviality) Batra couple from Chandigarh. So when Honey and Monika decide to move into the apartment atop theirs to watch over “their” child, tempers flare, and things go downhill from there.

While the initial setup is amusing – Varun and Deepti are city-bred professionals, while Honey and Monika are portrayed as simple-minded, wealthy yokels – this hilarity soon gets old. There are some actually funny moments, but on the whole there is precious little happening in the film. The first half flies by in the setup, but the second half drags. Good Newwz is about 2 hours long but that is 1 hour too many.

We atleast get a sense of who Varun and Deepti are – Honey and Monika are merely shallow props for the comedy. And because this is a Dharma production, each punchline is accompanied by sound effects. Good Newwz gets annoying and stupid pretty fast, and is saved only by the comic timing of its 4 stars and Adil Hussain and Tisca Chopra (of Chutney fame) who manage to make the best of some dumb dialogs and situations. Besides all that, you also get mucho moralizing: sermons on how motherhood is the most fulfilling role of a woman, and of how abortion is a sin.

Good Newwz is at best a one-time watch – brave it if you will.

Kidwise: Some bird-and-bees talk and implied action. Also detailed descriptions of the IVF procedure. The film does not devolve into vulgarity like it could have – Thank Heaven for small mercies!

Posted in 2019, bollywood, comedy, cringe-worthy, goofy, rating-PG15 | Comments Off

Movie Preview : Chhapaak (releases 10 January, 2020)

Posted on January 4, 2020 by amodini

Chhapaak is based on the real-life story of acid attack survivor Laxmi. Deepika Padukone and Vikrant Massey star. Megan Gulzar directs.

Posted in 2019, bio-pic, bollywood, crime, drama, New Films, Previews, real-life-based, social issues, women | Comments Off

The Best Hindi Movies of 2019

Posted on December 31, 2019 by amodini

10. Mardaani 2

Rani Mukerji’s cop drama takes up the last slot. Interesting, but not as impressive as its prequel, Mardaani 2 is a relevant for-the-times drama featuring a fearless policewoman in pursuit of a cold-blooded killer.

9. Super 30

Hrithik essays an unlikely role for him – an earthy, earnest, brave, Bihari teacher determined to provide an education and opportunities for children mired in poverty, even at great cost to himself. Based on real-life, this film is well-made and aimed at your heart-strings.

8. Chhichhore

Sushant Singh Rajput and Shradhha Kapoor star in this crowd-pleaser of a film. Humor-laden and infused with nostalgia Chhichhore has a large cast which it uses to great effect to deliver an important message.

7. The Sky Is Pink

Priyanka Chopra Jonas returns to the screen after a long while along with co-star Fahan Akhtar as parents of the feisty Aisha, a child born with a rare and fatal disease. Director Shonali Bose helms this beautiful film which is based on a true story.

6. Saand ki Aankh

Bhumi Pednekar and Taapsee Pannu star as Parkashi and Chandro Tomar, champion shooters, who find their voice and their courage to empower their daughters and grand-daughters. This lovely, feel-good film is a triumph for the real-life Tomar women.

5. Sonchiriya

This intense, gripping film about a band of dacoits, and the struggle to do the right thing amidst corruption and evil stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranveer Shourie, Bhumi Pednekar and Ashutosh Rana.

4. Uri

Vicky Kaushal delivers the goods in this energetic, josh-filled war film about a surgical strike by army commandoes. Uri is spare and strong, slick and gritty, and an engrossing watch.

3. Bala

Ayushmann Khurana is Balamukund Shukla who is slowly losing his hair and hating it. Unable to face reality, superficial Bala resorts to various ghar-ke-nuskhe and wigs, but the truth has a way of revealing itself, much to Bala’s embarrassment.

2. Article 15

This unassuming film about a young, honest cop and his struggle to persevere against all odds bring Article 15 in at #2. Ayushmann Khurana is fabulous as Ayan Ranjan, a modern, well-educated police officer struggling to remove the stranglehold of caste, creed and related violence in his community.

1. Gully Boy

Zoya Akhtar directs this coming-of-age tale about young slum-dweller Murad who channels his frustration and angst into poetry and rap. Ranveeer Singh and Alia Bhatt deliver strong performances to make Gully Boy the best Hindi film of 2019.

Posted in 2019, action, annual roundup, Best hindi movies, bollywood, directors, drama, Good Hindi Movies To Watch, Hindi Movies List, lists, mini-reviews, outstanding, recommended, romance, social issues, suspense, Top 10 | 1 Comment

Movie Review : Mardaani 2

Posted on December 28, 2019 by amodini

Rating : Good (3.7/5)
Genre : Drama
Year : 2019
Running time : 1 hour 43 minutes
Director : Gopi Puthran
Cast : Rani Mukerji, Vishwa Jethwa, Prasanna Ketkar, Taswi Singh Ahlawat
Kidwise : PG-15

Where Mardaani dealt with child sex-trafficking, Mardaani 2 deals with the rape/murder of women. Here fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy must find a serial rapist, who preys on women by assuming a helpful, non-threatening demeanor.

When Kota’s ACP Shivani Roy is called to the scene of a grisly rape and murder, she is appalled at the inhumanity of the crime, and the brutality with which the perpetrator has tortured his victim. With public outrage growing at the perceived incompetence of the police, ACP Roy is determined to get the sadistic rapist, but he is wily and targets her instead.

Director Gopi Puthran delivers a solid, well-paced film, and Mardaani 2 delivers some facts and numbers along with the drama. ACP Roy takes a stand against rampant sexism by fighting back against the smirking condescension she faces from peers and superiors. There is also the pressure to be in control but not too stridently.

Mukerjee is in top form, and the Vishal Jethwa as the insouciant, cold-blooded perpetrator is impressive. As before, Mardaani 2’s heroine delivers justice while playing to the crowd’s sentiments. When compared to films like Soni, Mardaani 2 is superficial because it points to the symptom but not to the malady, and the harder questions that brings. However it is still important because it focuses on rampant violence against women.

Kidwise: A film for older kids. Grisly violence is implied.

Posted in 2019, bollywood, crime, dark, drama, rating-PG15, social issues, suspense, women | 1 Comment

Movie Preview : Dabangg 3 (releases 20th December 2019)

Posted on December 7, 2019 by amodini

Another Dabangg; this ones seems the silliest of the three. And it is directed by Prabhudeva, so hope is almost lost. Villain Sudeep looks impressive, and Mahesh Manjrekar’s daughter Saiee Manjrekar makes her debut.

Posted in 2019, bollywood, drama, Previews | Comments Off

What To Watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime – Edition #33

Posted on December 1, 2019 by amodini

-Unbelievable (Netflix, Series)

The series is based on the true life story of Marie Adler, a young woman who’s moved from foster home to foster home. She’s finally starting to find friends and some confidence as she settles into a program for disturbed youth, when she is raped by a masked intruder in her apartment. The nightmare intensifies when the police begin to doubt her version of the story.

In a parallel storyline in a different American city, two female detectives Grace Rasmussen and Karen Duvall(the fabulous Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) are starting to investigate a serial rapist . . .

– Modern Love (Amazon Prime, Series)

This is an 8 episode series, each an independent romantic story, based on a weekly column published by the New York Times. The stories are very different, from one about an obsessive doorman who judges a young woman’s boyfriends, to the tale of a find-love-appmaker who can’t find love himself.

The series has a large star cast – Anne Hathway, Dev Patel, Tina Fey, Cristin Milotti and many more. I loved the series because of its whimsical nature and feel-goodness. Also I wept buckets 🙂

– The Spy (Netflix, Series)

This is another true life tale of notorious Mossad agent Eli Cohen who goes undercover and infiltrates the Syrian government. He has the ear of the powerful and becomes very close to the President. The series starts from the time Cohen’s cover is blown and when he is arrested by the Syrians and tells the story via flashback. Sacha Baron Cohen (of Borat fame) plays Eli Cohen beautifully.

– Outlander (Netflix, Series)

Outlander is based on books of the same name by Marie Gabaldon. I’ve read the first one, and am a fan because of the time-traveling aspect. It is about World War II nurse Claire Randall who in 1946, is suddenly transported back in time to 1743. There, Claire is immediately thrust in danger and is rescued by the gallant Highland warrior James Fraser.

– Marcella (Netflix, Series)

Marcella Backland (Anna Friel) is a London detective who has returned to work after a span of many years. At work, she reopens a cold case of a serial killer, and at home must deal with her husband who’s getting ready to leave her. Friel plays Marcella with an arresting intensity, and this series is one of the best I’ve seen (of the same calibre as “Broadchurch” and “Happy Valley”).