Sunday 31 October 2021

OPERATION JAVA (MALAYALAM) (2021)


Based on few episodes in the Cyber Crime Cell of Kochi, where two jobless youth who are good with cyberspace assist the cops, this is a very well made thriller.

The cases range from combating movie piracy to morphed porn clips and even murders in cold blood, with financial frauds and the usual thrown in.

Director Tharun Moorthy has crafted a film benefits from neat writing which weaves in emotions while including just the right dose of humour and pathos along with crisp editing and a racy score from Jakes Bejoy elevate the movie. 

I liked it a lot.


AN EFFICIENT THRILLER !!

PS - Streaming on ZEE5


Saturday 30 October 2021

DUNE (ENGLISH) (2021)

DUNE

At long last, after almost half a century, author Frank Herbert's pathbreaking sci-fi novel (published in 1965) gets a worthy movie adaptation. Dune, which has spawned 14 more novels as prequels and sequels and continues to grow, remains the defining benchmark for sci-fi world building.

The story is set several thousands of years into the future when mankind lords over several galaxies with highly evolved physical and mental capabilities. It is a future that unfolds thousands of years after humankind overcomes the challenge from thinking machines which threatened to enslave humankind.

At a basic level, it might follow the familiar template of an action adventure set in a desolate planet where a young prince leads an oppressed clan against a cruel villain who had killed his father to usurp a rightful throne. 

While Dune captures only half of the first book in the series, there is no doubt whatsoever that this is an epic movie in almost every dimension as the entire team from the ensemble cast to the technical crew have risen to deliver exceptional contributions. This movie also sets a high watermark in seamlessly weaving together breathtaking real life imagery from stunning landscapes and spectacular CGI to deliver jaw dropping frames with finesse.




In his interviews, director Denis Villeneuve has confessed that this has been a passion project as it marks the realization of his long cherished childhood dream to see Dune on the big screen. And..  the painstaking efforts of the entire team is amply evident in the level of detailing that has been devoted in making every frame of this grand saga. The director effortlessly translates the expansive universe of Dune to cinema as he delivers an adaptation that is mesmerizing and marvelous in equal measure which magically transports the viewers to this dreamy landscape.

This is as much an ode to the book as it is to the big screen movie experience, even more so as it marks the opening of cinemas across the world. Frank Herbert would have gladly approved of this majestic masterpiece which redefines movie magic for our times. 

Move over Star Wars and LOTR ... Dune heralds its arrival to take over the throne as defining movie experience of our times with a monumental masterpiece. 

An EPIC SPECTACLE ! 

A MUST WATCH !!



PS - Watch it on the biggest IMAX screen possible. ... & thereafter, start reading the books.






Monday 18 October 2021

HOUSE OF SECRETS - THE BURARI DEATHS (HINDI) (WEB-SERIES) (2021)

This documentary, spanning three episodes, seeks to unravel the mystery behind a chilling incident which happened in Delhi in 2018. 

An entire family consisting of 11 members - three generations with ages ranging between 15 to 85 - were found dead. 

Was it mass suicide...? 
Or... A well planned massacre ....? 
Or... Something even beyond that...?

The episodes sift through multiple pieces of evidence and accounts from several sources to deconstruct the dense mystery.

HIGHLY DISTURBING & DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, this docu-series is nevertheless a must watch for it forces the viewers to reflect on the fault lines that remain hidden below the seemingly normal surface of our society.

A MUST WATCH !

PS - Streaming on Netflix

BAWAAL (HINDI) (2023)

In Bawaal, starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) directs a drama about a young couple set in modern Lu...