A Movie Freak Unofficial

Movie Series-Comedy Saturday

Review-While the world continues to fall apart, all we want is to watch something that will make us laugh, isn't it?Now more than ever, the world could use a laugh.These madly comic films are a proof that great comedies fuse wit and wisdom and chaos and creativity with equal parts stupidity and sophistication.

1.The Big Sick (Prime Video )
2.Phir Hera Pheri (Zee5)
3.The Hangover (Prime Video)
3.Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (Prime Video)

Series-Slice of Life Saturday

For many of us, movies are one of the best ways to relax and enjoy.Irrespective of whether you're tensed, sad, heartbroken or just frustrated - a good 'feel good' movie, can always make you feel better!
Here are four such movies to make your weekend good !

1.Jerry Maguire (Zee5)
2.Dear Zindagi (Netflix)
3.As Good as it Gets (Netflix)
4.Dil Dhadakne Do (Netflix)

Series -This is US (Prime Video )
Genre -Family Drama

Review -Having heard a lot about this NBC series and raving of critics ,kinda regret the delay.'This is US' is refreshing and one that touches your heart.
It is a story of a couple and their three children through love ,life and loss. The Pearson's not just take you hooked on their journey but make you a part of their world.The travel to past ,present and future is the best i have seen till date ,which even makes it a mystery at some time.
Being so accustomed to sci-fi ,tech, political drama ,this is a story about family which we all need in today's times .This series is modern and old fashioned at the same time. Creator Dan Fogelman is at his best here.The cast is just so real you actually presume them to be a family.Watch it to let the Big Three take you on a heartwarming journey of lifetime.

Short Film-Natkhat (Youtube)

Review-Where does a persons learning begin .We all believe it to be schools ,but home is where the learning begins .
Natkhat, a 33 minute short, underlines the fact that home is where we learn the values which shape us, and makes us who we are.Natkhat is one of the four Indian films selected by MAMI, which is screening at the on-going global film festival, ‘We Are One’.
This beautiful story of the role of a mother in shaping up ones ideologies and value system is well executed.It is based on one of the ideologies i strongly believe in that strong women can only educate their sons to respect women ,the basic foundation of gender quality. Vidya Balan as an actor is so compelling that we forget the star she is.The director Shyan Vyas is back with a bang like his debut film Kshay which is also a great watch.
Watch this new film on the block !

Short Film-Toto (Youtube)

Review-
Toto premiering on We Are One: A Global Film Festival is a sweet yet heartbreaking story of an older woman and her robot.The thirteen-minute short film bleeds sweetness, and the final act of Toto will break your heart. As Nonna, Rosa Forlano gives a fantastic performance of the hard-chiseled grandmother, who, against her better judgment, opens her heart to her mechanical friend.

As a film, it’s a study of contrasts. The contrast between the older, wrinkled Rosa set against her new smooth robot friends is beautiful and funny. I also love the production design contrasting the modern, suburban home of today with a single piece of futuristic technology .It’s an excellent short from start to finish. Great writing, production design, and acting is the reason to watch Toto.

Sci-Fi Saturday-
Sometimes, it's nice to escape the day-to-day and get immersed in the futuristic worlds of science fiction.When it comes to great movies, there's no film genre as infinitely creative or original as sci-fi , which provides windows into potential, often cataclysmic futures and fictional universes.And these are the best works of cinematic fiction that have been told about our tomorrows, today :

1.Star Wars (Disney+Hotstar)
2. 2001-A Space Odyssey (Netflix)
3.Matrix (Prime Video)
3.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Netflix)

Village Rockstars ( Netflix)
Genre-Drama

Review-A 1h 27min film on Netflix by Rima Das, An Assamese lady one-in-all guerrilla film director, producer, editor, screenwriter, cinematographer, production. The story showcases a young village girl in northeast India who wants to start her own rock band. This film is absolutely natural and beautiful

Village Rockstars depicts the story of a young girl and her mother from a small village in Assam.It shows us a positive approach to life.
Village Rockstars epitomises the trials and tribulations, and heralds the coming of age, of a filmmaker, of her protagonist, and of the indie film movement in India.The film might be difficult for few to understand the language but if you are ready to watch something beautiful, this is it. It allows to appreciate the beauty of nature while staying home.

Movie -Legally Blonde (Netflix)
Genre-Romantic Comedy
Review-Legally Blonde is a charming tale with the moral that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
Reese Witherspoon brought one of her most iconic characters to the screen in 2001's Legally Blonde. The actress appears as Elle Woods, an ambitious student who heads to Harvard in order to prove herself to her ex-boyfriend.
The cast in the film do a good job. The pacing is tight. The script is well-written and there's a lot of humour in the film. There's not a lot of innovative stuff happening, but the movie is produced meticulously. Thanks to the film's quirky comedy, fabulous fashion, and believe-in-yourself even-when-others-don't message, this film is one of the best feel-good movies out there. But remember, to fully appreciate the movie, be sure to try a little bend and snap for yourself if you're willing and able.

Movie-Exam (Google Play, Youtube)
Genre-Mystery Thriller

Review-When I think of a good intelligent thriller , one movie always sticks with me -Exam. Eight candidates for a highly desirable corporate job are locked together in an exam room and given a final test with just one seemingly simple question. However, it doesn't take long for confusion to ensue and tensions to unravel.

The whole film is set in the single room where the exam takes place and was clearly filmed on a low budget. No big effects, no CGI, just a good old fashioned plot with superb character development and a script that get your grey matter working. You really get caught up in it all as you try and solve the puzzle with them, and it really is very engaging. The direction and acting were both very good and it's amazing how much they achieved with so little.
Exam” succeeds in keeping a high level of suspense that also keeps the viewing audience glued to the story as a participate themselves. I highly recommend this well written film that is easily one of the films to stay with you .

Suspense Saturday

Thrillers never, ever, ever go out of fashion. No matter what else is happening in cinema, audiences always want films that get their hearts racing.
To be fair, we're never likely to get bored of chases, suspense and drama. But what's often forgotten is that thrillers are where a lot of the most innovative and distinctive writers and directors do their best stuff – after all, thrillers live or die by keeping audiences intrigued, so filmmakers are always exploring new ways to ratchet up the stress.
Here are some best thrillers :

1.Se7en (Netflix)
2.Andhadhun (Netflix)
3.L.A.Confidential (Prime Video)
4.Drishyam (Disney+Hotstar)

Web Series-Bang Baaja Baaraat (Youtube)
Genre-Romantic Comedy

Review-Y-Films’ ‘Bang Baaja Baaraat’ is a five-episode mini web series that explores the train-wreck of a marriage between two youths from vastly different backgrounds who met over Tinder. What follows is a mess of relationships and clashing traditions that raises the bar of rom-com.

Bang Baaja Baaraat takes a clever turn from the typical big, fat Indian wedding by incorporating new elements that are a welcome break from the generic shows on Indian weddings. The modern twist, coupled with the messy dynamics of relationships, makes the show refreshing to watch. It addresses many issues of contemporary relationships and explores different perspectives that subvert the conventional view of marriage.

In addition to being a well-written rom-com, Bang Baaja Baaraat has some lessons to teach. It takes a fresh approach to relationships in general and probes into unexplored subjects.

Web Series-Zindagi Gulzar Hai (Netflix,Youtube)
Genre-Drama

Review-A series too close to my heart and one where i have lost count of no of times i have binged watched it. I watched the first and binged watched right through the night uptil the end.This show brought the pakistani content on global viewing.Based on a book by Umera Ahmed, the television show has the feel of a novel being narrated.Each episode can have a seperate review considering the depth of each scene.
The drama draws parallels of the lives of Kashaf (Sanam Saeed) and Zaroon (Fawad Khan), who belong to different strata of society. It beautifully potrays the trials and tribulations of its leads and showcases the daily life in an exceptional manner.

The direction, cinematography and screenplay are just phenomenal in this show..The beautifully written dialogue, superbly rendered by the two protagonists are the stand out feature of this romantic drama. The background score is amazing in its subtle and subdued presentation. The acting of all the actors is flawless but Fawad and Sanam Saeed steel your heart.The supportong actors are just phenomenal in this show, all make a place in our heart.

The characters are flawed and believable. Situations relatable. Fighting through life in the quest to figure out what one wants, discovering happiness and companionship on the way, is same for all of us. In varying degrees at various stages of our life we have each gone through moments of defeat that eventually precede some gratifying and satisfying interlude. Zindagi Gulzar Hai superbly manages to capture all this and more.If you want to see a beautifully crafted sensitive tale, with consistently good acting, this might be your pick for you but guaranteed this show has the power to transform everyone.

Web Series-Paatal Lok (Prime Video)
Genre-Crime Thriller

Review-In its evident attempt to produce a show on par with Netflix’s Sacred Games, Amazon Prime might have unwittingly outdone itself. It is Amazon India's best since Made in Heaven.

The plot is of A down and out cop who lands the case of a lifetime when four suspects are nabbed in the assassination attempt of a journalist. The pursuit of it leads him to 'Paatal Lok', and to shocking discoveries in the past of the four suspects.Inspired by the ancient realms of heaven, earth, and Hades, this Neo-Noir series revolves around the game played within the four pillars of democracy.

It is starkingly dark drama with terrific performances from all actors.This is a seemingly different drama which dwells into each characters backstory which is novel to Indian OTT platform.
Jaideep Ahalwat as Cop Hathiram Chaudhry is brilliant and holds the show. Neeraj Kabi as Media Baron Sanjeev Mehra is excellent and matches the sophisticated looks well. Abhishek Banarjee as 'Vishal Hathoda Tyagi' may have a small important role but very impactful. He speaks through his eyes.
Some of the scenes in Patal Lok will give you goosebumps and will stay with you for long.It is an ambitious show in terms of narrative and theme and succeds at it.Hold onto after the first episode as the makers take some time to hook the audience. Watch it to see a good drama, suspense, edgy story and good acting.

Movie Series- Date Night Movies

Date night will be happening at home for the foreseeable future, so, instead of heading to the movie theater, we'll all be heading to our couches. Rather than watching our favorite TV series for the third time, why not stream a movie that will keep the spirit of date night alive? From period romances to LOL-worthy comedies, there's something on this list for everyone.

1.Pretty Woman (Netflix, Disney+)
2.Love Actually (Netflix)
3.Me Before You (Netflix)
4.My Best Friends Wedding (Netflix)
5.Dirty Dancing (Netflix)

Movie Name - The Intern (Prime Video )
Genre-Comedy
Review-This movie might not be a one with huge critical acclaim or user ratings ,but this one has its heart in the right place, and added to it is the magic of Robert de Niro and Anne Hathaway.

The Intern is the story of Seventy-year-old widower Ben Whittaker who discovers that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.

This movie is a light hearted family drama where the one who comes to be mentored becomes the mentee all the way along .Robert De Niro with his charismatic persona and cinematic excellence proves why he is a legend.Anne Hathaway gets the todays working women who wants it all right from the first shot.Watch it to let this warm movie make it to your heart !

Movie Name-Queen (Voot ,Sony Liv)
Genre-Comedy Drama

Review-Queen’ directed by Vikas Bahl was undoubtedly the movie of 2014. It brought Kangana Ranaut into the league of the top actresses and she went on to win a National Award for the film. The film is about Rani (Kangana Ranaut), who is dumped by her fiancé just a day before their wedding. Heartbroken, Rani decides to go on her honeymoon alone to Paris and Amsterdam and it is on this trip that she finds out her strengths and discovers her true self. ‘Queen’ is that one movie you need to watch if you are going through a terrible break-up phase. The movie is inspiring, rejuvenating and everything that you want in a ‘feel good’ film. And I am sure that a lot of people must have had thoughts of going on a single honeymoon like Rani after watching it! Kangana Ranaut as ‘Rani’ gives one of the best performances by an Indian actress ever. From the shy, under confident girl, she transforms into this beautiful woman who has learnt to experience the joys of life to the fullest! ‘Queen’ is one of the best Bollywood has done in recent times and you just cannot miss it!

Web Series-House of Cards (Netflix)
Genre-Political Drama

Review-Probably my favourite show till date, this Kevin spacey political thriller is some of the best work the man has ever done. Although Spacey’s name was tarnished, the stellar show still went on to win numerous awards for its brilliantly woven storyline.
The show features Kevin spacey and Robin wright as husband and wife, plotting to reach the white house. Their calculated manipulation, ruthlessness, and their disregard for anything but each other, sets them on a dangerous path towards presidency. Murder, treachery, and intelligence are some of the main themes in the series. .
The quality of writing, directing, and storytelling is as good as you'll ever see on the best shows in the world right now. Each and every character has a critical role to play - there's no characters you could cast aside as being irrelevant or unnecessary to the story. That is a very difficult feat to achieve, and House of Cards easily passes that test.
If you are not into politics but want to know how the democracy runs in United States ,this show is just for you.A must watch for every one who loves a good political thriller.

Movie-Natsamrat (Netflix ,Mx Player)
Genre-Family Drama

Review-Natsamrat is a brilliant but tragic story of a veteran theatre actor portrayed by Nana Patekar. After his retirement from the stage and conflicts with family, he’s forced to live a life of poverty and eventually enters a delusional mental state. The film has powerful performances and a story line that will move you.While the film is an unabashed showcase of Nana Patekar’s prowess as an actor, Vikram Gokhale as Rambhau is equally compelling.

Natsamrat is a very old-fashioned melodramatic morality tale, and that’s the highest compliment I can pay this extraordinarily rich emotional drama. In an era of 'fast-food films' this film is like an aromatic home-made thaali — the vegetables that are cooked with the purest home-ground spices.
But just a heads up, the movie is emotionally intense, so avoid watching this if you’re already feeling anxious or low.

Short Film-The Neighbors Window (Youtube)

Review-Films that are consistently authentic and relatable are tough to come by. The Neighbors’ Window is one of those few special films.
It tells the story of a middle aged woman with small children whose life is shaken up when two free-spirited twenty-somethings move in across the street.
While the cinematography of the film is exceptional, boasting stunning images of New York City at night, what truly makes the movie unique is its authenticity.
It is a story of love, loss, and most importantly, a reminder to be grateful for what you have and where you’re at.

Mothers Day Playlist

Mother's Day doesn't always have to be about going out to a fancy restaurant, taking her to the spa, or bringing her on a shopping spree. It can be about lounging indoors, ordering takeout, and watching a movie! And with no options with current pandemic but to spend time indoors ,lets watch a movie with Mom.

I've rounded up the best movies to watch with mom. Whether you are yearning for a good group cry or are in search of hours of giggles on the couch, these films are the perfect excuse to spend the afternoon with your mumma.So just Netflix and Chill:

1.Mothers Day
2.Mothers and Daughters
3.English Vinglish
4.Mamma Mia !
5.Bird Box

Shakespeare Saturdays

It’s testament to the timeless quality of Shakespeare’s stories that more than 400 years after they were written, they’re still being adapted for film.
Hollywood as well as Bollywood has returned to the Bard for inspiration time and again, right from the earliest days of film, through to the golden age and more contemporary offerings – the world, it seems, will never tire of his tales.
We’ve had loyal adaptations that stick rigidly to Shakespeare’s prose, ones that transport his words to new times and places, and films so subtle that you might never know they were influenced by his plays at all.
Here are some of the best adaptations of Shakespeare's plays:

1.Lion King-Based on Hamlet (Hotstar)
2.Maqbool -Based on Macbeth (Hotstar)
3.Ran-Based on King Lear(Prime Video)
4 Romeo Juliet (1996)(Prime Video)
5.10 Things I hate about You -Based on The Taming of the Shrew.(Hotstar)

Web Series -Modern Love (Prime Video)
No of Seasons -1
Genre-Romantic Comedy
Review-A weekly column in the New York Times, a podcast, a book and now also a television series, Modern Love tells eccentric stories of love and betrayals in eight half-hour episodes. The standalone tales, though introduce clichéd (read: classic) elements of relationships they allow the viewers to see love in different perspectives.
In 8 episodes of 30 min each ,Expect the love story of a neurotic book reviewer, a same-sex couple, a middle-aged duo, a woman with a bipolar personality, a dating app owner and many more such people. And by presenting so, the show makes a strong case against a one-size-fits-all representation of romance as seen in several works on celluloid and in books. It will give you food for thought, but also make you question the individual plots at times, owing to their often-peculiar nature.

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Movie Name -Inside Out (Disney +Hotstar)
Genre-Animation

Review-As it is World Cartoonists Day ,what better day than today to talk about this magical animated movie which will play an important role in years to come to teach children how to deal with ones emotions.

Inside Out is an animated comedy about a girl named Riley (voice of Kaitlyn Dias), who is uprooted from her life in the US Midwest when her father gets a new job in San Francisco. Riley is largely guided by her emotions, each of which is shown as an actual character. There is Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness (voiced by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, and Mindy Kaling). Inside Out is an interesting animated comedy. Its complex story shows that it’s important for you to experience a full range of emotions, even negative emotions like sadness. This lets you appreciate positive times and also helps to enrich your life. The movie suggests that it’s important to show your emotions too, so that other people will know when you need care and attention, especially when you don’t have the words to say what you need.It’s a movie that will stay in your memory – and your heart – for a long time to come.

Movie -Shwaas (Prime Video)
Genre-Drama

Review-A National Award winning movie that was India’s official entry at the 2004 Oscars; Shwaas was a game changer for the Marathi Film industry. A child suffering from retinoblastoma and his grandfather's struggle to make the child come to terms with the prospect of losing his sight. It is about keeping a positive attitude towards life.
Even though it was made with a very low-budget, the movie received a lot of critical acclaim.This is movie with a heart and the stars literally lit up the screen with their amazing skill. Its surely a must watch...subtitles make it easy for everyone to. A story so well told with wonderful depth. It's not often that you get such plots to watch.

Movie-My Life As a Zucchini (Netflix)
Genre-Comedy Drama

Review-Pixar and DreamWorks aren’t the only companies making animated films. Sure, their movies become phenomena, but history will be kinder to some of the small pieces of animation from around the world, such as this moving French stop-motion dramedy by Claude Barras; it’s a movie that transcended borders to such a degree it was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. This is one of those animations that’s not quite for kids — it opens with its protagonist accidentally killing his mother, which leads to his being taken to an orphanage. What unfolds is an episodic look at childhood through the kids who live there. Generally, its best to watch foreign films subtitled, but the English dub here is very engaging and includes voice work by Nick Offerman, Amy Sedaris, and Will Forte.

Superheroes Saturday-

Since we’re inside lockdown due to COVID-19, most of us are in hope for things to reset to normal. Here’s a big shout out to the, nurses, doctors, police who are the real heroes in these grave times .
Speaking of heroes, one of the best things to do nowadays is watching superhero movies.In times of trouble, people love to escape reality though fiction, and superheroes are, at their core, the ultimate power fantasy. There’s a lot of movies to choose from, but judging from today’s taste, only a few can make it to the top. Here's a list of top 5 Superhero Movies to watch During Quarantine:

1.Marvel’s The Avengers – Amazon Prime
2.Avengers: Endgame – Disney+
3.Guardians of the Galaxy – Disney+
4.Iron Man – Disney+
5.Wonder Woman – Amazon Prime

Web Series-Rise (Youtube)
No of Episodes -4 (Avg 15min each)

Review-Rise is one of the most under rated web series i have come across.It is a fun web series, but one that tackles the practical realities of our lives. It is a story that most of us experience in some or the other form and that is what got me excited about the story.
The story of an average Indian guy, who is into total 9 to 5 job culture, where he got fired. The story is all about how he is rising and tacking his beautiful experience of failure. By his real life experience,the story tell us that there are many things which will give us inspiration to live in present moment, and also to listen to your heart only.For anyone looking for a fresh perspective on life, Rise is a must-watch.

Remembering Rishi Kapoor

A day after the loss of thespian Irrfan Khan, the nation woke up to another blow-Rishi Kapoor. His loss left everyone heart broken and left a void in Indian Cinema.
He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through his years of illness. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him.
His impressive filmography of over 150 films included movies like Bobby, Chandni, Karz, Saagar, etc. that not only went on to become blockbuster hits but also charted a new path for Indian cinema.
I remember his filmography with his second innings of character roles which brought even the younger generations in his fan following.Here's remembering his some films to keep him alive with his work:

1.Mulk (Zee5)
2.Kapoor and Sons (Netflix)
3.102 Not Out (Prime Video)
4.Do Dooni Char (Netflix,Prime Video)
5.D Day (Prime Video)

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An Ode to Irrfan Khan

As the country woke up to the tragic news of Irrfan Khan’s death, it left everyone to shock .The legendary Bollywood actor, who had spent his life giving us iconic films like The Lunchbox, Namesake, and Life of Pi, passed away .If you look back at Khan’s filmography, you’ll notice that his films always created an impact, even if his role was a relatively smaller one. He never shied away from experimenting, from putting himself out there.
The surreality that Irrfan brought to the big screen via the diverse characters he played in films will be cherished forever.An ode to an artist is always by reminiscing his art .So here’s some of his work you can cherish:

1.Talvar (Netflix,Hotstar)
2.Piku (Sony Liv)
3.Hindi Medium(Prime Video)
4.Paan Singh Tomar (Netflix,Prime Video)
5.Life in a Metro (Netflix)