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Reviews
Operation Valentine (2024)
Decent Film with Good Arial Action
Based on a true story "Operation Valentine" is a decent aerial action drama based on the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack and the Indian Air Force's retaliatory Balakot Air Strikes. What is refreshing compared to Yodha is that Operation Valentine does not show Pakistani Air Force to be dumbos. Personally, I found the visual effects and cinematography to be fairly descent, especially the aerial dog fights. First half is a bit slow, but the second half picks up and visually exceeds expectations. In some ways There are comparisons being drawn to Fighter and hence the lower rating but personally I found the film to be a lighter and more realistic version of Fighter and better than Agnipankh, the film is fun to watch. Not sure about the Telegu version (there are mixed reviews) but the Hindi version had decent dialogues.
Major (2022)
Avoidable Movie with Loads of Factual Errors
A Naval aspirant is interviewed by Officers in Army Fatigue... Even before acceptance, the guy wears full Navy uniform to a private party!! Is this a fashion show?! What is shown can be considered as impersonation!! Letter of acceptance/rejection is mailed home... Under water test is in full pant and dress... Half pant in Officers Mess?!
Mission training of para sf seems to be so basic, looks like NDA cadet training. NSG busses are ready and in standby in the main Mumbai terminal, NSG enters hotel lobby in big but close cluster and Officer-in-charge goes straight to express sadness on a dead dog not on the human massacre all around. The rest of the group follows him without securing perimeter or anything for that matter. Grenades blow up like C4!! Special Forces are shooting without reloading clips. Girl hangs outside window sil on fingertips, like Rambo or say Supergirl!! And the list goes on and on... Last but not the least Army officer coming to an army party late on a regular basis and not just being excused for it but the incident is laghed off!!
Then of course the over dramatisation of everything!! Avoid... Blatant Factual Errors l!!
Yodha (2024)
Average Plot with High Level Action
The movie is fast moving and full of action. The action actually wins over the weak and unbelievable plot. The editing is so taut, that there is no scope for boredom. Stunts are impressive and the VFX, especially aerial are fairly good. What is refreshing is the absence of the typical Dharma Production song and dance, and unlike many, I feel the music was part of the plot without disrupting the film flow. The stunning visuals of Kashmir and Ladakh are an added attraction, with a great view of Central Delhi. The cinematography is absorbing.
Though most of the story is unbelievable (all MI movie plots are unbelievable) but this movie has many technical suggestions vis-a-vis a hijack, which are perhaps, achievable and therefore, unsettling.
The reason for the rating is the absence and ineffectiveness of the Indian and Pakistani Elite Forces. Unfortunately, because of hyper nationalism, the Pakistani SSG, Black Storks and Maroon Berets who are also well trained and ranked 8th among world elite forces, have been shown to be completely ineffective and even if the character of Arun, played by Siddharth Malhotra is part of something like Special Group (4 Vikas), the character in the second half has been shown to be larger than life and almost "Rambo-like" in the major showdown. Which is unfortunate as the first half actually managed to establish Arun as human and his failures as part of life. Also absent from the showdown are the SPG in charge of Indian PM security. The best parts are the female antagonists vs male fight scenes. The physical action is well choreographed and believable. Alas, the third and last scene of the movie involving the tri-colour smoke grenade is so over the top, visually, that it spoils everything.
The Recruit (2022)
FUNNY NAIL-BITING THRILLER
The Recruite is about a new young CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks (played by Noah Centineo) with no specific field training, gets accidentally involved in a major covert operation which turns lethal, very fast.
Season 1 is about how Owen gets Max (played by Laura Haddock), a former asset of the Agency, out of prison so the CIA can use her again as a key Belarus asset.
The series is by far one of the best that has ever been on Netflix. It's funny, witty, with lots of nail-biting action and romance and can be watched with family. The Recruite takes an especially cynical and satiric look at the CIA where no one trusts anyone else, everyone is pulling others down to get ahead and they all speak to each other in code and riddles to keep from disclosing facts and liability.
What I like best about it is that it's violent but not gory, and though everyone seems to be bad and pulling everyone else down but yet, it's funny!!
Neev (1991)
Realistic Boarding School Series
Shot in Scindia School, Gwalior, The (13 episode long) show is one of the most realistic depictions of the life of students in a higher secondary boarding school. The story starts with newcomer students Satish and Anurag Sharma joining the school. Shahnaz is their dominating classmate, whose father Mr Khan is a kind and understanding housemaster. Actor Ali Asgar also plays a student. Headboy of the school is Rakesh Kapoor. His friends are Chatterjee, a geek, and Sabby and they have a rival group with schoolmate Francis.
The show revolves around the lives of students, their separation from family and how they adjust to life in a boarding school. Teacher-student relationship and the role of teachers and school in shaping young minds has been depicted well. It deals with pranks, academics, inter-house rivalry, sports, The characters are shaped well, showing both their positives and vulnerabilities.
Though it's a 1990s series most issues are still very much relevant and youngsters of today will enjoy watching it, for sure.
Guns & Roses (2004)
SHORT CRISP THRILLER
Good plot, short, crisp and fast moving series of 27 episodes, with strong female characters and fantastic acting, this series is a MUST WATCH!! Also known as Bandook aur Gulaab in Dailymotion. (Episodes available)
A fast moving thriller based on a fictional town in Goa, Guns & Roses follows the struggle of the protagonist, Divya (Neeru Bajwa) a widower on a mission to avenge the brutal murder of her husband after the police and law system fails her. The murder is the result of mistaken identity at the hands of men from the underworld gangstar Parasuram Bardez takes Divya to Barangeli.
The fictional town of Barangeli has host of illegal activities which includes everything from smuggling, drugs and extortion to murder under the guise of numerous happening businesses mostly owned by the Bardez empire.
Divya soon discovers no one knows who Parasuram Bardez is, not even his top lieutenants Ashutosh Seth (Alyy Khan) and Murli (Murali Sharma) and realises her best bet to finding the real killer would be to infiltrate the organization and make her way to the top hierarchy for clues to finding Bardez.
As her journey progresses shady dealings, crimes, murder etc. Makes her stomach churn and she narrowly escapes capture and getting shot at several times with the help of friends like Angie (Sadia Siddiqui) a local pub owner, a cop and a charming vagabond Rohan (Amit Sadh).
Main Pair: Neeru Bajwa & Amit Sadh
Supporting Cast: Sadia Siddiqui, Dimple Inamdar, Murali Sharma, Alyy Khan.
Director: Neena Gupta.
Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat (2015)
Good Historical Fiction to Watch
Though, known as a Historical Drama Series, I will call it a Historical Fiction as a lot of creative freedom has been taken in the storyline. However, what excuses the makers is the fact that hardly anything concrete is known about Ashoka before he became King and came up with his own edicts. The details of his youth, rise to power, and renunciation of violence following the Kalinga campaign come from Buddhist sources which are considered, in many respects, more legendary than historical. There is a lack of and one can say a gap in written evidence between Samrat Chandragupta Maurya and Samrat Ashoka rule. Even then the existing write-ups are shrouded with controversial discrepancies. For example, there is a discrepancy in Jain, Buddhist, and Greek texts about his childhood and about the queens of Bindusara.
So, this is a well-written intersting Fictional Story, which is cinematic and extremely entertaining to watch. What keeps you mesmerised and glued to the screen is the phenomenal acting by all the child artists, especially Siddharth Nigam in the role of Ashoka. Which was probably why he bagged all awards that year. Siddharth being a national level gold medalist gymnast helped in keeping the action scenes real and highly entertaining to watch. The dialogues given to Ashoka in the initial part of the series (about 200 episodes) are not just excellent, but the ideas are extremely forward looking. Without being disrespectful to religious edicts or the society timelines, it manages to challenge the cast system, and addresses ideas of birth, untouchability, dharma, slavery, nationality, womens rights, domestic violence, etc.
What I found unfortunate, was the almost glorification of black magic, not by saying it is good but what all is possible through practicing the art of black magic. Also, there is a remarkable age difference between the time of when Chanakya seemed to have died in reality and when it's shown in the series. According to most historical records, it is predicted that Ashoka was about 29 when Chanakya finally died. Of course his death remains a mystery and as opposed to popular belief that he starved himself, there is a legend that he died as a result of political conspiracy and his hut lit on fire.
For the interaction between Ashoka and his half brothers in the series, Sushim (played by Sumedh Mudgalkar) and Shaimak (Faizan Khan) I would have given this series a 9, however the series deteriorated fast after the adult cast, mainly because of the deterioration in the storyline. Amit Raina tried his best but the changes in Ashok's character to Chanda saw a remarkable failure of the script writer to add dimensions to adult Ashoka. It did not help that both Sushim and Saimak failed to impress. In fact, at this point the most interesting characters were the side actors. The show was quickly wound-up and the end was shoddy.
Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan (2014)
One of the Best Youth Shows of All Time
Loosely based on the Korean drama Boys over Flowers Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan story revolves around the life of a middle-class teenage girl Nandini, who moves from Mangalore to Mumbai and by chance gets placed in an elite art and music academy. It showcases relationship dynamics through love and friendship.
It is one of the best youth show of all time, which is not just fun to watch but actually touches upon topics like ragging, bullying, rich-poor divide, nepotism, gay rights, teenage pregnancy, teenage suicide, physical and mental disorders, substance abuse, modern vs traditional dressing, generation gap, failed marriage and it's effects on children, relationship between children and their parents, all through an extremely interesting and happening storyline complimented with amazing acting. The show deals with almost every possible problem teenagers might face, today. In many places the writers have also tried to find solutions to the given problem. The main two characters Manik and Nandini shared such sizzling hot chemistry, that both Parth Samthan and Niti Taylor were brought back through popular demand for three more seasons on OTT. Cabir, Mukti, Aleya, Dhruv and Navya are equally adorable. Ayaz Ahmed as Cabir uplifts the show with his witty role and awesome comebacks, in the show. Season 1 was crisp, fresh and fast moving and full of thrill, with equal parts adorable.
Would have given it a 10/10 if not for Season 2.
Season 2 was a bit slow and so-so, main reason being both Manik (Parth Samthan) and Cabir (Ayaz Ahmad) were missing from many episodes. However, it still addressed issue like gay couple rights and their rights to be a family and adopt children. It addresses issues of couple insecurities regarding old relationships. It teaches you that life goes on no matter what, friendships change but the bond of true love has the power to hold you together.
Seasons 3-5 are both short and spicy. Season 3 addresses issues of live in relationship vis-a-vis the societies and parental expectations of marriage. It deals with alternate and not so accepted career choices and importance of sharing secrets for successful relationships. It shows the insecurities and personal struggles of an LGBT in a normal society setting. Season 4 addresses issue about priorities of career, especially for women vis-a-vis family and children and talks about emotional breakdowns. Season 5 again addresses issues of the importance of career and deals with internal conflicts faced by many modern day couples.
Ps. The series does talk about problems faced by the LGBT community but does not at any point harp on the issue. The topic is very sensibly introduced and dealt with as just another part of self-acceptance by the youth and acceptance (or not) from parents, siblings, friends, colleagues and then society. The series, also surprisingly talks about that 13% chance of contraception failure.
Sam Bahadur (2023)
Good Movie!
The story seems to be historically accurate and in this era of communal disharmony an important reminder that religion does not always define a person. Though it is about wars and parental guidance is advisable but it is not overly and unnecessarily violent. Vicky Kaushal has acted well and immersed himself in the character. Many a times he was hardly recognisable as himself.
Most of the other actors were well cast. Sanya Malhotra also did a fairly good job. However, unlike her previous films Fatima Sana was an absolute disappointment. She mostly came across as an unsure school girl, unlike the strong leader that Smt Indira Gandhi, was. If not for her acting I would have given the movie a 10 out of 10.
Some issues like using soldiers, even special forces for construction activities is relevant even today and happening in reality. So are under-payment and faulty equipment and politics in the forces.