monastery27 Reviews

Making a Murderer (2015–2018)

Sickening

[10/10 · 21 October 2018]

Planted evidence, multiple LE departments colluding to frame a target, coerced false confessions, unconscionable behaviors, ruined lives.

Justice is an illusion, held hostage by those with twisted motives and the means to subvert it. Shocking, infuriating. But then again, this is one case which has come to light. Very possible this is a systemic ill within the US justice system, something we subconsciously tend to overlook since the repercussions, were it true, could be so shattering.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

25 Years & Counting-Still the Best

[10/10 · 4 October 2017]

An excellent watch even two decades later. The score is awesome. The visuals are fantastic. Every scene is worthwhile. Guess those were the heydays of Hollywood when they invested in actual characters and a story with substance. I'm not even American or into country music in general, but still love this movie and its soundtrack. As a side-note, the "Darryl" scenes were so fun! "Let's keep going."

Inside Edge (2017– )

Nope

[1/10 · 28 July 2017]

No, just no. Everything feels off, the mannerisms and expressions are way over-the-top. Gratuitous expletives and sex scenes with no rhyme or reason. Colloquialism takes a backseat to strained foreign overtones. Sexual harassment overtures you could see coming from a mile away, but for some reason, blindsides this actress who probably been subjected to it more than once in her career. And a businessman who sports a leery grin and a drink in -every single shot-. The only character I cared about was the "replacement fast bowler," many others were difficult to relate to. Looks like producers mixed up Mumbai and the Hamptons. This series is a disservice to Cricket and to authenticity.

What the Health (2017)

"I'm not going to get into that-"

[10/10 · 24 June 2017]

The opening sequence itself clinched it for me when the American Diabetes Association spokesperson flatly declines to talk to the correlation between diet and diabetes. Later watched the unabbreviated interview on YouTube and Ratner's abrupt defensiveness and unease with that question is very telling. I read in one of American Diabetes Association's press releases that he retired in 2016. Wonder if his poor performance in this interview led to accelerating his retirement. Perhaps he'll have time to study those research papers pertaining to his field of expertise, after all.

Twin Peaks (2017)

Miss the Haunting Music

[5/10 · 24 May 2017]

Felt compelled to downgrade my rating from 9 to 5 as the series progressed and has now ended. Raucous musical numbers so far from the ethereal sounds of TP, superfluous characters and story-lines which lead nowhere, all of it became a drag. Loved the brilliance and ambiguity of the ending and many vintage scenes throughout, but the rest of it was too much filler for my taste. Sorry.

Want to hear some new pieces instead of the continual monotonous "ominous whooshing" track!!! I saw the first two episodes twice and they really grew on me (including the song "For the last time..." which I really didn't care for initially). Otherwise, the NYC and Buckhorn, SD vignettes - everyday suburban adulterous misadventures darkened with gruesome murders and the solitary observations of the portal to / from the netherworld (?) play like a dream and are very compelling in and of themselves. The Black Lodge - crimson & chevron - sequences were not particularly appealing or interesting to me, but who knows, that could alter further down the series. Too early to speak of the cohesiveness of the narrative as a whole, but still immensely watchable for its surreal juxtapositions and evocative visuals, screenplay and dialogs.

Mine (II) (2016)

First Half: 10; Second Half: Barely 5

[6/10 · 5 April 2017]

The first (almost) half is taut and thrilling, with unexpected twists and a superb pace, the rest of it - not so much. It's almost as if different writers contributed to the separate halves of the movie. The psychological tension it strives for is burdened by cliché domestic drama; the romantic angle is a drag and slacks the movie. The semi-mystical, surreal elements and wide, solitary shots of desert expanses were gripping.

P.S. The protagonist was very good-looking and makes for a very convincing US Marine soldier, so it makes the boring parts tolerable.

Aligarh (2015)

It's a Joke!!

[1/10 · 5 April 2017]

Does this film purport to know the meaning of oppression??? Big Shot journalist loves to eat "Mutton," which is baby goat or lamb killed for human appetite, not for survival, but for pleasure. And then he claims to be against with another form of discrimination practiced against gays??? If hurting humans for being a certain way is wrong, then hurting other beings for no crime than being born different is wrong! This movie made me sick, love and justice know no species. If this is indeed based on a true story, then the filmmakers are to be shamed. No sympathy for those who terrorize others but cry big tears when tables are turned against them.

Nobody Walks in L.A. (2016)

Sweet, but Too Much Bad Language

[6/10 · 29 March 2017]

Story was kinda sweet, nice to see the different neighborhoods (the upscale and the downtrodden), the now gentrifying ethnic markets, pretty architectural landmarks and the varied beliefs (be it Catholic or ISKCON (the Hare Krishna folks)) and make-up of LA's denizens through this lens. Many shots are nice and lingering, so it feels relaxing instead of a mandatory, hectic tour to cover all the hot-spots. Ending was good and generously open-ended, didn't feel rushed or contrived to me.

As for the negative (at least for my taste), there was way too much unnecessary swearing and more crass dialogs than I cared for, and some insensitive and distasteful rowdiness. Probably would have liked it better if that hadn't been the case.

American Housewife (2016–2021)

Excellent Show - Keeps it Real

[1/10 · 21 March 2017]

Love this show, totally keeps it real and uncompromisingly reflective of long-held American morals and values.

First off, the milk is REAL. Cow's milk. Milk as God intended for us humans to consume. Much to the immense relief of the US dairy industry, calming their barely-concealed desperation with decreasing sales, soy and almond milks are deservedly trashed by this mom. It's real cream all the way for this lovely family - breakfast, lunch and dinner, milk cartons portray mother cows gazing lovingly onto the world, but somehow their bruised bodies and masticating udders fail to make the cut, perhaps it is a little TOO real for this show, after all.

Oh, and those pesky vegetarians and vegans are appropriately scorned for for their absurdly snooty beliefs. Yes, this mom agrees, killing calves in cruel, but the end-result, delicious, of course. Animal carcasses dominate their dining table, but heck, at least they provide good fodder for the oh-so-funny (not) one-liners mom loves to regurgitate.

Now, will the real sponsors of this family show step forward, please? USDA, looking at ya.

Big Little Lies (2017–2019)

Only Good Things...

[1/10 · 25 February 2017]

About the first two episodes I watched were the awesome locales and even prettier homes, even the mandatory bohemian ones, inhabited by these coastal town residents.

Otherwise, the protagonists are pretty much sour and confused, teenagers and toddlers alike carry a chip on their shoulder and are very ill-behaved, and the obligatory "nice" woman seems to carry a dark past. But the most annoying parts unarguably were the police interviews of attendees of this fund-raiser (where a murder has allegedly occurred) with their supposedly keen and spiteful observations. Those scenes are super-disruptive and abrupt and and derail the flow of the story rather than enhance it.

If I continue watching it, it'll be to due to factors which have nothing to do with either the story or the characters, just a slight curiosity to ride along for the amazing ocean views and beautiful living rooms.

Dev.D (2009)

Bad

[1/10 · 21 February 2017]

Saw few minutes and gave up in disgust. There is a shot of this moron couple kissing in a chicken factory where chickens are caged up in miserable conditions. Saw few minutes and gave up in disgust. There is a shot of this moron couple kissing in a chicken factory where chickens are caged up in miserable conditions. Saw few minutes and gave up in disgust. There is a shot of this moron couple kissing in a chicken factory where chickens are caged up in miserable conditions. Saw few minutes and gave up in disgust. There is a shot of this moron couple kissing in a chicken factory where chickens are caged up in miserable conditions.

Dangal (2016)

Hateful & Cruel, Propagates Misinformation

[1/10 · 12 February 2017]

The real-life protagonist of this movie is a vegetarian, yet, in the movie, AK represents him as as a patronizer of chicken and eggs for his daughters, allegedly, for their protein content, never mind that it has been proved in study after study that plant-based protein is superior since it has none of the negative health effects which accompany animal protein. Also, animals are kept in filthy conditions and killed so they can be consumed. Terrible, hateful movie towards animals.

Terrible, hateful movie towards children as well - children are not here to fulfill their parents' thwarted wishes and desires, but AK had no qualms making a virtue of this perversion of parenting.

Dear Zindagi (2016)

Over the Top Bad

[1/10 · 29 January 2017]

Bollywood women are either: a. touchy-feely damsels (way past their college-going years, but shown as attending college anyways) who need to be wooed into loving, and once smitten, dance their pounds off with their rhythmic bosom and hip heaves - or b. "modern" gals who apparently have no qualms with being sexually promiscuous.

Now that Bollywood has emerged from the apparent deep, dark pit of women being nothing more than a showcase adornment for the heroes in the film, they've gone all-out to find themselves on the other end of the "no-holds-barred" spectrum. It's a quantum leap, Bollywood-style. Needless to say, most women protagonists in this film are of the latter variety.

For once, would be nice if the makers decided to center the film around someone whose normalcy doesn't stretch the limits of imagination, someone who actually manages to cultivate a respectful relationship without simultaneously gulping down alcoholic shots and casually tossing themselves from one guy to the next.

Maroon (2017)

Good for Anorexics

[1/10 · 17 January 2017]

Wanna-be thriller only ends up being vomit-inducing. No, really. Plenty of shots of a bloody finger - or was it a tampon? - I think the maker(s) of this movie were deliberately & sickly vague with their representations, clumps of clotted-up hair, nasty blackened water bubbling out of a tub, copious amounts of blood spilling to the floor which need bucket upon bucket to be mopped off. As for the "story," it doesn't strive to be particularly aspirational, and could easily be a copy of the numerous such B- or C-grade Western film vignettes about a "missing wife," and a suspicious spouse (who in this case, happens to be a more than slightly repulsive professor with an equally sad-looking student, who for some inexplicable reason, cares enough to bring him "soup" while he's sick so she could seduce him into upgrading her "C-" grade). The only good about this movie: At least they didn't pan over a feces shot, 'cause, they thought of it, of that I have no doubt.

Heaven Is for Real (2014)

Not Bad (Not a Believer)

[7/10 · 2 December 2016]

Not religious or a believer, reviewing it strictly as a movie. It was pretty good, not cheesy at all (unlike probably every other Christian movie ever made with poor actors and annoying syrupy dialogues). Not suffused with proselytizing, thankfully, or overly emotional melodrama. Thought it was a sweet story and I enjoyed watching it as just that. Bad part, however, is how it normalizes bad, unhealthy eating and it was weird how the Pastor seemed to have nil concerns regarding their abysmal financial situation, most people would be a lot more distraught if they were $23K in debt. Not this family, they had no problems taking vacations and getaways, and towards the end, growing their family.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

Of Friends and Foes

[1/10 · 30 October 2016]

This has been touted as KJo's "matured" and grown-up take at love and relationships, but comes across as a whiny and juvenile take on a seemingly sex-starved young (who also happens to be awesomely privileged, what with a private jet and all) adult who bounces around in relationships with a dizzying frequency.

What constitutes a relationship in KJo's cinematic world? Drinking and no-strings-attached sex, grounded, however, by conversations in Hindi. Hardly "real." When will Bollywood get that maturity involves self-growth, introspection and learning to become self-reliant and independent, instead of obsessively holding on to strands of a transient self-destructive "love?" This movie misrepresents hard-working Indians who study and live abroad, who conduct themselves with dignity and understand that liberty isn't defined by the number of "partners" one has, but rather by a self-assurance garnered over the course of one's life?

Into the Forest (2015)

Stupid & Unbelievable

[1/10 · 11 September 2016]

Couple girls brave out post-Apocalyptic times without any untended hair growth. And bring forth a baby. And burn down their only shelter. One sister decides to part ways with the other to go seek out more fertile opportunities, while leaving the other one to her fate in the forest, but then rushes back. Rape, malnutrition, mold and dearth of pain-killers are no match for their indomitable spirits.

This review has more lines than the "script" managed to draft for this movie. Also, didn't get what the animal killing scene was all about. Grotesque and senseless. Recommended to those who might find stupidity bemusing.

Approaching the Unknown (2016)

I Liked It

[7/10 · 26 August 2016]

Don't know, I liked it. I like themes surrounding isolation, seclusion, mental (in)stability and story ambiguity, and this movie filled that slot. Plus there's great space scenery as well.

Did NOT like the fact that the characters were so casual and cruel about the death of rats!!! Why should animals have to die to meet gratuitous human needs? Despicable. Also, the one woman astronaut is shown to be coarse-speaking, not sure why that was necessary. Not to mention, too many incredible situations and protocols that make little sense, like not checking in with this sole astronaut for two days, having no means from the ground to obtain reading on life-sustaining systems, only one guy on Earth officially interacting with this astronaut, some guys irritated and pouting off like cry-babies for no apparent reason at all.

Prisoners (2013)

Don't Get ...?

[4/10 · 27 October 2015]

-- Contains Spoilers --

1. Why the old lady kept the girls alive.

2. How one of the drugged girls was able to escape when the old lady was more than capable enough to persuade an adult to follow her directions.

3. Why the detective chooses to drive so recklessly and risk fatal accidents with the girl in his backseat instead of just calling for a medical help.

4. How the mentally challenged suspect is able to withstand beatings for days when he was shriveling up and crying when subject to far less intimidating police questioning.

5. Why no one questions the girls once found to retrieve the details of their travails.

6. Why does the old lady stay put even after one of the girls has escaped.

7. Why do those who pray choose to kill innocent animals.

Ender's Game (2013)

Loved It!

[8/10 · 31 August 2015]

I've read the book in the past (only one in the series) and found it a lil' tedious to read with its numerous battle and fight descriptions. Also, it was a bit crude and profane. So glad the movie cleans that up.

Ender's character is played really sharply by the actor. I enjoyed watching the zero-G scenes, pristine views of Earth, the alien planet landscapes and the battle graphics towards the end (not something I'm really into, so they did a pretty good job there)! Good performances all around.

An uplifting, moral message at the end really makes the film. I hope a sequel is in the works!

Air (I) (2015)

I Liked It!

[8/10 · 30 August 2015]

Found the sense of isolation, seclusion, possible hallucination (?) and building paranoia immersive as I find them intriguing as themes to begin with; kept me glued.

The sense of "unknowing" is vital in this one since leaves viewers with an unsettled feeling. Hence, I like that this gives only enough context without an all-out explanation as a prelude.

Good story about characters thrown together into circumstances beyond their control and how they handle the unexpected.

I found the pace just right, not too fast and not too slow either. Bottom line, I'd watch it again!