ravikiran-kothapalli Reviews

Animal (I) (2023)

A cult classic 20 years hence

[29 January 2024]

Full 10 marks for 1. Ranbir Kapoor's performance. It was just mind blowing with such sincere effort and dedication to the script. The variation that he brings is flawless

2. Background score: out of the world score. Just wow! Perfect sounds build the tempo in a scene and elevates it to the next level

3. Anil Kapoor: a silent, nuanced and flawless supporting act as the dad who is troubled with his son and his doings and not being able to return the emotional connect the way he would have desired

4. The twist in the climax as one settles down with a sense of completion after 3.5 hrs. Looks like part II is definitely on the cards.

The film at an overall level was okay. It lags quite a bit midway and especially in the hotel attack scene. That section could have been shorter by atleast 10 min.

Rashmika was okay. There isn't anything substantial for her but the emotional arc and maturity that the character develops over the duration was portrayed well.

On the whole, a decent watch. But be prepared for severe levels of violence, profanity, bloodshed and sexual content.

Dasara (2023)

The story just doesn't move

[5/10 · 15 April 2023]

A flimsy plot and over the top background score are the sore points in this film that just doesn't move. There is lack of clarity in the concept or story and it visibly shows in the screenplay. There are way too many characters introduced in the first 15 min and it is difficult to comprehend all as the film tries to move ahead. The plus point is definitely the cinematography.

Keerthy Suresh does not have a lot to do and the dialogues are difficult to follow because the characters sometimes mumble and sometimes scream on top of their lungs. The sound should have been better for such a raw film with rural background.

An average flick, and nothing exceptional.

I think Nani was a misfit for the role.

Saani Kaayidham (2022)

Technically rich revenge drama...

[9/10 · 24 July 2022]

This movie will live on for a long time in people's minds and it is solely due to the following factors:

1. Selvaraghavan's superlative performance as Sangaiya... he will definitely bag the National Award for Best Supporting Actor. He totally deserves it for the tone of raw innocence with a vengeance that was portrayed by him

2. Keerthi Suresh's vengeful performance as Ponni. She played her part beautifully, but it somehow lacked the raw punch and maturity that was needed. I could not give a 10 just for this missing element. If she does not have competition from Kangana this year for EMERGENCY, she stands a chance for her second National Award for Best Actress

3. Fantastic direction - though it goes a lil awry sometimes due to the screenplay

4. Absolutely outstanding cinematography!!! Just wow...!!!

This one is a winner and a feather in the cap...!!!

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022)

A one time watch

[7/10 · 22 July 2022]

This movie belongs to Tabu, Kartik Aryan, and the production designer... watch it for Tabu and I would be surprised if she doesn't get the Supporting Actress award this year for her performance.

Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022)

An idiotic movie thrown at our faces

[1/10 · 25 June 2022]

What an idiotic movie... atrocious story, action, direction, screenplay, background score and awful dialogues. This movie is an insult to the audience and the makers were thinking that they were making a blockbuster. This movie once again proves why you can't trust a Telugu movie, that too a one starring Mahesh Babu.

Skip it and save your time...!!!

Clap (2022)

A decent attempt...!!!

[6/10 · 12 March 2022]

A decent attempt to make a sports drama...!!! But eventually, you can smell the ending from afar. While Aadhi did a decent job to portray a budding sportsperson whose career takes an unexpected turn, the weak screenplay and sloppy editing wreaks havoc on the overall feel and emotional connect of the film.

Overall, it is a decent one time watch.

A Thursday (2022)

A bold beautiful attempt...!!!

[9/10 · 11 March 2022]

It is a much needed discussion and reminder on a subject that is troubling our country big time. It is a bold attempt at bringing to the fore an issue that has been plaguing India always. With a terrific and convincing act by Yami Gautam Dhar, this is a must watch for its daring screenplay, terrific background score and beautifully written dialogues. While the script sometimes borders on heights of fictionality, keeping that anomaly aside, A THURSDAY will hit you hard.

A beautiful attempt that needs accolades and applause...!!!

The Fame Game (2022)

Pulled down by a weak script

[7/10 · 26 February 2022]

When the script is as thin as a strand of hair, not much can be done here. Keeping this flaw aside, the acting is superb by Madhuri Dixit as Anamika Anand, Sanjay Kapoor as Nikhil More - though his role could largely be limited to a supporting one. The show is fantastically supported by Lakshvir Saran as Anamika's son. His character has some depth and he acted well. Overall, it is a decent watch but I still believe Madhuri Dixit deserved a better script.

Udanpirappe (2021)

How not to make a movie...!!!

[2/10 · 15 October 2021]

This film is a super crash course on how not to make a movie. The script and the story is as flimsy and as thin as a strand of hair; and with that they expected to tie a rope and play tug-of-war with the audience. This movie is a bloody bore and stupid. There is no acting, and no sense of direction. The scenes keep popping up and keep changing without any continuity and the audience struggles to keep pace with it and understand what the hell is going on.

A boring dud that can be skipped without blinking your eyelid :)

Netrikann (2021)

A horrible directed affair

[2/10 · 19 September 2021]

A plot that was promising enough, though it is based on the Korean drama BLIND, but gone horribly wrong due to the most sloppy direction seen in recent times. When the technology has advanced so much, this crime drama comes across as it was directed in the 80's.

A plot totally wasted and extremely sluggish without a sleek screenplay.

Khakee (2004)

One of the best police themed films

[9/10 · 27 March 2021]

This is by far one of the best movies created with police and their professional hazard as the backdrop. When I saw this movie in 2004, we went in with zero expectations and came out so satisfied with the overall story, screenplay and the terrific acting of the cast - Amitabh, Ajay, Akshay, Atul Kulkarni and Aishwarya. Tanuja and Kamlesh Sawant lent terrific supporting performances that elevated the overall mood of the film. Another feather in the cap is the terrific background score. Few songs here and there are good enough to hum, especially "Waada raha" but Lara Dutta stole the show with her one song.

Highly recommended watch...

The White Tiger (2021)

A boring dud...!!!

[3/10 · 25 January 2021]

I haven't read the book and quite high expectations out of this movie. It comes across as dull, boring, and extremely fake. The accent of the actors and tone - completely over the top. Priyanka has very little to do in the film while Rajkumar Rao comes across as sharp. The protagonist should have been a better actor considering the fact that the movie rested on his shoulders. The only stars of this movie - cinematography and production design.

AVOIDABLE...!!!

Penguin (2020)

Utterly rubbish!!!

[3/10 · 21 June 2020]

There is just no sense of plot or storyline in this movie. A mindless tale of a separation which no logic in the world can justify; and it is strongly supported in the recipe for disaster by a pathetic screenplay and extremely shoddy editing. An experiment gone horribly wrong, both in conviction and execution.

Apart from the beautiful views of Kodai, there is nothing in this movie. No wonder they sought support from so many celebrities to endorse it...

Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020)

Disgusting to the core

[2/10 · 7 March 2020]

What is happening again in Telugu movies? These stars are so possessed by their image that they seldom get out of that trap and try to give meaningful movies. Mahesh Babu tried that earlier; but failed. And this movie is also based on that heroic formula as the sole saviour of the nation. What lacklustre writing and convoluted plots that have no meaning whatsoever. And the extreme casual approach in depicting army officers and their duties comes as a shocker. I wonder how a sensible and learned man like Mahesh could have approved this nonsense. A total mindless and dumb movie of one's lifetime. Hope the movie takes a cue from one of it's dialogues... NEVER BEFORE and hopefully EVER AFTER. Spare us this horror...!!!

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020)

Meaningless and irritating

[2/10 · 28 February 2020]

What a pathetic movie this is...!!! I wonder why did this movie make so much money. One of the lousy movies ever made by Trivikram...

Big thumbs down...!!! 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

Jolly LLB 2 (2017)

A nice plot wasted...!!!

[6/10 · 16 February 2020]

The plot with such great potential has been wasted royally. To begin with, Akshay Kumar is a such a bad choice as Jolly LLB; and hams it up with his mediocre performance. Huma Qureshi has nothing to do in the movie and is purely wasted. Saurabh Shukla impresses yet again as the judge who sticks by the rules in his court. Overall, I would not recommend this movie.

Jaanu (2020)

A mature drama ably shouldered by Samantha

[9/10 · 7 February 2020]

This is one of those rare films that will strike a chord with you whether you fell in love with someone from your school or not. A genuine remake of the Tamil superhit #96, Jaanu is a must watch only for Samantha. She is splendid as Janaki Devi and immediately owns the screen once she is on it. She is going to win a lot many awards for her role.

Section 375 (2019)

A mature court room drama after PINK

[8/10 · 23 November 2019]

Section 375 is a must watch for the sheer brilliance of writing and direction. The movie is an engaging court room drama of 2 hrs and 3 min and you can smell the rat from afar. But the way the director has treated the script and respected the screenplay, this movie will seem to you as having crossed a full circle from the time it starts. There is no unnecessary scene in this engaging exchange of war or words between the prosecutor and defence ably played by Richa Chadda and Akshaye Khanna. Between the two, Akshaye is the one who wins this hands down with his mature acting and Richa comes across a little mellowed. Well, we are not sure if it is a deliberate attempt. But a little zest would have added more depth to the character.

Finally, the winner is definitely Ajay Bahl who presents to us a very entertaining and engaging movie; that also leaves lot of questions on the way the law is interpreted and how a man must ought to be extremely careful in ensuring that he does not violate a woman if he holds a position of power. Else, it will be a very long battle to restore his life and dignity, which can be snatched away by conspirers and the establishment that gives a damn, especially if it is a man.

Kaithi (2019)

Edge of the seat nail biting thriller... fantastic

[10/10 · 3 November 2019]

In cinema across the world, when the story revolves around mafia, corruption, police and a common man striving to help the right and be just, we have always seen that it never goes wrong. In Kaithi, we witness the same.

In a gripping story on how the police lay their hands on multi-crore drugs and what ensues henceforth till the audience is left with a cue when the end credits roll that something more will happen, Kaithi is a power packed film which grips you for 2.5 hrs not allowing you to rest. It is an edge of the seat thriller where you cheer and root for the protagonist to be successful in whatever he has set out to accomplish.

#Karthi is powerful in the role as Delhi, a screen name and role that will not be forgotten in the near future. He is rustic, raw, and convinces you easily as a convict who has been released from prison a good four years before he completes his life imprisonment sentence. Who knows why did that happen and if at all that was the reason. You will be left with this question when the true motive of the protagonist is left for the audiences to guess. And we just smelt a second part with that last dialogue.

Karthi is that star who is an actor too and understands what works with the audience. It is very evident with the kind of scripts he selects and ensures that the message reaches the audiences without fail.

The second hero of this movie is the terrific background score which keeps you restless and at the edge of your seat throughout. It is that nail biting tension of what will happen next, which makes this movie even more enjoyable.

Kudos to the director for not succumbing to the usual pressure of committing to song and dance sequences trying to give the hero a role that suits his image. This song-less thriller will do wonders with the sole reason that the thriller genre has actually got one solid candidate in a very long time in the form of KAITHI.

While other departments like action and stunts, cinematography, and art direction are also commendable, I wish the screenplay and writing was a little more crisp and avoided few glaring mistakes which could added more depth to this thriller. Since the audience have already smelt a sequel, I hope these are addressed well enough in the next part.

Be prepared folks... Karthi is going to be back with a sequel and I cannot wait for that.

Go and watch it now, else you would regret later for having missed watching this thriller in a cinematic atmosphere.

Gang Leader (2019)

An interesting plot wasted...

[6/10 · 19 October 2019]

A beautiful story and an interesting premise seems to have been wasted with some logic less and uninspiring writing. More so, a lousy screenplay in the second half only makes matters worse. A convenient and easy approach culminating into the climax seems too fabricated and not genuine. I wish the writing was a little more intelligent which could have made this movie a gem!!!

A wasted attempt...

Batla House (2019)

A fantastic representation...!!!

[9/10 · 19 October 2019]

Do not miss this movie... it is a clear cut representation of how selfish interests' of a section of the society, media, and the crocodile tears of vested and fake human right activists have been haunting and hogging national limelight in protest of this great act of Delhi Police all this while. John Abraham is the highlight and star of this movie and delivered a career best performance. He is so genuine and committed as ACP Sanjay that you only clap in joy when the court room scene unfolds and breaks the defence's arguments with logic and aplomb.

Definitely a must watch to understand how the youth of this nation is getting brainwashed...

RX 100 (2018)

Yamaha RX100 will have more emotions...

[2/10 · 15 October 2019]

What a trash this movie is... a bloody bore!!! I literally wasted my 2.5 hours to see something that lacks soul, screenplay, characterisation and stupendously awful acting by the lead pair... give it a miss... you will not miss anything in life

Pink (III) (2016)

Can we make this movie a MUST WATCH...!!!

[10/10 · 5 October 2019]

How many ever times you see the movie, it shakes you up from within and questions the filth ingrained in the psyche and the society we live in. If your soul doesn't feel it, then trust me, something inside you is definitely dead, and I hope it is not the conscience.

PINK is a must watch for generations to come. It is a movie that every boy and man needs to see and understand. And after watching it, if a tear does not roll down your cheek, trust me, you are better off living alone in a forest than in a society.

How I wish we get to see more of such hard hitting and realistic movies. Kudos to the entire team for such mind-blowing work. And special mention for the taut screenplay, editing and dialogues.

Chandni (1989)

Sridevi is the soul of this film

[9/10 · 31 August 2019]

In an author backed role, Sridevi excelled like a master and owned the screen like a goddess. She held her own and emoted so well in each of the situations she comes across playing the character. Such is the grit and determination with which she played the role that we cannot ever imagine anybody else fitting in the role of Chandni.

Watch this movie only for her and you will be disappointed.

Heroine (2012)

Kareena all the way

[6/10 · 11 November 2018]

Barring the stupid direction and boring screenplay, Kareena Kapoor is the only saving grace in this film.

One of her most under rated performances.