Asuran (2019)

to any movie viewer there might have come a time that a singular talent of an individual, never heard or seen before mesmerises you that you instinctively know he is good and will be great in future. to me one such case was the film Raanjhanaa (2013) that introduced me to that Actor Dhanush, i knew not who he was and what was instore for him in future but there was this sense optimism that i will enjoy his film for sure.

I had chosen this film through seeing its poster and his face on it, thinking its doesn’t seem like a masala film and knowing him might be worth it, I was right. Asuran (2019), meaning the Demon is a Tamil revenge drama film that showcases the fight of an underprivileged class against the rich (classic David vs Goliath) done with a analogy of inner demons.

now it is still a commercial film it has its hero moments yet the realism that is presented counterbalances the film to hinder criticism. what makes this film work are soundtrack that keeps the dread perceptible and the dynamic acting of the cast having the likes of Manju Warrier, Prakash Raj. yet to me its a Dhanush film a film where his range as an actor comes into play where he portrays the character in different times.

this is a film i enjoyed added by the fact it pertains to my premonitions years back is just an added bonus.

127 movies down……..373 to go

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Piriyavitai (Tamil goodbye)

Virus (2019)

way before this virus extravaganza started, the state of Kerala in India had suffered through a Nipah virus outbreak. and you know it if anything interesting happens it will become a film given enough time.

thus Virus (2019) is born, a Malayalam language medical thriller on the virus outbreak dramatising the various actions and individual scenarios the the state and its authority faced while facing an invisible enemy. the movie basically boils down to 2 elements finding the patient zero and containing the outbreak.

this film had a surprisingly compact pacing which was something i was not expecting as many a times films like these allowing the films narrative to never break and flow through seamlessly. the film boost a huge star cast from veterans to up and coming actors and actresses. weaving the various streamlines and backstories just enough to engage the viewers and provide depth to characters. As this is a story of how a RNA wrapped in protein affects the lives of those that come in contact with it.

the best thing about this film from my perspective was the lack of glorifying any particular individual, grounding the film to a realistic manner where is the collaborations and decisions of individuals that shape the narrative rather than one man doing everything.

one thing that kept going through my mind as i watched the film end was i wish the current virus bonanza was handled by the nation like the Nipah virus was done.

125 movies down……..375 to go

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Pinne kaanam (malayali goodbye)

Gully Boy (2019)

Even before i had seen the movie i heard its songs being played everywhere, it becoming meme, people praising the film. yet ever since i heard of its synopsis i remained sceptical on how good it truly could be. then i heard this film was Indian entry for the 92nd Academy Awards, i placed the film onto my watch list (that i finally gotto) if not for anything just clear away or validate my notions.

Gully Boy, An Indian musical drama film about the Indian Street Rap scene, inspired by the life’s and struggles of real Indian Rappers Divine and Naezy. I am never been much of a music guy thus i never heard of them but even without me wanting after the release of the film most my friends become pseudo encyclopedias about it all and imparted then knowledge onto me. The film mainly focuses on the life and struggles of Murad Ahmed (Ranveer Singh) the aspiring rapper going by the name Gully boy. A coming of age story in finding and pursuing his passion.

the film does have many memorable performances Alia Bhatt as Murad’s girlfriend, Siddhant Chaturvedi as MC Sher, Vijay Raaz as Murad’s disapproving and abusive father and many more. yet the one that truly sucks you in the one that makes the character his own, Ranveer Singh from expressions to demeanor will feel flawless. The films also is beautifully shot rustic nature the film showcases makes it realistic yet grandiose when required.

coming to my main notion of it being an Indian Oscar entry i feel really spilt since i cant definitely say there were better film in that year as i am far behind my watch list of films yet i surely think film might make many feel the similarities it has to other such film like 8Mile (2002) many more of such genre. something i felt strongly even before i watched the film and just read the synopsis. As of now i will say that it would have been my choice too for entry but only by a thread which will break oneday if i find a better film to topple its rank.

the film is definitely worthy of all praises it got and is really a great film which i would recommend to those looking for a indie feel film but not on a budget of one.

122 movies down……..378 to go

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Allvida

Mission Mangal (2019)

a 2019 bollywood film about the first Mars orbital mission done by the ISRO. A mission to mars that was cheaper than many blockbuster movies made.

the films best strength would be the film never becoming too preachy as the story involves various topics of public interest. it manages to show light to them but if being a bit nit picky i will say the films pace gets a bit clogged towards the middle as the various personal lifes of the scientist get shown as it cuts the momentum of the mission. well i can look over it as its a small bump in pace and was used to ground the characters and endear them to us. the film also has an pseudo antagonist in form of an NASA scientist of indian origin who keeps hampering the progresses stating the lack of possiblity and how NASA goes about its missions. the requirement of a foil to the main cast is understandable is done well my issues stems form the way this character plays into the film and his interactions felt bit generic and scripted.

its rare Indian space themed film that is tackled with the sincerity and the conviction to tell a good story and help the audience with the technical aspects with easy to understand bits.

120 movies down……..380 to go

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Allvida

Bharat (2019)

Bharat is a Hindi film from 2019 and is based on a South korean film Ode to My father (2014), which i have not seen but i guess was better that this film.

this is a masala film and it never presented it as anything else, with Salman Khan in the lead the film is bound to go towards the mass appeal, and that by itself isn’t bad the film being based on an existing work along with a masala film suffers the pothole having guessable twist and progression. the film does impose its grand scale onto you and glimpses the epic it wants to be

the one proper criticism i can muster about this film is the fact that this film suffers from pacing even though through out the film stuff keep happening the film feels draggy, and i reckon a crisper edit could solve the issue.

if you sitting down with the intention for a masala film you will be entertained.

119 movies down……..381 to go

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Allvida

De De Pyaar De (2019)

the film is Hindi 2019 Rom-Com, telling the story of a 50yr old man (Ajay Devgn) falling in love with a 26yr old women (Rakul Preet Singh), and the lies and deceptions that ensues when his family and ex-wife (Tabu) disapproves this relationship

the films biggest weak point is its script, while the merit of the initial plot is understandable the execution of it over the run time makes its hard pill to swallow, the main relationship never felt organic to me and it was a cornerstone requirement for such a film that basis itself on the hurdles of such a relation. when the relationships are shown to the audience with a shallow understanding it becomes hard to sympathise to the leads hurdles that comfort.

Tabu was the highlight of the film I guess its a very unanimous choice for most viewers as her chemistry with Ajay Devgn is in essence what prevents the film from slogging. this chemistry covers the lack of fleshing out of the script regards to their past yet makes it all so believable that they once were together.

the film has its moment and isn’t a slog to get through but in many aspects trimming and fleshing out of the story might have done wonders for it.

117 movies down……..383 to go

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Allvida

Super 30 (2019)

the film is Based on the life of Patna-based mathematician Anand Kumar who provides free education to poor students for higher studies and colleges, the film showcases his story to reach and open this famed programme called super 30 as it selects only 30 student and has high success rate.

as a failed product of the coaching system, i have my own biases towards the system yet it importance cant be understated. as a country that justifies any success to the mark obtained in an exam, coaching institutes were bound to become a business and with anything that turns into one the core thing they chase is money. the film showcases the corruptive nature of this chase than it will never be enough and realising this and fighting against it harder still.

i cant speak for the accuracy of the film like any film dramatisation is common yet the mans struggle to go against the establishment with his own belief is well portrayed.

the films main driving are its core actors Hrithik Roshan who puts fort one of his best performance not at par to Guzaarish (2010) but it still showcases his range. Aditya Srivastav as the coaching centre owner is the prime antagonist. Pankaj Tripathi as the education minister that makes you laugh and anger by his antics. with the supporting cast pulling their respective weights.

the biggest demerit to this film was its latter half tone as the film turns into a mini action film for a film about fight against the education system this sequence is not only jarring but also breaks the illusion of realism the film portrays till then. these choices to make this film a masala film kinda undermines the film narrative to break the mold.

the film had its share of controversies upon its release still its a well made movie worth the watch excluding its weak aspects. a solid weekday movie.

114 movies down……..386 to go

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Allvida

Jersey (2019)

i like a good sport story that not only uses its sport to built tension but also uses it to bring out the character and their choices.

the film is a bout a middle aged ex-cricketer Arjun (Nani) that has retired from the game but upon seeing his child hope to he his father as the hero he envisions him as, he tries to get back to the sport knowing the consequences of his actions.

the the points in the film where the film takes a normal path and points where the film surprised me, able to mesh these element the film the film is able to create the relatable characters that a good sports film need. the film might not explore its themes to the deepest points yet what it provides glimpses at the potential such stories have. themes like what becomes of a man that loses his passion and rive due to circumstances out of control and how and what motivates him to take it all up. the father son duo and their interaction are in many ways the heart of the film.

i could resonate so much with Arjun during this scene

is it a good film YES, a good sports film. it doesn’t care about the spectacle but rather its story and this is something i had been missing in many south Indian films i watched.

113 movies down……..387 to go

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vellostaanu

Joker (2019)

i had watched this film in theaters last year but had totally forgotten that i hadn’t wrote about it here only to realise when counting down my 1-100 films of the mammoth task. so here we are i re-watched it to have some better sense of any thing i forgot so lets go.

right of the bat few hot takes kinda, i didn’t think this film needed to be about joker, i mean the fact this film is using joker is to attract superhero fans that are currently dominating the market to sell a character driven story. i remember having this real intense emotion about the film after my initial viewing that the film didn’t need to have a character joker to have said messages of metal issues and any man can go crazy and cause a revolution.

the fact this film is pseudo original is both a advantage and disadvantage.

3 things against it

the ending was something i saw coming for a while, might not have been evident for everybody like my friends that watched with.
being heavily inspired from works of Martin Scorsese the imprint of them is visible through out the film and to those that see it clearly i wager the impact of the film might damper a bit.
adding the Wayne death scene, i know its iconic and the use of the scene in the film has its own narrative and fan service value. i for one felt that scene just like adding a cherry to the cake i didn’t want.

3 things going for this film

soundtrack its haunting and eerie as it always works subconsciously, this was something i didn’t even think about or notice until came out of the theater and my friend pointed it out. such subtle effect is truely masterful.
and the reason i didn’t notice the sound well obviously the acting, Joaquin Phoenix throwing his hat into the best joker bowl and coming in strong. i had high expectations since i saw the trailers and being not let down at all.
the atmosphere the way the city of Gotham was visualised garbage bags dark tone and simply beautiful city that keeps looking like a day away from crumbling.

by improving and utilizing existing aspects the film has the ability to seem similar and unique together and the fact the core is strong and external additives is nurtured the film definitely is worthy being called a great film even if i have my reservations about it.

103 movies down……..397 to go

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goodbye

Brightburn (2019)

now if you have not watched this film, i want you to close your eyes (not literally otherwise you wouldn’t be able to read) and imagine…… a couple finds a boy from some unknown planet arriving in their backyard, adopting him. as the kid grow they realise the kid is different from other he has super powers but also a mean attitude that makes him do bad things………

now if you tell me that sound minus that last part like superman, i would say yes that’s exactly like that. well congratulation what u imagined is the film primes of Brightburn (2019).

i was recommend this film so, did it live up to that simply put NO but its still a fun concept mix of horror and superhero genre is pretty fun has potential, but the film just falls short to make itself memorable enough other than the premise i mostly wont remember much about this film in the coming weeks and that just says to me the lack of execution to the fullest potential of such a idea.

the fact that the film takes and paces itself as a origin story for this future villain/bad guy, allows the film to utilize our exposure and knowledge of the Superman origins with a different take, the film still pulls itself back from going all in into the gore and horror using as just a salad dressing that main course and this withdrawal does diminish the final product.

well it was nice to see they followed the super hero troupe possible interconnected sequel.

101 movies down……..399 to go

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goodbye