Tag: New Releases

  • Darlings Review: A Half-Cooked Debut!

    Darlings Review: A Half-Cooked Debut!

    Darlings Review: A Half-Cooked Debut!

    Hindi Cinema’s misfortune continues…Alia Bhatt’ superstar status and great performances may not be enough to save her brave production debut.

    The story of an abusive marriage where an alcoholic husband routinely hits his wife. One day, she decides to turn the tables.

    The choice of the subject is brave. Full marks for that. The execution is bad. Neither emotional nor dark comedy that is aspires to be. The ineptness of screenplay and editing is clearly visible. Secret Superstar and Thappad are better movies for exploring the complex layers of domestic violence, gender roles, power play, patriarchy, identity etc.

    Alia Bhatt is wonderful and fully exploits the canvas that she has been offered – she is good but could have been better. Like Alia, Shefali Shah could have been much much more effective. The highlight of the movie is Vijay Varma – a perfect manipulating machine swaps to a sweet charmer to a frustrated employee. He invokes hatred and has a great screen presence.

    An average fare!

    #darlings#aliabhatt#darlingsmovie#thriller#crime#netflix#weekend#weekendwatch#newreleases#bollywood#indiancinema

  • Suzhal: The Vortex – An Intriguing Gripping Thriller

    Suzhal: The Vortex – An Intriguing Gripping Thriller

    The southern surge continues on OTT. After Bahubali, Pushpa, RRR & KGF, Suzhal sets the ball rolling for southern web series!

    A sleepy small town of Sambaloor is awakened from it lazy slumber by a factory fire and a young girl gone missing! The two incidents open up many fault lines – old hostilities, complicated relationships, parental kid disconnect, abrasiveness of police, class struggle, sexual tenebrosity etc. Ladies and gentlemen, this is ‘The Mare Of Easttown’ in South Indian forgotten town where everybody knows everyone – or so they think!

    The town is celebrating the nine-day carvinalisque Mayana Kollai festival and each day of the festival unveils a layer of mystery. The festival elements – music, colors, beautify adorned Goddesses, religious fervour, passionate devotees, mythology, dance and swaying – strengthen the tense drama. Full marks for the fusion – creates a unique look and feel!  

    The festival celebrates the Goddesses and the series is an ode to Women power – None are black and white. Have made interesting choices. Escaped. Challenged the glass ceiling. Regina (Shriya) reminds of Vijaya Shanti cop avatar but she is more brutal and vulnerable. Sakkarai, Shanmugam and Nandini give top notch performances.

    The characters are very well defined and have a great depth and arc. Emotions as well as mystery. The amazing writing keeps us glued till the end – a challenge in thrillers as all of us know that only the last episode will reveal the true killer and all other possibilities are deceptive diversions!

    Watch Suzhal for:

    – Southern spice to OTT Thrillers

    – Beautiful canvas of rich colors and layered drama

    – Top notch performances

    Recommended viewing!

    #suzhal #suzhalthevortex #southindian #webseries #thriller #crime #primevideo #netflix #weekend #weekendwatch #newreleases #bollywood #indiancinema #amazonprime #goodwatch