Film Archives

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Review: The Big Beast Reminds You to Save the Planet

Godzilla has always embodied humankind’s worst fears about the end of the world. This was true for the Japanese classic released in 1954, and it is just as true for its latest instalment, Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 23, 2016

Bollywood

Photograph Review: Ritesh Batra Continues His Romance with Melancholy and Mumbai

Photograph marks Ritesh Batra’s return to writing and directing a Hindi feature film six years after The Lunchbox. His “star-crossed lovers” are separated by class, religion, and aspiration. And yet, both of them lead their lives for others, in this coming-of-age story.

Poulomi Das July 21, 2016

Pop Culture

Darlings Review: Great Performances Propel a Slow-Burn Dramedy

Darlings take its sweet time to get going, but is shouldered by three impeccable performances that become the mainstay of a film happy to avoid genre clichés.

Pradeep Menon July 19, 2016

Pop Culture

Shape of Water and Our Fascination with Monster Romance

Greek mythology is full of lusty satyrs and centaurs that sleep with goddesses. Hokusai's “The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” is considered an early progenitor of tentacle porn. And The Shape of Water is a story, lush with adult desires, about outsiders. Why are we so fascinated by beasts and monsters?

Karanjeet Kaur July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Ram Setu Review: A Fast-paced but Ultimately Disappointing Adventure

Akshay Kumar’s fifth film of 2022 might just be the best of the lot – but it falls short of being a truly compelling action-adventure because of some weak plotting and unconvincing visual effects.

Pradeep Menon July 8, 2016

Bollywood

Angrezi Medium Review: A Conservative Film Made Bearable by Irrfan Khan

Unlike Hindi Medium, its sequel Angrezi Medium lacks originality. This is a comedy that feels hastily assembled with contrived sub-plots, crowd-pleasing one-liners, and emotional manipulation. But Irrfan Khan is impeccable and the film works best as a pean to his capabilities as an actor.

Poulomi Das June 27, 2016

Pop Culture

Shamshera Review: A Politically Intuitive Film that is Worth A Watch

Shamshera doesn’t quite deliver on the anticipation of a touted pan-India film, but its politics and front-foot stance is refreshing, even if unevenly portrayed.

Pradeep Menon June 22, 2016

Bollywood

Thackeray Review: A Blind Love Letter to the Shiv Sena Supremo

We did not expect Thackeray, produced by Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and directed by MNS’s Abhijit Panse, to be critical of the party supremo. But even their unabashed allegiance can’t prepare you for the relish with which the film glorifies the ugliest parts of Bal Thackeray’s legacy.

Sonali Kokra June 19, 2016

Bollywood

Baaghi 3 Review: Third Time Sucky

In Baaghi 3, Tiger Shroff attempts to make his facial muscles emote as diligently as his chest and calf muscles. Of course, he fails.

Poulomi Das June 13, 2016

Bollywood

Arré Checklist: How Protest Publicity Can Make Manikarnika and Super 30 a Hit

Now that Padmaavat has set the trend and Manikarnika is due to follow, the floodgates are open for protestors to come together against “offensive” films. Sinhal Classes will be perfect protest partners for Hrithik Roshan’s Super 30.

Dushyant Shekhawat June 4, 2016