M.M.Monissha

Classical Musician | Playback singer | Dubbing artist 🥰

[M.M.Monissha @monisshamm]

Here’s a small snippet of our first single #Gananayaka , an #M3 original now available on all audio streaming platforms.😍 The link to the entire video is in my bio. Please show us some love. Thank you❤️

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Wanted to give a quick shout out to 3 films which I saw over the last week, all of which pleasantly surprised me by surpassing my expectations. I'd rate all three somewhere between 3.5/4 out of 5.

1. #TheSheepDetectives(English)- A warm, winsome, whimsical family film which coasted along as a pleasant comfort-watch until it's terrific final act. The last half hour brings the story together with cathartic precision and delivers a deeply profound, emotional punch to the gut.

2. #PatiPatniAurWohDo (Hindi)- The happiest surprise of the lot, as I anticipated this to be nothing more than a mildly distracting comedy. The first 1/3rd of the film is mostly that but it soon morphs into an uproarious extravaganza of madness, mayhem and mistaken identities. Not all of it is politically correct and some jokes are in bad taste but damn when the humour lands, it's ROFL material. The whole cast is delightful but @ayushmannk is an absolute riot. @TSeries

3. #Hokum (English)- A deeply atmospheric and unapologetically creepy horror film that chooses suspense and scares over lore and logic. The film doesn't re-invent it's genre but masterfully and relentlessly delivers dread, distress and doom. @hokummovie

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Across decades many people have emphatically proclaimed and predicted the death of cinema theatres.
- The invention of Television
- The upgrade to colour television
- The home video boom(VHS tapes) which allowed people to watch (relatively) new movies from the comfort of their couch.
- Upgrades to both of the above technologies i.e bigger TVs, Compact discs, DVD, Blu ray, 4K etc. TVs have gotten as big as a 110 inches now.
- When all else failed to kill theatres, surely, OTT/streaming and a multitude of entertainment options available on the internet and smartphones should have done the job.

Nope.

Why not?

Stepping out of our homes and watching a movie is an EVENT. Even if people stop believing in the magic of the big screen and the pleasures of gathering together as a community, cinemas offer escapism from routine. Even couch potatoes and homebirds would like to step out and socialize once in a while and cinemas offer a safe and (relatively) pocket-friendly option to do so. This need/desire to step out of the house was felt the most during the Covid Pandemic. No one liked being chained to their homes forever.

Movie theatres will stay relevant and alive as a viable option as long as human beings retain their primal need to chill/mingle outside the cofines of their homes. In other words, cinemas will exist as long as the human race does.
#Cinemas #Movie #ObsessionMovie #ProjectHailMary #thedevilwearsprada2 #Backrooms #Michael #TheSuperMarioGalaxy #Karuppu #Blast #Cocktail2

[M.M.Monissha @monisshamm]

Agree 💯 @obsessionmovie 🔥

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

HOT HOT HOT RECOMMENDATION!
#Obsession is the second 5-star film of the year(After #ProjectHailMary).

An unhinged nightmare and a corker of a thriller that had me hooked and riveted in anxiety and awe.

With just 4 or 5 actors and a meagre budget of under a million dollars, this is a wicked masterclass in filmmaking soaked in near-unbearable tension. Leave the kids at home and make time for this traumatic, thought-provoking trailblazer. Adult entertainment rarely gets better than this.

Ps- If there's any justice, #IndeNavarrette should be locked in for an #Oscar nomination, possibly even a win. It's a mind-boggling star-making performance that made my blood run cold.

Pps- Just how damn cool is it to see a small, unbranded, non-franchise film creating box office history? #ObsessionMovie alongside the hugely popular #Backrooms has re-written the rules of theatrical film consumption. Build it and they'll come in this bold, bright new future. @UniversalIND

[M.M.Monissha @monisshamm]

WHAT A FILM 🔥🔥🔥 @RJ_Balaji

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Quick Movie review

Suriya-RJBalaji's #Karuppu is a tale of two halves- the first is filled with grounded realism and focused storytelling which leads to effective emotional investment. The second is full of festive, fiery, flashy fan service which (partially) fails to build on what came first.

I (mostly) enjoyed the film but had one major lingering problem which I want to address in a spoiler-free way.

My problem is very screenplay specific i.e when you make me spend 65-70 minutes with two characters who are basically the fulcrum around which the story is built, then I'd expect their arcs to not be dead-ends. They're merely used as a jumping off point to goad the protagonist into action.. but with THAT amount of screen-time I expect catharsis and closure. I expect my emotional investment to be rewarded. If that was never the intention then more economy and less flab would have conveyed the same emotions with superior efficiency.

Their abrupt departure also contributed in making the second half feel less organic. The tonal shift wasn't earned. That said, Balaji delivers multiple whistle-worthy theatre moments which are hard to resist.

I'm usually not a fan of a film referencing older blockbusters as it's the laziest and most convenient way to earn applause. Here however, they're so cleverly done that I was grinning in glee. There were certain stretches in the latter half where the ideas felt repetitive and the staging felt flat but the flavour and flamboyance of these references stopped the film from sinking into tedium. I loved those unexpected little jolts.

#Suriya is one of the country's finest actors and has an enviable range of histrionics in his armoury.. but very few are used in this film which doesn't quite test his versatility. It's a one-note role which mostly requires him display that effortless charm and charisma which he possesses in spades. He does more in one breathtaking sequence but I won't spoil that for you.

The meatiest role of the film is played by #RJBalaji himself. As a wily, slimy lawyer dripping with disgusting deception and disreputable evil he's simply dazzling. Those moments where he loses his shit is pure magic.

I wasn't a fan of Sai Abhyankar's theatrical sound mix for #Dude but no complaints here. He enhances and elevates the narrative with a thumping score which outstrips the quality of his songs, at least one of which is an unnecessary intrusion. Credit also to the rich production values which bring about a sense of scale which a film of this stature deserves. I was also glad to see #Trisha not wasted as a glam doll or a pretty prop. Hope more mainstream films treat heroines with such dignity.

For all it's flaws and my many nitpicks, this bloodless, bombastic and boisterous blockbuster still warrants a big screen watch for it's sheer entertainment value. Karuppar kaapathitaar! 3.25/5
@RJ_Balaji @Suriya_offl @DreamWarriorpic @trishtrashers

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Okay, this is MASSIVE. When was the last time a tamil film was selling 45K tickets per hour on #BookmyShow/#BMS? #Karuppu and it's Telugu dubbed version #Veerabhadrudu are armed with RAVE reviews and are unleashing mass hysteria.

If you lived through the #Ghajini #Vel #VaaranamAayiram #Ayan #Singam #7amArivu era then you'd know that #Suriya is no ordinary star. His commercial peak was right up there with the biggest superstars to ever grace the silver screen. His crowd pulling capacity was jaw-dropping.

Somehow, over the past decade, that star-power felt diminished despite Suriya the actor always giving 100% to all of his projects. There may be films of his which you may have disliked during this period but you could never fault his commitment or performance.

#Karuppu is the reward for that persistence. For that never-say-die attitude. It's that "Enga Annanoda PEAK ah paaruda" flex for his die hard fans. A big congratulations to @Suriya_offl who throughly deserves this success.

Also, feeling so damn happy for @RJ_Balaji, one of my favorite people on the planet full of sunshine and positivity. Was heartbroken to see a video of him breaking down in tears yesterday. Amazing how much of a difference 24 hours can make isn't it?

[M.M.Manasi @manasimm]

TBT the time I was called upon and honoured by the Honourable CM of TN ⁦@actorvijay⁩ 🙏🏻
His humility made this fangirl feel so comfortable.❤️
So happy to be among the privileged few who’ve had the opportunity to sing with the CM🙏🏻
#cm #tamilnadu #tvk #vijay #thalapathy

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Quick Movie review

#MortalKombat II is a thoroughly tactical nostalgia sell and a true-blue video game adaptation for better and worse. It doubles down on fan-service as the famed fights deliver flamboyant ferocity and flashy fatalities.

Sadly the film surrounding all of this struggles to rise above mediocrity. The writing is strictly perfunctory and the plot itself is a convenient excuse to cram in those crazy cool (k)ombats.

That said, as someone who grew up playing the game, I had a blast with most of the characters, re-living their iconic catchphrases, signature stunts and cartoonishly cruel kills. #KarlUrban plays #JohnnyCage with comical self-doubt and movie-star swagger. He's good company and that added an edge to the rather generic narrative.

It helped that the film looked fantastic with solid scale, sleek vfx and splendid production design. It rewards #IMAX viewing, should you be so inclined.

Look, this isn't high-art and won't make anyone's "best films of the year" list.. but there's plenty here to fawn over for the faithful fanatics and just about enough to keep the casual cinema watcher mildly captivated on a carefree saturday. 3.25/5
#MortalKombatMovie @MKMovie @WarnerBrosIndia @IMAX @warnerbros

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Late (Quick) Review

#Dhurandhar2‌/#Dhurandhar2‌TheRevenge is loaded with dynamic directorial skill, distinguished dedication to craft, daring political commentary (bordering on propaganda) and a dauntless Ranveer singh dazzling us with depth and defiance.

That is not to say that the film is free from drawbacks. The detailing, which I loved in the first part is filled with exhausting excesses here, derailing narrative momentum. On more than one occasion, I felt like sitting through a leisurely paced web-series rather than a tight, tense feature film. That isn't a problem if the intention wasn't to land in the former category.

That said, I have to admit that for a near 4-hour film the engagement remains supreme. Multiple stretches had me riveted, unable to look away from the drama and the seamless segues into recent history.

As much as I disliked the pointlessly gory pre-climax indulgence, the final half-hour is a masterclass in wrapping up a story of such rich substance and scale. As they say, even if you muddle up the middle, a strong ending can atone for everything.

The acting is great across the board and yet again the inimitable #Madhavan all but steals the show. His portions are filled with power, poise and dignity and when his restraint is tested it's an absolute riot. I couldn't get enough of him. Perhaps a spin-off featuring his character as the protagonist? I'd readily devour it.

As with the previous part, the unconventional soundtrack gives the film a distinct flavour, elevating and enhancing the narrative.

Like it or hate it, you can't deny that the 7.5 hour #Dhurandhar saga is a significant cinematic achievement and a generational cultural milestone. An irrefutable, inescapable phenomenon that does enough to justify it's permanent place in cinematic glory. 3.75/5
@jiostudios @RanveerOfficial @AdityaDharFilms @B62Studios @ActorMadhavan

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

7 years ago on this day, the GREATEST EVER theatrical experience of my life- The FDFS of #AvengersEndgame. The finale to 22 films and 11 years of insanely high quality storytelling from #Marvel.

I can never forget the unrivaled HYPE and unmatched FRENZY leading up to the film's release. I stayed up all night trying to book tickets for the very first day but multiple websites kept crashing due to overloads hitherto unseen in history. Every single screen in my city played just the one film- a phenomenon which I've witnessed just once in my existence. I finally succeeded in getting the tickets and DAMN, it lead to an experience that'll possibly never be topped in this lifetime.

The claps, whistles, cheers and tears were the most intense and most vociferous I've ever experienced in a darkened cinema hall. The payoffs surpassed every fanboy's wildest fantasy. The #AvengersAssemble sequence will live forever as possibly the single greatest and most popular moment in the history of cinema.

I cannot think of a single film that can even come remotely close to surpassing the global mania which this monster of a blockbuster unleashed upon us. It made a whopping 1.2 BILLION dollars in it's opening weekend, a staggering all-time record which stands to this day as being TWICE as big as it's nearest competitor(check the wikipedia screenshot for exact details).

The film also went on to dethrone #Avatar to become the highest grossing film in history and that wasn't an easy feat because the former held the record for more than a decade.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. #Endgame wasn't just the biggest cinematic event of our generation. It was and will always be the biggest cinematic event of our entire lives. #MCU @MarvelStudios @MarvelStudiosIN @Avengers @AvengersUpdated #7yearsOfEndgame #7YearsofAvengersEndgame #TheAvengers @MCU_Fanatics

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Quick Movie Review

Pradeep-Vignesh Shivan's #LIK aka #LoveInsuranceKompany is a lush, lavish, lively, likeable film that cleverly conceals it's flaws with frequent injections of fun.

I have a soft spot for futuristic sci-fi and was intrigued by this story set in 2040. The production design is an expansive embarrassment of riches which rewards your eye and attention.

Sadly none of the futuristic tech and innovative ideas make any meaningful difference to a screenplay which could just as easily have made it's point in the present-day. A lot of what is teased stays at the surface level in a film that fails to power up it's premise and punch through to it's potential.

If that sounds like a bummer, well, worry not for the film has multiple aces up it's sleeve. The biggest of the lot is #Anirudh who belts out another banger of a soundtrack solidifying his status as the country's most sought-after composer.

The set-up and segue into "Enakkena yaarum illaye" was simply bewitching. I was transfixed and transported. Music has power we cannot define and one of cinema's greatest songs gets a shrine worthy of it's status. Anirudh gives LIK it's sobriety and soul.

The film is also hugely aided by the presence and personas of Pradeep and SJ Suryah, especially the latter. There are few sights in cinema more sensational than Suryah screaming and losing his shit. The man is a treasure chest of entertainment and there's never a dull moment when he's on screen. I think the time has come to crown him a legend purely based on his acting achievements.

It is to Pradeep's credit that he doesn't let Suryah hijack the film and steal his thunder. The two of them combine for one firecracker of a sequence in the second half that had me howling.

Yogi babu and Krithi shetty also function as assets to the film esaaying their roles with earnest efficiency.

Vignesh shivan has an eye for the absurd and an ability to mine humour from the unlikeliest of places. That is somewhat muted here but what we do get is high fidelity towards fast paced frivolity. More than enough for a beat-the-heat summer blockbuster. 3.75/5
@Rowdy_Pictures @7screenstudio @NayantharaU @VigneshShivN @pradeeponelife @IamKrithiShetty @anirudhofficial @iam_SJSuryah

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

I've always wanted to do this. Watch a big/anticipated film a few days in advance before the whole world does.

Thanks to #Pvr/#Inox, I got to see a special "Fan first screening" of #TheSuperMarioGalaxy in #IMAX 3D.. and here goes my Quick review.👇

The film takes the sumptuously animated world of it's predecessor and expands, enhances and embellishes it eightfold to eye-popping extremes.

I kid you not, this is an IMAX 3D FEAST. The first half of the film had me gawking, wishing I had an extra pair of eyes. The extravagance and excesses are mounted atop jaw-dropping animation, easily the best in #Illumination studio history.

Sadly there CAN be too much of a good thing. The film never stops throwing things at you. Purple Dragons, evil turtles, giant dinosaurs, cuddly anthropomorphic stars, 360-degree casinos and anti-gravity space chases.. WHEW. The brain reaches saturation point and simply shuts down.

This is where the film falters. There simply isn't enough plot or meaningful character interaction to counterbalance the razzle dazzle. The dialogue is merely functional and #Mario himself is sidelined to make way for a plethora of forgettable cast additions.

Yes, the film has endless easter eggs to please the fans and an argument can be made that a 95-minute romp across weird, colourful galaxies doesn't need to go big on emotion.

All said, this Inferior sequel still demands an IMAX 3D watch. Yes, it's nothing more than a theme park ride but the spectacle is nearly unmatched. 3.5/5

Ps- Those special collectible posters were super cool! Wish we get more of these early fan screenings in India. @_PVRCinemas @UniversalIND @illumination @IMAX

[M.M.Monissha @monisshamm]

🔥🔥🔥

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

HOT RECOMMENDATION!

"Project Hail Mary" isn't just a film. It's a 150-minute testament to the matchless magic of cinema. It's a STAGGERING piece of art.

The good films amuse you and the great ones immerse you.. but only a select few hold the power to transport you. I left the cinema dazed, unable to come back to reality for several minutes. My brain was buzzing and brimming with boundless bloom. Bloom born out of pure cinematic bliss.

This thumping triumph elicited in me emotions so potent and so primal that I fought back tears of exhilaration. What started out as an expansive, high stakes story about the end of the world, morphed into possibly the most endearing friendship in the history of film.

#RyanGosling carries the narrative with effortless charm and everyman relatablity. His chemistry with a space alien made of rocks would dwarf and diminish beloved romantic classics.

This is also a project produced with pioneering command over craft. Every department is soaked in such mastery that I couldn't possibly contain my praise within a mere few adjectives.

I'm a 36 year old man who has seen 1000s and 1000s of films at the cinema.. way more than the average person. Saturation sets in and it takes a lot to make me feel like I've seen something truly special. Today, I was a kid, sitting in the dark, rediscovering just why I fell in love with movies in the first place. 5/5

Ps- Nothing less than #IMAX will do justice to this masterpiece. Do yourselves a favour and splurge a little for the format. You will NOT regret it. @IMAX @SonyPicsIndia @AmazonMGMStudio #projecthailmary @RyanGosling

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Quick Movie review

#Youth created by and starring #KenKarunaas is a boisterous and breezy coming-of-age teen-comedy boasting deft, dexterity and directorial flair.

More than anything, this is a fantastic showcase for Ken and his incredible all-round talent. He has the swag and screen-presence needed to carry a full-length feature and also nails a wide gamut of emotions. He sings like a pro, dances like a dream and writes and directs with the economy and efficiency of a skilled veteran.

I am saying this with balance and responsibility- Ken is a kid who could really go places if he channels his skills into the right projects over a period of time.

The story leans back on familiarity and predictability but the terrific cast pulls you through. Almost everyone, right from the fresh new faces of Ken's gang, to the girls playing his love interests, to those veterans playing parents and professors slip into character with conviction and get a moment to shine.

The comedy is keenly observed and blends beautifully with the narrative.. and when things get serious, the emotional heft feels earned because we've genuinely grown to care for these characters.

Yes, the film breaks no new ground but it delivers clean situational comedy interspersed with the nostalgic emotional pangs of learning to grow up. Dare I say, it's blockbuster success could herald a new era and the birth of a bonafide star. 3.75/5
@KenKarunaas @paarvathaaent @The_KCR

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Late (Quick) Review

#ThaaiKizhavi brims with vigour and vitality whenever the inimitable #Radhika appears on screen embodying the titular character. The problem is, her screen-time is shockingly limited.

After a fast, flamboyant and flat-out fantastic first half hour, the screenplay starts running around in circles repeating and re-iterating the core conflict with a frustrating amount of flab.

That's a shame because "Thaai kizhavi" herself is nothing short of an Icon. Radhika, unburdened by uncanny prosthetic make-up, unleashes upon us a character oozing SWAG. Her irresistibly magnetic presence leaves such an impact that her absence automatically weighs the narrative down.

The little quirks that add colour to the vast supporting cast is impressive in bits and pieces.. I just wish we did not have to sit through so many fillers before getting to the scenes which actually matter. Thankfully, the film nails those crucial bits, adding honesty and heartfelt heft.

For all it's flaws, I'm immensely glad that a film like this even exists. Let's get it straight- it's a minor miracle that it even got made in the first place and it's commercial success feels like a reward, richly and righteously deserved.

If nothing, that gloriously grumpy grandma deserves to attain cinematic immortality. 3.5/5

Ps- Sincere petition to @Siva_Kartikeyan, @SKProdOffl and @Dir_SivakumarM to make sequels(yes, plural) to this film because I just couldn't get enough of @realradikaa and the way she played this character. This time, please consider giving her a full fledged role. I can't even imagine the level of entertainment if this firecracker of a grandma is thrust into everyday societal situations.
#Sivakarthikeyan #Moviereview

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

107K tickets booked in the past one hour on #BMS. INSANE. HISTORIC.
The initial wave of reviews are mostly Raves and this momentum should continue unabated. #DhurandarTheRevenge is all set to annihilate box office records and scale some scary peaks.

This has challenged and shattered every perception we've ever had about the box office potential of "A" rated films and long runtimes(This monster runs for 3 hours and 50 minutes). New rules are being written and it just goes on to show what happens when a movie becomes a movement.
#Dhurandhar #RanveerSingh #AdityaDhar @jiostudios @RanveerOfficial @AdityaDharFilms

[M.M.Monissha @monisshamm]

Agree 💯 @Pixar @DisneyStudiosIN

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

HOT RECOMMENDATION!

#Disney-#Pixar's #Hoppers is a cannon-blast of colour, chaos and creativity delivered with clinical command over craft.

Unlike some of the studio's classics like #Ratatouille, #InsideOut out and #Coco, this isn't a film that threatens your tear ducts or lands emotional punches to the gut. Instead, it's content to be a zippy, zany comedy that consistently aces both slapstick and highbrow humour.

Animation as a medium naturally lends itself to unbridled, unhinged storytelling and here's a film that makes full use of it's versatility. This is sure to play like gangbusters to packed cinema halls with the adults likely guffawing much harder than the kids.

Cheekily ripping off #Avatar's core concept of transferring the consciousness to another body, this smart screenplay blends biblical themes, brave beavers and one diabolical caterpillar in a fabulous eco-friendly fable. 4.25/5
@Pixar @DisneyStudiosIN

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Box office prediction-#Dhuroxic

Everyone in the Indian film trade circle is talking about the hugely anticipated clash on March 19th between #Dhurandhar2 and #Toxic . Here's my two cents on how it might pan out. I'll outline 3 possible scenarios for both films.

Scenario 1: OPTIMISTIC
4 years have elapsed since the monstrous success of #KGFChapter2 and audiences have been missing #Yash on the big screen. His return will be an event and if the film's content is crowd-pleasing and the double-role gimmick clicks with the masses then we'll see records get shattered. #Dhurandhar is still fresh on the minds of audiences and the presumption is that those who saw that film in theatres will return to complete the story. Hopefully a few who waited and saw it on #Netflix might feel that the big screen adds value and choose to visit cinemas the second time around.

In this scenario, I predict a final Box office total in excess of INR 2500 crores for both films combined. Dhurandar 2 in excess of 1500 and Toxic in excess of 1000

Scenario 2- PESSIMISTIC
#ToxicTheMovie has been through development hell with rumoured re-shoots, creative differences and an alarmingly bloated budget. If those issues affect the final quality of the film then bad word-of-mouth and negativity could impact it's run. You add to that it's surefire "A" rating from the censors which will keep family audiences away.

Dhurandar 2 is releasing very soon after the first part, maybe a little too soon. This short turnaround could either turn out to be a masterstroke or in this Pessimistic scenario, affect the interest of irregular movie goers who only recently saw Part-1. They may not be interested in making another trip to the theatre within such a short time span and may choose to wait and watch it on OTT. Also, I heard a lot of complaints about the violent content in the first part which may prompt some people to watch this second film on OTT where they have the option to skip the violent bits. The 210 minute runtime also drew some flak and if the sequel runs similarly long, it may prompt some folks to think twice. As always no film is above word-of-mouth and if somehow this one pales in comparison to it's predecessor then the negativity could eat into ticket sales.

In this scenario, I predict a final Box office total of around INR 1000 crores for both films combined. Dhurandar 2 in excess of 650 and Toxic in excess of 350

Scenario 3- REALISTIC
This prediction discards the extremes and is an exercise in moderation. The hype will bring gargantuan openings for both films but the fact remains that neither will attract family audiences because of their violent, mature content which is certain to attract an "A" certification. Parents won't be able to take their kids, who will be on their summer vacation, to the cinema. Still, films like #Dhurandhar, #Animal, #Salaar and #Coolie grossed over 500 crore and proved that censor ratings won't matter if the masses choose to embrace the content.

Even if Dhurandar's sequel retains 70-75% of the theatrical viewership of it's predecessor it'll gross in excess of a 1000. Even if Toxic isn't great but has satisfactory whistle-worthy moments for fans, it can do well in excess of 500.

In this scenario, I predict a final Box office total of around INR 1500 crores for both films combined. Dhurandar 2 in the range of 900 to 1100 and Toxic somewhere between 500 to 600

Final word- Frankly, I'm not looking forward to the gratuitous violence and gore which is sure to colour both films red. That is however my personal opinion and the masses don't seem to mind. I'll be excitedly tracking the box office for both films because how rare is it that even a PESSIMISTIC scenario adds a whopping 1000 crores into the coffers? That said, I've championed movie theatres all my life and I really want the OPTIMISTIC scenario to come true. We've had an extended dry spell with many theatres shutting down temporarily. Hoping for a huge, historic revival.

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Simply unable to control my excitement. If done right, this could be THE MOVIE EVENT of our generation. No pressure Mr. @Nelsondilpkumar😄

#KamalHaasan #Rajinikanth

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Late (Quick) Review

#Border2 is a resolutely old fashioned war epic soaked in sappy sentiment and weighed down by flab, formula and fatigue-inducing indulgence.

Thankfully, the redemption for this comes in the form of committed acting and kinetic action. The set pieces have scale and are executed with a go-for-broke allegiance towards adrenaline.

The ceaseless brutality of conflict isn't new and I get the fascination to prolong it, but the impact would have been better in short, sharp doses.

#SunnyDeol and #VarunDhawan commit to their roles with passion and precision but the drama surrounding their personal lives is protracted and predictable. A couple of support characters get rousing finales to their arcs but the road to get there is littered with the tedious must-haves of a 90s melodrama.

A 198-minute runtime isn't a joke and this sequel neither justifies nor earns it. Despite boasting multiple merits and fastidious filmmaking, the excesses are exhausting. 2.75/5
#MovieReview #Bollywood

Ps- I acknowledge the big box office numbers earned by this film and the even bigger successes of 200-minute behemoths like #Animal , #Dhurandar and #Pushpa2. This has now given an (unfair) license to modern filmmakers to carelessly indulge their whims rather than tell stories with efficiency and economy. The trend could implode soon but if it doesn't, well, pick good seats with strong lumbar support. Our poor backs deserve it.

[Cine Companion @cine_companion]

Quick review

#WutheringHeights was marketed as a sweeping romantic epic, but is actually a nefarious nightmare of a film which pulls you into it's toxic vortex of Gothic grief.

That doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement and the "romance" itself is odd, obtuse and overbearing.. but the destructive obsession behind it is dangerously alluring.

I have not read the book and I respect the thoughts of those disappointed with the deviations.. but I was riveted. Egregious and extreme as it was, I couldn't help but follow this crazy courtship and these unhinged lovers as they passionately plummeted into the darkest depths of hell.

#MargotRobbie delivers an Oscar-worthy masterclass in screen-acting, punctuated by poise, power, pain, paranoia and panic. Her silences are telling and her calm is unnerving. She's ably aided by #JacobEroldi who breathes life into an animalistic hunk driven by singular devotion and maddening mania.

The anachronistic score juxtaposed with those sumptuously vast landscapes make this a stimulating sensory feast.

If you seek immersion into this world, a word of caution- this isn't for the hopeless romantics or the faint of heart. The others can willingly submit and come undone. 3.75/5
#WutheringHeightsMovie #Emilybronte @WarnerBrosIndia @addictionmargot @margotposts #MovieReview