A Haunting in Venice

 Kenneth Branagh is a man of fine taste . He has taken up the project of adapting Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot on the silver screen on a large scale with grandeur and opulence. His two earlier movies , The murder on Orient Express and Death on Nile were a visual delight and a feast to watch despite being murder mysteries.

The third installment in the series , A Haunting in Venice , is a spooky spin to the Poirot mysteries loosely based on one of Agatha Christie’s lesser known works , Halloween game .

Set in post World War II Venice , in a pallazo haunted by the vengeful ghosts of children who died there , a grieving mother hosts a Halloween party and later a seance in a desperate plea to speak to the spirit of her daughter. A self exiled , retired Poirot is pulled into this gathering by his American novelist friend , a famous author to make sense of this supernatural phenomenon.

Poirot thinks it’s a fiasco until a murder happens right in front of his eyes and then another . He finds himself hearing the voices of the ghosts and later seeing them and talking to them . He is on the verge of believing that it is the work of the ghosts seeking vengeance . But is it ?? Is everything what it appears to be ? Or is there a mastermind behind all this set up? Will Piorot be sane enough to uncover the truth ?

Horror is my least favorite genre , and I did not read the book. I watched it because it’s Hercule Poirot in action. To my advantage, I watched it in a flight , so I wasn’t too scared . But this movie could scare you a lot if you watch it alone on a bigger screen .

Most of the action takes place in a haunted mansion , so the setting isn’t as lavish as the previous two films. There are lot of twists and turns , the suspect keeps changing till the end .you are left clueless on who actually committed the murders .

Kenneth Branagh is no David Suchet, he is not Agatha Christie’s Poirot . To his defense, he never claimed to be one . He donned on the hat with a style of his own , a serious thoughtful, brooding Poirot , who faces the ghosts of his own past . His film settings are far more lavish and his characters are a lot more glamorous and complex than the books . So there is no point comparing his movies with the books. It’s like apples and oranges .

So do not bring the books into the equation , enjoy his movies as standalone , and you will love them . There is finesse and charm in his work . It’s a fine film .

Rating: 👍👍👍👍

Rebel Moon

 This movie was bashed and thrashed , tossed and charred . I watched it with no expectations, if you like STAR WARS and Mandalorian, it isn’t bad . I guess the director Zack Snyder comes with great reputation and there was a lot of buzz around this movie . It is no way original , much has been borrowed from STAR WARS ( the concept of Empire , the world of imperialism and the rebels )and a bit from Avatar ( Tarak and the flying creature ). Overall it is pretty much a STAR WARS offshoot . If the makers contest otherwise, then they are in for a debate . Watch it only if you like STAR WARS and your blood doesn’t boil if some other franchise is copying it .

Rating: 👍👍👍

Barbie

Much has already been said about this movie . I will keep it short - I watched it , loved it . A journey to self discovery with a strong message on women empowerment, this movie is extraordinary . It’s a little complicated at times , but well , it’s a Barbie world , imagination, life is your creation

. Hoping it wins big - both in Golden Globe and the Oscars

 

Bank of Dave

 Starting off 2024 with a very fine film , one of the best I have watched of late . An uplifting drama set in the small town of Burnley in England , it is about a local van salesman who wants to open a community bank to help run small local businesses in the town . He hires a conservative London lawyer for help. Together they are up against the London elite , as there has been no new bank which has been opened for more than 150 years . Together , along with the rest of the community , they put up a good fight .

The movie is very sweet and charming , very fine performances , there is music , karaoke , high morals , small town , community help and there is Def Leppard . Apparently this is loosely based on true events , which makes it even more inspiring. Very very good movie !

Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

A Walk in the woods (movie)

 This is a 2015 movie which is on the recommended list on Netflix, based on a very popular book , A walk in the woods , by Bill Bryson. The book covers the epic journey of Bill Bryson as he attempts the 2000 mile Appalachian trail . My cousin had this book and I had read bits and pieces of it long back .

The film is based on the book, but right from the ages of the protagonists, there are glaring differences. Bill Bryson was in his 40s when he attempted the trail .

In the movie , Robert Redford plays Bill Bryson who is a septuagenarian who recently shifted back to the United States after a 10 year stint in Europe . He wants to hike the mighty Appalachian trail to connect back to his roots . Along with his unkempt alcoholic friend Stephen Katz played by Nick Notle , they attempt to hike the trail and get into all sorts of goofy issues old men generally get into . This sure does not fully match with the author’s experiences in the book but if watched standalone , you can have a hearty laugh.

There are lot of good things about the movie , the lead cast is amazing , cinematography is mesmerizing. I personally love the smokies , they are the mountains closest to us in Texas and are renowned for their breathtaking beauty. The wilderness of the smokies is captured beautifully in the movie .

Overall, It’s a very simple movie about two old men who take up a massive challenge and get into trouble. But It’s not a family watch , definitely not for children , the dialogues are not appropriate, there is a lot of slang and loose talk .

If you like hiking and love outdoors, try this movie . Nothing remarkable, but it gives you a peek into a much better world far away from

the gore and violence we find in many movies these days .

Rating : 👍👍👍👍

All the Lights we cannot see (Netflix Limited Edition)

 It is indeed contradictory to write a review on All the Lights we cannot see, especially during the season of festival of Lights , Diwali, but yet, here we go.

I managed to watch this highly watched and much criticized limited Netflix series last week . The story is based on one of the most acclaimed novel of the decade with the same name, written by Anthony Doerr. Set in the times of World War II, the plot revolves around a blind French girl caught up alone in the town of Nazi invaded Saint Malo, and broadcasts hidden messages to the Allies on an illegal radio show every night. A German Nazi soldier Werner, who is a genius in intercepting messages , is tasked to find the illegal radio operators and destroy their resources. Their paths cross around the D-Day, when France is eventually rescued by the Allied forces. We would anticipate the French and Germans to be enemies, but these two had one thing in common.

In their childhood, they both listened to the broadcasts of a professor, who would send messages of hope and light to the kids in the times of war. So when they finally meet each other, there is more of a connection of hope than the animosity of war between them.

The book is a prolific piece of literature, it is poetry in the war times. It is the sheer magic of words and a lyrical read despite the atrocious times it is set in.

To make an adaptation out of it, is by itself a big deal. When the story is presented on the screen , it is obviously gloomy, the image we built up in our minds about the magical Saint Malo is shattered. The makers have taken a lot of creative liberty with the plot, thus deviating from the book by a large extent. The book had such brilliant lines, I wonder why the dialogues where so shallow. This coupled with some bland acting does make this series a melancholy watch.

But I ought not have the heart to bash it completely yet. It was a sincere effort, a lot of research has gone in making this series, a blind actress with no prior acting experience has been roped in to play the lead role. Aria Mia Loberti does a fantastic job as Marie-Laure. Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie are commendable in their roles and add great depth to their characters. And the movie , like the book, conveys the same message. In the midst of the darkness and horror of war, the "Light" refers to hope.

Perhaps, this season of Diwali and Thanksgiving, we should take this opportunity to look beyond what is perceivable to the eye, and pay attention to All the Light we cannot see. Be thankful and grateful for what we have, as in another part of the world, this very moment, there is more than one war going on. People are clinging on to their dear lives looking for a glimmer of hope, just to survive.

My Rating: 👍👍👍👍

The wonderful story of Henry Sugar

 The movie is a very impressive adaptation of the book with some highly prolific actors .

It is a story of a rich gambler who loves hoarding money until he comes across a guru who gains mysterious powers , an ability to see without his eyes . It is then he realizes that there is more to life than hoarding money and decides to be a better person.

Dahl’s imagination is usually out of the world . The on screen adaptation is quite innovative , it’s more like watching a theatrical with narration and props . It boasts of a rich star cast and all the actors have done a terrific job .

It’s a 40 min short film , quite delightful and meaningful. The plot is faithful to the book . If you like Roald Dahl , do watch it .

My rating : 👍👍👍👍

Saturday, 30 September 2023

The Pale Blue Eye

 A gothic murder mystery featuring the renowned poet Edgar Allen Poe as one of the chief investigators , this movie is a period thriller set in New York in 1830s.

A veteran detective Augustus Landor( Christian Bale ) is called upon to investigate the gruesome murder of one of the cadets in the US military academy. The only evidence which Landor has is a scrap of note left in the hands of the victim . He seeks the help of a fellow cadet ( Poe) to assist him in solving few pieces of the puzzle together.

As they together embark on solving the mystery, they unravel something gothic and find themselves in danger . And when they think they have untangled the mystery, another big twist comes up .

This movie has a lot of things to be praised upon . The star cast is outstanding, there are superior performances which we do not come across very often . Christian Bale is a very fine actor and this is one of his finest performances till date . Harry Melling ( Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter movies ) has turned out to be an excellent actor , his performance complemented Bale’s performance very well . The setting is beautiful, full of snow , pristine white . The plot is also intriguing, it is a twisty puzzle .

But where it falters is the number of characters in the story . There should have been a lot more characters to avoid narrowing down the suspicion on a selected few .

Overall it is a good one time watch. If you like gothic mystery and you are up for some seasoned and exquisite acting , this movie is for you .

My Rating : 👍👍👍👍

Monday, 25 September 2023

Love at First Sight

 Oohlala, romance is in the air . Reminded me of the good old movies , you have got mail , serendipity, sleepless in Seattle . Old fashioned romance . There is statistics on one side , there is fate and luck on the other . Good to see both sides of the coin in this beautiful, soulful romance .

Rating : 👍👍👍

All

Monday, 28 August 2023

Dungeons and Dragons

A very fine movie , where everything on the platter is served in the right quantities , a good dose of humor , loads of adventure with a right amount of emotions .

A queer band of adventurers embark on a heist to retrieve a lost relic , which brings back people from the dead . What they think could be a straight forward heist turns out to be an adventure filled with danger , dungeons and dragons . Chris Pine and Hugh Grant steal the show with their charm in this hilarious adventure based on the popular immersive role play game .

The action sequences are amazing and dialogues are very witty , overall a good family watch.

There is no big plot , though the emotional core is solid . If you like fantasy , quests , heists and adventure, do not miss this movie .

Rating : 👍👍👍👍

Monday, 14 August 2023

The Adjustment Bureau

I watched this movie in my flight back home . This one is my favorite genre , romance and action and well , it has Matt Damon . He plays a successful politician , David Norris , who is on the verge of winning an election . The future looks bright and rosy , and he is all set to be a presidential candidate.

He meets a contemporary dancer , and instantly falls in love . What ensues is a bunch of freak accidents . There are a group of mysterious men who are hell bent to keep him apart from the woman he loves . David learns that he is up against the powerful agents of fate themselves . He gets a glimpse of his own future when they decide to confront him and tell him that he is not destined to meet the woman again . David is forced to either accept the destiny as it is or defy fate to be with the love of his life.

This movie is more than a decade old , nevertheless I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is mostly a chase , race against fate , he has to be at the wrong time in a wrong circumstance to cheat destiny . An action fantasy tale, too good to be true . The lead pair is terrific , visual treat to the eyes . The screenplay is taut and gripping . Overall a great watch .

My Rating: 👍👍👍👍

 

Saturday, 12 August 2023

Ticket to Paradise

Beautiful people , beautiful place and a beautiful vibe . Julia Roberts went alone to Bali in Eat, Pray and Love to do some soul searching and found love . After more than a decade she goes to Bali again with her on-screen soul mate , George Clooney and they have a blast together, both on screen and off screen .

They play an estranged couple , married briefly . When their daughter , post graduation goes to a vacation to Bali and falls head over heels in love with a local sea weed farmer , the parents join hands and come running to stop the marriage. They think their daughter is doing the same mistake they did years ago and her marriage will also end soon like theirs . “However beautiful this place may be and however pleasant you may seem , it’s not going to be enough .”

Overall It’s a very easy and feel good movie , no big plot , just some silly , dramatic moments in between . Clooney and Roberts dominate the show completely , their chemistry is amazing .

The dialogues are really witty , few quite poetic , and few very meaningful.

“ Nature, God and people , you balance all three , You live a good life “. We are so off balance, aren’t we ??

So sit back , relax , enjoy the beautiful Bali and the gorgeous lead pair , who seem to have had a blast in this movie .

My Rating : 👍👍👍👍👍

Thursday, 10 August 2023

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

 I started watching this delightful movie yesterday night and couldn’t stop till I finished it . It is an enchanting story about a widowed cleaning lady in London who falls in love with a couture Dior gown and decides that she must buy one for herself . It is 1950s and the House of Dior is still exclusive. With all her war widow’s pension money in her bag and big dreams in her eyes , she goes to Paris . Being a commoner, she does face opposition among the aristocrats and the conservatives. But then the progressive mindset prevails and Mrs Harris wins over every one with her charm and innocence.

It is difficult to find such simple , straightforward delightful movies these days . I was waiting for a twist which never came . I kept watching it with a big smile on my face until the very end .The lead actress, Lesley Manville , is adorable as Ada Harris. It’s so easy to fall in love with her . Elegant and graceful. like a Dior Couture gown . Apparently this movie is based on a book , am sure it will be a wonderful read.

My Rating : 👍👍👍👍👍

All

Sunday, 6 August 2023

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

 It’s hot in Houston and we are all finding ways to chill . Appropriately themed Summer Chills , Alley Theatre is bringing forth very popular mystery and classic adaptations on stage this summer .

Today , we watched one of Agatha Christie’s most popular mysteries , The Murder of Roger Ackroyd in Alley theatre . The casting , the sound effects and lighting - everything is extraordinary .The dialogues are very well written and extremely witty .

The actor who played Hercule Poirot can give David Suchet a run for his money . His gait and accent are perfect.

Do not miss this play , especially, if you are an Agatha Christie fan . It is a murder mystery, so obviously there is murder, a murder weapon and reference to suicide . So please exercise caution if you are taking young children with you .

My Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

Saturday, 5 August 2023

Mission Impossible : Dead Reckoning Part 1

 It keeps getting bigger and better . The MI series , over a span of 30 years, has managed to keep it clean and action oriented , without too much emotional drama attached to it .

Kudos to the film makers . Tom Cruise doesn’t like walking on the ground . He has to be either running , zooming off in a car , bike or mostly flying in the air by whatever means possible . He has to be hanging upside down , be it any form of transportation- train , car , plane or a parachute . Coming up with innovative action sequences is a very important aspect for MI franchise , and they do it with ease .

Loved every bit of this movie . It kept us at the edge of our seats . It is a two part movie , so there is a little slack in the middle , but the cool action sequences make up to the slack . Go watch it in the movie theater , it has to be big screen for Tom Cruise .

My Rating : 👍👍👍👍👍

Monday, 9 January 2023

The swimmers

 

A very fine movie, based on a true tale of two sisters who flee from war-torn Syria to Germany in hope of a better life. Sara and Yusra Mardini are professional swimmers, Yusra dreams of representing Syria in the Rio Olympics. But a larger hand is at play . Syria faces a rebellion and the ongoing crisis leads to a Civil war. Damascus is bombed and Syrians flee from their homeland to seek asylum in the European countries. Sara and Yusra, along with their cousin follow the cue .They travel with other refugees by land and sea with no food , water for days together in locked trucks and an inflated boat, which stops working mid-way, thus stalling them in the middle of the sea. The horrific  circumstances they encounter teaches them to stand up for a cause much greater than the Olympics or their own country, to fight for the shelter and welfare of all the refugees across the world. It is a tale of struggle and  survival which eventually leads them to the path of humanity. The movie reminded me of Khaled Hosseini’s “The Sea Prayer”, a short powerful novel which depicts the Syrian refugee crisis. It is very well shot, the actors did a fabulous job. There are certain sequences which are a little over dramatic, and I found the movie a tad lengthy. There are a couple of sequences which are not appropriate for children. Otherwise a very inspiring weekend family watch.

Rating: 👍👍👍👍

 

Tuesday, 3 January 2023

Brahmastra

 Watched Brahmastra on Disney+ over the weekend. Pretty good movie with some cool graphic stuff and solid star cast . First in the trilogy , the story is about an orphan who figures out that fire doesn’t harm him and he has a connection with a bunch of secret guardians who are guarding the divine weapons of the world . A recent threat has caused havoc in their lives and Shiva ( Ranbir kapoor ) steps in to save the world . The movie has great visual effects, we could sense a similarity with The Eternals . We were in awe when we saw the first stunt , Shahrukh flying in the air with his Vanarastra . The ending battle was pretty cool with different types of Astras flying around . The plot had a lot of flaws , especially the way the love story unfolded was quite abrupt . Almost till the end I suspected Alia Bhatt’s motive in joining hands with Shiva . It was a lengthy movie too , but the songs are good , so no complaints. Capital stuff . My boys loved the movie too and we are all waiting for Part 2 , desperately hoping Dev is not Ranbir Kapoor in dual role . Would love to see Ranveer Singh as Dev , that costume and role seems tailor made just for him .

Rating: 👍👍👍👍

Tuesday, 20 December 2022

Hachi

 Watched Hachi - A dog’s tale over the weekend. The movie is based on a real life story of a Japanese Akita , Hachiko, who waited every day at the railway station for 9 years waiting for his deceased master until his time is up . The bronze statue of Hachiko still stands tall at Shibuya station in Japan . It’s a Japanese tale , adapted to an American movie . Like every Japanese story , this one is also intense and extraordinary. The screenplay is brilliant, Richard Gere is amazing . This movie made me cry , but it is one of the finest I have watched . If you are going to watch it , be prepared to shed a lot of tears and fall in love with Hachi , who is considered the most loyal dog in the world .

Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

Tuesday, 6 December 2022

The Noel Diary

A feel good romance with a neat plot , a road trip across old towns with some Christmas cheer . It is about a best selling author who has just come to settle his estranged mother’s estate . He finds a dairy which might hold secrets about his past . As he is working through his mother’s belongings , he meets a woman who knocks on his door and claims to be the daughter of his childhood nanny . She is abandoned by her mother when she was a baby and is now looking for answers about her own past . As they embark on a road trip to dig more into the mystery, they find out that it could be more than their past connecting them together .

The plot is the strength of this movie, neatly tied up together . The lead characters are subdued and sensible , both of them understand loss and suffering , they make a good pair . But I would have liked a dash of humor and some action , the movie was a little bland to me. The screenplay isn’t up to the mark , there are some scenes where the transition is very abrupt, and few where the romance seems forced . None of the side characters are appealing , and though the script and the dialogues are quite meaningful, the dialogue delivery isn’t good . They failed to create the necessary emotional impact.

But overall it is a good movie . The journey of loss and grief , the fear of not letting in and trust someone fully is quite touchy and relatable . Walking away from any relationship has a significant impact causing lot of repercussions ,this theme is depicted well . Light romance , passable .

Rating: 👍👍👍

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