Deborah Cornelious
The Hindu
Joker
2019 · The Hindu · Oct 2019
Phillips probably intended Joker's social commentary to leave audiences with a lasting impression. Thankfully, its diluted and confused message is vastly overshadowed by an outstanding performance by Phoenix.
Jabariya Jodi
2019 · The Hindu · Aug 2019
ainfully preachy, without an ounce of unpredictability
Spider-Man: Far From Home
2019 · The Hindu · Jul 2019
Far from Home could never and wasn't really intended to outperform or trump Avengers: Endgame. But it's a definitely earned a place in the MCU while being a fantastic sequel for Homecoming.
Men in Black: International
2019 · The Hindu · Jun 2019
In the end, International is a mildly fun ride with satisfying special effects and an adequate number of chuckles.
Avengers: Endgame
2019 · The Hindu · Apr 2019
Though it's unlikely there are any, but even the uninitiated will appreciate Endgame. A hard-core fan, though, will most likely be overwhelmed with the constant onslaught of nostalgia.
Dumbo
2019 · The Hindu · Apr 2019
Tim Burton's magic can't save it...Disney's latest dip into its treasure of archives crashes before it can soar like its main character
Hellboy
2019 · The Hindu · Apr 2019
Hellboy is a strange sometimes comic journey filled with excessive carnage. It's no cinematic marvel but it's still a fun ride.
Bumblebee
2019 · The Hindu · Jan 2019
Bay may have anthropomorphised hunks of metal in five smash-bash Transformer films. But it's Knight who has injected heart and soul into that robot body.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
2018 · The Hindu · Dec 2018
A seamless blend of disparate aesthetics and an universally touching tale makes Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse incredibly refreshing
Aquaman
2018 · The Hindu · Dec 2018
Though flawed and excruciatingly long, DC's latest packs enough punch to keep Aquaman fans hooked.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
2018 · The Hindu · Nov 2018
The second of the Fantastic Beasts series is heavy on the head but easy on the eye
First Man
2018 · The Hindu · Oct 2018
A giant Oscar-worthy leap for Damien Chazelle...
Venom
2018 · The Hindu · Oct 2018
Venom is a treat only because of Hardy but try as he might (he does very much so), the actor cannot shoulder the disappointing film.
The Predator
2018 · The Hindu · Sep 2018
If the dismal unravelling of the film's plot isn't oppressive enough, its tone-deaf screenplay will dance on every last nerve. The comic relief is centred around an ex-military man's Tourette's syndrome. Director Black not only let his friend, a known sex offender, be a part of his film but he allowed lines like "tone down the psychosis" and "his son is retarded" to make the final cut. The Predator is a let down on so many counts that any and all redeeming factors go unnoticed while its mammoth flaws haunt your memory long after this debacle of a film is over.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
2018 · The Hindu · Jul 2018
McQuarrie who has also written Fallout, crafts a rewarding blockbuster, succeeding in pushing the envelope with the right dose of humour, an unprecedented amount of action and an explosive bang's worth of entertainment for your buck.
Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3
2018 · The Hindu · Jul 2018
There's random sex, flirtation and dropping of the sari pallu -- none of which is aesthetically pleasing. The film has no memorable songs either and even fails to move you with a cover of the popular Lata Mangeshkar song, Lag Ja Gale. With a hint of another sequel, either Dhulia takes a hard look at the relevance of this franchise, or convinces Salman Khan for a 'he is the bhai' edition and mint money.
Skyscraper
2018 · The Hindu · Jul 2018
As is obvious, Skyscraper's premise is pretty stretched. Plus, a suspension of disbelief is imperative to avoid sniggering at director Rawson Marshall Thurber's audacious stunts. But in the end, that inevitable, pesky gasp will creep in when Sawyer's hand slips on a railing and he's dangling thousand feet in the air.
Hereditary
2018 · The Hindu · Jun 2018
Think of the scariest thing that has happened to you, whether it's rightfully paranormal or something spooky. Multiply that by about a million times and you'll know the visceral dread that Hereditary leaves you with long after the credits roll.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
2018 · The Hindu · Jun 2018
Fallen Kingdom is an incredibly good-looking sequel that fails to take the story forward. It's a disappointing lead-up to the next episode that might not be required after what we've seen.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
2018 · The Hindu · May 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a mildly entertaining backstory to one of the most seminal characters in popular culture. We only wish questions that were never asked weren't answered in such excruciating detail.
Deadpool 2
2018 · The Hindu · May 2018
The plot doesn't actually reinvent the wheel and yet it dominates the screenplay. Reynolds' sequel — because let's be honest, it really is all his doing — is one of those incredibly fun and lewd gifts that keep on giving. And you certainly won't stop taking it all in; double entendres and all.
Avengers: Infinity War
2018 · The Hindu · Apr 2018
But is Infinity War the best Marvel film to day? Not really. With standalone ventures, the scope of a languid pace is a more balanced approach. Two-and-a-half-hours is a long time to be constantly sitting on the edge of a seat.
7 Days In Entebbe
2018 · The Hindu · Mar 2018
The film's saving grace is the focused recreation of the actual rescue that unfortunately gets diluted because of Padilha's decision to swiftly cut between it and the Minus 16 performance. What does help immensely is the dance's soundtrack, the powerful Hebrew passover song, 'Echad Mi Yodea'. Though not a lengthy film, it's too excruciating a wait to get to the good parts of 7 Days in Entebbe.
Hate Story 4
2018 · The Hindu · Mar 2018
There's murder, double-crossing, plot twists, smart alec-y attempts and even a fist fight. And after the director is done with his titillation, there's a very detailed explanation offered for all of it. Try as it might (and it really, really does) Hate Story 4 ends up more comedic than thriller.
Darkest Hour
2018 · The Hindu · Mar 2018
Gary Oldman ceases to exist with his powerful performance as the former English Prime Minister...
Red Sparrow
2018 · The Hindu · Mar 2018
Clocking in at more than two very long hours, Red Sparrow should have been shorter, simpler and a lot more entertaining.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
2018 · The Hindu · Feb 2018
This darkly comedic and moving revenge tale is a swansong to Frances McDormand's skill
The Shape of Water
2018 · The Hindu · Feb 2018
The star, however, is Del Toro's direction that constrains your chest in anticipation of the inevitable and simultaneously also swells your heart, reiterating that love does transcend everything, and in this case even species. And like the shape of water, it is all around us when submerged in it.
Atomic Blonde
2017 · The Hindu · Aug 2017
Don't be surprised if you don't quite get the purpose of how things unfold in Atomic Blonde 's climax. In any case, switch off your brain, come for Theron and stay for the action.
Berlin Syndrome
2017 · The Hindu · Jul 2017
Shortland's film is anti-climactic, burning at a painfully slow pace and never fully coming to a boil.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
2016 · The Hindu · Nov 2016
And its shortcomings notwithstanding, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is thoroughly enigmatic and essential to be experienced on the big screen.
Doctor Strange
2016 · The Hindu · Nov 2016
'Doctor Strange' is a subverted superhero film with plenty to look and laugh at.
Inferno
2016 · The Hindu · Oct 2016
In the end, the live action films are just like the books they were adapted from: quick fixes to ennui . So watch it and forget it, because it's not memorable. But Inferno is worth one viewing.
The Shallows
2016 · The Hindu · Sep 2016
For its part, The Shallows' antagonist is an efficient CGI-created shark, not scary by itself but, like any horror film, what it's capable of. In this case, its ability to rip a human in half, which it does in one gory instance. But the film is not just about a shark attack, it's about fighting till the end no matter what and — clichéd as it sounds — overcoming the odds.
Don't Breathe
2016 · The Hindu · Sep 2016
Even though Don't Breathe does fall short sometimes, it is still a great watch to see how the prey turns into the predator.
Bad Moms
2016 · The Hindu · Jul 2016
You're not going to want to leave the theatre with a sudden desire to be grateful for all your mother has done for you. Instead, you'll never want to have children, perhaps forgo marriage altogether and live a life of singledom. Oh, and resolve to watch better films.
Star Trek Beyond
2016 · The Hindu · Jul 2016
There's plenty going for Star Trek Beyond when the only thing holding it back is its formulaic approach. But you don't always have to go where no man has been before.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
2016 · The Hindu · Jun 2016
I really wanted to enjoy TMNT Out of The Shadows and reminisce those school-day afternoons spent watching the heroes-in-a-half shell on television. But alas, with no turtle power, the best and most authentic part about this sequel is its animated end credits.