Masala
Reviewing since 2017 · Last review Oct 2019
Films
Scoring fingerprint
30 scored reviews · 0–10
Most given: 6 (9 reviews)6% of reviews not scored
In step with the room
Within a point of the Monk Score on 67% of 30 films
Closest peer
Agrees with Masala on 88% of 26 shared films
Divergence
From the archive
Joker is a chilling story of what happens when a cruel society forsakes people with mental illnesses and hands them weapons to hurt themselves and others. The message is clear when Fleck commits shocking acts of violence but the film becomes slightly irresponsible when it doesn't involve the humane element in the discourse at all.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+1.9
No one can stop you from watching this if you are a) a Hrithik/Tiger fan and b) if you're into deliciously bad action films. It's Kesari meets Face/Off meets all those generic Steven Seagal and Richard Gere films that weren't boring and sporadically stylized enough to keep you on your seat. Watch the trailer of the film here.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
Perhaps what is most endearing about the film is the kind message of it all: don't rely on jingoism or silly charms and superstitions or even hate to win or play the game. Play the game because you love the game and enjoy the game itself. Watch the film for some enjoyable laughs, cute moments, and perhaps a lovely date night.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5+1.5
Wobbly messaging aside, Dream Girl is an extremely fun watch. The songs are nothing great but the conversations between the characters continue to be the saving grace. It's especially commendable because it could have been really easy to make stale jokes and let a man dressed as a woman to bear the weight of the joke. Thankfully it doesn't. But perhaps the funniest lines are delivered by the lovesick men desperately looking for their 'Pooja'. Everything really comes together in the end quite neatly and thus the biggest takeaway for "Dream Girl" is that it's a fun watch with a sensitive message.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2+1.8
However, antagonist or protagonist, the film isn't a hero's tale. It stays true to its message: it's a film about losers telling you you just shouldn't care if you're a loser because it all turns out okay in the end. And all the losers sitting in the audience will know humiliation and rejection because Tiwari tells the tale masterfully. There's enough truth about life and success and failure in the film to help you sail through (with maybe some clenched teeth) the holes in the film.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1
TRM 4.4+1.6
Despite the appallingly spelled title, Judgementall Hai Kya is to be lauded for de-stigmatising mental illness and spinning an engaging, entertaining yarn while doing so.
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
Super 30 anchors and succeeds solely because of Hrithik's grounded performance in the film. Pankaj Tripathi is yet another treat in the film as he plays the corrupt politican with brilliance and ease. There aren't any clear cut heroes in the film despite it being all about a larger than life story. There are no big dance numbers (not a lot anyway) where the hero is almost invincible. In fact, it tells you the important tale of being your own hero. You can definitely show this film for a motivational class and if you're a Hrithik Roshan fan, you'll definitely cherish this.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7+0.3
Very few socioeconomic and political dramas and thrillers in India are able to achieve what Article 15 has—much less those based on true events—but Sinha, whose films have walked on to have a voice that is angrier, more vocal, and considering the politically unstable times we live in, all the more necessary for those reasons, packs in so much narrative grace and artistic visual filmmaking verve, it's hard to look away through the 140 minutes it powers through.
Full review ↗TRM 7.4+0.6
Kabir Singh is a good watch mainly because of how well the main character is balanced by Shahid Kapoor. Vanga doesn't lose sight of the journey and doesn't forget that amidst all the existentialist dilemmas and song placements, he's telling a modern tale of a toxic male which cannot be justified but has to be told in an entertaining, compelling way. And that it does!
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
Like with most biopics that are instead hagiographies, director Omung Kumar (Bhoomi, 2017) and his team of writers — there are three — deify the central protagonist more than any director could ever have done for Rajinikanth's star power. Oberoi, who delivers ably and with grace and respectfulness as Modi, seems to have bagged the role of a lifetime.
Full review ↗TRM 3.3−0.3
The problem with the film is that it seems confused – should it be a candyfloss campus flick with hot chicks and hunky dudes or should it be a candyfloss campus flick with sports and tense moments? It ends up being neither. What remains is the candyfloss. Which, in retrospect, isn't such a bad thing as you go for the movies to have a good time and be entertained. Student of the Year entertains but is too vanilla to have any lingering taste. In Hindi film parlance, I'd say, it's a decent timepass film worth the popcorn. But frankly, it's time for the students to graduate.
Full review ↗TRM 3.8+1.2
TRM 4.6+1.4
Luka Chuppi is an enjoyable watch that is directed at a young audience who will find it very relatable. It also subtly touches upon various relevant and timely social issues. Go for it and have a good time at the movies!
Full review ↗TRM 5.2+0.8
Frustrated with the interference from the Gandhis and the apparent unwillingness of Manmohan Singh to set the record straight, Baru resigns and writes his memoir, The Accidental Prime Minister (accidental as Singh never contested an election but was a Rajya Sabha member). Sales are sluggish, until the PMO denounces the book: at which point, it becomes a bestseller. Gutte should hope his film meets with the same good fortune.
Full review ↗TRM 3.9+0.1
Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta shine in this charming, slice-of-life film that tackles the stigma attached to the intimate lives of older people...
Full review ↗TRM 6.7+0.3
Stree is boring, slow and stretched. But a few fun jokes and the overall light-hearted treatment makes it a bearable watch.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−1.3
The film though, manages to have a light-hearted vibe and some of the scenes are genuinely funny. The music is also pretty hummable. I found myself almost dancing to Fu Bai Fu. And Acche Din by Amit Trivedi is a good spin on the famous phrase used cleverly to comment on Fanney Khan's financial situation. But overall Fanney Khan lacks depth or purpose.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4+0.6
Karwaan is a film that deals with dealing grief and life at large. It's a film on existentialism. It's a slice of life served with enough delicious toppings. Bite into it!
Full review ↗TRM 5.8+0.2
Soorma isn't without flaws. It gets manipulative in places. The happy banter before the gunshot scene is written to establish Sandeep as a happy-go-lucky character and ooze out more sympathy for him. The song montages against a gruelling training session is also not too original. Hindi films will have to come up with better narratives to depict grit and determination in our sports heroes! Shad Ali finally redeems himself after the disastrous Kill (Me Gently) Dill by bringing Sandeep Singh on celluloid and sharing his inspiring story. Watch it over the weekend.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6+1.4
TRM 3.4−0.4
Veere Di Wedding looks exactly like a Balaji production, all gloss and glamour and hardly any soul.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6−0.6
John Abraham despite all his limitations as an actor is extremely earnest not only in his performance but also in his intention to tell the Pokharan tale. His most honest moment comes towards the end when he breaks down in tears. Boman Irani is a delight to watch. He gives a controlled and classy performance as the PM's secretary. Despite resorting to some very obvious tricks, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran remains noble in its intention of telling a historic tale that made every Indian proud. It's a good one time watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2+0.8
Raazi, besides celebrating Sehmat's heroism that led to India's victory in the 1971 war, is an emotionally intelligent film. It makes you question a lot about warring countries and world peace and that's always a good feeling to walk out with.
Full review ↗TRM 7.1+0.9
Omerta is a pain-lashed brutal and blunt exposition on terrorism. It offers no hope for the end of violence. In fact it tells us that violence won't go away even if we want it to.
Full review ↗TRM 6.1+0.9
Adapting the higher scales from the musical notes, Majid Majidi's symphony on the underbelly of Mumbai plays out at an impossibly shrill pitch without losing the core cadence. The director is not alone in pursuing that pitch-perfect shrillness. Ishaan Khattar knows how that is done.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9+2.1
October is not a usual film. We might even question what bonded the two lead characters. Some of the scenes are extremely sluggish. Yet the film moved me to tears multiple times. I am happy filmmakers are taking a chance, not sticking to a format and experimenting bravely.
Full review ↗TRM 6.9+0.1
Despite the magnificent build-up in the first half, the second quickly begins to disintegrate, the twists and turns begin to confuse and the jokes get repetitive. It literally "suc...s" out the fun.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
The spotlight, therefore, shines entirely on Rani and her journey. Her acting credentials are impeccable and she lends immense credibility to Naina but let's just say, Hichki is unable to create the magic that Sidney Poitier created in the British classic To Sir, With Love. However, it's definitely one that will win over Rani's fans.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7
The one thing I look forward to while watching a Neeraj Pandey film is thrill. However, this one left me sitting at the edge of my seat restlessly waiting to gasp. A classic example of a well-intentioned film that isn't well executed! Watch this one only for honest performances and Sidharth Malhotra's jaw-dropping good looks.
Full review ↗TRM 4.4−0.4
The pacing of the film in both halves is a huge problem, but that's a small hiccup in an otherwise light hearted film that leaves you with a happy, infectious 'hellllloooooo' ringing in your head for long!!!
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+1.4
Qarib Qarib Singlle is not something that you haven't seen before. It works primarily for a few beautifully written scenes with a stellar leading pair that lends a lot of credibility to the characters they play. Besides, the film also captures North and East India beautifully. It takes you to Dehradun, Delhi, Jaipur and Sikkim and it's a treat to the eyes.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
