NDTV Reviewer
NDTV
Most Divergent Takes
- Ragini MMS (2011)3.0 vs TRM 5.3-2.3
- Desi Boyz (2011)7.0 vs TRM 4.9+2.1
- Chakravyuh (2012)8.0 vs TRM 5.9+2.1
- Hate Story (2012)7.0 vs TRM 5.0+2.0
- Tomb Raider (2018)7.0 vs TRM 5.2+1.8
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
2018 · NDTV · Jun 2018
The Jurassic Park series has been on a decline ever since Spielberg first introduced us to the digitally-recreated reptiles back in 1993, but it continues to be a box office juggernaut and an adventure for the entire family. And though Fallen Kingdom is unsuccessful in pushing the franchise towards a more sincere take, it does manage to usher it into an era of new possibilities and properly justify its title (but not the subtitle), subtly at first and then in the most on-the-nose fashion with Dr. Malcolm in its closing moments.
Tomb Raider
2018 · NDTV · Mar 2018
Speaking of that epic treasure-hunting franchise, while the developers have clearly borrowed some of Nathan Drake's moves, they've created more than an "Uncharted" clone. The tone is darker, and the levels are less linear. This is not just "Uncharted" or "Assassin's Creed" with Lara Croft, it's "Tomb Raider" for a new era.
It
2017 · NDTV · Sep 2017
The idea of an entity that doesn't just feed on fear, but that carefully curates it, like the sadistic program director of a Halloween film festival, may not be exactly new. It is, however - like It itself - surprisingly effective.
The Fate of the Furious
2017 · NDTV · Apr 2017
On top of the clunky dialogue and absurd plot twists, such moments suggest that the franchise - which already has two more installments planned - peaked three movies ago, with 2011's Fast Five. Even so, Fate gives fans of the franchise exactly what they want, provided they can ditch logic as easily as the movie does.
Logan
2017 · NDTV · Mar 2017
It's a movie for those who, in the 17 years since the first X-Men film arrived, have grown up, and are ready for a stiff, un-watered-down drink
Kabali
2016 · NDTV · Jul 2016
To be happy seeing the Superstar in this new avatar where he absolutely kicks ass transporting us to his 'raw-actor' days or feel frustrated thinking about the innumerable ways the movie could have been scripted and staged better... the choice is yours!
Kung Fu Panda 3
2016 · NDTV · Apr 2016
Directors Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni deploy a gorgeous color palette for the Chinese countryside, using vibrant, swirling shades of green, blue and red for the panda hideaway. Rich golden tones color the Spirit Realm, where some of the climactic fights take place. The directors also make sure to let Po stay the charming bumbler he's always been. That's what makes him such an earnest, lovable hero.
Maari
2015 · NDTV · Jul 2015
A couple of mass moments and some quirky humor apart, there's nothing in Maari to justify the much-anticipated Balaji Mohan- Dhanush collaboration. But, the delirious fans seem to think otherwise.
I
2015 · NDTV · Jan 2015
Given the lavish budget, I is visually grandiose and that's not a surprise. But the visuals don't make up for the weak script. Even AR Rahman's music doesn't make much of a difference but for remaining mostly soothing and melodic. Returning after a gap of three years, Shankar should've gauged the pulse of the audiences who now prefer short stories over a three-hour film.
Unbroken
2015 · NDTV · Jan 2015
Jolie hasn't done a disservice to Zamperini's life, but it's hard to know what she was trying to tell. It's Zamperini's story in fact and circumstance, but somehow, he feels like an enigma.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
2014 · NDTV · Dec 2014
Secret of the Tomb certainly wasn't necessary, but its earnest goofiness is hard to resist. The bittersweet goodbye to Mr Williams just makes it all the more worthwhile.
Kaththi
2014 · NDTV · Oct 2014
Kaththi, which translates to sword in English, is largely blunt at the important edges. It reeks of overdose of melodrama and the need to preach.
Sex Tape
2014 · NDTV · Oct 2014
Overall, this much-anticipated Sex Tape, which seemed promising, is a big letdown.
Dracula Untold
2014 · NDTV · Oct 2014
Overall, this film is not for those seeking a spooky tale, but for those ready to enjoy a human-interest saga.
Ishqiya
2010 · NDTV · Oct 2014
In the second half, there are stretches in which the plot starts to blur and the end-twist is less than convincing. But if you have the patience and the willingness to savor an edgier, less populist popular Hindi cinema, you will be amply rewarded. I strongly recommend that you see it.
The Hundred-Foot Journey
2014 · NDTV · Aug 2014
It will be a pleasurable two hours — though lacking, cinematically, in a key ingredient that Hassan, in fact, knows a lot about: A little spice.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
2014 · NDTV · Jul 2014
Anderson is no realist. This movie makes a marvelous mockery of history, turning its horrors into a series of graceful jokes and mischievous gestures. You can call this escapism if you like. You can also think of it as revenge.
Man of Steel
2013 · NDTV · Jun 2013
While Snyder has succeeded in turning out a Superman that isn't silly (not a small feat) and will likely lay enough of a bedrock for further sequels, it's a missed opportunity — particularly with a bright cast of Shannon, Adams and Lane — for a more fun-loving spirit.
Iron Man 3
2013 · NDTV · May 2013
With a captivating finale, Iron Man 3 is a slick, inspired fantasy-adventure film that almost anyone can enjoy. Let's pray for the next edition to come soon.
Makkhi
2012 · NDTV · Dec 2012
Makkhi holds our attention right to the end. It is a conventional love story turned into a ferociously innovative saga by one masterstoke.
Desi Boyz
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Put your hands together for Desi Boyz. Smart, sassy, sexy and sparkling with dark audacious humour, the film brings us a striking director in Rohit Dhawan.
My Friend Pinto
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
My Friend Pinto is a very complex script to write and an even more complex act to pull off on screen. Dar manages the chaos created by Michael Pinto's misadventures across the celebratory streets of Mumbai with fluency and grace.
Hum Tum Shabana
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Wonder what prompted Sagar Bellary to attempt Hum Tum Shabana?
Tere Mere Phere
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
The first half of the film is just tolerable. The second half has its moments of extreme comedy. The end is equally disappointing leaving the viewers wondering as to why you wanted to witness this meaningless marriage.
Chargesheet
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
But unlike some of the movies made today, Chargesheet story and screenplay are good. With some literally titillating scenes liberally thrown in, this movie would definitely appeal to the mass front benchers. A must see if you have to.
Rascals
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
The film is carpeted with dreadfully unfunny jokes that insult every community including, of course, the movie-going community which is expected to laugh at a scene where Sanjay Dutt puts on an unconscious woman's underwear on and wonders: "Why is it so much easier to take off a woman's clothes than put it on?"
Ragini MMS
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Ragini MMS does not seem to be the work of one or a few creative soul, rather it looks like the handiwork of many heads trying to break creativity together that end up breaking apart the film instead.
Luv Ka The End
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Luv Ka the End is uncomfortably icky, tediously wannabe and depressingly homophobic. So characters determinedly use youthful lingo like babes, chill, BFF and of course, aren't afraid of four letter words. Everybody is styled casual cool and we even have a new age mom giving lines like: I know love is hard baby.
Zokkomon
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
The film is derivative, relentlessly foolish and staggeringly boring. Zokkomon is yet another Indian kiddie flick in which the creators believe that children equal low IQ.
Tanu Weds Manu
2011 · NDTV · Nov 2012
If you are looking for a great romantic comedy, this is not the one, but watch it for Madhavan and his chemistry with Deepak.
Chakravyuh
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
While the film contains a collage of competently calibrated performances by some brilliant actors like Chetan Pandit, who was last seen as an idealistic schoolteacher in "Agneepath", here slips into a cheesy cop's role and debutante Anjali Patil leaves the best impression among the supporting cast. A truly worthy successor to the holder of that never-forgotten actress with the same title (Smita).
Ajab Gazabb Love
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
If you are having a boring weekend with nothing better to do and if Ajab Gazabb Love is your only option, then only go for it.
Rush
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Rush has the bone though not enough meat to make for a juicy fare on the excesses of television journalism. It leaves you wondering what director Shamin Desai would have done with his film making career had he lived.
Chittagong
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
What makes Chittagong particularly special is the way it depicts heroism not as muscle-flexing, chest-thumping, rhetoric-driven bravado (as in standard 'war' films) but simply as audacious acts of defiance by ordinary people in the face of grave risk and the prospect of inevitable failure.
Barfi!
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Barfi! comes as close to being a modern masterpiece as cinematically possible. To miss it would be a crime. To embrace it is to serenade the sublime.
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
An interesting film, and far superior to the prolific Priyadarshan's other recent comedies like De Dana Dan, Khatta Meetha and Malamaal Weekly, a prequel to Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal.
Gattu
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Gattu carries forward the recent trend of sensible, intelligent funny and moving films about child protagonists, namely Taare Zameen Par, I Am Kalam and Stanley Ka Dabba. Add one more film to that luminous list of cinema on little wonders.
Hate Story
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
If in The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan wore her sexuality on her sleeve, in Hate Story, Paoli uses her sexuality like a favoured currency in the stock market. Hate Story pushes the envelope so hard, all the contents spill out in a torrential tumble of tantalising power-play set within the world of corporate battles and gender conflicts.This is a most riveting and aesthetic saga of a woman's revenge against the man who's wronged her since RK Nayyar's Inteqaam - except for the fact that Paoli does things Sadhana in Nayyar's film could have never imagined.
Department
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Department tells a virile story with no patience for sappy humbug. It's not meant for those who think lovers laughing their way into death, as they did in Ishaqzaade, are the last words in ruinous relationships.
Vicky Donor
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Large-hearted and generously endowed with moments that you take away with you from the film even as John Abraham comes on screen for an irrelevant song and dance item, the film is the surprise entertainer of the year. It is the warmest, funniest most sensible and sparkling comedy in a very long time. In Shoojit Sircar's vision every single actor shines with a glorious naturalness. Ayushmann is effortlessly the discovery of the year.
Agent Vinod
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
Agent Vinod is not quite the overwhelming experience that you would want a global espionage thriller to be. More thoughtful than thundering, more la Carre and less Bond it nonetheless take the spy genre in Hindi to a new level of finesse. Finally, the cool quotient in Raghavan's chic spin on the espionage thriller is so high that you forget Bond and all his bloody brothers.
Bittoo Boss
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
The sheer relief of watching a gifted new actor play, for a change, a good hearted, idealistic hero who sets off to make blue films and ends up sorting out problems between couples, is enough to make us not wince at the jagged edges which stick out here, there and everywhere in the narration.Bittoo Boss is filled with some genuinely endearing moments where the protagonist comes close to losing his stubborn values but retrieves them just in time.This film is an uneven but likeable experience held together by the debutant Pulkit's performance. He's undoubtedly a star in the making.
Housefull 2
2012 · NDTV · Nov 2012
So what's Housefull 2 about? Wrong question. Beyond a point, it's only about keeping the embers of satire alive by hook or by over-cook. Somewhere down line the witticism wears thin. But there are comic actors of terrific aptitude holding aloft the thinner segments in the farcical fabric.
Barfi!
2012 · Nov 2012
Barfi! celebrates life without dismissing the dark passages and roadblocks that we often encounter as we travel through that craggy road to death.To be able to celebrate life so warmly and sensitively the filmmaker has to know death closely. Basu, a concer survivor, has been there.Barfi! comes as close to being a modern masterpiece as cinematically possible. To miss it would be a crime. To embrace it is to serenade the sublime.