Like a satisfying masala Bollywood film, Spectre is strictly escapist fun. Nothing wrong with that. It’s just that you know what they could’ve pulled off had they tried harder.

…the predictable plotting and the lazy characterization never really allow you to be invested in any of the film’s characters or to even care for them. Make no mistake, Salman Khan is the sole draw of this film, and he works hard for his top billing. The actor is in good form – terrific in the comic scenes, and earnest in the emotional ones – turning on the charm to help you survive, and even enjoy, this nearly 3 hour film that’s crammed with songs, and over-styled to a fault.

It’s familiar stuff, but also unmistakably entertaining.

There’s nothing path-breaking about Goosebumps, but it never bores. There’s an old-fashioned playfulness to the ‘horror’ scenes, and frankly I thought there were more laughs than scares. It’s one of those films that the family can watch together. Not a bad way to spend two hours.

Watching the film earlier this week, a whole year after I’d last watched it, the violence still felt stomach churning, and I still came away impressed by the unexpected moments of humor that Behl had managed to sneak into this intense drama. Titli is relentlessly grim and yet unmistakably powerful and moving. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea – it’s especially not for the squeamish – but it’s an unflinching study of family in the way that the movies rarely provide.

The film is funnier and slightly less misogynistic than 2011’s Pyaar Ka Punchnama…Someday we’ll get a smart film on the battle of the sexes. Until then, perhaps cheap laughs will have to do..?

Petit’s extraordinary story was also the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire, whose slick blend of archival footage, still photographs, dramatic re-enactments and interviews made it an incredibly compelling watch. The only thing missing in that film was video footage of the actual walk itself.
Although recreated, it’s the piece de resistance of Zemeckis’ film.

The film itself, which suggests that it may be too late to expect that the war on drugs can be won using ‘fair means’, seldom shies from the pessimistic view that there is no triumph and no redemption here. Villeneuve communicates those thoughts compellingly in this relentless film that never lets up. Don’t miss it.

This is essential viewing, if only to understand the world we live in.

Bubbling with cheeky dialogue and propelled by its ‘can-do’ spirit, The Martian is an optimistic survival tale with a leading man who owns the screen. Scott puts a nice spin on the modern sci-fi, and a gives us a film that warms the heart.