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Palestinian Film Database D4BL
Reviews
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (2023)
Manoj's masterclass in India's finest legal drama
If there is a move, in particular a courtroom drama, that has the ability to move you like Jai Bhim, it is this film. No Indian actor can so effortlessly ease into the role of this Jodhupri lawyer Solanki as Manoj has. He takes the right pauses, occupies enough space and just exudes confidence in his dialogue delivery. An acting masterclass!
The overall set-up, production quality may not be up there but that is no longer the expectation with OTT content. The editor has done a fairly good job. Production and direction lacked some consistency with the realities in some areas but it was compensated by the editing. Supporting cast is good, they do not distract you with overacting but also allow you to appreciate how Manoj is just a class apart. Must see!
The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984 (2023)
Babil steals this show!
Great cast and well directed, some sequences were a bit over the top towards the end and it could be better edited in the third and fourth episode, but mostly it's great. The DARK/Chernobyl-esque lighting and cinematography in the first two episodes is able to draw in the viewer and hold them until the end of the series.
The Railway Men evokes a strong contempt for American chemicals and Big Pharma complex, and to some extent, the INC party. The anti-Sikh slogans by Congress supporters sound very similar to anti-Muslim slogans by RSS++ groups today. However, much of the production lacks the rigor to meet the linguistic nuances and interior of the 80s, perhaps due to a lower budget.
However, Babil's acting particularly in the second and third episodes stands out. His soft, physical delivery of emotions and dialogues makes the viewer get closer to his character unlike any other.
Overall, it is an inspiring story of grit, suffering and deplorable carelessness by the State that deserves to be shown to every Indian.
Jaane Jaan (2023)
Jaideep's brilliance steals the show
With Sujoy's typical overly intricate sub plots and parallel storylines, the movie is your typical Bollywood thriller. Above average in keeping the viewers thinking, it uses elements similar to Dhrishyam of alibi building but uses great script and sharp editing to keep the viewer engaged. All actors do a great job. Vijay maintains his quality while Kareena is back at her acting peak after Jab We Met. And yet, Jaideep steals the show with the impeccable execution of an insecure Math teacher, who is sharply ahead of his opponent in the story's game of chess. His initial monologue and last sudden switch of character best portrays his genius. A much better addition to Netflix's genre of Hindi series or films with titles inspired by old songs.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Brings out humanity's stupidity
An average film, the movie still does a decent job at articulating the mess we live in and how billionaires and rich white men will screw us irrespective of what happens with climate change or any other crisis. Meryl, Leo and Jennifer all do a good job in acting out the weirdly funny ensemble of characters that Kay brings alive. One time watch but a one people really need to knock some sense back onto them.
Black Widow (2021)
Scope for More
As one of the key origin films, especially after endgame, this movie had created high hopes. However, it was unable to live up to the expectations. Scarlett Johanneson did a decent job at executing the story and bringing more emotions to the character, but the action and the acting in a few places were too typical of a superhero movie and could not match the originality of movies like the black panther. It's a decent film, but it could have been much more with respect to its storyline, fleshing out of characters and the screenplay.
Sir (2018)
Poignantly Subtle
Such a slow, well paced film - mostly shot in one apartment of Bombay - That captures accurately the class differences of the rich and the less privileged of Mumbai. Both lead actors have done a great job at communicating their emotions, and the extremely real challenges they face in their daily lives. Tillotama in fact does brilliantly at shedding her own personality and doing justice to the character of the Marathi servant, very similar to her performance in the monsoon wedding.
Fed Up! (2002)
Great introduction to GM food
The documentary aptly introduces the dilemma between the Scientific advancement associated with genetically modified and engineered crops, and the repercussions that are caused. It covers in great depth the kind of modifications, they arguments associated with the implications on health and how moving to organic alternatives and promoting the uptake of buying fresh from the farm could go on to save the health of millions. It serves as a fresh introduction to the political economy of GM food.
Jai Bhim (2021)
Reality Check at its best
The movie, though slow in its first half, does a great job at bringing out the misuse of power by the Indian police force and the unjust treatment meted out to the tribal and lower caste communities of India. Still treated as untouchables, Dalits face great oppression every day across India and with the scenes in the police room or the general harassment faced by the characters, the movie does a fairly good job at bringing out the daily agonies of these oppressed citizen. The script is what makes the movie class apart, with fairly decent acting. The editing and shot selection could do with more finesse but the ending is just worth every wait and will surely make you tear up.