Movie Archives

Akshay Kumar, Gold, and the Case for Not Mixing Politics and Sports

The World Cup match between Switzerland and Serbia ended with an important question: Should politics and sport mix? It’s a question we should ask ourselves, on the brink of witnessing another hyper-nationalistic sport film, the Akshay Kumar-starrer, Gold.

Manik Sharma July 24, 2016

Pop Culture

Darlings Review: Great Performances Propel a Slow-Burn Dramedy

Darlings take its sweet time to get going, but is shouldered by three impeccable performances that become the mainstay of a film happy to avoid genre clichés.

Pradeep Menon July 19, 2016

Culture

The Last Jedi is 2017 in a Nutshell

Star Wars isn’t about aliens fighting each other with fluorescent tube lights and spaceships blowing each other up. There’s nuance behind all that CGI, and themes that ensure The Last Jedi is a fine example of art imitating life.

Damian D'souza July 16, 2016

POV

Why Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar Made Me Stop Glorifying the “Tortured Artist” Trope

The perception of a tortured artist is so glorified that it has become perversely aspirational. There is something highly alluring about the idea of deep sorrow and depression acting as a springboard for great pieces of art. The artists know it, and so does the market. But is this greatness worth it if you become an accomplice in your own exploitation?

Runjhun Noopur July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Why is Arjun Reddy Getting a Bollywood Remake?

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy – arguably the most polarising Telugu film in recent times – is not without its problems. It has managed to sustain the attention and outrage of audiences across the country. Even in 2019, people just can’t seem to stop talking about Arjun Reddy. And that’s why we have Kabir Singh releasing tomorrow.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Roma Review: Alfonso Cuarón Masterfully Captures the Memory of Childhood

Alfonso Cuarón’s autobiographical Roma doesn’t simply imitate or recreate life in an upscale neighbourhood in 1970 Mexico City. Instead the black-and-white spectacle captures the memory of childhood, in unflinching clarity.

Poulomi Das July 14, 2016

Bollywood

Why Ranbir Kapoor May Never Be the Real Hero of Sanju

The intense buzz around Sanju begs a fascinating question: Is the film riding on Sanjay Dutt’s cult reputation or on Ranbir Kapoor’s acting prowess? Dutt’s colourful life guarantees that the battle is already half-won, but will it be Kapoor’s physical acting that takes the biopic toward the finish line?

Kapil Talwar July 14, 2016

Pop Culture

Ram Setu Review: A Fast-paced but Ultimately Disappointing Adventure

Akshay Kumar’s fifth film of 2022 might just be the best of the lot – but it falls short of being a truly compelling action-adventure because of some weak plotting and unconvincing visual effects.

Pradeep Menon July 8, 2016

Pop Culture

Why We Need Supermen of Malegaon in the Time of Pragya Singh Thakur

In the last few months, Malegaon has found itself splattered across headlines, thanks to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur’s win in the elections. But in the outrage over Thakur’s win, there’s one aspect of the town that remains in danger of being forgotten – the ability to churn out entertaining spoofs like Supermen of Malegaon.

Ronak Gupta July 3, 2016

Bollywood

Thappad Review: Anubhav Sinha’s Film on Domestic Violence Settles for Easy Solutions

Although it is backed by a compelling performance by Tapsee Pannu, Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad serves a crowd-pleasing definition of feminism that is more interested in making a statement rather than interrogating the status quo.

Poulomi Das July 2, 2016