Best Movies of 2019!

Hey Readers,
Happy New Year! Thank you for your support and the love as in a few days time the Blog turns 3 years old! And before we reach there, I would like to conclude with this decade's best list!
                                        
Before we rank these movies, here are some honourable mentions:

Hum  Chaar: This bitter-sweet tale about friendships and infatuation was adorable, to say the least! All this in a Rajshri style!
                                                   
De De Pyaar De: This one was a fun watch with a message at the end! Not to forget the beautiful Tabu!
                                                  
Laal Kaptaan: This was a slow burner which was coupled with some brilliant acting and beautiful cinematography!
                                                     
Batla House: This JA starrer was inspired from real events had actually dealt with subtlety on the encounter by the same name!
                                                      

Sonchiriya: This Abhishek Chaubey directed was original, astounding and raw dacoit drama set in the Emergency period.
                                                        

The TOP 10:

10. Good Newzz: Good Newzz makes it to this list mainly because it serves the primary purpose for which movies are made- Entertainment. And music is a plus point!
                                                          

9. Section 375: Akshaye- Richa starrer is probably the biggest underdog in the list and one of the most relevant movies to be released.
                                                              
8. Uri: Vicky Kaushal's Uri was a fine watch which prevented Jingoism and worked well thanks to a competent lead and the direction.
                                                          

7. Bala: Ayushmann's Bala was entertaining, fun and was all about self-love sold to us from the topic of premature baldness.
                                                            
6. Chhichhore: Nitish Tiwari's take on college life and friends is one of the best I have ever seen and the movie rightfully deserves the love it gets!
                                                             
5. Article 15: The movie had its share of moments, on the whole, it failed to have a much-intended impact. It was slow and nothing but Sayani Gupta's justice-seeking eyes were my take-away only.
                                                              

4. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota: Perhaps, the most controversial name on the list, it felt like a personal love letter to Bollywood where the actor, writer and director was me.
                                                              

3. Judgemental Hai Kya: Kangana and RR literally rocked the movie with a unique storyline and the concept of modern Ramayan just blew me off!
                                                                  
1. TIE:
Gully Boy: Inspired everyone to believe in 'Apna Time Aaega'. GB inspired a generation!
                                                               
The Sky is Pink: Has a movie ever prepared you for the death of your loved one? TSIP does that and director Shonali Bose makes it an even better ride with laughs and terrific performances!
                                                              

The Best of Music and Performances!

Best Music: Mithoon, Sachet, Parampara, Amaal for Kabir Singh.
                                                             
Performances:

Best Supporting Actress: Yami Gautam in Bala.
                                                          
Best Supporting Actor: Gulshan Devaiah in Mard ko Dard Nahi Hota.
                                                  
Best Actor: Shahid Kapoor in Kabir Singh.
                                                              
Best Actress: Priyanka Chopra Jonas in The Sky is Pink.
                                                        

So that's all! Kindly share your views on my list and disagreements if you feel so!

Photograph Review: The development of this photograph is super tedious but the end product leaves you mesmerized!

This week was a quiet week at the box office considering 2 small budget movies 'Photograph' and 'Milan Talkies'. 'Photograph' is directed by Ritesh Batra (of Lunchbox fame) and stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Rafi and Sanya Malhotra as Miloni/Noorie in the lead roles who are ably supported by Farukh Jaffar as Rafi's grandmother. There was a bit of sceptical as I would have preferred Tigmanshu Dhulia's Milan Talkies to this movie. Here is my take on Ritesh Batra's Photograph.

                                              

What's Good: Performances: With Nawaz in the lead, there is not a single folly in his act as Rafi but it is Sanya Malhotra's Miloni who stays with you long after you leave the theatre. Terrific! An Ode to Mumbai: Ritesh Batra gives a tribute to Mumbai in a unique way, unlike the way he did in 'The Lunchbox'. Cinematography: One of the best scene in a long time (Tumbbad is an exception). Slow Burner: Being a slow burner, apparently works for this one.

                                           

What's Bad: PACING: This movie is bound to make you super impatient to the level that you prefer to pull your hair but then if you manage sitting through it, it is Heartening and worth the wait. Magic: No doubt, Ritesh Batra delivers what he wants to, but that innocence is somewhere lost in succession. Premise: The premise of the movie is very limited. Too much of Feeling: This movie wants you to feel a lot, which at times just does not work!

                                                      

Final Word: Photograph is a delightful watch but demands a lot of things to be felt and needs impatience. Walking out of this movie would be easy because it WILL test your patience but if you sit through, the end product is absolutely heartening. This movie expects you to feel a lot, and if you do then this photograph is worth hanging. But since it works for me in parts, I am going with 3 stars and I do not expect it to make numbers at the box office!

                                              

P.S. This review comes 24 hours after I viewed the film because there was a question of what to write, but since morning my mind has been constantly thinking about Miloni and that Beautiful Climax!

Badla Review: Revenge served Lukewarm!

After making thrillers like 'Kahaani', 'Ahalya' and the screenwriter for movies like 'Kahaani 2', 'Te3n' etc. Sujoy Ghosh, one of the best directors of Indian Cinema delivered these intense thrillers but soon after made 'Kahaani 2', which made his credibility in danger. He delivers 'Badla' this week, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Amrita Singh and Taapsee Pannu in lead roles and all that can be said is, 'Revenge is best served COLD'. 'Badla' is an official adaptation of the Spanish film, 'The Invisible Guest'.

                                                

What's Good: Performances: Amitabh Bachchan is at his usual best as Badal Gupta. Amrita Singh as Rani is an absolute delight and we need to see more of her. Manav Kaul as Jimmy is good in his small cameo. Dialogues: The dialogues are decent enough. The Twists: The twists are good and unexpected and bring the much-needed thrill. Story: The story is an absolute delight. Screenplay: The screenplay adaptation is decently done by Ghosh. Mahabharat References: The references for the epic Mahabharat are absolutely ingenious and delightful. 

                                             

What's Bad: Taapsee Pannu: She seems to have walked directly from the sets of her movie 'Pink', it is an absolute let down from someone who delivered a scintillating performance in her last movie, Manmarziyaan. Being too smart for its taste: Director Sujoy Ghosh tries to act smart with his twists as if the audience would not see it coming, which they definitely see coming. Too many Twists: A simple, neat plot is turned upside down and complicated for its own taste. Thrills: Apart from a very few moments, the thrill seems to be missing, Bigtime!

                                             

Overall, Badla is a major disappointment which could have been so much better had not the movie been too smart for its own good! I am going with 2.5 stars for the movie and an extra half for the terrific act of Amrita Singh. The movie will probably rake in 45-50 crores lifetime considering the credentials involved. It could have actually been so much better had they stuck to the original premise.

                                           

P.S. Apparently it seems to be Taapsee Pannu's 'Badla' with the audience for letting down 'Manmarziyaan'.