The Best of Bollywood and Hollywood 2017.

Overall 2017 has been a disappointing year for cinema, both in terms of content and revenue. There have been 214 releases out of which there have been only 20 successes (semi hit and above) and hence Bollywood has been poorer compared to 2016. But amidst a lot of poor movies, there was some content-driven cinema which really made it tough for me to choose a Bollywood No.1! And surprisingly, this time I do not have a Bollywood favorite but a Hollywood favorite. So here are my Top 10 Bollywood and Top 5 Hollywood movies.

10. Meri Pyaari Bindu & Tumhari Sulu: Nuanced Performances, Storytelling, and foot tapping Music.
                                       

9. Qarib Qarib Singlle: Performances, Dialogues, Direction.
                                                                

8. Mom: Performances and Direction.
                                                                

7. Hindi Medium: Performances, Dialogues, Music and Saba Qamar.
                                                               

6. Trapped: Gritty Storytelling, Layered Story, and Rajkummar Rao.
                                                               

5. Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan: Performances, Simplicity, Music, Dialogues, and Direction.
                                                     

 4. Newton: Performances, Nuances of Social Issues, Direction. [The biggest flaw because of which Newton didn't feature in Top 3 was because it's pace, which tremendously lowered its impact.]

3. Secret Superstar: Emotional Quotient, Performances, water-tight screenplay, lyrics, climax, and direction.
                                                         

2. Lipstick Under My Burkha: Performances, Story, Direction, Cinematography, Screenplay, and Aahana Kumra.
                                                       

Bareilly Ki Barfi : Performances, Simplicity, Music, Dialogues, and Direction.
                                                    
So these were my pick for the Best of Bollywood 2017. And it is pretty evident that 2017 belonged to women as the Top 3 were either acted or directed by women and most films featuring here were dominated by females.

HOLLYWOOD:

5.The Greatest Showman:
                                                                  
4. Dunkirk:
                                                                   
3. Lady Bird:
                                                                       
2. Get Out & Breathe:
                                           
1. Wonder: 2017's BEST MOVIE.
                                                              

Thus 2017 offered a mixed bag when it came to the cinema but it the last month, it hit a six with Wonder. Brilliantly enacted, Excellently adapted and outstandingly executed!

Hope 2018 offers better films!

TS Review: To Audience, With Love Tumhari Sulu! Positive and Entertaining.

Tumhari Sulu is a testament as to why we love Vidya Balan! This movie is  a proof that  masterclass acting can bring any character alive on-screen. Tumhari Sulu is a triumph in acting and direction.

 

                                                   

 

Vidya Balan is outstanding. She can bring any character to life. She literally acts 'the hell of a prolonged screenplay' and makes it interesting  which could have possibly been very boring to watch. She infuses life into Sulochana 'Sulu'. Manav Kaul as Ashok is superb. His portrayal of Ashok is a proof of how much an underrated actor he is. Neha Dhupia as Maria is soothing to watch. Malishka Mendosa who marks her debut is amazing as RJ Albeli. The movie has no faults in the acting department.

 

                                                     

 

Scripted and directed by Suresh Triveni, the script and direction are pitch perfect. Perhaps a 140 minute is a little too long when the story is predictable. The screenplay seems stretched but Vidya Balan saves it from derailing. The dialogues, the lyrics, the camerawork are nicely done. The music is given by Tanishk Baghi and is amazing. 'Ban Ja Rani' and 'Hawa Hawai 2.0' are the best out of the 4 track album.

 

                                                      

 

With an unnecessary extension of the entertaining first half and a predictable yet entertaining second half, Tumhari Sulu is an out and out a Vidya Balan show. I am going with 3.75 stars  for this positive, lovable and sweet movie which will certainly make us  work on the way we pronounce "Hello!" make you say "Main Kar sakti hai" meaning 'I can do it' to your dreams and aspirations.

                                                      

 

P.S. It was a delight to see a slice of life, oozing with positivity movie after so long. 'Tumhari Sulu' is a triumph.

 

                                                   

QQS Review: Qarib Qarib Perfect!

Qarib Qarib Singlle is the release this week and stars Irrfan Khan and a successful malyali actress Parvathy in leading roles. The movie is directed by Tanuja Chandra of 'Zakhm' and 'Dum' fame and is behind the camera after a decade.  Qarib Qarib Singlle is a breath of fresh air.

 

                                                 

 

Irrfan Khan yet again proves that he is a powerhouse performer. Essaying the role of Yogi/Viyogi, his comic timings and subtle undertones of his romantic side he seals his stand in Bollywood. Parvathy plays the role of Jayshree/Jaya and makes an 'impeccable debut' into Bollywood. Her comic timing and beauty can leave the viewers mesmerized for a long time. Neha Dhupia plays a cameo as Anjali and it was a delight to see her onscreen after a long time. Isha Shravani plays the second cameo in the movie and is sweet and charming as her 'Luck By Chance' days.

                                

                                                     

 

Directed by Tanuja Chandra and scripted by her mother, Kamna Chandra, this mother-daughter duo do a fantastic job behind the camera and on the paper. Tanuja Chandra's film has a fresh take on love as well as the screenplay and the camera work is outstanding. It was fresh to see those close-ups which were once famous. The music by Tanishq Bagchi is nice. 'Jaane De' and 'Kahani Khatam' are beautifully written and sung. Overall, technical aspects are great.

                 

                                                      

 

The movie's bad points are just a little 'yawn' moments in the second half and that's it! Had there been some more weight in the story, QQS would've been the BEST Movie of 2017 because the technical aspects were perfect and there was barely any 'major' fault in the movie. But still easily qualifies as one of the best. I rate the movie 4 stars!

 

                                                

 

P.S. QQS qualifies in the likes of 'Hindi Medium' and DARE NOT miss it!

SS Review: 'Secret' Surprise awaits you in theatres!

'Secret Superstar' is the latest offering of 'Aamir Khan Productions' that released on 19th October, 2017. The movie has a tagline- "Dreams Dekhna Toh Basic Hota Hai" and presents it in the most beautiful, understanding and simple way of story telling.

 

                                     

 

Zaira Wasim of 'Dangal' fame proves that she is 'brimming with fresh talent and method acting' through her portrayal of Insia/Insu. Meher Vij, a name we had not heard before will surely be recalled for her outstanding performance as Zaira's mother, Najma. Tirth Sharma as Chintan gives a simple and delightful performance. Aamir Khan as Shakti Kumar, the musician is funny and infuses some comic timing. The performances are outstanding and provide an able support to a strong script.

 

                                                

 

The story explores a mother-daughter relationship through the expression of right to dream. There are sweet little moments of school-age romance, a brother-sister relationship that run parallel to the main story.  The story, the camerawork, the water-tight screenplay, the direction keep you invested in a 155 minute long movie. The music of the movie, which is supposed to play a major role in the movie is somehow underwhelming. Though that does not mean that the songs are not audible. "Gudgudi", " Meri Pyari Ammi" and "I'll Miss You" are the best of the lot.

 

                                                

 

Director Advait Chandan literally is the superstar of the movie. From the story to the technicalities he ensures that the movie does not waver from what it is trying to portray. With just the music being underwhelming, Secret Superstar ticks all the boxes for being a 'MUST WATCH'. I rate the movie 4.25 stars! It is the BEST movie of 2017 so far leaving 'Newton' by a fair distance! Do NOT miss it!

 

                                             

 

P.S. After watching 'Secret Superstar', you will  hug or thank your mother.

                                      

 

 

Chef Review: This chef offers good food in bad quality!

'Chef' is Saif Ali Khan's solo outing after 2 long years. His last release was 'Phantom' where he played the solo lead. Chef is an official remake of a 2014 Hollywood movie by the same name. Comparing this 'Chef' to the original would be unfair.So no comparisons will be drawn in this review!

                                          

Saif Ali Khan as Roshan is delightful. He portrays his role to suit the character very well. Svar Kamble as Ary, Roshan's son is nice. Chandan Roy Sanyal as Shahid is fun and infuses some comic timing into this drama. Milind Soman's cameo as Biju is simply outstanding. But it is Padmapriya Janakiraman who steals the show with her portrayal of Radha Menon. She infuses life with her performance and her chemistry with Saif is amazing.

                                  

Raja Krishna Menon's direction is above average at best. Though it captures the beauty and essence of the backwaters of Kerela well, he somehow fails to connect with the audience. For a movie which explores a father-son relationship o the basis of food has very less of it. And that is the biggest flaw of the movie. The songs are nice with 'Khoya Khoya' and 'Darmiyaan' being the best. The lyrics, dialogues are good.

                                    

Chef had immense potential to be one of the most heartening portrayals of a father-son relationship but Raja Krishna Menon's direction and to an extent, it's 'Rottza'  made the movie an above average affair. Like Roshan's three Michelin stars, Chef gets 3 stars! Watch it for its beauty and Padmapriya! The box office collection will not exceed 10 crores at the box office what so ever. FLOP! 

                                  

P.S. The movie does some justice to the original! But only SOME!