Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 140

Evil Cast: Volume 1 Review – Fun!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Evil Cast is a love letter to horror, its conventions, and its fans. Think Evil Dead meets Scooby Doo.

I did not want “Evil Cast: Volume 1” to end. Created by Kyle Stück and playfully illustrated by Enrico Orlandi, this horror comic series was a fun ride and is definitely somewhere between “Evil Dead” and “Scooby Doo”. Be ready for some ghosts, nightmares, deaths and blood, quite a lot of blood.

The plot follows the fictional versions of Kyle and his best friend, Noah Baslé, as they embark on a wild adventure. Their journey begins when they decide to confront Ruby, whom they suspect of setting Noah’s house on fire in retaliation for exposing him as a fake psychic on their podcast. While the two friends don’t believe in supernatural beings, their world-view is completely shattered when they are chased by a bloodthirsty woman with super-powers outside of Ruby’s mansion. To make matters worse, Ruby leads them into an underground maze filled with dark secrets, and a malevolent entity hunting for human flesh is on the prowl…

The characters Kyle and Noah initially emit strong “dude bros” vibes at the beginning of the series; however, as the story progresses, the characters do begins to feel slightly less stereotypical. For example, in the first few pages of the story, Kyle wakes up with his girlfriend and spooks her with some unsettling remarks, causing her to hit him and leave the flat. I was initially convinced he was being a deliberate jerk, but it turns out that his behavior was entirely unintentional. The older Ruby, who seems like the antagonist at first, gets a tragic flashback that adds depth to the story and steers it in a new direction.

Just as the excitement peaks, Kyle Stück concludes volume one, leaving readers waiting for volume 2.

Rating: 4 on 5

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‘Who’s Your Gynac?’ Series Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Dr. Vidushi Kothari is a young OB-GYN who is grappling with the challenges of running her clinic in Mumbai, which is unable to attract patient and even her pregnant best friend opts to consult a celebrity doctor instead of her trusted buddy. The 2023 mini-series “Who’s Your Gynac” follows Vidushi’s adventures as she attempts to achieve more success in both her personal and professional life.

Directed by Himali Shah, with writing credits shared by Anuya Jakatdar, Girish Narayandass, and Prerna Sharma, the five-part series stars Saba Azad as the optimistic protagonist, Dr. Vidhushi. The first episode, which is 26 minutes long, introduces all the primary characters of the show and the subsequent episodes vary in length, ranging from 19 to 22 minutes, making the series is easy to watch. The total runtime is equivalent to that of a typical Bollywood feature film, so most viewers might be able to binge-watch it, but I took two days to finish it.

Saba Azad is quite endearing as the “non-judgemental” sex-positive Dr. Vidhushi, who does her best to make her patients comfortable around her. However, the character frequently comes across as a privileged woman-child, despite being 28 years old, and has much to learn about dealing with people. Regardless, Saba pulls of the role with charm, and is hilarious in the sub-plot involving Vidhushi’s crush on a neighbor Dr. Arth Dhamecha (Kunal Thakur). There’s actually little chemistry between the two actors, but Saba makes you believe that Vidhushi is completely smitten with Arth. Vibha Chhibber plays Nurse Violet, Dr. Vidhushi’s assistant, and provides a stark contrast to the doctor. While Vidushi is young, carefree, and naive, the older Violet exudes an intimidating, strict demeanor, so a lot of the younger patients feel uneasy around her.

Karishma Singh plays her best friend, Swara Iyer Jain, who delivers the standout performance in the series – a pregnant woman with a bossy, selfish demeanor and underlying mommy issues. But there are some character quirks of Vidhushi and Swara, that are used for comic relief, but don’t really mesh well with their personalities. For example, Swara Iyer seems to be this smart, intelligent, bitchy person, yet she asks inane pregnancy related questions like “will my baby have long hair because I have acidity?”. The writers wanted to illustrate how educated people can also believe in weird superstitions surrounding pregnancies, but those jokes didn’t work. Aaron Arjun Koul completed the trio of friends as Mehr, a laid-back, amiable guy who is always there for his besties.

‘Who’s Your Gynac?’ is basically a very relaxed comedy-drama about a Gynac trying to bust myths around sex, pregnancies and the needless shame attached to women discussing their sexual wellness and private parts. For an educated, sex-savvy audience, the series may appear overly simplistic, while those who lack the kind of sexual awareness the series aims to impart might find the content engaging but not necessarily entertaining, especially since it lacks the grand sets and typical elements of a masala show typically found in Bollywood. While the story could have been more focused, and the humor sharper, it’s still a cutesy option for a weekend watch.

Rating: 6 on 10.

You can stream the series on Prime Video.

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Slash Them All – Graphic Novel Review

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (X | Instagram | FB | GoodReads)

Two teenage girls are sipping rum with coke and heading to a party when they are bludgeoned to death by a baseball bat. Their small seaside town is shaken by the deaths, and residents are warned to be vigilant about a serial killer on the loose. The graphic novel “Slash Them All” is creator Antoine Maillard’s tribute to American horror movies of the 1980s. However, the book’s black-and-white panels weave a grim tale that evokes a sense of the bygone “talkies era,” which may feel anachronistic to some readers.

While the clean, stark, pencil-sketch-like grayscale illustrations in this novel are well-suited to the story’s themes, the plot tends to be rather haphazard, bordering on aimlessness. As a result, “Slash Them All” adopts a post-modern nihilistic tone. Despite its horror genre, it only manages to be mildly unsettling and lacks a truly gripping narrative. The absence of a clear protagonist made me feel a little restless while reading the book, although Antoine Maillard does attempt to center the story around a trio of high school students: the reclusive Daniel, who contends with a domineering mother; the carefree and talkative Ralph; and Pola, who yearns to escape her town and her alcoholic mother.

All the characters are very typical of the kind of teens you’d still find in horror movies (and not just American ones) and they verge on stereotypical representations. I was hoping for a more coherent plot, but “Slash Them All” was nothing more than a collage of some random teen experiences, stringed with a bunch of random murders. Given the novel’s concise length of 152 pages, there wasn’t ample room for character development. However, certain incidents in the story seemed to lack relevance to the plot, serving merely as mild shock elements. For instance, there is a scene where a girl is date-raped and even though this incident does play a role in the overarching climax, it fails to seamlessly connect with the overall narrative.

You should pick up “Black Hole” by Charles Burn if you are looking for an American teen horror graphic novel, it’s a lot more visceral and memorable.

Rating for Slash Them All: 2.5 on 5.

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Chandramukhi 2 Quick Movie Review

P. Vasu’s 2023 film, “Chandramukhi 2,” may sound like a sequel to his 2005 hit, “Chandramukhi,” which featured superstar Rajinikanth. With the proliferation of OTT platforms, viewers have been exposed to numerous iterations of this tale, including the un-funny “Bhool Bhulaiyya 2” in 2022, so “Chandramukhi 2” ends up being painfully monotonous.

“Chandramukhi 2” follows a wealthy family who are afflicted with several problems, so they are advised to pray to their clan’s deity with all members in attendance, so the family is forced to reconnect with estranged relatives, but this reunion also leads to supernatural consequences. Led by their matriarch Ranganayaki (Raadhika Saratkumar), the family rents the Vettaiyapuram Palace to perform their puja, and that’s where they accidentally re-awaken the spirit of Chandramukhi (Kangana Ranatu), who seeks vengeance from Vettaiyan Raja (Raghava Lawrence). We have the same ‘beautiful dancer seeks revenge on the powerful man who killed her beloved’ tale back, with bare minimal changes. Even the cinematography isn’t very impressive, the special effects are sub-par, they make things look completely unreal. Most games these days have better graphics and it feels like you are watching a film that came out a bunch of years ago. For instance, there’s a black panther in the story, which looks so fake, it’s almost hilarious.

Despite the buzz around Kangana Ranaut’s gorgeous look as Chandramukhi, she doesn’t even appear in the film until half the movie is over. For someone with a titular role, her part was disappointingly small, even though a larger part might have not made sense in the overall story. But the overall story doesn’t make a lot of sense anyway. Raghava Lawrence plays the dual role of Vettaiyan Raja and also Pandiya, who serves as the caretaker of Ranganayaki’s estranged grandchildren. Given the striking similarity between his role and Rajinikanth‘s character in the first Chandramukhi, it’s difficult to avoid comparing the two actors. Unfortunately, Raghava Lawrence’s performance pales out in comparison to Rajinikanth’s entertaining delivery in the earlier hit.

At 2 hours 23 minutes, “Chandramukhi 2” is boring, barely funny, with unnecessary songs, mediocre choreography and a cast that’s completely wasted on this supposedly horror-comedy-mystery. It’s not scary enough, the jokes mostly fall flat and thanks to the re-hashed plot, there’s close to zero mystery. If you haven’t seen the 1993 Malayalam movie “Manichithrathazhu” starring Mohanlal and Shobana, maybe watch that instead. P. Vasu’s 2005 Chandramukhi was an official remake of the 2004 Kannada film “Apthamitra”, which was actually a remake of “Manichithrathazhu”.

I wouldn’t recommend Chandramukhi 2, but it’s available to stream on Netflix.

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Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 4 Review

Genius Ron Kamonohashi and his rookie detective partner, Isshiki Tototmaru, are on a brief vacation at a hot springs when the sudden death of a woman unexpectedly raises the possibility of a new murder case for the duo. Episode three of the anime series “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions” (original title: “Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri”) ended with a cliffhanger and viewers are yet to know who the killer is.

For a plot overview, read – Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 1 Review

Titled “The Case of the Benizome Hot Spring Murder – Part 2,” episode four thus delves into of whether the deceased woman was murdered, and if so, who the killer might be. Spitz Feier, a tracking instructor from BLUE, is closely monitoring Ron to determine if he has resumed detective work despite being prohibited from doing so. So, Ron puts forth his best effort to make it appear as if Totomaru is the one making deductions for the case.

There’s an intriguing twist in the second half involving Spitz Feier’s character, and for those who haven’t read the original manga, this episode provides a significant hint that Feier might become a recurring face in the story. Just like all the episodes so far, it’s the banter between Ron and Totomaru that keeps the series entertaining, although the animation is pretty colorful and engaging too. Ron’s intellect continues to amaze and impress Totomaru, and even Spitz Feier can immediately discern that the simple-minded Toto doesn’t possess the skills to solve complex cases. How long will it take for BLUE to conclusively prove that Ron has returned to detective work? We’ll have to wait and see.

The episode ends with a brief glimpse of a new character, who might just be the villain in the tale of “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions”.

Watch the series on Netflix.

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‘Sunshine: A Graphic Novel’ Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I loved Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s first graphic novel memoir “Hey Kiddo” so much, I always recommend it to anybody to who loves graphic novels. It’s a profoundly personal and poignant story of how the author was raised by his grandparents while his mother battled addiction and his father was absent. So, I’ve had my eye on his next graphic novel memoir, titled “Sunshine,” for a while.

While this graphic novel serves as a follow-up to “Hey Kiddo,” it’s notably distinct in its story focus. It exclusively centers on Jarret’s experience at ‘Camp Sunshine,’ a summer camp for seriously ill children, all of whom are accompanied by their families. The camp provides a holiday getaway for families to relax, take a break, and escape the smells and sights of hospitals. Teenage Jarrett and his grandparents are initially skeptical that the stay might be a depressing experience, with dying children and heartbroken parents. However, Camp Sunshine turns out to be beautifully memorable, filled with talented, humorous, and sweet children, some of whom Jarrett befriends for life.

Jarrett’s art style remains consistent in both novels, and while his subdued sepia palette complemented his first graphic novel perfectly, it didn’t quite suit the tone and themes of ‘Sunshine’. I would’ve preferred more colors, especially since the memoir is all about how camp sunshine is a bright beautiful place meant as an escape for the families from their daily struggles. The dull colors make the memoir feel sadder than it really is.

On the first day of camp, Jarrett is taken by surprise when he is assigned the responsibility of looking after just one teenager named Diego, while his other school friends get to oversee groups. Given the small age gap between himself and his charge, Jarrett wonders how he can be of help to the wheelchair-bound Diego, who requires more attention than others. However, over the course of the novel, the two build a firm bond and take part in activities together, even though Diego does prove to be a bit of a challenge.

“Sunshine” offers a quick glimpse into how volunteer work for teens like Jarrett can be an eye-opener. It’s heartwarming how the author concludes the novel with anecdotes of how he maintained ongoing contact with one family he grew exceptionally close to.

Rating: 4 on 5.

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Strays Movie Review – Furry Funny

“Why is Doug so great? Where do I begin? He loves being around me so much, he doesn’t even have a job.”

Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell), the dog, adores his owner Doug (Will Forte), an aimless, unemployed man who only kept the pet out of spite after his breakup. So when Doug repeatedly attempts to rid himself of Reggie by sending him to fetch a ball, the loyal dog believes they’re simply playing a game, until one day he’s driven so far away to fetch that he can’t find his way back home. Reggie never doubts Doug for a second and is eager to return home, but the street-smart stray Bug (Jamie Foxx) helps him realize he’s been abandoned. Now Reggie seeks to return to Doug for revenge!

Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault, the 2023 comedy “Strays” is somewhat like “The Hangover,” but with dogs. Reggie the pet protagonists embark on a wild adventure with three of his new dog-friends to locate his cruel pet owner and teach him a lesson. Will Ferrell and Will Forte deliver a hilarious performance with their voice acting, infusing this absurd comedy with potty humor, sexual innuendos, and coarse language. Isla Fisher and Randall Park voice Maggie and Hunter respectively, the two other strays that decide to help out Reggie in his quest.

True to its title, “Strays” primarily centers around its furry protagonists, and the special effects team, along with the dog trainers, have done a remarkable job in making the dogs appear convincing when they interact and communicate with each other. The dogs are the stars of this film, their conversations range from silly to ridiculous, and with a 90-minute runtime, the film does falter with its pace and could’ve benefited with a few more human interactions along the way. While “Strays” may not be side-splittingly funny, it does contain some very humorous lines scattered throughout the story. For instance, there’s a scene in which all the dogs engage in a discussion about sex, and one of them ponders how humans do it, to which Bug responds, “the man pretends to be a dog, and the woman pretends to be a couch.”

The background music is thoughtfully selected, with Miley Cyrus’ hit song “Wrecking Ball” playing at a pivotal moment during the climax when Reggie is on the verge of exacting his revenge, and the track just elevates the hilarity of the moment. “Strays” is the kind of film that is best enjoyed while watching with a group of friends after a couple of drinks, or essentially in a state where you are already slightly intoxicated to find a group of talking dogs amusing.

Rating: 6 on 10.

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Flashback Short Film Review

“Flashback” is a short Netflix film, that’s only eleven minutes long if you don’t count the end credits. Directed and written by Jed Shepherd, the story follows yoga instructor Jess (Jemma Moore), who begins to experience visions resembling the grim reaper. With a tragic fate hanging over her, Jess must find a way to save herself and her boyfriend Scott (Amar Chadha-Patel) from the clutches of death.

Since “Flashback” was listed under ‘horror,’ I didn’t think twice before streaming the film, and while the first half of the runtime is somewhat intriguing, the pace falls apart halfway through. Jemma Moore, who portrays Jess, seemed like what the cartoon character Dora the Explorer might look like as an adult, if she gave up up her travels to become a yoga instructor. Her heavy make-up and pigtail appearance didn’t quite align with the dark thriller tone the film aims to convey. The cinematography is skillfully executed, and halfway through the film, during a flashback scene set in a laser tag venue, the color palette shifts to vibrant neon tones, resulting in a rapid change in the story’s mood. However, despite the compelling visuals and and plot isn’t interesting enough.

The fundamental theme of the story revolves around the concept of receiving an unexpected second chance to transform one’s life, which Jess appears to attain quite effortlessly. In-fact she is able to alter the course of future events with too much ease. It feels like “Flashback” is missing a punchline, as if the writers forgot to add in a climactic event, so the ending is disappointingly straightforward. I had anticipated a particular twist, typical of the genre, which would have added a bit more intrigue to the otherwise rather mundane plot, making it more memorable.

Rating: 5 on 10. You can stream the film on Netflix.

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Migi to Dali Episode 3 Review

Plot Overview – Based on a manga by Nami Sano, this mystery-thriller series introduces the audience to orphaned identical twins, Migi and Dali, who craftily scheme their way into the lives of an aging wealthy couple Sonoyama Osamu and Sonoyama Youko. The couple believes they’ve adopted a single child, Hitori, with no clue that they’ve unwittingly welcomed two brothers into their home, who have their own agenda.

Episode two of the anime series ‘Migi to Dali’ revealed that the twins wanted to live in Oregon village, because it’s where their mother had died and the brother’s want to investigate her murder and nab the killer. Episode three begins with a brief flashback of the twins with their mother and then shifts focus to Migi and Dali’s plan to gain clues to who could’ve killed her. The boys have a distinct memory of a house with a specific kind of wallpaper, so they intend to take a look at every house in the village and decided to befriend as many people as they can to gain access to their homes. Not the greatest plan, but the boys are barely thirteen after all.

‘Migi and Dali’ continues to be an absurd mystery series with horror overtones, despite being a straightforward yet exaggerated story about a pair of twins pretending to be the same person. However, this time around, there weren’t any particularly creepy sequences that stood out. In this episode, the boys make new friends, including the kind Shunpei Akiyama and the bratty bully Maruta. As the brothers navigate the complexities of these new friendships, it becomes increasingly clear that the older brother, Dali, is more assertive and hot-headed, while Migi is the meeker one, despite being easily swayed by his emotions.

Evenly paced, episode three introduces some bullying and even hints at slight sexual undertones (which took me by surprise, given that I haven’t read the manga), but it doesn’t delve into anything too bizarre. Migi and Dali’s step-parents make a brief appearance, and a new character is introduced towards the end, leaving viewers intrigued about the potential twists this new addition will bring to the story.

You can watch “Migi to Dali” on Crunchyroll.

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Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 3 Review

Titled “Mission and Family/The Elegant Bondman/The Heart of a Child/Waking Up”, Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 3 focuses on Yuri Briar, Yor’s younger brother, who is also a spy. He is tasked with spying on a former journalist writing seditious articles against their country, so the episode focuses on Yuri’s mission and how the young man is a family oriented guy.

Read: Spy x Family Episode 1 Review for plot overview

This was essentially another filler episode of “Spy x Family” that contributes very little to advancing the plot. Unlike the first two episodes of season two, it’s not particularly humorous or entertaining either. Yuri, of course, remains an interesting character, but he is much more entertaining when he interacts with the protagonist, Loid Forger, his brother-in-law, whom he clearly dislikes. There’s very little of that in this edition.

Towards the end of this episode, the story switches to Anya’s favorite television series “Bondman,” and the animation transitions to hazy retro-style illustrations to establish that viewers are watching an anime within an anime. While this brief animation style shift provided a refreshing change, even Bondman’s adventures weren’t comical, despite their absurdity; Bondman simply goes around flirting with various women and asking them out on dates for world peace, while a wide-eyed Anya watches and concludes, “this is what people call a lovey-dovey story,” making it the only humorous moment in the entire 24 minutes.

Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 3 is probably the most boring edition in the entire anime series so far, and I really hope the next few get back on track and show some progress in Loid’s main mission.

You can stream the anime series on Netflix.

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