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The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Phew! “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” by Wes Anderson is based on a short story by Roald Dahl and turned out to be a slightly stressful watch because it’s only 37 minutes long but rife with constant narration and dialogues. Furthermore, the actors speak at a pace that makes it feel as though you’re watching the film at double speed, necessitating keen attention to catch everything. Relax your focus, and you might miss something – or at least, that’s how I felt, as I remained exceptionally alert throughout the entire runtime.

The short film revolves around the transformation of a self-indulgent wealthy man’s life after he reads a peculiar book by an Indian doctor, Z.Z. Chatterjee (Dev Patel), about a man named Imdad Khan (Ben Kingsley), who could see without his eyes. The film begins with Ralph Fiennes portraying Roald Dahl, introducing viewers to the protagonist, Henry Sugar (Benedict Cumberbatch), a man who led an unusual life. Fiennes’ introduction of Henry’s personality closely mirrors Dahl’s original description.

Henry Sugar was forty-nine year old and unmarried. He was also wealthy. He was wealthy because he had a rich father, who was now dead. He was unmarried because he was too selfish to share any of his money with a wife. He was six feet two inches tall, but he wasn’t really as good-looking as he thought he was.

Roald Dahl’s description of Henry Sugar

In fact, most of the film script is exactly as it appears in the original short story, with the exception that not everything made it into this whimsical Wes Anderson live-action adaptation. To enhance the comical effect, the characters perform as if they are in a stage play, complete with speech tags and self-narrations. For instance, after Dahl starts describing a rainy day that altered Henry’s life, then Henry himself takes over the narration, saying, ‘Henry wandered out of the drawing room and into the front hall. He drifted through the house, aimless. Then finally mooched into the library”.

All the actors portray multiple characters and deliver their lines with a deadpan style, contributing to the overall absurdity. It took me a moment to recognize Ben Kingsley as Imdad Khan, and he does pass off as an Indian man from Kashmir, except for his distinctly British manner of speaking. Which leads me to an important feature of this film: none of the actors portraying Indian characters resort to caricatured fake Indian accents. Brownie points for that.

The cinematography is a mix of intricate stage decorations, stop-motion animation and farcical retro recreations of a bygone era. Many scenes in “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” are designed to resemble a colorful 3D pop-up book for children, where the scenes change as you turn the pages. Wes Anderson incorporates numerous intentional elements into the screenplay designed to elicit laughter from the audience. For instance, when Henry is driving a car, there’s a screen behind him displaying a moving road, while he is seated in a stationary car. This clever use of visuals makes you feel like you are watching a movie before the special effects were added in. However, the Imdad Khan section felt underwhelming, despite being the most magical part of the story. Rather than showing viewers the circus where Imdad performs his ‘blind’ tricks, Wes Anderson has the doctor describe everything, which was disappointing.

While “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” is a faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story, with a fantastic cast of actors, you can’t help but feel like something is missing. Perhaps 37 minutes weren’t enough, regardless, it’s an amusing watch for Wes Anderson fans.

You can stream the film on Netflix.

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Few Things To Know Before Streaming ‘The Continental’

Created by Greg Coolidge, Shawn Simmons and Kirk Ward, the 2023 mini-series “The Continental” is a spin-off set in the John Wick universe, but the story unfolds in the 70s. Viewers get the origin story of a crucial character from the movies.

In the John Wick movies, “The Continental” is the name of a chain of high-end exclusive hotels that hosts only assassins and criminals from the underworld. The Continental hotels are known for their strict rules and neutrality, which means no “business” is allowed on the hotel premises. This neutrality is enforced by a shadowy organization known as the “High Table,” which governs the rules and conduct of assassins. Here’s five important things to know about The Continental before you stream the series on Prime Video.

No Blood on the Premises: One of the most important rules of The Continental is that no “business” (i.e., killing or violence) is allowed on the premises. Violating this rule results in harsh consequences, including excommunication from the assassin community.Services for Assassins: The Continental hotels provide various services tailored to the needs of assassins, including specialized accommodations, secret services, and access to weaponry.Safe Haven: The hotels serve as a safe haven where assassins can seek refuge, recover, and plan their next moves without fear of being attacked by rivals.Currency: The Continental uses a unique currency system known as “gold coins,” which are used by assassins to pay for services and goods within the criminal underworld.Winston Scott: In the movies, the manager of the New York Continental is Winston, played by Ian McShane. He is a central character and a key figure in the assassin community.

In the 2023 series, Colin Woodell plays a young Winston Scott, who is trying to make it big in The UK, but is kidnapped by the current manager of “The Continental” because his brother steals something of extreme importance. How Winston goes from being chased by The Continental to running the place forms the crux of the series.

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Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft Teaser Out

Over the years, the Tomb Raider series has seen several reboots and reimaginations, with the character of Lara Croft being redefined and the gameplay evolving to suit contemporary trends. Netflix has finally unveiled the first look for its animated series “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” and the brief glimpse looks pretty great.

While older fans may be more accustomed to the gun-toting Lara, Netflix’s series draws inspiration from more recent games, so the teaser starts with her wielding a bow and arrow as she explores an ancient ruin. The series will pick up Lara’s story after the conclusion of the Survivor trilogy, which includes the games Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018).

Lara’s adventures typically center on the quest for powerful artifacts, including ancient relics, mystical objects, or legendary treasures. These items often hold significant historical or supernatural significance. The quality of the animation series is yet to be determined, but the initial glimpse promises to give fans an emotional and action-packed journey.

Watch the teaser below.

Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Vishal Bhardwaj teased fans with the pilot episode of “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley” in June and then made fans wait for nearly three months before releasing the rest of the series. This six-part thriller is an official adaptation of the mystery queen’s novel, “The Sittaford Mystery.” Had the wait been worth it? That’s up for debate, but let’s just recap episode one and the plot for now.

Plot overview: Brigadier Meharbaan Singh Rawat (Gulshan Grover) is discovered murdered in his house on a snowy night in Himachal Pradesh and his nephew Jimmy (Vivaan Shah) is arrested as the prime suspect in the case. Charlie Chopra (Wamiqa Gabbi) , Jimmy’s fiancée embarks on her own investigation into the murder, uncovering that nearly a dozen individuals connected to Brig. Meharbaan had motives to kill him for his wealth. There’s also a paranormal twist in the tale. Brig. Rawat’s death is declared by the ghost of Lady Rose, a renowned spirit of the valley, during a séance conducted by paranormal expert Roy (Naseeruddin Shah) at a dinner hosted at the Brigadier’s brother’s home.

“Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley” is predominantly an atmospheric tale, featuring stunning snowy scenes amidst the Himachal peaks. The indoor settings exude a nostalgic charm reminiscent of a bygone era, with old mansions and cottages, which lend a haunted tone to the proceedings. However, the outdoor scenes, particularly those in daylight, will tempt viewers to grab their jackets, sweaters, and boots for a hill station adventure. Well, that is if you’re a fan of chilly winters, snowfall, and skiing. The decision to have Wamiqa Gabbi’s Charlie break the fourth wall and look directly at the camera still felt unnecessary, a critique I mentioned in the episode one review as well. However, over the course of the series, Charlie grows on you. She is a likable, bubbly detective, always on the hunt for new clues, and each episode sees her chasing a different suspect and uncovering new family secrets.

To ensure fans are invested in this mystery, episode two ends with another death, which the cops believe to be an accident, but Charlie Chopra is convinced it’s another murder to benefit the real culprits. Priyanshu Painyuli plays local journalist Sitaram, who reluctantly teams up with Charlie to gather clues in the case and gain more insights into the developing news story. Gulshan Grover often appears in flashbacks as Brig. Rawat, revealing himself to be a paradoxical figure, who was both generous and ruthless to his near and dear, and his shadow looms over them even after death.

The plot starts to lose its momentum from episode 4 onward, despite beginning with the long-awaited flashback of how Charlie first met her partner, Jimmy. The “meet cute” between them was likely intended to be humorous and endearing but, regrettably, it turned out to be quite dull. The romantic subplot feels like a snooze-fest as there’s no chemistry between Wamiqa Gabbi and Vivaan Shah. Perhaps it would have been better if they had portrayed Charlie as an independent private investigator in the story rather than directly connecting her to the accused in the case.

I feel a bit conflicted about the length of the tale. Six episodes weren’t sufficient to do justice to the ensemble cast that Vishal Bhardwaj assembled for “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley.” However, there isn’t enough substance to have made the show any longer either. With actors like Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Lara Dutta, Paoli Dam, Imaaduddin Shah, and a host of others, all of whom perform their roles well, the characters still feel underdeveloped and fail to strike a chord.

As far as the mystery itself is concerned, the series does unfold like a classic Agatha Christie tale, with plenty of twists and turns, but all with a desi flavor to it. Is it the cash-strapped brother? Or the tenant who owed the Brig. money? Or the failing author? Or the unemployed nephew? Or perhaps a completely unknown mystery killer? You never know.

You can stream “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley” on SonyLiv.

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Sitting in Bars with Cake Review – Eat, Cake, Cry

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (X | Instagram | GoodReads)

Okay, I whipped a nice big glass of cold coffee with just a teeny bit of extra sugar to see the 2023 movie “Sitting in Bars with Cake” because I didn’t want to be dying for dessert while watching it. Funnily enough, the film begins with an upbeat song titled “Sugar”, there’s plenty of cakes too, but I should’ve also grabbed some tissues for some of the unexpected water-works in the second-half. If you are a movie-crier, you’ve been warned. And while the plot itself is slightly ludicrous & not very amusing, it’s the actors who breathe heart into this film.

Directed by Trish Sie, “Sitting in Bars with Cake” is by Audrey Shulman and is loosely inspired by her own life. The story introduces us to Jane (Yara Shahidi), a bashful introvert who’s knee-deep in LSAT books but harbors a sweet obsession with baking cakes. Enter her vivacious childhood bestie and flatmate, Corinne (Odessa A’zion), with a quirky idea: why not lure in potential suitors with Jane’s irresistible cake creations at local watering holes? Thus begins their whimsical journey as they pledge to conquer New York’s bar scene, making a plan to whip up 50 cakes in a year. However, just when life seems sweet and spicy, tragedy strikes as Corinne is diagnosed with a life threatening disease.

The screenplay exudes playfulness and fun, although some scenes could’ve been better lit. Jane’s creations are cleverly announced on screen as text integrated into the scene itself. For instance, her inaugural creation for the bar project, the “#1 Red Velvet Cake With Cream-Cheese Frosting,” pops up atop a wooden plank transported by construction workers right in front of the bar she’s bound for. Similarly, “#14 Chocolate Chili Cake” materializes as text artfully woven into a bar painting.

Yara Shahidi and Odessa A’zion are endearing in their roles as childhood friends Jane and Corinne. Their distinct yet sunny personalities make “Sitting in Bars with Cake” a heartwarming celebration of friendship. Each weekend, Corinne dutifully accompanies Jane to bars, hoping to help her find that special someone. However, it’s Jane who carries the emotional weight of the friendship, stepping up to care for Corinne as her health takes a downturn. Even though the film starts on a frivolous note about finding date-worthy men, the spotlight shines entirely on the authentic affection shared between these two young women, unwavering in their support for each other. The tagline “sisters before misters” fits Jane and Corinne’s relationship perfectly.

Martha Kelly and Ron Livingston play Martha and Fred respectively, Corrine’s parents, who are quite weird and yet have their own ways of showing just how much they love and care for their daughter. In the second half of the film, there’s a poignant scene where Jane and Fred visit a pottery cafe while Corinne is in the hospital. Frustration over their helplessness in the situation drives Jane to throw her cup on the ground, and in a moment of shared emotion, Fred follows suit, breaking the bowl he had painted. What stands out is how they depict the two of them, amidst their grief and overwhelming emotions, picking up the pieces and clearing the road.

“Sitting in Bars with Cake” starts deceptively sweet, gets a little slow in between and then becomes a dramatic ode to platonic friendships.

You can stream the film on Amazon Prime Video.

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Watch these 12 films for a glimpse into Dev Anand’s Iconic roles

If you looking to explore some classic hits of legendary Bollywood actor Dev Anand, here’s is a list of some of his most famous hits in no particular order.

Guide (1965) – Based on the 1958 novel by R. K. Narayan, Dev Anand plays Raju plays a tourist guide who transforms into a spiritual guru, leading a woman (Waheeda Rehman) on a transformative journey. Guide marked Dev Anand’s first movie in color and remains an Indian classic about love, loss and redemption. Jewel Thief (1967) – This was way ahead of his time for a Bollywood movie! A gripping suspense thriller where Dev Anand portrays the son of a top cop who becomes embroiled in a diamond heist and must solve the mystery behind his own double identity.Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) – Directed by Dev Anand, the film follows the efforts of a woman to re-unite with her brother. Dev Anand plays a musician who guides the young woman (Zeenat Aman) as she navigates her journey in a hippie commune and tries to find her lost brother.Johnny Mera Naam (1970) – Dev Anand is a man seeking revenge against his brother’s killers in this engaging crime thriller. This is a complete mass-masala action film from the 70s. CID (1956) – Dev Anand is a detective investigating a murder of an investigative reporter on the brink of exposing a wealthy man with links to the underworld. This classic crime thriller marked the directorial debut of Raj Khosla. Kaala Pani (1958) – Based on A.J.Cronin’s ‘Beyond This Place’, Dev Anand plays a man wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to the notorious cellular jail in the Andaman Islands. Paying Guest (1957) – A romantic comedy in which Dev Anand’s character pretends to be a woman’s (Nutan) husband to secure a rented room, leading to humorous misunderstandings.Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) – This one is also a delightful romantic comedy where Dev Anand plays an architect who falls in love with the woman (Nutan again) whose house he is designing. Baazi (1951) – Dev Anand is aces gambler Madan who gets caught up in a web of crime and deceit in this Guru Dutt-directed film. This film set the gold standard for crime films, leading to the new genre called “Bombay Noir” – all about evil crime bosses, corruption and moral ambiguity. Kala Bazar (1960) – Dev Anand is Raghuvir, a young man who makes a living by selling movie tickets in the black market, but he is forced to rethink his way of life after he falls for the beautiful Alka (Waheeda Rehman).Hum Dono (1961) – Dev Anand plays dual roles of army officers in this heartwarming drama set against the backdrop of the military. When Major Verma is believed to be dead after he goes missing during a war, his doppelganger is tasked with breaking the tragic news to his family, but things don’t go as planned. Tere Mere Sapne (1971) – A thought-provoking film where Dev Anand plays a man torn between following his dreams and societal expectations. Dev Anand’s charismatic performance shines in this film that deftly balances romance and drama.

RDX Movie Review – All Action Boys Show

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Festivals, fireworks, free food, dancing, drunken brawls, fighting, kicking, bleeding and some more fighting. Like its title, the 2023 Malayalam movie “RDX” starts with explosives, but the pyrotechnics kinds for a festival. The opening scene will remind small town kids of their own regional celebrations, with streets decked with lights, hawkers selling shiny wares, local bands belting live music and people just having a good time. And a bunch of drunk people just waiting to ruin it all.

Directed by Nahas Hidayath, who co-wrote the script with Shabas Rasheed & Adarsh Sukumaran, “RDX” follows brothers Robert, Dony and their best-friend Xavier, who take on a violent gang of goons, after they brutally attack Robert’s wife, child and parents. The police think the attack was in retaliation to a fight during their town’s festival, where Robert hit a few drunk men for creating a scene and heckling his father. But a series of flashbacks reveal the attackers had an old beef to settle with Robert (Shane Nigam), Dony (Antony Varghese) and Xavier (Neeraj Madhav). A subplot involving Robert falling in love with a charming college girl named Mini (Mahima Nambiar) adds a cute dash of romance to the action flick.

What makes the trio ‘RDX: Robert Dony Xavier’ special is the fact that they are all well-trained in karate, so the film is packed with well-choreographed fight sequences. While Robert and Dony fight with their bare hands, Xavier delivers some of the coolest moves as he wields nunchuks to beat his opponents to a pulp. Since the story is set in the late 90s and early 2000s, the cinematography is colorfully retro, featuring men in loud striped shirts and women in floral designs with puffed sleeves. Even the music has a delightful 90s tone, although the background scores for the gritty fight scenes have a more modern rock touch to them. The romantic track titled ‘Neela Nilave,’ composed by Sam C.S. and sung by Kapil Kapilan, is a nostalgic blend of flute, sitar, and guitar.

RDX: Robert Dony Xavier’ has a solid first half, with the writers building intrigue about what led to the violent attack on the protagonist’s family. Among the trio, Antony Varghese is first introduced on screen as the family man Dony, who gets a little drunk at his town’s festival and rushes to defend his father from a pack of rowdies. Shane Nigam’s Robert enters the movie almost 30 minutes in but gets a stylish intro sequence as a bartender working at a pub. The friendship and brotherhood portrayed in the film are its strongest suits, along with all the physical fracas between the protagonists and villains. There’s a fantastic face-off between Robert and a random guy onboard a boat in the second half. While Shane Nigam’s moves did appear a little raw, he delivers most of his punches and kicks convincingly. His character deals the first few blows while still suavely sitting in his seat, making the scene scream “casual-cool”.

‘RDX: Robert Dony Xavier’ falls short in delivering a memorable antagonist, and none of the bad guys are able to make a lasting impression on the viewers.The revelation of why an entire gang of goons is thirsting for the trio’s blood wasn’t compelling enough either. Towards the end, the proceedings get absurdly exaggerated. Even action icon Rajinikanth in ‘Jailer’ didn’t take on as many armed men as Robert and Dony do in this film. The two brothers recklessly drive into ‘enemy territory’ and face an onslaught from an entire colony. The 2 versus 200 fight (okay, not 200, but at least 50 for sure) was too far-fetched to be enjoyable.

Regardless of the plot flaws and forgettable antagonists, ‘RDX: Robert Dony Xavier’ makes for an entertaining action film. Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese, and Neeraj Madhav pull off their action hero roles with flair, and Shane Nigam’s endearing chemistry with the bubbly Mahima Nambiar in their brief onscreen romance was nostalgic goodness. If you enjoyed movies like small-town action movies like “Minnal Murali”, this would make a good pick to watch in your free time too.

Rating: 6 on 10. You can stream the film on Netflix.

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Camp Spirit Review – Let it spirit you away

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (X | Instagram | GoodReads)

Summer camp is all about crazy kids, ghost stories, running, swimming, sweating, fighting, and, for the lucky few, falling in love. And, just like its title suggests, the graphic novel ‘Camp Spirit’ captures all the shades of spending a long summer outdoors, making new friends or foes, and adds in a dash of fantasy to the proceedings. I am officially a fan of the creator Axelle Lenoir; her storytelling spirit and artwork are an absolute joy to read/watch! This one is so, so different from ‘Secret Passages,’ another graphic novel by Axelle that I had rated a full five out of five stars.

Set in the summer of 1994, “Camp Spirit” is about the young Elodie, who has two months left before she starts college and is forced to become a camp counselor by her mother to earn some extra cash. Elodie isn’t a big fan of sports, nature or kids, and finds herself responsible for the most energetic bunch of redheads. Surprisingly, Elodie is able to handle her mean little monster girls, but something else starts to give her nightmares at camp! Is there an actual mythical monster lurking around the woods or is Elodie just hallucinating?

Axelle Lenoir takes readers for a colorful, crazy ride through this fantastically drawn graphic novel, with the color-palette and mood constantly changing, but the illustrations remain expressive riveting. When I tried reading ‘Camp Spirit’ for the first time on my phone’s kindle app, the first two bright neon pages and the small text felt a little overwhelming. I actually stopped after page two in the first attempt and decided to try it again some other time. After a few days, I gave it another shot and ended up finishing the 200+ pages in one go! The pages are a splash of summer, with plenty of swimming, playing and sitting around the fire at night and swapping spooky stories or just singing songs. While most of the graphic novel is filled with a lot of talking, some panels serve as great visual breaks with no dialogue, yet they carry the story forward. For example, one such page simply shows a character going about their job in the woods, and it features a relaxing palette of greens and nature.

Elodie’s squad of little girls were an absolute riot and it was hilariously heart-warming to see how quickly they all get attached to Elodie. While I have never been to summer camps, I have been in boarding school for a while, which is like a year-long-camp for students, with seniors guiding you through things, pretty much like camp councilors do. So for me, some of the stuff was very relatable, like how the young campers look up to the older kids or trouble them endlessly if they aren’t very likable. Nostalgia enthusiasts would appreciate the 90s setting, music references from back then and of-course – the lack of social media and cell-phones.

The camp chief is the weirdest character in the book, he just goes by “chief” and even claims “my name is chief” when he introduces himself to the camp on first day. Elodie screams like a scared cat every time he appears out of nowhere and wonders if he is just a big old goofy chap or a creepy serial killer out to get all the kids. Don’t worry, there is no serial killer. There are about six camp counselors, all of whom Elodie isn’t very interested in being friends with, but she does eventually warm up to some of them, especially a girl called Catherine, whom she sarcastically describes as ‘little miss perfect’ at the beginning but becomes close buddies with.

“Camp Spirit” is a totally binge-worthy read for those who love young-adult fiction, it packs in a lot of entertaining moments and is all about having letting your hair down, having some fun and letting new people come into your life.

Rating: 5 on 5! “Camp Spirit” is also available on Kindle Unlimited.

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The Continental Season 1 Episode 1 Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Parts of ‘The Continental’ felt like watching someone play a 1970s-themed GTA in a dusty, grimy New York with groovy music in the background. If nobody else, the series is sure to woo nostalgia enthusiasts with its assorted soundtrack, which ranges from Boney M’s ‘Daddy Cool’ to Black Sabbath’s ‘Children of the Grave’.

Created by Greg Coolidge, Shawn Simmons and Kirk Ward, “The Continental: From the World of John Wick”, is set in the same universe as the popular Keanu Reeves action films. If you haven’t seen the John Wick movies, all you need to know is that “The Continental” is a luxury hotel exclusively catering to criminals and assassins, with strict rules enforcing neutrality on its premises. The mini-series, therefore, traces the ascent of a young Winston Scott, who is abducted from London and transported to New York by individuals affiliated with “The Continental” to assist in locating his thieving older brother. Initially hunted by the organization, Winston eventually becomes its leader, so this is his origin story of sorts.

Titled “Brothers in Arms,” episode one starts with a striking black-and-white shot of two young brothers in police custody, with the older one taking the fall for his sibling’s actions. The rest of the episode, spanning almost 90 minutes, is in color and transports viewers to the disco era of the 70s, beginning with a sparkly dance party scene at The Continental. An unexpected yet thrilling heist in the first ten minutes sets the tone for the rest of the story. Ben Robson portrays Frankie Scott, who steals with something incredibly valuable from the Continental’s vault and vanishes. The hotel’s boss, Cormac O’Connor (Mel Gibson), enlists the help of Frankie’s estranged brother, Winston Scott (Colin Woodell), to track him down. However, Winston teams up with Frankie to outwit their enemies and fight back.

It takes time to warm up to the idea of Colin Woodell playing the protagonist, Winston Scott, and his surprisingly mellow introductory scene doesn’t do him any favors. Winston is depicted trying to persuade an aging multi-millionaire to invest money, but the other party appears entirely unimpressed. Some viewers might feel similarly about Colin Woodell’s performance too. Since it’s only episode one, and Winston is not nearly as criminal or nefarious as everyone around him, perhaps the upcoming episodes will allow the character to shine more.

While Winston doesn’t engage in a lot of physical action, there’s plenty of shooting, killing, and violence happening. A whole bunch of characters make their appearances in the first episode, including a young Charon (Ayomide Adegun), who is still a teenager and works for Cormac O’Connor at The Continental. Katie McGrath as a masked antagonist called “The Adjudicator”, a rival who wants Frankie too, looked like she jumped out of a Batman movie and was far more intriguing than Mel Gibson as sinister boss-man Cormac. However, her role was too brief in this episode, so I am looking forward to see how her character grows. With plenty of bad guys baying for their blood, the Scott brothers might need the help of siblings Miles (Hubert Point-Du Jour) and Lou (Jessica Lou), who run an illegal arms business with a Karate Dojo as their front.

With several callbacks to popular action films, a retro but delightful soundtrack, broody-bleak settings, and stylish fight sequences, episode one of ‘The Continental’ is a pretty entertaining start for the series. It ends with the promise of a bloodier follow-up edition. “I need guns, lots of guns” demands a vengeful Winston before the end credits roll.

You can stream “The Continental” on Amazon Prime Video.

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Gandeevadhari Arjuna Review – Off the Bullseye

Rating: 2 out of 5.

The very first fifteen minutes of the 2023 film “Gandeevadhari Arjuna”confused me immensely. Let me explain why. The opening scenes depict an Indian minister being attacked by unknown assailants while he is in the UK to attend an international environment summit. While the minister manages to escape unharmed, his chief bodyguard is fatally injured. To replace him, the bodyguard recommends an ex-special forces officer named Arjun Verma, claiming that he is the only person he can trust to take a bullet for the minister. The scene then shifts to introduce Arjun (Varun Tej), who is currently employed by a Russian mob boss. Varun Tej gets a heroic introductory scene – he first stops his boss from hitting a woman, then saves the man from a bunch of armed goons, and then quits the job. “If I see you abuse another woman again, I will kill you myself. I quit,” he says and then drives off in a car with a sticker that says “bad boys drive bad toys.” LOL. Seriously? Is a guy who would work for a mob boss for money supposed to be trustworthy?

Director Praveen Sattaru, who co-wrote the script with Abhijeeth Poondla, takes too long to get to the point in “Gandeevadhari Arjuna.” The initial half of the film sets the stage for what appears to be an action-romance, featuring Arjun and the minister’s personal secretary, Ira (Sakshi Vaidya). However, the plot centers around something known as “File 13,” housing an exposé about a powerful company’s illicit dumping of toxic waste across India, resulting in deadly diseases among the local populace. Two resourceful students gather damning evidence and entrust it to the Indian Environment minister Adityaraj (Nassar) in pursuit of justice. A man called Ranveer (Vinay Rai) owns the firm responsible for the toxic waste and goes to extreme lengths to eliminate anyone attempting to reveal their secrets. So it is up to Arjun to keep the minister safe until his participation in the UN summit.

The cinematography in “Gandeevadhari Arjuna” is quite impressive, featuring numerous scenes set in elaborate locations. For instance, Arjun attends a packed soccer match in the UK to retrieve the coveted “File 13” from the student activist. The villains’ lair is also remarkable, boasting vastness, grandeur, and a plethora of antique items, including a striking collection of vintage vehicles.It’s evident that the creators have spent a pretty penny on their location and sets, if only they would’ve invested as much in a team of writers. The special effects whilst showing patients suffering due to toxins dumped illegally were a little off, but doesn’t disrupt the movie’s visual value much.

One of the most significant issues with the film is its focus on the wrong hero. The true protagonists of this story should have been the students striving to expose corrupt firms, but their narrative only unfolds in the second half of “Gandeevadhari Arjuna” through brief snippets. The Arjun-Ira love subplot could have been entirely omitted, as it bears no relevance to the primary environmental theme of the story. Instead, more time should’ve been spent on the investigation into the illegal dumping and its effects, because despite a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes, the climax feels abrupt. While the film concludes with a lesson about how developing countries exploit poorer ones to dispose of their waste, its intense focus on Arjun battling goons dilutes the final message regarding the necessity of cleaner waste removal solutions. The balance between the action elements and the social message is significantly skewed. Consider watching the film only if you’re a fan of Vinay Rai or if you don’t mind action movies with convoluted plots.

Rating: 4 on 10. You can stream “Gandeevadhari Arjuna” on Netflix.

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