Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 157

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Only a Japanese could worry about getting late at work while a horde of feral zombies are chasing them! Based on the manga series by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata, “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” (original title – Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto) is a movie directed by Yûsuke Ishida and stars Eiji Akaso as protagonist Akira Tendo. The story follows Akira as he finally starts to live his life in the face of a zombie apocalypse.

The film begins with a hilarious scene of Akira being pursued by bloodied zombies through his apartment just as he was making his way to work. It takes him a minute to realize he probably doesn’t have to go to the office anymore. While the zombies are still growling for him from behind a fence, he squeals with joy about being a free man. The next thing he does is make a list of 100 things he wants to do before he becomes a zombie. Viewers follow Akira’s adventures as he attempts to rescue people, reunite with his best friend Kencho (Shuntarô Yanagi), and revel in the little activities he couldn’t do before as an office employee.

“Zom 100” has a fun and comedic first half, and the cinematography is well-lit and bright, offering a great juxtaposition against the ghastly zombies that keep marring the scenery each time they appear on screen. Akira, as a former Rugby pro, surprisingly navigates through the undead with ease, thanks to his physical abilities. Eiji Akaso is sunnily charming as the optimistic Akira, whose spirit was crushed by office life but is reinvigorated as social order collapses due to the deadly Zombie outbreak. Fans of Eiji Akaso will be reminded of his role from the hit show “Cherry Magic” as they witness Akira’s hard-working employee side. The second half of the movie gives him some Kamen Rider-like heroic moments, complete with a shiny costume!

Shuntarô Yanagi is entertaining as Akira’s easy-going friend Kencho, who, despite their differences, is ridiculously supportive of Akira’s end-of-the-world bucket list. The boys define friendship goals. Mai Shiraishi portrays the serious stranger, Shizuka, who cannot stand the men’s casual attitude given the dire circumstances. The characters experience comedic situations as in the manga, but the movie surprisingly shifts towards a slightly darker and more dystopian atmosphere as the plot progresses. Unfortunately, the pace slows down in the last 45 minutes, making the 2-hour runtime a little tedious. It begins feel like two separate films, although the climax brings back some of the exaggerated comedic elements from the first half.

This adaptation serves as a subtle but scathing critique of Japan’s problematic work culture, where employees are often expected to work overtime and heavily exploited. Akira realizes that he was essentially living like a zombie at work, on the verge of suicide, but little did he know that it would take a bloody catastrophic pandemic for some people to finally start living the life they always hoped for. In comparison, the zombies in the movie seem to be far more amenable than the horrible bosses who wreck employees’ mental health and subject them to trauma for a lifetime. Overall, “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” is a refreshing change from the usual ‘Walking Dead’ inspired survival content.  

It’s a 7 on 10 from me. Stream Zom 100 on Netflix.

Genetics At Heart – Graphic Novel Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Phew! That was a lot to take in. I wasn’t expecting “Genetics at Heart” by Philippe Amouyel to be an exhaustive look at human DNA and genetic testing, especially considering it’s presented in the format of a graphic novel with just 176 pages. While I was anticipating a more personal memoir with genetics as a primary theme, this novel instead serves as an almost textbook-like explainer on how genes work.

Although there does exist a semblance of a story in the novel, it revolves around a geneticist’s daughter who undergoes genetic testing and discovers something that brings her anguish. As a result, her father takes up the task of explaining how the test results should be interpreted with caution. He starts with an interesting case of how a cop attempts to solve the mystery of a decades old corpse found at a site by construction workers. And then the anecdotal tales keep rolling in, accompanied by numerous text-heavy scientific insights into the wonders and perils of DNA testing.

The beautifully drawn illustrations by Héloïse Chochois are inviting and make the learning experience enjoyable for those who are curious about genetics. Even with just a basic understanding of genetics, this graphic novel provides readers with a lot of food for thought, offering a deeper perspective on what genetic testing can reveal, going beyond the superficial and fun-looking “know your ancestry” videos often found online.

The protagonist represents people who often feel the need to “find themselves” and believe that an ancestry test might fill a void within them. However, her father painstakingly explains that some things are best left untouched unless absolutely necessary. For instance, a DNA test to aid doctors in finding a better cure for a life-threatening disease you’ve been diagnosed with is valuable. On the other hand, taking a DNA test just for fun, only to discover you are more prone to cancer, could lead to a lifetime of living in anxiety.

Many panels in the novel are overwhelmingly filled with information, while there are others that showcase gorgeous illustrations with very little text. The creators attempt to strike a balance between the informational aspects and emotional story elements in the novel. However, in the end, it leans more towards a comic book-like textbook vibe rather than a traditional graphic novel.

If you’ve ever been interested in getting a genetic test done, do consider picking up this graphic novel as a beginner’s guide. It’s a 4 on 5 from me.

Guns & Gulaabs Smacks of Retro Action-Comedy

“Is puri story ka point kya hai?”

A character asks midway in the trailer for the Netflix series “Guns & Gulaabs.

(Translation – What’s the point of this whole tale?)

Viewers will be left wondering the same by the end of the almost three-minute-long trailer. And that’s perfect because a good promotional video shouldn’t give away crucial plot points of the story!

Created by Raj & DK, the makers of the beloved series “The Family Man,” the 2023 series “Guns & Gulaabs” stars Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav, along with a host of familiar faces. Fans of old-school Bollywood will be thrilled with the delightful retro tone of the entire trailer, complete with big-bold-yellow font which is straight out of cult classic “Sholay.” In-fact, the plot is set in the 1990s in a fictional town called Gulaabganj, so it promises to be a pulp-fiction style nostalgic ride.

Dulquer Salmaan portrays Arjun, a family man and cop, while Rajkummar Rao plays an eccentric character who dispatches people with a ‘paana’ (Hindi for spanner) and Gulshan Devaiah is ‘4 Cut Aatmaram’, another cold-blooded gunda. The series offers a cut-throat world of guns, goons, and blood with a touch of comedy to keep the laughs coming.

The series will be available to stream on August 18 on Netflix.

Ayushmann Goes Glam In Dream Girl 2 Trailer

Ayushmann Khurrana and his team are back with a sequel to the 2019 Bollywood comedy “Dream Girl,” but it’s more of a spin-off than a direct follow-up. Instead of Nushrratt Bharuccha, Ananya Pandey plays Khurrana’s romantic interest in this upcoming comedy.

Directed and written by Raaj Shaandilyaa, who also helmed the 2019 flick, the comedy sees Ayushmann Khurrana going all out as Puja, the female persona he pretends to be on the phone. The protagonist must earn quick money as Puja to pay off his father’s debts and impress his future father-in-law. In a hilarious twist, Abhishek Banerjee portrays Shahrukh, a young man who falls instantly in love with Puja and wants to marry her! It’s going to be a madhouse.

Too bad that the trailer gives away the entire plot, but it does seem like a slapstick comedy that will tickle the viewers’ funny bones. Additionally, there’s a talented ensemble cast backing up Ayushmann, including Annu Kapoor, Govardhan Asrani, Rajpal Naurang Yadav, Seema Pahwa, Vijay Raaz, among others. Watch the trailer below.

The Horror of Dolores Roach Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

If you’re a Tim Burton fan, you can’t help but be reminded of his 2007 film “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” while watching the trailer for the 2023 series “The Horror of Dolores Roach.” Sweeney Todd’s fictional history dates back to the 1840s when he first appeared in a Penny Dreadful story. He is a barber who kills his customers with a razor, and his partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett, uses the corpses to make meat pies for her bakery.

Served by the Blumhouse producers of M3GAN, “The Horror of Dolores Roach” is like a modern reboot of Sweeney Todd and homage to the literary character with its opening music and a newspaper headline dubbing Dolores Roach as the “real-life Sweeney Todd.” The direct attribution to the inspiration of the tale multiple times is commendable.  

The series stars Justina Machado as protagonist Dolores Roach, who spends 16 years in prison for possession of weed, assaulting an officer and covering up for her boyfriend. Upon her release, she returns to Washington Street, her former neighborhood, only to find it gentrified and her boyfriend gone, leaving her with no one to turn to. She crosses paths with Luis, the owner of her favorite Empanada shop, who offers her a room to stay. For the uninitiated – Empanadas are a type of baked or fried dish like the Indian Samosa, usually filled with meat. To make ends meet, Dolores starts giving massages and gains the reputation of “magic hands Dolores”, an ironical moniker, considering the chain of events that follow. As the story progresses, Dolores finds herself in a Sweeney Todd-like situation as she murders people and Luis turns their bodies into empanadas to sell in his shop. These unique empanadas soon become the talk of Washington Street, attracting a lot of customers, so it’s only a matter of time before the duo gets caught… or is it?

Spanning eight episodes, “The Horror of Dolores Roach” unfolds like a dramatic dark comedy play, giving the events a stage-like quality that adds an unreal touch to the series. This touch makes the show both funnier and easier to disassociate from the gruesome murders and the victims’ fate. The series showcases plenty of blood and mangled bodies but adopts a matter-of-fact approach, much like a butcher preparing meat for sale. The most entertaining aspect is that Dolores, the titular protagonist, narrates her tale to the viewers, providing humorous insights between dialogues without breaking the fourth wall or addressing the camera directly. The musical score is upbeat, some of the piano pieces are reminiscent of shows like “The Addams Family”.

Alejandro Hernandez as Luis, the butcher, is a total crackpot, who smokes-up all the time, cooks up his own English words and is barely ever in his full sense. In a surprising second half, Luis’ tragic past is revealed to explain why he is such a twisted child stuck in a man’s body. The crazy co-dependent relationship between Dolores and Luis is weird as hell, but crucial to the plot’s progression. It’s an interesting representation of how chaotic circumstances can often push two different people together in ways one wouldn’t imagine.

The supporting cast also delivers entertaining performances, including Kita Updike as Nellie, a typical Gen Z kid working at the Empanada shop, and Illan Eskenazi in a brief but cute cameo as Jonah Pearlman, who develops a crush on Nellie. One of the biggest surprises in the series however was Cyndi Lauper as Ruthie, an interesting character known for her ability to find out anybody, even those who don’t want to be found out. Some of us are just so used to remembering her as the young rebel in her hit single “girls just want to have fun”, it’s hard to imagine her as anything else. I didn’t even know Ruthie was Cyndi Lauper until I finished watching the entire series. It would be great to see her in more offbeat roles. K. Todd Freeman is also amusing as Luis’ meat supplier Jeremiah, who looks quite cuckoo and acts a bit like one too.

While the series hints at deeper socio-economic themes, such as the vicious cycle of crime and the struggles faced by individuals from poor economic backgrounds, the focus remains on Dolores’ personal journey. Despite having a chance at a stable life through her side-hustle as a masseuse, Dolores lets her rage guide her actions. Murder becomes a compulsion for the protagonist, and she is constantly rationalizing her heinous actions in her head, finding excuses to blame the victims for it.  

“The Horror of Dolores Roach” has some great writing, witty humour and a fantastic cast that pulls of the morbid tale of human-stuffed empanadas selling like hot cakes around town. However, the pace does get choppy now and then, and the writers could have wrapped up the series in seven episodes, instead of an extended eighth. Like mentioned earlier, the show gives off a very “staged” vibe and the climactic scene is far too exaggerated. From a serial killer, Dolores is elevated to an urban legend, but the ending reduces her to a comical character, even though it’s supposed to seal her reputation as the demon masseuse of Washington Heights.

If a cannibalistic comedy sound like your plate of empanadas, stream the series on “Prime Video”.  

‘Spy Kids: Armageddon’ Drops This Sept

The beloved “Spy Kids” franchise is getting a reboot, and the new movie is set to drop on Netflix on September 22. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, who also produced the 2002 film “Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams,” the 2023 version stars a whole new family. Zachary Levi, known for winning young fans as the superhero “Shazam!,” takes on the role of the spy dad, while Gina Rodriguez from “Jane The Virgin” portrays the spy mom to the new spy kids, played by actors Everly Carganilla and Connor Esterson.

Just like the original films, the young siblings embark on a mission to rescue their mom and dad, armed with super cool gadgets and a “never give up” attitude. Everly Carganilla and Connor Esterson shine as the lead characters in the trailer, while Zachary and Gina promise to bring a fun dynamic as an onscreen couple. Although the teaser doesn’t reveal much about this fresh pairing, we are thrilled to see how things turn out!

Ladybug & Cat Noir: Awakening – Movie Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

“Wonder what Bollywood movie they saw before making this one!”

My 19-year-old younger cousin laughed and exclaimed, a few minutes after the first song in the 2023 animated film “Lady Bug and Cat Noir: Awakening”. The two leads meet for the first time in a textbook library scene, each standing on opposite sides of a book rack, their eyes locking in a typical “meet cute” moment.  

Yeah, the romance element is heavy in this children’s film and would be more suitable for ages 12 and above, or basically kids who do care about first crushes and cute classmates. That’s not to say the romance is inappropriate, it’s rather cute, but not something that will keep a very young audience thrilled.

Directed by Jeremy Sag, the story follows teenagers Marinette and Adrian, who are chosen to save Paris from monsters unleashed by a villain. They transform into masked heroes, Lady Bug and Cat Noir, without knowing each other’s true identities. This standalone movie provides a quick introduction to the legend of Lady Bug and Cat Noir, and viewers don’t need to have seen the series to follow the plot.

Both protagonists are adorable characters, Marinette is clumsy, she is always falling and causing chaos everywhere she goes, even though she has a heart of gold. She would risk her own life to save someone else, even if they are a stranger running recklessly on a busy road. She has no confidence or interest in being a superhero called Ladybug but rises to the occasion when things get out of hand. Adrian on the other hand has a fun dual personality, while he is down to earth, caring and sweet in his regular form, but gets sassy and catty when he dons the Cat Noir suit.

The animation is bright and glossy, bringing Paris to life in the most flattering way, with homely bakeries and gorgeous historical buildings. As villains wreak havoc across the city, damaging architectural wonders, including the prized Louvre, you’ll feel the destruction affecting you. Some parts of the animation may be a little too bright and blinding, but overall, the animation is quite delightful. A few of the character designs were a mash of people you’ve already seen on screen or comics. For example, the primary antagonist Hawkmoth seemed out of a spider-man comic, while two minor villains/monsters were inspired versions of Joker and Harley Quinn from Batman.

Being a musical, some of the songs are good, pushing the story forward as characters vocalize their fears, insecurities, and hopes in a “Let it Go” fashion. However, at least two songs could’ve been cut. The makers should’ve ideally gone for a PG13 rating, making it a more teen superhero romance rather than the awkward blend of a child-friendly tale they ended up serving.  

It’s a 6 on 10 from me. Stream “Lady Bug and Cat Noir” on Netflix.

Reading ‘The Madman’s Library’

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) | Click here for audio version

“The Madman’s Library” by Edward Brooke-Hitching is an encyclopaedic book about weird books. Or as declared on its cover, it delves into “The Strangest Books, Manuscripts, and Other Literary Curiosities from History.”

Curiously enough, I first learned about this book from a close friend who was thrilled about reading it. She made a family member buy it for her as a birthday present as it cost quite a bit, about 3000 INR, which is almost 40 dollars. To put it in context as an Indian book buyer – you can buy the entire Harry Potter box set of seven books for almost the same price.

Interestingly, I managed to get the book for only Rs 899. How? When my friend ordered it, there were no available copies in India, so the bookseller had to ship it from the UK, and my friend had to bear the additional shipping cost. My guess is – the seller ordered a few extra copies along with her copy. My friend and I found this amusing, recognizing that she couldn’t really blame the seller for the higher initial cost. It’s not uncommon for bibliophiles to end up paying shipping fees for books that are not easily accessible in their countries, and this situation benefits other readers who can then purchase the books at a more affordable price.

Anyway, let’s get back to discussing “The Madman’s Library” and whether it lives up to the expectations set up by its tagline. For those who haven’t read or researched about strange books from around the world, Edward Brooke-Hitching’s book is a treasure trove of sorts, containing a wealth of information about all kinds of bizarre publications. From Bibles and Qurans written in blood, novels bound in human skin, and written directories of prostitutes around town, to books that make absolutely no sense, “The Madman’s Library” packs a peculiar collection of titles, their history, and the stories of their writers.

One of the most entertaining sections in this book is titled “Literary Hoaxes”, where the author delves into works that were meant to fool readers. “There is something thrilling about holding in your hand a book that was designed to deceive. Whether it was written out of satire, revenge or self-promotion and profit, a literary hoax is a lie with an extraordinary quality: physical form.”

A hilarious example of one such literary hoax is a book called “The Cruise of the Kawa: Wanderings in the South Seas” by Walter E. Traprock. The book was crafted to resemble a genuine travel journal, and despite containing many farcical elements, numerous readers believed it to be an authentic travelogue. Funnily, even the author’s name is fictitious, yet he was invited to give a lecture about his supposed travels by the National Geographic. It reminded me of more modern examples of literary hoaxes or gag gifts, like Shed Simove’s book ‘What Every Man Thinks About Apart from Sex’, which contains 200 blank pages and still sold thousands of copies.

However, the most fascinating story to emerge from ‘The Madman’s Library’ is about how an inmate of a mental asylum contributed significantly to a very important book of the English language – the Oxford English Dictionary. James Murray, who was working on the dictionary, had chosen to crowd-source entries and received thousands of quotations from a man named Dr. William Chester Minor, whose address was Broadmoor Asylum for the criminally insane. The two soon became pen-friends, and when Murray finally had the opportunity to meet William in person, he was shocked to discover that he was an inmate and not a doctor at the asylum. However, the two continued to be friends, and James Murray credited William for his staggeringly significant contribution to the dictionary. It’s funny how a man considered a madman, had the most impressive story in the “The Madman’s Library”.

Spread over 250 pages, “The Madman’s Library” by Edward Brooke-Hitching is filled with fascinating illustrations, photographs, and an array of crazy titles. From oddball science books to creepy religious texts and works on occult and witchcraft, this book contains all kinds of titles and tales. All these stories offer intriguing look at how humans have evolved and changed over the years. If you haven’t reads books about bizarre publications like this, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Rocky aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani – Same Old KJo Story

By Sumith Jhawar (Twitter | Instagram)

“Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahaani” is:

Overly long, just like its titleJarringly loud and flashyOverloaded with clichés and stereotypesFull of throwback songs and dud originals

The movie feels like a medley of social commentary reels, where every major problem finds a childishly simplistic solution.  

A considerable amount of money is spent on opulence, trying to make every frame look picture-perfect, which is not what movie-goers want to see today. Karan Johar still expects the audience to come to cinemas to escape reality, which does hold true for some, but his cinematic universe is a lazy la-la-land that will put you to sleep. No wonder people still use the term ‘Bollywood’ as an adjective synonymous with over-the-top melodrama.  

Picture this: An akhada, where an anniversary is to be celebrated, turns into a wedding-venue style place with matching wedding clothes and synchronized dancing, just for a song. An Anurag Kashyap or Anubhav Sinha could’ve probably made an entire movie just on that track’s budget.

Things like cheating are supposed to be seen as cute just because two old people are doing it, and there are quite a few ‘kids, close your eyes’ scenes, making it unsuitable as an out-and-out family movie.  Alia Bhatt is the only non-stereotypical character who does a good job, while Ranveer Singh is the annoying polar opposite.

I would recommend you watch “Afwaah” on Netflix instead.

Read Next: Bheed Review – Unmissable Tale of an Ignored Bheed

Smile Movie Review – Trauma Follows

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

As a horror fan, you are bound to compare the 2022 movie “Smile” with the 2014 critically acclaimed horror thriller “It Follows.” Apart from the common genre, the basic plot is also somewhat similar in both titles – an evil entity haunts a person, appearing to them in different forms, usually a person they know. The haunting continues until the entity eventually kills them and then attaches itself to someone else.  

Written and directed by Parker Finn, “Smile” follows psychiatrist Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), who witnesses a patient’s gory suicide. But actor Caitlin Stasey sets the pace for this sinister story with her brief introductory cameo as Laura Weaver, a PhD student. Caitlin is riveting as the tormented Laura, who confides in Dr. Rose Cotter about a smiling entity haunting her before she brutally kills herself, despite desperately pleading for help seconds before. Her contradictory last moments confound Rose Cotter, who initially interprets the disturbingly bizarre behavior as a manifestation of trauma. However, when she starts to experience similar incidents, she becomes convinced that whatever drove Laura to her death is now after her.  

What sets “Smile” apart from “It Follows” is the slightly more psychological and logical approach to the story, despite the dubious supernatural elements. For the first half of the runtime, the movie delves into Rose Cotter’s mental breakdown due to the traumatic suicide she witnesses, and then her attempt to pull herself together and investigate a possible pattern and cause of the entity terrifying her. At one point, she even pretends to be a journalist to find answers, reminiscent of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s role in “The Unholy,” where he plays a freelance journalist attempting to expose “miraculous” incidents in a small town.  

The cinematography diverges from typical horror aesthetics, with bright and pleasant settings filling the screen, whether it be the modern but comforting psychiatrist’s office or well-done homes that are a far cry from the usual “spooky mansions.” The juxtaposition of uplifting backgrounds against the dark themes of the tale, offer an interesting contrast to the tale. Sosie Bacon’s portrayal of troubled Rose Cotter appears rather bored in parts, but the make-up department does a fantastic job of subtly transforming her face as the plot progresses. As her mental health deteriorates, so does her physical appearance. Conversely, when she thinks she might be winning against the demon or whatever it is, she looks a lot less exhausted and defeated. Kyle Gallner as Rose’s ex-boyfriend and cop Joel, fits well into the story as he is able to help her in ways other characters cannot, including her therapist. Some viewers might be unimpressed with the “therapist needing a therapist” subplot; however, it’s a theme done well – showcasing that mental health professionals aren’t immune to mental agonies and childhood wounds.

Parker Finn and the team slowly build up tension through the story, creeping viewers out with a bunch of good jump-scares. There’s one scene somewhere in the middle that gave me the chills, even though it was a simple enough shot, yet unsettling. However, the makers are stingy with supernatural scenes, wasting a lot of potential in the first half. Then, in the last 15 minutes, they go all out with ghastly ghostly entity, giving it a ridiculous visage that screams cheap effects and is laughable in comparison to the more subtle thriller tone of the rest of the film. All that said, I really liked the core metaphor of the tale – trauma follows.

It’s a 7 on 10 from me. Stream “Smile” on Prime Video.

Read Next: Adhura Review – Promising Plot Stretched Lamentably