Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 166
June 7, 2023
Love and War Issue 5 Review
“Love and War” had the kind of ending I was hoping for, so the final issue of the five part comic book series by Andrew Wheeler and Killian NG had me happy!
An overview of the story first – Protagonist Domo has a crush on his team captain Gabriel, who disappears after they share a moment. Now he is lost, confused and must co-captain the tug-of-war team with the crazy Jocasta. When new student Emil brings in the promise of fresh romance, Domo is torn between going after Gabriel or letting Emil chase him. However, before worrying about romance, Domo must get his act together to win the tug-of-war championship.
In Issue #5, the focus shifts to the championship, where Domo comes face to face with Gabriel, who is now on the rival team. Meanwhile, Emil is in the stands, cheering for Domo and his team. The creators deliver both sporting and romantic tension in this action-packed finale, where many things are happening at once. The artwork is consistently, cute, bright and vivid. I feel like just 24 pages per issue wasn’t enough, all the characters don’t get a lot of space to grow and the relationships progress at an unnatural speed. However, it all culminates in a picture-perfect finish… so all’s well that ends well. Besides, there might be a volume two out soon. It’s a 4 on 5 from me.
“Love and War” is available to download on Kindle Unlimited.
June 6, 2023
Scoop Review – Karishma Tanna’s Go-Getter Act Is A Winner
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
What happens when a journalist known for her consistent page one scoops becomes the top headline herself as an accused in a murder case? Senior crime reporter Jagruti Pathak gets a lead about the Anti Terrorist Squad failing to act on a tip-off that could have prevented the 2010 twin bombings in Mumbai. Her investigation into the story leads to an exclusive interview with notorious gangster Chhota Rajan. But as the journalist gets closer to unraveling a nefarious nexus between cops and the underworld, she is named the prime suspect in the murder of a fellow journalist.
Created by Hansal Mehta, the six-episode Netflix series “Scoop” stars Karishma Tanna in the lead as Jagruti Pathak and is a swiftly paced crime drama inspired by “Behind Bars in Byculla,” a memoir by journalist Jigna Vora. Despite its title, “Scoop” never gets too sensational or dramatic and maintains a steady gripping pace until the end. Instead of imitating real-life Jigna Vora, Karishma Tanna delivers her own version of an eager “exclusive-hungry” journalist and is convincingly fantastic as the street-smart Jagruti, who knows how to get her sources to talk. Prasenjit Chatterjee has a short but powerful cameo as Jaideb Sen, an investigative reporter who ruffles a lot of feathers with his exposes and is shot to death.
The first episode establishes some of the primary characters in the story really well, and Jagruti Pathak is introduced as a “go getter” reporter, who also happens to be a single mom supporting her young son and grandparents. Viewers get generous glimpses of Jagruti’s personal life and how she constantly chooses to chase a news lead over spending time with the family. For example, she takes a long leave for the first time in a while for a Kashmir trip with her folks but rushes back to Mumbai to cover a big story. It sums up the lives of pretty much every journalist around the world and is laudably done without shaming the protagonist for it. While some of the family scenes and interactions weren’t crucial to the plot, they help add a human element to the tale and will keep general viewers more invested in the series.
“Scoop” skillfully explores the dichotomy between “sensational journalism” and “responsible journalism” while delving into the process of crafting a news story. Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub portrays Imran Siddiqui, Jagruti’s mentor and editor at the “Eastern Age,” presenting him as one of the few editors who still values presenting all sides of a story rather than chasing sensational headlines. Inayat Sood’s character, Deepa Chandra, a trainee reporter mentored by Jagruti, offers a stark contrast to Imran’s idealistic editorial approach. Deepa, a rookie, prioritizes bylines over thoughtful news coverage. And since its a “dog eat dog” world, Jagruti finds few allies when she is framed for murder.
The second-half of the show follows her Jagruti’s legal battles and her nightmarish experience at the Byculla jail as her lawyers try to fight to get her bail. The cinematography effectively captures the contrasting settings, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the dismal conditions of Byculla jail. The graphics team excels in creating realistic TV news scenes and debates. The music was sombre, serious and complementary to the tale. The only time the background score struck as odd was at a house party scene, where the characters are excitedly moving to a dance number, but an odd track plays over it.
One of the non-journalist characters that stood out in this series was that of JCP Harshvardhan Shroff, portrayed by Harman Baweja, who was almost unrecognizable as the aging top cop, known to favor Jagruti over other reporters. His character also contributes to an additional subplot that explores the challenges women face in earning recognition for their work among their male colleagues. Tanmay Dhanania portrays Pushkar Mohan, who possesses a work experience similar to Jagruti’s but holds a lower position, which he firmly believes is due to “special favors” rather than her hard work. In a clever irony, Ira Dubey portrays Anita Mohan, Pushkar’s wife, who constantly faces sabotage from her male colleagues and is subjected to malicious gossip at her workplace. While Pushkar continuously urges Anita to disregard her “envious peers,” he fails to recognize his own hypocritical behavior towards women.
The creators of “Scoop” obviously take their own creative liberties to make the series slightly more entertaining, instead of letting things unfold like a serious dry documentary on how a journalist is implicated in a fabricated case. Which is why it was slightly disappointing that the writers don’t clearly explain the motivations of some the characters in the tale for their actions. Viewers are expected to read between the lines, which is fine, but a more concrete conclusion could’ve worked better. While the last episode feels somewhat scattered and sluggish compared to the rest of the series, overall, this gritty Karishma Tanna starrer is highly binge-worthy.
It’s a 8 on 10 from me.
Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc – Ep 9 Review
It is finally Muichiro’s moment in the sun. Actually, strike that. It’s Muichiro’s moment in the mist! The young mist Hashira relentlessly fights the top demon, Gyokko, and the two simultaneously engage in a verbal battle, potty-mouthing each other. It was both slightly annoying and yet somehow hilarious. Annoying because it’s supposed to be a tense life-and-death scenario, and they are saying things like “you look like a latrine bug” to each other. Hilarious for the same reason. And Gyokko is such a chatty cat; it’s like Tanjiro’s talkative spirit entered his body in this edition.
Also Read: Demon Slayer Entertainment District Arc Review
Titled “Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito”, the green-haired slayer is the primary focus of episode 9 of Swordsmith Village Arc. The flashbacks in this edition are minimal and it is laden with some impressive animated battle sequences. I know I’ve been whining about Kanroji’s “no show” in the last few episodes, so it was definitely exciting to finally see her make a flashy entry, with her shiny peculiar pink sword and exuberant cheery attitude.
While Episode nine’s pace is on the slower side, it packs in a significant amount of progress in the plot and gives viewers an update on both battles unfolding at the village – Tokito versus Gyokko, and the kids versus the horrifying Hantengu. Remember – Hantengu is a Rank 4 Upper Moon Demon and is currently in his strongest form yet, an intimidating and terrifying Hydra-like dragon with multiple heads. Can Tanjiro and the squad survive this? The suspense continues!
By the way, this edition had the cutest post-credits scene. Zenitsu and Inosuke make an appearance and complain about how their screen-time has been reduced in Swordsmith Village. Fair complaint, boys, absolutely fair! Fans miss them too. Maybe we’ll get to see them eventually?
Stream the series on Netflix.
June 5, 2023
Gumraah Review – Aditya Roy Kapoor Misleads and Entertains
Aditya Roy Kapoor walks into a man’s house dressed like a serial killer, brutally stabs him to death, and then jumps off the balcony to make his escape from the crime scene. Directed by Vardhan Ketkar, the 2023 thriller “Gumraah” is an official Hindi remake of the 2019 film “Thadam,” which was written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni. Although the story reveals the murderer’s face in the very first scene, the real mystery begins when the police apprehend two men who both resemble the prime suspect in the murder case.
Clocking in at a little over two hours, “Gumraah” takes some time to become interesting and has a more gripping in the second half. Aditya Roy Kapoor portrays lookalikes Arjun and Ronnie. While the former is an ordinary, hard-working professional, the latter is a gambler and small-time fraudster. Preliminary evidence establishes one of them is the killer, but as the investigation progresses, it becomes increasingly confounding for cops to determine which one of them is guilty, as both claim their innocence.
Aditya Roy Kapoor skillfully leads this crime-mystery with his dual performances, effectively portraying two distinct personalities. He particularly shines as Ronnie, the thug-type character, who is a wisecracker and delivers some highly amusing dialogues throughout the film. Even though he doesn’t exude “action-hero” energy at first glance, Aditya impressed viewers as an ex-soldier in “The Night Manager,” and here too he pulls off exaggerated action scenes with ease. Mrunal Thakur and Ronit Roy portray cops leading the investigation into the case, and in an intriguing twist, it becomes apparent that one of them holds a personal vendetta against the suspects.
The film’s pace is hindered by unnecessary songs, prolonged sequences and could’ve used a twenty minute trim. Additionally, there are some noticeable plot holes in the script that defy logic. For example, one of the biggest questions that keeps gnawing at you while watching the film is why the cops don’t bother to establish a motive for the murder, instead of constantly grilling the suspects and hoping for a confession. Nevertheless, thanks to some witty dialogues writing and skillful performances, “Gumraah” proves to be worth a watch. It was definitely more entertaining than “Dead Ringers,” a thriller series that also revolves around identical-looking protagonists.
You can stream the film on Netflix.
June 4, 2023
Love and War Issue 3, 4 Review
“Love and War” continues to be about tug-of-war, the literal game and the metaphorical internal battles we all wage within ourselves. Issue #3 of the comic book series by Andrew Wheeler and Killian NG begins with a vibrant display of violet hues, featuring a character going for an early morning jog in a picturesque neighborhood. After this somewhat random introduction, the story shifts its focus to Aster Academy’s Tug-of-War team and their preparations for the upcoming championship. But there’s also the internal tension within the team over the captaincy!
Also Read: Love and War Issue 1, 2 Review
Most of #issue 3 unfolds in the outdoors, so the pages are a bright splash of colors. Protagonist Domo and Jocasta engage in a face-off to determine who is better suited to lead their team, while on the sidelines, a silent rivalry brews between the exuberant Emil and the serious Gabriel for Domo’s attention. Ah, teenage love and drama… such fun. The plot and emotional dynamics between the various characters progress at lightning speed, and Issue #4 turns is be jam-packed with romantic shenanigans.
While Domo’s character is sincere and adorable, Jocasta is slightly cuckoo and her zest for captaincy is scary. Both of them are facing relationship troubles in their personal lives and readers will have to read issue #5 to find out if the two can get their act together and lead their team to victory or at least score some points in love. The series has been entertaining thus far, so if you’re looking for a fun yet dramatic teen sports-themed romance, be sure to pick up all five issues.
“Love and War” is available to download on Kindle Unlimited.
Dead Ringers Review – Of Killjoy Gynac Sisters
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“Dead Ringers” claims to be about a pair of doctor twins trying to “change the way women give birth”, but it’s really about a psycho megalomaniac’s unhealthy symbiotic relationship with her sibling. Like the title of the show, the sisters are exactly alike and often swap places with each other.
Based on the 1977 novel by Bari Wood called “Twins” and David Cronenberg’s 1988 film “Dead Ringers”, the 2023 seven episode series have been tweaked for modern times by a bunch of writers. But despite a slew of wordsmiths, the show is slow-burn trash disguised with expensive sets and a dapper cast. Rachel Weisz excellently plays the lead twin characters Beverly Mantle and Elliot Mantle, both of who are assholes, one in a loud and obvious manner, the other in a subtle but insidious way. Weisz actually delivers an award-worthy performance, too bad the characters are terrible and the script gets increasingly frustrating. It took me almost a week to finish the show and I also needed to watch something more fun in between to mitigate the headache “Dead Ringers” gave me.
That’s not to say the entire series was terrible, some of the dialogue writing was fantastic, but a lot of it was irritating. The plot, centered around the sisters’ desire to revolutionize the childbirth process, can keep some viewers hooked until the end to find out if they achieve their goals. The cinematography is vivid, stark and the creators don’t hold back on the blood and mess that comes with deliveries. In fact, during the first episode, which features intense scenes of women screaming, bleeding, and ejecting bloodied babies, I found myself clutching my stomach while watching.
However, the medical aspects of the show take a backseat to the personal and psychological dynamics between the sisters, who live together and have never been in a stable relationship with anyone. Rachel Weisz skillfully distinguishes between Elliot and Beverly, both of whom are often described as “brilliant.” Elliot, portrayed with loose hair, is reckless, free-spirited, and constantly sleeping with new people, including the husbands of her patients. She lacks respect for others but excels at maintaining appearances and steering conversations. On the other hand, Beverly is more serious and inhibited, with a slightly stronger moral compass than her sister. But like their father says in one scene – they are both “awful girls”. The sisters’ relationship is put to test when Beverly begins to fall in love with Genevieve (Britne Oldford), a beautiful actor and starts to distance herself from Elliot.
One of the most intriguing characters in the series is Greta, portrayed by Poppy Liu; a young Asian-American, works for the twins but engages in some shady activities behind their backs. Jennifer Ehle is snappy as Rebecca, a corrupt capitalist businesswoman who invests in the sisters’ birthing center after a lot of unpleasant drama and debates about the duplicity of the “socially conscious”. Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s portrayal of journalist Silas Jordan is oddly annoying, as he is initially assigned to write a flattering piece on the brilliant Mantle twins but gradually uncovers their darker sides. At one point, the show pays tribute to the black women who were brutally experimented upon by the real-life doctor Marion Sims, known as the father of gynecology, during the 1800s. This acknowledgment of the historical atrocities committed by Marion Sims is commendable. However, the inclusion of this tribute feels somewhat exploitative, as it doesn’t significantly impact the plot, serving only to provide a superficial sense of weightiness.
“Dead Ringers” is categorized as a thriller/horror series, it lacks significant mystery and doesn’t possess the elements necessary to be a true horror show. At best, it may frighten viewers into reconsidering having children and potentially disturb those with twin siblings due to the portrayal of twins.
You can stream the series on Prime Video.
June 3, 2023
Piece of Cake – Short Film Review
Porcelain bride cake toppers Val and Mara journey across the bakery and away from their assigned grooms to be with one another!
Piece of Cake,” created and directed by Sophie Feher, is a dramatic yet heartwarming animated film that encapsulates a wide range of emotions in just under five minutes. Set in a cake shop, the story revolves around two brides who fall in love and strive to achieve their “happy ending,” but encounter obstacles along the way.
The animation style is simple, colorful, and reminiscent of Disney, which will charm viewers throughout irs short runtime. Despite the absence of dialogue, “Piece of Cake” effectively portrays the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ couples and emphasizes the importance of allies in making their journey easier.
You can watch the film on YouTube.
Love and War Issue 1, 2 Review
Tug of War is serious business in Andrew Wheeler’s five-part comic series “Love and War,” which follows the protagonist Domo, who has been ghosted by his best friend and thrust into additional responsibilities as a co-captain of his team. To add to his woes, Domo is also burdened with taking care of the new flamboyant dancer-student, Emil.
The bright, colorful artwork by Killian NG is what keeps issue #1 interesting because, story-wise, not a lot happens. We learn that Domo is worried about his captain/friend Gabriel avoiding him after the two share a moment following their second-place win at a tug-of-war championship. It turns out that Gabriel isn’t just avoiding him but has even changed schools, which means their team no longer has a captain. Domo finds himself reluctantly competing for the top position with the ambitious and intimidating Jocasta. And then there’s the hot new student Emil.
Issue #2 delves into the bonding between Domo and Emil while also shedding light on what exactly happened with Gabriel. It appears that the protagonist doesn’t just have to participate in tug-of-war competitions, but also finds his heart torn between two different directions. Who will he choose? Will he go with the familiar friend Gabriel, who disappeared on him, or will he be drawn to the energetic and hyper Emil, who is right by his side?
“Love and War” is cute and chaotic in the first two issues and it’s hard to say where the story is going, because just 24 pages per issue is not enough! But the energy, enthusiasm and conflicting emotions of the characters is engaging so far.
You can download “Love and War” for free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
June 2, 2023
School of Lies Review – Twisted & Sneaky
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
When a 12-year-old boy goes missing from his boarding school, the search for the student sets off a series of incidents that uncover dark truths, buried secrets, and years of trauma afflicting those connected to the case.
Directed by Avinash Arun, the 2023 mystery “School of Lies” has been co-written by Ishani Banerjee, Nishant Agarwala, and Shoaib Nazeer. Set in a fictional hill-station called Dalton, the plot follows the disappearance of Shakti Salgaonkar (Vir Pachisia), an impish boy known to be a troublemaker. Shakti’s house-master and senior teacher, Samuel (Aamir Bashir), believes Shakti has simply run away from school, but the boy’s mother (Geetika Vidya Ohlyan) asserts he must have been kidnapped. As the school falls under police scrutiny, two senior students, Vikram (Varin Roopani) and Tapan (Aryan Singh Ahlawat), begin to feel the heat as they are being blackmailed by a school staff member over their own secrets.
While the trailer for “School of Lies” reminded me of the 2018 boarding school-based film “Noblemen”, it turned out to be quite different from the latter, which heavily focused on bullying. Avinash Arun’s series instead delves into multiple themes, including an assortment of mental health issues, underage drug use, and abuse. Nimrat Kaur poignantly portrays a campus career counselor for students, who reaches out to all students who had any connection to Shakti in her efforts to help solve the missing case.
The storytelling in “School of Lies” isn’t linear, and the creators mislead viewers by not clearly demarcating between the past and the present. Some viewers might even feel cheated because the creators selectively use date-stamps on certain scenes while leaving them out in many other flashbacks. However, this technique effectively maintains the mystery throughout. Nevertheless, the pace of the series is somewhat slow, and several scenes have unnecessarily long lingering shots that could have been trimmed. Additionally, almost every character is burdened with a sub-plot centered around their own problems. Instead of eight episodes, the show would have been crisper if the story had been wrapped up in seven.
Interestingly, this series shines brightest during the student interactions. The writers skillfully craft believable and witty banter among the students, and the story is elevated by a fantastic cast of young actors who convincingly carry their roles. Vir Pachisia, who portrays the missing student Shakti, breathes life into the otherwise grim series every time he appears on screen. The same can be said for Divyansh Dwivedi, who plays his wisecracking buddy.
Varin Roopani and Aryan Singh Ahlawat, who play 17-year-old close friends Vikram and Tapan, are the standout stars of the show, despite their limited screen time. The writers choose to be cryptic about their relationship and sexual orientation, leaving it open to interpretation, implying they may be either bisexual or gay. This ambiguity not only highlights the reluctance in Indian society to acknowledge sexual diversity but also reflects the caution with which creatives continues approach LGBTQ+ representation, lest they upset the heterosexual majority. Aamir Bashir, in the role of house-master Samuel, has one of the most complex characters in the series; a two-faced senior teacher who abuses his position, who faces an eventual downfall.
Given the dark themes “School of Lies” attempts to explore, the cinematography skillfully switches between dimly lit scenes and the stunning, bright landscapes of the hill station. The boarding school premises and architecture are also visually striking, providing a rich backdrop to the drama of the lies both children and adults tell to maintain a false facade of normalcy in their twisted lives. With unpredictable characters and unreliable narrators, the series manages to be gripping until the end. Although the last episode was somewhat overstretched, it primarily focuses on the aftermath of the legal complications the boarding school & some students face when a whole bunch of skeletons tumble out of their closet.
You can stream the series on Hotstar.
I am A Prince – Quick Book Review
I was browsing through my Kindle Unlimited subscription when I came across “I am A Prince,” and its tagline, “An Inclusive LGBTQIA+ Children’s Book,” caught my attention.
Created by Damien Alan Lopez and Mutiara Arum, this delightful little book reads like a poem and features charming colorful illustrations. The story follows a happy young prince who enjoys playing with friends and going about town. But his journey hadn’t always been smooth. Originally born as a princess, he never felt comfortable in flowing gowns and long hair. As the prince tries to understand himself, his struggle with gender identity is eased by a supportive family. The parents prioritize their child’s choices and well-being over outdated gender norms.
“I am a Prince” stays true to its tagline, offering a simple and child-friendly introduction to gender diversity and transgender experiences. It maintains a positive tone and wraps up before you even realize it. You can get the book on Kindle.
