Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 56

Ostinato Review: Ringing Blues and Piano Cues

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The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines tinnitus as “a sensation of noise (such as ringing or roaring) typically caused by a bodily condition (such as a disturbance of the auditory nerve or earwax), usually in a subjective form heard only by the affected individual.”

Ostinato, an animated short film created by director Sonia Furier and co-creator Sunita Balsara, delves into the life of a music composer grappling with this condition. The story follows Nuha, a young pianist, as she struggles to compose music while a persistent discordant note haunts her ears.

In just seven minutes, the film opens with a dreamy, blue-tinted view of a quiet residential neighborhood, where a bird flits by. Soon, we meet Nuha, absorbed in playing the piano. Her focus is broken by the whistle of a teapot, prompting a moment of simple joy as she sips her tea—until the frustrations of her creative process creep back. How will Nuha confront the ringing sound that disrupts her world and her music?

The animation style of Ostinato is minimalist yet fluid, with a palette dominated by moody blue hues that reflect Nuha’s internal struggles and complement the melancholic undertones of the score. Whether viewers recognize her condition as tinnitus or interpret her plight as a broader metaphor for the challenges of the creative process, the film remains interesting.

Ending on a hopeful note, Ostinato is a poignant and relatable tale of perseverance, offering an engaging experience well worth its brief runtime.

Stream Ostinato now on Netflix.

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Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Series Review

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I really tried to give this series a serious shot, but D-A-M-N, it’s too boring! While I occasionally do enjoy slow, leisurely-paced Japanese series – like “Kotaro Lives Alone”, which was simply about a 4-year-old living alone, with his kind neighbors looking out for him – “Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary” was just not for me!

Directed by Mamoru Kanbe (Kimi to Boku/The Promised Neverland), the anime “How to Become Ordinary” (“Shôshimin Shirîzu”) is based on the Japanese mystery novel series “Shôshimin Shirîzu” by Honobu Yonezawa. The plot follows Jogoro Kobato (voiced by Shuichiro Umeda), an intelligent student with a knack for detective work, who makes a pact with his friend Yuki Osanai (Hina Yomiya) about living ordinary lives as high school students. However, problems and mystery cases always seem to find the two.

Honestly, the plot is a little like the laid-back detective anime series “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions” – which also follows two friends solving cases, but they are serious murder mysteries. Kobato and Osanai unravel mundane mysteries, some of which includes how their friend made perfect cups of hot chocolate without using any utensils that would need washing in the sink. Okay, maybe they do look into more serious stuff later on in the show, but by the end of 4th episode, I had already given up.

To be fair, the animation is quite nice, and for viewers that are looking for a quirky, offbeat show, where not a lot happens, and high-school students are actually behaving like high school students, maybe it’s a fun show to to watch. If you survive the entire series, maybe you should leave your thoughts in the comments!

You can watch the series on CrunchyRoll.

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No Good Deed Review: Mildly Amusing Acts

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

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“I think the timing makes perfect sense…. because if you wait three years, then you don’t have to disclose that your son died in the house.”

The 2024 Netflix dark-comedy “No Good Deed” is centered around a couple putting their beautiful family home for sale, and three very different families vying to purchase it. Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano play primary protagonists Lydia Morgan and Paul Morgan, the pair selling their place, and spying on potential buyers visiting the property through hidden cams. While Lydia isn’t keen on leaving, Paul can’t wait to get rid of the house, especially since their financial situation is a mess. Besides, the house holds too many painful memories and secrets…

Eight episodes long, No Good Deed firmly establishes one thing: the Morgans’ house is so desirable that it sparks a bidding war of sorts between three families, each desperate to claim it as their own. Author Dennis Sampson (O-T Fagbenle) and his pregnant partner Carla Owens (Teyonah Parris) love the property, but it’s beyond their budget, prompting Dennis’ mother (Anna Maria Horsford) to offer financial help, with the condition that she moves in with them. Meanwhile, lesbian couple Leslie Fisher (Abbi Jacobson) and Sarah Weber (Poppy Liu) are equally smitten with the house and begin investigating the Morgans’ past. Luke Wilson stars as JD Campbell, an actor from the same neighborhood who is infatuated with the property. He and his manipulative wife, Margo (Linda Cardellini), are willing to go to any lengths to make it their own. Who will ultimately get the house, and what really happened to the Morgans’ son, forms the central mystery of No Good Deed.

Lisa Kudrow’s character Phoebe Buffay was/is one of my favorite sitcom characters; however, it’s hard not to notice the lack of variation in Lisa’s style of acting in No Good Deed. Even though Lydia Morgan is a famous pianist and grieving mother, she feels like an older Phoebe Buffay in an alternate universe. Like Phoebe, Lydia is a bit of a kook who thinks her dead son is communicating with her through objects, and while those elements are funny, Lydia’s grief and denial rarely feel as emotional as they should. Lisa Kudrow simply felt miscast, and there’s no chemistry between her and Ray Romano, who plays her husband. Although, some of their spousal fights, arguments, and sarcastic verbal skirmishes do offer some comedic relief.

If it weren’t for the mystery surrounding how Lydia and Paul’s son died, I would’ve stopped watching No Good Deed midway. The show is slow and nowhere near as funny as one might expect a dark comedy to be. The most entertaining on-screen relationship in the series turns out to be the one between Mikey (Denis Leary) and Paul Morgan. Mikey’s exact connection to the Morgans is kept in the shadows for a while, although it’s clear from his introductory scene that he is blackmailing them over something.

Overall, No Good Deed is a mildly entertaining show about different families grappling with their personal issues, with a generous sprinkling of the kind of drama that goes behind house-hunting & making major family decisions.

Rating: 5 on 10. Watch “No Good Deed” on Netflix.

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Exodos – Short Film Review

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Hayley, a 17-year-old orphan, navigates life on the edge with a group of petty criminals who serve as the closest thing she has to a family. When a compassionate acquaintance offers her a chance at a fresh start, Hayley faces a pivotal choice: stay loyal to the gang that raised her or risk it all for a shot at an honest, stable life.

Written and directed by Eleni Doucas, Exodos is a short film that delves into Hayley’s violent, unstable existence after being raised by a thief following her father’s death. Clocking in at about 15 minutes, the film begins on a tense note, depicting a young Hayley being forced to leave her childhood home and thrust into a world of crime.

For the first five or six minutes, the direction of the story feels unclear, though Hayley’s role as the protagonist is unmistakable. A heated confrontation leads to her being beaten by a gang member, which is followed by an encounter with a compassionate storeowner. This stranger not only offers her kindness but also tries to convince her to quit smoking, an act that doubles as a symbolic challenge to leave behind her criminal life. The conversation serves as a layered metaphor; Hayley’s destructive habits mirror the vicious cycle of crime she’s trapped in. If she doesn’t break free, the inevitable outcome is tragedy. Quitting, though, is far easier said than done.

Tense, cryptic, and charged with violent energy, Exodos feels slightly underdeveloped, with the potential to benefit from a longer runtime. The movie concludes somewhat abruptly, leaving viewers yearning for closure, until a poignant post-credit scene resolves the narrative. This final moment provides an emotional and satisfying glimpse into Hayley’s decision, offering a conclusion that balances hope and optimism. While aggression dominates much of the film, the ending ultimately highlights human resilience and the profound connections we can form with strangers.

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Amaran Review: Sai Pallavi Elevates Film’s Emotional Core

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

The 2024 action-drama biopic Amaran portrays the heroic life of Major Mukund Varadarajan (played by Sivakarthikeyan), who was martyred during a daring operation against terrorists in Kashmir. Written and directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, the movie is based on a section featured in the book series “India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes” by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh.

“The distance between this sea and the vast sky… is just like the space between him and me. Yes, I am in a forever long-distance relationship with my love.”

Amaran is narrated by Major Mukund’s wife, Indhu Varghese (Sai Pallavi), who lovingly gazes at a photograph of her husband with his army colleagues. The scene then transitions into flashbacks of his time at the army base in Shopian, where he served with the 44 Rashtriya Rifles.

Director Rajkumar Periasamy delicately balances the personal and professional aspects of Major Mukund’s life, though the romantic subplot occasionally overshadows his action-packed operations against terrorists in J&K. From Indhu’s first meeting with Mukund during their college days to the challenges she faced in convincing her parents to accept her marriage to an army officer, and the emotional ups and downs of their long-distance relationship, the film vividly captures the turbulent journey of an army wife.

Sivakarthikeyan, of course, is the star of the film, carrying the role of Major Mukund with grit, energy, and gusto. However, it’s Sai Pallavi who truly dominates the screen as Indhu, infusing her scenes with spirited warmth and leaving viewers in tears when she loses the love of her life on the battlefield. Her pride during Mukund’s induction ceremony is infectious, and her grief cuts deep. Even when she calmly receives the highest bravery award for Mukund’s ultimate sacrifice, she stirs a swell of sadness in your heart.

At nearly three hours long, Amaran may feel slow-paced for viewers expecting a fast-moving, action-packed story centered on Major Mukund and his team’s battles against terrorists. However, the compelling lead performances and engaging cinematography make it worth a watch. The climax offers a heartfelt tribute to its hero, with the creators including real-life photographs of Major Mukund and Indhu Varghese, honoring their courage and sacrifice.

You can stream “Amaran” on Netflix.

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Dan Da Dan Episode 11 Review: Momo’s First Love Is Jin-tolerable

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Uh-oh! This was easily one of the slowest, most boring, and downright annoying episodes of Dan Da Dan so far.

Titled “First Love”, the episode picks up exactly where Episode 10 left off, Momo Ayase’s first love shows up unannounced at her doorstep. While Momo is completely taken aback by his sudden arrival, the real shocker is that he’ll be staying with them for a while. Cue some mild comedy as Okarun struggles to process his feelings, caught between confusion and defeat. His first thoughts upon meeting the newcomer? “He looks so cool” and “He seems athletic too.” Poor Okarun.

Jin Enjoji, the new guy, is good-looking but, much like Aira Shiratori, he is ridiculously vain, much more annoyingly upbeat, and has a penchant for shameless flirting. Jin reveals he’s been dealing with some strange incidents at home and has come to seek Seiko Ayase’s help (Momo’s granny). While his antics are meant to be comedic, they end up more irritating than funny. Jin Enjoji is basically J-intolerable!

Honestly, there isn’t much else to say about this episode, it was quite a letdown. The first half drags with Jin explaining his situation and being a menace, while the second half introduces a new supernatural character who is somehow even more annoying than Jin. The new entity isn’t scary at all, and its presence only adds to the episode’s frustration. Although, in the only interesting twist in the episode – the new entity might hold the key to finding Okarun’s missing ball. L-O-L.

Here’s hoping the story and comedy pick up pace in the next episode.

You can stream Dan Da Dan on Netflix and CrunchyRoll.

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Hard Style Juice Vol 1 Review: Bright Lights, Big Fights

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

‘WHAM!’

The wrestling-themed comic series “Hard Style Juice” begins with a good knockout punch, complete with blood, sweat, and a bunch of angry people. The bright, colorful artwork reels you in from the very first page, and while I love glossy comics, some of the panels of “Hard Style Juice” are almost blinding! That said, the story and pace of the series is very engaging, despite the distractingly dizzying artwork. He he.

Created by Clay McCormack and Heather Moore (colorist), this five-issue comic book series follows Mona Castro, who abandons her college plans to become a pro wrestler after her brother, Rey Castro, a flamboyant wrestling star, shockingly dies during a match. Mona has twin objectives in turning to wrestling: to help her father keep his pro-wrestling business afloat and to investigate and prove that her brother’s death wasn’t an accident, but a premeditated murder.

The first issue of “Hard Style Juice” gets over in a blink, and the creators quickly establish the endearing sibling bond between primary protagonist Mona and her older brother Rey. So, even though the issue is less than 30 pages long, Mona’s grief and shock over her sibling’s death is palpable through the pages. The creators promise plenty of in-ring drama in the upcoming issues, with the dazzling artwork vividly capturing the blood-soaked spectacle of pro wrestling. Some of it is obviously staged, others – not so much.

Mona is like a little firecracker—emotional, volatile, and incredibly strong (almost unrealistically so). She tends to think with her heart rather than her head. Watching her navigate a brutal wrestling career while dealing with shady men who might have benefited from her brother’s murder is pretty thrilling and enjoyable. I am glad I waited for the entire volume to come out! This is a good pick for wrestling and action fans.

Rating: 3.5 on 5. “Hard Style Juice” is also on Kindle Unlimited.

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Immaculate Review: Sydney Sweeney Makes You Root For The Nun

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Cecilia, a beautiful, doe-eyed, optimistic young American woman arrives in Italy to join a centuries old convent where aging nuns are taken care of. The ornately crafted convent stands hauntingly picturesque against the lush greenery of the sunlit Italian countryside, concealing dark secrets that soon wrap their evil claws around Cecilia.

Created by Michael Mohan (director) and Andrew Lobel (writer), the 2024 horror film Immaculate stars Sydney Sweeney as Cecilia, a young woman who believes she is destined for a higher purpose after surviving a fatal drowning. However, her faith and naivety are cruelly exploited by the sinister convent, but to their surprise, she transforms from a pliant sacrificial lamb into a determined fighter. Yet, escape seems impossible in a place eerily reminiscent of the iconic Hotel California lyric: ‘You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.’

As far as horror goes, except for one or two jump scares, Immaculate rarely delivers spine-chilling terror. Unfortunately, much of the story was predictable, partly because I saw The First Omen before Immaculate, even though the former came out a few weeks after the Sydney Sweeney flick. Both movies have eerily similar plots, the same kind of atmospheric settings, and follow a young nun’s traumatic experiences in a new convent. And in another similarity, both also feature a ‘cool’ nun, who befriends the new one, although the character arcs are very different.

The biggest mystery in the film is the period it is set in, even though Cecilia arrives in a flight, then takes a car to the isolated convent, at its premises, everybody uses candles. This is both comedic and bizarre, unless it was a deliberate plot device to serve as a metaphor for the retrogressive state of affairs at the convent. The world has moved on, but the older nuns seem to live frozen in time, as if they’re still in the 1700s. Although the story is either taking place in the 1980s or 90s, and the cinematography builds a pleasantly gothic, eerie mood through the runtime.

Italian actor Benedetta Porcaroli plays Sister Gwen, a fun, not-too-religious, smoker nun who quickly becomes close with Cecilia. Both of them become wary of the creepy events that start to unfold at the convent, and both suffer devastating consequences for questioning authority. One wishes there were a few more scenes of sisterhood between Gwen and Cecilia in Immaculate, as Benedetta Porcaroli is immediately likable in her cameo.

Sydney Sweeney shines as Cecilia, convincingly portraying her transformation from a cheerful novitiate to a terrified nun trapped in a sinister, cult-like convent. Immaculate parallels the horrors of a world where women lack autonomy over their bodies, making Cecilia’s struggle for survival deeply compelling, even though she makes some rookie mistakes. While the film follows a predictable path, it surprises with a bold and divisive climax. Cecilia’s story concludes definitively, avoiding the clichéd “open to interpretation” ending, although the door remains ajar for a sequel should the writers choose to explore one.

Rating: 3 on 5 stars. Stream “Immaculate” on Prime Video.

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Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld Review: Flaming Teen Drama

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Jentry Chau is a lively, K-pop-loving Chinese-American teen living in Seoul, excitedly looking forward to her sixteenth birthday. However, just hours before her big celebration, she discovers that an evil demon is after her life because of her superpowers… powers she had successfully suppressed for years until they suddenly activated with a vengeance. Her great-aunt AKA Gugu, flies her back to their hometown in Texas, where she trains Jentry trains to perfect her powers and battle demons.

Created by Echo Wu, “Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld” is a colorful, 13-episode long animated series, which is steeped in Chinese culture, legends, myths, and monsters. The very first episode of the show reminded me of “Samurai Jack”, primarily because a minor shape-shifting demon called Ed changes into a from that’s slightly reminiscent of Aku, the demon antagonist Samurai Jack must battle to save his world. But unlike the megalomaniac Aku, who wants world domination, Jentry’s enemy, Mr. Cheng (voiced by Greg Chun, who also provides the English dub for Muzan Kibutsuji in Demon Slayer) has a far more sentimental motive for stealing powers – to bring his dead daughter back to life.

Ali Wong (Beef/Single Lady) voices Jentry Chau, who, now that I think of it, doesn’t seem to have a lot of hobbies except for listening to K-pop music. In fact, I didn’t think it would take me over a week to finish this series, especially since the episodes are less than 30 minutes long. The first few episodes were pretty fun, following Jentry into her new school in Texas, only to learn that her younger version is popular as the ‘demon girl’ who nearly destroyed the town by setting it on fire. Making new friends and dealing with crushes in a new school is hard enough for average kids, but it’s doubly hard for Jentry, who can combust into flames if she doesn’t keep her stress under control. Lori Tan Chinn voices Gugu, Jentry’s mentor and only surviving relative, who is hiding way more family secrets than she lets on. Bowen Yang is Ed, a hilarious little demon who becomes Jentry’s BFF and a social media star due to his antics on the internet.

The biggest strength of Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld lies in its vibrant, eye-catching animation, reminiscent of early 2000s Cartoon Network shows, but more modern and snazzier. From dazzling, neon-powered action sequences to more subdued yet vivid depictions of high school antics, the animators skillfully shift the color palette throughout the episodes, making it quite an engaging visual experience.

From unraveling what really happened to her parents and how she inherited her powers, to choosing between her hot childhood friend Michael (A.J. Beckles) and the cute new guy Kit (Woosung), Jentry Chau has more on her plate than just fighting demons. She also accidentally opens a portal to the underworld and must deal with the different kinds of demons that come through it.

I didn’t enjoy the love triangle in the show and yes, I will have to admit I was rooting hard for the ‘wrong guy’, and it made sense why Jentry didn’t go for him, but she did not have to end up with the other dude either. That was the only cliched bit about this otherwise refreshing show, which could’ve easily been wrapped up in ten episodes. After that, it feels like a drag. However, for those who weren’t disappointed with the romantic subplot, the last three episodes of Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld might still feel fun.

Rating: 6 on 10. Stream the series on Netflix.

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Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 Trailer Revives Alucard-Belmont Banter!

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

“Oh, excuse me for not having 300 years to perfect the art of war.”

“Sarcasm still runs in the Belmont blood, Trevor would be proud.”

Richter Belmont and Alucard are all set to be battle buddies in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 and Trevor Belmont surely would’ve been proud. Every Castlevania fan (or at least me for sure) was waiting for Alucard to finally appear in the spinoff series of the animated show, and season one “Castlevania: Nocturne” didn’t disappoint! I mean, damn, what a photo finish it was, with Alucard appearing out of nowhere, like Vampire Jesus, and saving the hero in the ninth hour.

Despite all of Castlevania: Nocturne‘s flaws, Alucard’s climactic entry alone reignited expectations and excitement for a second season. And Netflix’s trailer for the season is packed with the action and drama fans would look forward to.

The trailer opens with a somber narration by one of the characters, describing how they were virtually decimated by the evil Erzsebet Bathory’s league of vampires. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the story follows Erzsebet’s mission to ensure vampires hold the reins of power in the human world. However, with Alucard, the son of Dracula, back on the scene and choosing to side with humans, Richter Belmont, the primary protagonist of Castlevania: Nocturne, finds new hope to defeat the forces of evil.

Apart from all the blood, battles, and monsters, viewers can also look forward to the fun banter between Richter Belmont and Alucard, reminiscent of Alucard’s interactions with Trevor in the original series, which was of the most entertaining aspects of the parent series. The animation, of course, looks fantastic, and while the trailer doesn’t hint at any major new characters, Alucard’s return alone is enough to keep fans excited for the new season, streaming on Netflix from January 16, 2025.

You can watch the trailer below or on YouTube.