Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 77
August 29, 2024
Incoming Review: Crushes, Crashes, and High School Burns
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“Incoming” is the kind of raunchy teen comedy that’s meant for adult viewers but will probably be enjoyed best by teens who are not supposed to be watching it. I remember watching the R-rated comedy “American Pie” with my girlfriends when we were 15 during a sleepover because it happened to be playing on television at 9 pm. One friend kept gasping in shock and closing her eyes out of embarrassment, while the other two of us died laughing at whatever was happening. Our parents, of course, had no clue about what we were watching; in fact, even we didn’t know what we were about to watch, and it was probably a censored version for TV.
While “American Pie” was about four teen boys entering a pact to lose their virginity by prom night, “Incoming” is a teen comedy about four high-school freshmen attending a party hosted by seniors to become popular. Directed by Dave Chernin and John Chernin, “Incoming” stars Mason Thames (he played the lead in “Black Phone”) as primary protagonist Benj Nielsen, who has a crush on his older sister’s best friend, Bailey (Isabella Ferreira). So Benj is keen on attending the party being hosted by his friend Danah’s (Bardia Seiri) older brother Kayvon, where he hopes to run into Bailey. Meanwhile, his friends Eddie (Ramon Reed) and Connor (Raphael Alejandro) end up having a wild night driving a car without a license and dealing with a drunk Katrina (Loren Gray), who mistakes them for her Uber and gives them hell (in a bad way).
“Incoming” is essentially a little like Gene Stupnitsky’s “Good Boys,” which is about three 6th-grade boys getting caught up in a bunch of misadventures while trying to attend a party by the end of the day. But “Good Boys,” despite being often inappropriate, is a ridiculously funny film, the kind you’d laugh at, even though you know its kid characters shouldn’t be saying or doing the stuff they’re saying and doing (the young cast wasn’t allowed to see their movie because it’s R-rated). “Incoming” isn’t as funny.
Mason Thames is the most likable character in “Incoming”; he is what you’d brand as a ‘good kid.’ For instance, when he gets to the party, he calls out Danah for being “creepy” when Danah reveals he is monitoring all the girls at his house party with cameras to stage a ‘meet cute’ with whoever catches his fancy. Ramon Reed and Raphael Alejandro are also entertaining as besties Eddie and Connor, who sneak out in a car to get ice cream – that’s their idea of a wild night, and it’s funny, although, unfortunately, their night turns a lot wilder and nastier than they hoped for.
With a 90-minute runtime, “Incoming” doesn’t drag too much and keeps the adults out of the picture, except for one cool science teacher (Bobby Cannavale) who weirdly attends the teen party. And since three out of its four characters are fairly ‘nice’ kids, not just dumb sleazeballs out to win over girls by hook or crook, it manages to be a watchable movie. In fact, Eddie and Connor are happy to just stay at home and play games instead of chasing girls. However, the comedic writing isn’t consistent, and a large section of the story relied on shitty (literally) jokes to drive the plot forward, which is more gross than funny.
The climax for “Incoming” is cheesy, over-the-top, with a dramatic speech and an embarrassing yet realistic end to the boys’ adventures. Some get the popularity they sought; others don’t. And depending on the brand of humor that tickles your funny bones, you may or may not find “Incoming” to be an entertaining teen comedy.
Rating: 5.5 on 10. “Incoming” is on Netflix.
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August 28, 2024
The New Romantics: 5 Poets Who Nail Love Poetry
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So you’re on the hunt for some soul-stirring, heart-rending love poetry that speaks to the modern age? Well, you’ve landed in the right place. Forget the old-timey, ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ type of poems (unless you’re into that, no shade). Here’s a lot of five contemporary poets whose words might make you feel all the feels.
Tracy K. Smith: The Cosmic Lover
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith brings a cosmic perspective to love poetry. Her collection Life on Mars isn’t strictly about love, but it’s filled with moments that make you reflect on love’s place in the vast universe. Smith’s work is introspective and deeply moving, often blending the personal with the cosmic. If you want love poetry that makes you think about your place in the cosmos (while feeling all the feels), Tracy K. Smith is the poet for you.
Yrsa Daley-Ward: The Brutally Honest Poet
Yrsa Daley-Ward doesn’t hold back, and that’s exactly why we love her. Her collection bone is a no-nonsense exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. Daley-Ward’s poems are short and punchy, often packing an emotional wallop in just a few lines. If you’re into poetry that’s straightforward, modern, and not afraid to tackle the tough stuff, Yrsa’s work will resonate deeply with you.
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Ada Limón: The Poet of Everyday Love
Ada Limón’s poetry captures the magic in the mundane. In her collections like The Carrying and Bright Dead Things, Limón writes about love in all its everyday forms—love for a partner, for nature, for life itself. Her style is warm and inviting, with a touch of humor that makes her work incredibly relatable. If you’re looking for love poetry that feels like a warm hug on a rainy day, Ada Limón is the one to read.
Warsan Shire: Beyoncé’s Muse
Yes, that Warsan Shire—the poet whose words you heard in Beyoncé’s Lemonade. Her collection Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth is an exploration of love, displacement, and identity. Shire’s poetry is raw and unapologetic, pulling from her experiences as a Somali-British woman. Her poems often speak to the complexities of love in a world that’s always shifting beneath your feet. Bonus: her lines are so quotable, they basically demand to be shared on social media.
Nayyirah Waheed: The Poet of Minimalist Magic
Nayyirah Waheed’s poetry is like a whisper that stays with you long after it’s been said. Her collections salt. and nejma are filled with poems that are short but incredibly potent, often touching on themes of love, self-discovery, and healing. Waheed’s style is minimalist, with a focus on emotional impact rather than elaborate language. Her words are perfect for those moments when you need a quick yet profound dose of love and introspection.
Whether you’re celebrating love, healing from heartbreak, or just exploring the complexities of human connection, these poets have got your back. Dive in and let their words wrap around your heart like a cozy blanket on a cold day.
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I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf Review
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Before we jump into this review, can we just take a moment to appreciate the nominative determinism happening here? A person named Grant SNIDEr has written a book called “I will JUDGE YOU for your bookshelf review”. Don’t you love it when the universe conspires to make a man live up to his name?
But the thing is ‘I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf’ has a clickbait sort of title meant to lure in book snobs and doesn’t live up to its name. That’s not to say I got the book because am a book snob; I downloaded the e-book version of this collection of cartoons because it happened to show up in my ‘graphic novels’ search on the Kindle Unlimited subscription. It’s not the kind of comic book I would pay money for. Also, I swear I do not judge people by their bookshelves because I grew up requesting my parents to get/build me a bookshelf at home for the shit-tonne of novels I had, and they finally built one at our home after I had moved out, was in my twenties, and could afford one by myself. So, the first feeling at seeing anybody’s bookshelf, no matter how small or chaotic, is envy. I will admire you for the mere fact that you have a bookshelf, even though 60% of my reading happens on e-books now.
Okay, fine, let me get back to why I said ‘I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf’ is a clickbait-y name for the comic book. A lot of it is simply Grant Snider drawing about how he feels about different books, genres, writing fiction, reading poetry, and a whole lot of feelings associated with the literary world, especially through the lens of either an aspiring author or an established author. And while ‘I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf’ does start off on a fun note, after about 40 percent, it gets repetitive and quite boring. A book like this could ideally be read in under two hours, but it took me three days. Besides, the simple doodle-style artwork didn’t really pop out and wasn’t very engaging—not for the kind of material the comic book explores.
‘I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf’ makes some of us (me) think this would be a collection of hilarious personal anecdotes, where Grant Snider would maybe reveal some book snob opinions. But there is really none of that. It consists of some general witticisms about literary stuff; some of them are funny, others just ‘eh’. For instance, a panel where Snider talks about the kind of books he owns will hit a chord with almost everybody. These books include: ‘the book I couldn’t put down’ / ‘the book I couldn’t pick up’ / ‘The Book You Gave Me (Sorry I haven’t read it yet!)’.
Basically, the enjoyability of this book thus boils down to how much of the material a reader will find relatable.
Rating: 3 on 5.
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August 27, 2024
Love Is Blind: UK Reunion Reveals Who’s Still Together
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“Love Is Blind: UK” had a pretty successful run—three couples ended up walking down the aisle, looking very much in love as they made their vows and promised to spend the rest of their lives together. However, getting married within a month of knowing each other comes with its own unique challenges. The reunion episode of “Love Is Blind: UK” takes a look at what the married couples have been up to and whether they are still together a year later.
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Hosts Matt and Emma Willis, who are married in real life, welcome all the couples who successfully got engaged and even made it to their wedding day on “Love Is Blind: UK”. A total of six couples donned their wedding best, but only three pairs said “I do”, while the others suffered last-minute heartbreak and tears. So, are they still together? Here’s a look at what happened to the six couples after the show.
Demi and Ollie: Not together but respect each other
“Ollie is a good guy, but he is not my guy,” Demi told hosts Matt and Emma when asked about the status of their relationship. Demi and Ollie made it to their wedding day on “Love Is Blind: UK”, but Demi said “I do not” and walked away from the aisle. They didn’t get married, and Demi reveals how she realized Ollie wasn’t the one for her. She decided to focus on the things that bring her happiness and joy. Demi has moved back in with her parents and is taking life one day at a time, while Ollie revealed he is seeing someone else from the pods—Sharlotte. “It’s still complicated, but we’re in a good spot,” Sharlotte shared, confirming that she and Ollie are seeing each other, though they haven’t made a serious commitment yet.
Sabrina and Steven: Broke up and seem bitter
Sabrina and Steven seemed to have the smoothest ride during their courting period on “Love Is Blind: UK”. They looked madly in love and were one of the cutest, zero-drama couples on the show. However, Sabrina lives in Belfast and Steven in the UK, and the long-distance marriage quickly took a toll on them. Sabrina revealed that while she visited the UK seven times, Steven flew down only twice to see her and canceled on spending Christmas with her at the last minute. Communication was a big problem between the two, and they couldn’t see eye to eye during the reunion episode, each having different views on what went wrong.
“You seemed like the perfect couple, and everything just seemed to make so much sense,” host Emma remarked, echoing viewers’ sentiments. Sabrina and Steven appeared to be great together, but long-distance hurdles complicated their relationship. Steven admitted he was struggling with his business and had difficulty making time for Sabrina. Sabrina, on the other hand, seemed very bitter about how things deteriorated, feeling that Steven made zero accommodations for her. “The communication was awful. There was no consistency in Steven’s behavior towards me,” Sabrina complained. The two are clearly not on good terms anymore, and the hosts had to intervene to stop them from bickering and end their conversation on a cordial note.
Bobby and Jasmine: Still married and very happy
Bobby and Jasmine had a strong connection in the pods and didn’t have eyes for anyone else on the show. The couple revealed they are still very much in love and happily married a year after the show, planning to have a baby soon. Bobby moved to London to live with Jasmine, and the two have bought their dream house together. Jasmine’s mother, who was initially vocal about her concerns regarding Bobby’s ability to provide for her daughter, now fully supports him as her son-in-law.
Maria and Tom: Not together
Make-up artist Maria and Tom clashed on certain cultural values, leading Tom to say “I don’t” on their wedding day, even though it seemed at the very last minute that they might end up together despite their differences. “I felt like what he said in regards to raising kids felt like he was indirectly insulting my family,” Maria explained when asked whether she thinks Tom made the right decision. While Maria was upset about Tom’s insinuations regarding her parenting style, Tom admitted he could’ve phrased things differently and that he’s had time to reflect on his behavior, including his lack of respect for Maria’s profession as a make-up artist. Maria clarified that she never expected Tom to pay all her bills or finance her lifestyle.
Even though Tom and Maria are no longer together, they sat together on the couch during the reunion, and Maria said “we’re okay” when asked if they are still friends.
Nicole and Benaiah: Happily Married and Exploring the World Together
“I am trying to hippi-fy her,” a beaming Benaiah told the hosts when asked how things are between him and Nicole. They had perhaps the most emotional journey on “Love Is Blind: UK”, with Nicole initially getting engaged to a different contestant, only to quickly realize he wasn’t the right one for her. Nicole requested the “Love Is Blind” team to arrange a meeting with Benaiah so she could apologize, but their first face-to-face meeting turned into a surprise engagement when Benaiah confessed his love for her.
When asked if he regretted not making more effort to make Nicole aware of how strongly he felt their connection, Benaiah candidly admitted to regretting it and took responsibility for making Nicole feel unsure of his feelings. Fortunately for them, things worked out, and the two look super cute together, looking forward to visiting more countries. The hosts also played never-before-seen footage of their first meeting in the pods, where they were both crazily elated after their first interaction, even without seeing each other. It was super cute!
Both couples—Nicole and Benaiah, and Bobby and Jasmine—have made their relationships social-media official, sharing posts of their wedding pictures together on Instagram.
Freddie and Catherine: Are Good Friends Now
“Once a cheat, always a cheat,” Catherine declared after Freddie revealed he had once cheated in a past relationship while they were holidaying in Greece during their “Love is Blind: UK” getaway. From that revelation on, things were simply not the same between the couple. Catherine was snappy, and Freddie wondered if he was good enough for her. “The question is, is she good enough for you?” Freddie’s sister asked him after he introduced Catherine to his family. On their wedding day, Freddie gifted his fiancée a beautiful pair of earrings, leading Catherine to believe he would say “I do” when they exchanged vows. However, he didn’t.
At the reunion episode of “Love Is Blind: UK”, both admitted they think they are better off as friends and intend to remain friends for life. There seemed to be no hard feelings between the two, with both agreeing that they weren’t the best versions of themselves together. “Honestly, it was the best time, and I am grateful,” Catherine said, tearing up as she thanked Freddie for being a good friend and sharing great moments.
So, two happily married couples and several new friendships were made on “Love Is Blind: UK”, which is a pretty great outcome for a reality show.
Netflix has already renewed “Love Is Blind: UK” for a season two. Matt and Emma are expected to host the next season two.
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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Trailer – Life Beyond the Cape
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Get ready to be inspired by the incredible life of a true hero, both on and off the screen. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the trailer for “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” invites viewers into the world of a man who became a symbol of courage and hope for many.
The documentary trailer opens with a nostalgic montage of Reeve in his most iconic role as Superman, flying through the skies with ease and charm. But soon, the mood shifts as we hear Reeve’s own voice, reflecting on the highs of stardom and the unexpected turn that changed his life forever. Cut to intimate home videos and personal archive material—never before seen—showing a side of Reeve the world never knew. His smile, his warmth, his humanity.
On May 27, 1995, Christopher Reeve fell from his horse during a jump, landing on his head and breaking his neck. The accident left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe on his own, changing his life drastically from thereon. “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” explores how Reeves and his family dealt with consequences of the accident. The screen fills with the heartfelt words of his three children, who speak openly for the first time about their father’s strength and vulnerability. “He was our hero,” his son says, “but not just because he was Superman.” Their stories weave together with those of Reeve’s friends and fellow actors—Hollywood A-listers who share their memories of a man who, despite life’s hardest challenges, never gave up on the fight for a better world.
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” promises to be a vivid, moving cinematic experience that chronicles Reeve’s rise to fame, his unimaginable struggle with paralysis, and his unwavering determination to inspire others, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Watch the trailer on YouTube, it’s also embedded below.
This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans Review: No Beans, Nor Sizzle
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
When Chef Oab’s love life goes up in smoke, he cooks up a contest to find a worthy heir for his bean-free restaurant. But little does he know that his top contestant is secretly working for the shady businessman trying to take it all!
Directed by Nui Suttasit, the Thai series “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” (รักนี้ไม่มีถั่วฝักยาว) is based on the novel “No Beans and Love Me More” by Ninepinta. The eight-episode show stars Sailub Hemmawich Kwanamphaiphan and Pon Thanapon Aiemkumchai as leads, Oab and Plawan, respectively. Oab’s restaurant has a curious specialty – they do not serve dishes with long beans because his ex-girlfriend Khaosuay (Belle Jiratchaya Kittavornsakul) used to be allergic to them. Hence the title “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans.”
Episode one begins on a funny note that sets the stage for a mild ‘enemies to lovers’ transition between the leads. Plawan turns up at Oab’s restaurant to make a video log about the food, even though the place strictly prohibits cameras. An angry Oab throws Plawan out of the restaurant when he catches him recording, so the two get off on the wrong foot.
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Benz Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat plays Methas, an arrogant, unscrupulous businessman who wants to buy Oab’s restaurant and tear it down for a bigger project. But Oab wants his restaurant to continue running, so he hosts a competition to ensure someone truly passionate about food gets to take over his place. Plawan strikes a deal with Methas to enter and win the competition, but as he spends more time with Oab, a romance brews between the two, complicating Plawan’s plans to betray Oab. A secondary plot focuses on Methas slowly falling for Plawan’s best friend JJ (Garfield Pantach Kankham), who becomes Methas’ physiotherapist. The obnoxious millionaire falling for his feisty physiotherapist made for a more exciting romance drama.
It’s hilariously silly that Plawan is a young model who loves to eat but cannot even cook a decent omelette, yet becomes a serious contender in Oab’s competition, which is heavily cooking-based. I wish he had better credentials or some cooking experience to make the plot slightly believable, but fine, let’s pretend people become amazing chefs in a matter of days. However, Pon Thanapon Aiemkumchai doesn’t possess the charm to play the protagonist. Not only is his character shallow, childish, and annoying, but Pon is also unable to elevate Plawan’s personality to be endearing despite the flaws. Sailub Hemmawich Kwanamphaiphan, on the other hand, is great as the moody, strict, perfectionist Chef Oab, who has a kind heart.
Pon and Sailub were paired romantically in the racing-themed drama “Pit Babe” and didn’t leave much of an impression on me, so I didn’t even mention them in the review. In “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans,” Sailub proves that he is lead material and can helm a show on his own. The same cannot be said about Pon Thanapon Aiemkumchai. Yes, there’s some decent chemistry between the two, but the secondary leads – Garfield Pantach Kankham and Benz Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat as Methas and JJ – are more entertaining. It would’ve been more fun to see more of Methas and JJ’s romance, with Garfield and Benz having a slightly more believable romance.
Aon Kasama Khamtanit plays a contestant called Kluea, who also likes Plawan (for no good reason), and there’s some conflict there. A scene in one of the later episodes shows Kluea trying to kiss Plawan when he is sleeping, and it was extremely infuriating to watch. Why are shows still portraying characters who are supposedly ‘good’ trying to engage in non-consensual intimacy? If it came from an antagonist, I would still understand the creepy, unacceptable behavior, but Kluea is portrayed as a nice guy with, well, an unhealthy crush on Plawan. Belle Jiratchaya Kittavornsakul as Oab’s ex also makes an entry in the second-half of the show, triggering some jealousy and insecurities (obviously) in Plawan, just when things were getting serious between him and Oab.
“This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” is gratingly predictable. The first episode itself establishes what the primary conflict is going to be about, and the creators don’t even try to surprise viewers in any way. A lot of the food scenes and plating scenes were fun to watch; the cinematography for the cooking bits is sure to make viewers hungry, but the plot failed to keep me engaged.
If you’re up for a no-brainer romance with food as its primary theme and plot as the secondary priority, “This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans” might be a decent one-time watch.
Rating: 5 on 10. Watch the series on iQIYI.
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August 26, 2024
Ajayante Randam Moshanam Trailer: Triple Dose of Tovino Thomas
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“Tell me, who came first? The police or the thieves?”
Tovino Thomas’ character poses a riddle that’s easier to unravel than the age-old chicken and egg conundrum. The trailer for the Minnal Murali star’s new movie, “Ajayante Randam Moshanam,” teases viewers with a grand historical tale spanning three generations and multiple timelines. This setup allows lead actor Tovino Thomas to don multiple avatars and showcase his versatility in the film.
The 2-minute, 43-second trailer for “Ajayante Randam Moshanam” is set in northern Kerala, in the fictional region of Haripuram. Tovino Thomas makes his first appearance in the trailer with a dramatic, gritty shot wielding a blood-soaked sword as a ‘Kalari’ combatant. As the narration unfolds, viewers learn that Tovino is portraying three distinct characters: Maniyan, Ajayan, and Kunjikelu. The fictional setting allows a blend of myth, folklore, and history for the story.
A fierce warrior, a master thief, and possibly an ordinary citizen, Tovino Thomas slips into three very different roles with ease in the “Ajayante Randam Moshanam” trailer. The film’s description reads: “Set in Northern Kerala, three generations of heroes, Maniyan, Kunjikelu, and Ajayan, try to protect the most important treasure of the land.” However, the trailer reveals little about the central plot, instead focusing on the promise of a visually engaging journey filled with action, blood, drama, and suspense.
Directed by Jithin Lal and written by Sujith Nambiar, “Ajayante Randam Moshanam” also stars Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Lakshmi, and Basil Joseph, among others. The film is set for a theatrical release on Onam. You can watch the trailer on YouTube (also embedded below).
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Review – Fantasy Reloaded
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
If Hedwig and Buckbeak from Harry Potter had a baby, I’d imagine it would look something like the ‘Owl-bear’ from the 2023 fantasy film ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’. Although, well, just like the tabletop games, the world-building in ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ obviously looks more like it’s from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe. You have halflings (hobbits), elves, orcs, sorcerers, shapeshifters, and a range of other fantastical creatures appearing throughout the 2-hour 14-minute film.
Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ stars Chris Pine as primary protagonist Edgin, a thief languishing in prison with his BFF Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), and the two plot to break out of the dungeon to reunite with Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman). However, Kira is under the wing of the villainous Forge (Hugh Grant) and the powerful sorcerer Sofina (Daisy Head), so Edgin must go on a quest to retrieve an ancient magical relic that can help him defeat Forge and Sofina.
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First off, I really enjoyed a lot of the fantasy world-building in “Dungeons and Dragons,” from its mystical forests and magical caves to grand castles – it’s a visual spectacle of sorts. Even though I was hoping to see more dragons! It’s in the title, isn’t it? Although there’s a scene where a stone dragon comes to life in the movie that was quite epic. In some bits the special effects feel choppy, like in the character designs of large human-like cat characters who briefly appear in the film and look out of a 3D game, but otherwise the VFX were well-done.
Chris Pine is not as ‘charming’ as the script needed him to be as a Robin Hood sort of thieving hero. Michelle Rodriguez, as the Xena-style warrior Holga, was far more entertaining, especially when she is fighting big guys and bringing them down to their knees. Regé-Jean Page as Xenk, a Thayan (a nation ruled by dreaded red wizards) who helps Edgin and Holga find their relic, was very entertaining as an adventurous hero with a golden heart. I would’ve liked to see a little more of Xenk in “Dungeons and Dragons”; maybe he should get his own spinoff movie. Some of the other supporting characters don’t have enough screen time to grow on you, although Hugh Grant is quite delightful as the deceptively greedy Forge, who weirdly enjoys playing father to Kira after turning her against her father Edgin. Daisy Head as sorceress Sofina doesn’t have a lot of dialogues, she is the quiet, introverted villain, who does the speaking with her eyes. Her portrayal of the formidable magic-wielder felt like a cross between Hela from the “Thor” movies and the Bene Gesserit from the “Dune” universe.
For those who aren’t familiar with fantasy tropes and creatures, or well, with ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ in general, the film could feel slightly overwhelming with its information overdose on the various species and creatures that inhabit its fictional world. I was watching it with family, and they stopped watching it midway because they aren’t fantasy enthusiasts and didn’t find the plot engaging enough. “Is this based on those famous J.K. Rowling books?” one of them asked, and I had to laugh and say no.
So, basically, ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ is likely to prove more fun for traditional fantasy fans, while others might not enjoy it as much.
Rating: 7 out of 10. You can stream the film on Netflix.
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Student of the Year 2 Review: More Muscles, Less Class!
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Set in a fancy college in Dehradun, the Bollywood film “Student of the Year 2” tries to be a mash-up between the Archie comics and the 1992 hit “Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander.” What it ends up being is a boring, predictable, over-exaggerated, and under-written college drama with one-dimensional leads.
Tiger Shroff plays the underdog Rohan Sachdev, an athlete from a middle-class family who transfers to St. Teresa’s College because his childhood sweetheart Mia (Tara Sutaria) studies there. Rohan’s dream is to win the “Student of the Year” trophy, and he must fight for the title against St. Teresa’s heartthrob, Manav (Aditya Seal), who first appears to be friendly and then emerges as a bitter rival. Ananya Pandey plays super-brat Shreya, who also clashes with Rohan, but eventually, sparks fly between the two, setting the stage for a love triangle. Hence, the Archie comparison: a middle-class guy stuck between the super-rich, bratty Shreya and the beautiful Mia.
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“Student of the Year 2” is nothing but a showcase for Tiger Shroff’s muscles and dance moves, because all his character Rohan does in the film is jump through buildings, fight hordes of bullies, and dance like he is aiming for a world championship. And while everybody knows Tiger Shroff can dance, his acting skills continue to be debatable. Ananya Pandey, in her debut role as Shreya, is surprisingly the most convincing as the brash, arrogant diva with a vulnerable side. However, her dancing skills aren’t as great; she lacks fluidity in her movements.
At least the first “Student of the Year,” which starred Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra, featured some catchy tracks; however, “Student of the Year 2” has a completely forgettable playlist, and much of the background music either uses the same tunes from the older film or rehashes them a little bit. Large stretches of “Student of the Year 2” are simply cringe-worthy, and a lot of it has to do with lazy writing and formulaic direction. One of the rare funny moments in the film is a confrontation scene, where Mia writes an apology letter to Rohan and comes to give it to him in person and a miffed Shreya asks her “couldn’t you just Whatsapp this?”.
The climactic competitions for the inter-college tournaments and the “Student of the Year” trophy is of-course quite predictable, with Rohan suffering some setbacks before he can rise and be the hero again. Rohan gets so many unrealistic sequences at the start of the film that you just know what is going to happen in the end.
Watch this film only if you have nothing better to do with your time and don’t mind watching a bunch of college students dancing and fighting around as if academics do not exist at all in their world.
Student of the Year 2 is on Netflix/Prime Video and Jio Cinema.
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August 25, 2024
Munjya Review: Gollum-like Ghost on Hunt for His Precious ‘Munni’
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Writers: Niren Bhatt, Yogesh Chandekar, Tushar Ajgaonkar
When Bittu, a shy young man, visits his native village for a cousin’s engagement, he finds himself in the grip of an ancestral spirit called Munjya. The evil spirit terrorizes Bittu to find Munni, a woman he wants to marry. It is up to the timid Bittu to fight back and protect those he loves from Munjya’s ghostly antics.
About two hours long, the 2024 horror-comedy “Munjya” is set in Maharashtra and begins with a flashback to how Munjya became a dreaded spirit bound to a tree in the 1950s. The writers tie an interesting lore to Munjya, complete with ritualistic solutions on how to get rid of wicked entities like him. Actor Abhay Verma plays protagonist Bittu, who helps his mother Pammi (Mona Singh) run her parlour, although he dreams of going to the U.S. for studying. Sharvari Wagh plays Bittu’s crush, Bela, who runs a Zumba studio and unfortunately becomes entangled with Bittu’s misadventures with the monster Munjya.
The first few minutes of “Munjya” evoke memories of the 2018 horror film “Tumbbad,” but it is only because of the similar setting – a beautiful rural Maharashtra. However, as the plot progresses, “Munjya” unfolds as a very different film, with none of the charm, grit, or tension that made “Tumbbad” such a compelling watch, so a comparison between the two is unfair. “Munjya” struggles to find its voice in the first half; it’s neither scary enough to be an eerie horror movie nor adequately funny to fall in the “horror comedy” genre. And the special effects for the ghostly Munjya are quite awful; he looks like an angry bald Groot with tree acne, if tree acne were a thing. Or like a low-budget tree version of Gollum from “Lord of the Rings.” Either way, Munjya the monster is almost never scary in the film. Gollum kept whispering for his ‘precious’, Munjya keeps hissing for his ‘Munni’.
Abhay Verma is consistently convincing and likable as protagonist Bittu, a sweet-natured mama’s boy, while Mona Singh is fantastic as his fierce, protective mom. Sharvari Wagh as Bittu’s love interest, Bela, is a generic, cheery character—a role that could’ve been played by anybody else, and it wouldn’t make much difference. She is a lot more memorable and charming in her supporting role in ‘Maharaj’.
It’s in the second half that “Munjya” finally gets entertaining, with the primary conflict finally reaching a crescendo and Bittu’s friend recruiting the help of a self-styled godman/exorcist called Elvis Karim Prabhakar (Sathyaraj). Despite his small cameo, Sathyaraj (Bahubali/Chandramukhi 2) is hilarious in his part and gets a pitch-perfect parody entry as a Christian faith healer who ‘cures’ possessed individuals on stage.
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If it weren’t for the awful VFX, Munjya the ghost could’ve been a lot more intimidating as the titular antagonist of the movie; however, he does manage to have an infuriatingly annoying personality rather than that of a ghastly ghoul. Munjya haunts Bittu to look for his childhood love, and the climactic conflict involves Bittu and his cousins working to outwit the demon with Elvis Karim Prabhakar’s help. Thankfully, there are no songs in the “Munjya” to disrupt the story and the background track is adequately engaging to keep things moving.
While the climax feels chaotic and overstretched, it serves up some chuckle-worthy moments and is quite entertaining. There’s even a thin message in the end – that one shouldn’t obsess over someone who doesn’t love them back and should learn to let go.
Rating: 6 out of 10. You can stream “Munjya” on Disney Hotstar.
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