naveennbhat Reviews

Minnal Murali (2021)

I'm glad I clicked play on Minnal Murali on Netflix

[8/10 · 25 December 2021]

The only Malayalam film I had watched before today was My Dear Kuttichathan 3D in the summer of '97. I was 7 years old.

The Minnal Murali trailer caught my attention and I had been eager to watch this since, and it did not disappoint. Well, except for maybe the length (159 minutes is too long for a simple plot as this), in spite of which there is hardly a dull moment in the film.

The plot itself is enticing. I wish there are sequels and this gets to be the origin story-film. The VFX is par for the budget in my opinion, and the background score is noticeably good. Solid 8/10 movie.

Clickbait (2021)

They only got the title right

[7/10 · 25 August 2021]

The acting is noticeably sub-par, the background music and sound design adds absolutely nothing to the viewing experience. The camera work is decent. Things start to get exciting around episode 6 but that's too little too late.

"Great conept, poor execution" is a fitting tagline for Netflix in 2021.

The Hangover (2009)

Underrated masterpiece

[9/10 · 8 August 2021]

8 for the movie +1 for the soundtrack

Comedy is one of the toughest genres to produce, contrary to perception, and when someone gets it right it's often not as appreciated as movies of similar calibre in another genre. Hangover is one of those movies. Brilliant soundtrack to boot, too. Somehow, it's not acknowledged enough in the reviews here.

The Nice Guys (2016)

My kind of comedy!

[9/10 · 6 August 2021]

Why don't they make more of these anymore? Ryan Gosling was spot on with his comedic timing, I am pleasantly surprised/genuinely impressed. Russell Crowe was Russell Crowe. The rest of the cast was pretty convincing as well. Also props to the screenplay and direction for landing the hilarious moments smoothly amidst all the chaos.

Blended (2014)

Classic Adam Sandler

[9/10 · 27 July 2021]

One of my favourite Adam Sandler movies. It's got everything - Sandler family cameos, cute kids, romance, silly comedy, and some emotional family stuff peppered in-between just right. Great for a Sunday afternoon watch, like most Sandler movies are!

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Once for an excellent movie, and again for Stuart Dryburgh

[9/10 · 27 July 2021]

The movie is an excellent take on dreamers who are also doers but don't get the recognition for their work, who toil thanklessly in the shadow of flamboyance but do not mind it, for that very mind is constantly entertained by its own imagination and creativity. HOWEVER, if that does not convince you to give it a shot, one should definitely check it out for Stuart Dryburgh's cinematographic brilliance. That every frame is like a painting is an understatement.

The Week Of (2018)

Not for everyone

[9/10 · 15 July 2021]

I loved it because I could relate. I come from a big extended family. My sister had a wedding my dad paid for. I was a part of the planning. Stuff went wrong despite. But everything was fine in the end. Otherwise it's a typical Adam Sandler movie I've come to expect over the years. A few chuckles and some tears too, just the way I like it.

The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)

I watched it for Stiller & Sandler

[7/10 · 10 June 2021]

The movie has its flaws. I enjoyed the scenes between Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller, they have good camaraderie. Emma Thompson's portrayal of an alcoholic seemed a little over-the-top, or maybe it's accurate I dunno, I can't tell.

Hillbilly Elegy (2020)

Just one of those movies...

[9/10 · 6 June 2021]

...you got to be at the right age/stage of your life to truly appreciate it. I am fortunate to have been in that place. I'm nearly 32. Nobody has it figured. Everybody is making the most of the situation as they go along. My parents were these all-knowing all-solving superbeings I could run to when I was a kid for anything and everything. Now I see they had their struggles and pain, but they either didn't let the children know or I was too young to see it, either way I have massive renewed respect for people of all ages now. Also, having that realisation means I have grown as a person in these years, and that makes me happy too.

The Last Dance (2020)

The art of storytelling

[10/10 · 7 May 2021]

I'm not American, neither have I ever watched a full game of basketball, TV or live- yet, I was hooked to this story from the go. My only knowledge going in was that Michael Jordan was a popular basketball player of the 90s. I hadn't heard of anybody else, but through the course of this series I came to know and respect every player/member on that Chicago Bulls team, and that is a credit to the filmmakers. You don't have to know basketball to appreciate the life and times of the golden era of Jordan & co. The footage seems authentic, the emotions and reactions are genuine (including the interviews), and the soundtrack is a bonus. A lesson in documentary filmmaking. 10/10.

A Dog's Way Home (2019)

Beautiful

[9/10 · 10 April 2021]

This movie made a 31 year old man cry like a baby. That is all I'll say.

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020 TV Movie)

Depressing, but also equally inspiring

[10/10 · 5 March 2021]

This is a lesson in documentary filmmaking. It highlights the problems (what we have allowed our planet to become) and then proceeds to offer us some solutions to take away, in case you feel personally responsible enough (like I do), to do your part and to help in the recovery.

Then there's, of course, the legend that goes by the name of David Attenborough.

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)

Not bad!

[8/10 · 2 March 2021]

I have nothing substantial in terms of criticism for this series, which is a good thing. I loved the pacing. It was well done, no overt reenactments or added drama. The interviews were fairly well crafted. What did catch my attention was the sound design. The amount of detailing is usually not necessary for a docu-series but they did it anyway, and I feel the need to point that out.

Upload (2020– )

A stretched out 300-minute Black Mirror episode

[8/10 · 19 February 2021]

Overall: 8/10 Story/plot: 9/10 Acting, soundtrack: 7/10 Humour and VFX: 6/10

If there is a second season, will watch. If there isn't, I wouldn't mind too much. It's that kind of show.

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Unpopular opinion

[8/10 · 16 February 2021]

Kung Fu Panda 2 is better than the original. The main character actually has a character arc, and it feels more like a movie overall.

Long Shot (2017 TV Movie)

Netflix finally nails one

[8/10 · 12 February 2021]

See, this is how true crime documentaries are made, Netflix. I knew you had it in you to get one right eventually. Just the right length, the story told via original footage, using text exposition where necessary to move the story along, interviews to the point, and none of the rambling on or long drawn out pauses for dramatic effect. 8/10

Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (2021)

2 hours too long

[6/10 · 11 February 2021]

I get it, it is the story of Cecil Hotel as much as it is about poor Elisa Lam. They're almost told in parallel, well produced and everything I've come to expect of a Netflix series, BUT this is the third series after Unbelievable and Captive, I see a pattern. Netflix true crime documentaries need better editing. They're twice as long as they should be, repeating the same stuff over and over, episode after episode. Not everything has to be a mini series, sometimes a sub-100 minute documentary is a better way to go.

Jack and Jill (I) (2011)

A typical Adam Sandler movie

[4/10 · 9 February 2021]

There's a few hilarious moments in there, but if the highlight of the movie are the opening scene and end credits scene, it should give you an idea. The child actors were good too, they did well in their limited screen time.

Room (I) (2015)

Hard watch, which makes it a brilliant movie

[9/10 · 24 January 2021]

Let's ignore the difficult plot, partly based on Fritzl case (that makes it even more so), for a second and appreciate the acting performances. Both main leads (mother and child) are very compelling in their delivery. However, what stood out to me, was the sound design. There is a LOT of silence throughout the movie, and rightly so.

Now, the plot. I was able to simultaneously relate to both mother and child, and found myself in tears on multiple occasions. It is indeed a hard watch, I required two sittings to finish the movie. 10/10 hands down. I have no criticism to offer, for a change.

Borat (2006)

Absolute laugh riot

[9/10 · 22 January 2021]

Watched this first time, 15 years after release. I must say this movie stands the test of time quite well! I genuinely broke into laughter more than once, and that is a giant compliment coming from me, who rarely does so. The screenplay and acting is textbook mockumentary, but my only gripe, if at all, is that the camerawork wasn't. They should have stuck to the camera guy angle roght through, especially considering it starts and ends having us believe we are watching the actual documentary Borat made. Every time it cut to a more cinematic angle, it bothered me just a little. That is why this movie gets a 9/10 for an otherwise deserving 10/10 movie.

#AnneFrank - Parallel Stories (2019)

Some very poor film-making choices ruined what could have been

[6/10 · 21 January 2021]

First up, like nearly every other review for this title, I echo the same sentiment- the social media girl had no place in this documentary. That sub-plot added nothing. Absolutely pointless. Next, Helen Mirren. Why? Why the cringey emoting? I get that she is an actor, but we did not need one here. All she had to do was simply read through the book without trying to channel her inner Anne.

The stories of survivors who were born around the same time as Anne Frank were the highlight of the movie, as it should be. Anne would have been 91 today. Tatiana talking about her mother moved me to tears. It was also nice to see the kids and grandkids being interviewed. One could see that they realised they existed in this world because their grandma made it out of Auschwitz. Touching stories.

Headspace Guide to Meditation (2021)

Succeeds in its mission

[8/10 · 18 January 2021]

The series does what it set out to do as a guide to meditation, so I really have no complaints. From a film-making point of view, the visuals and animation graphics are kept simple, and to the point of what is being narrated on screen in the moment. I went along with the directions of the narrator- close my eyes, focus on the breathing, etc. It seemed to help. So, there.

Extraction (2020)

Decent action movie

[7/10 · 14 January 2021]

7/10 for the movie. Not much depth in plot. An extra point for casting and camera work. Both were the highlight of the film.

Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

Cinematography of the highest order

[9/10 · 11 January 2021]

Even if you aren't a fan of Breaking Bad (it's a 10/10 show), you can potentially enjoy this show as a standalone series. The story is great, the acting is brilliant, and the camera work is genius. Michael Slovis and Marshall Adams have raised the bar so high! The ONLY reason I rate it a 9 instead of 10 is I wish it were paced slightly better. I get what the makers are going for but maybe trim 10% of the fringe frames down just to move things along. I'm sure it'd spice the intensity right up.

Blue Jay (I) (2016)

How did this movie evade me all this time?!

[10/10 · 6 January 2021]

High school sweethearts run into each other after 24 years, and end up spending the night together, mostly reminiscing the old days. It has no happy ending one would expect from a romantic movie, yet the viewer is left feeling oddly happy for the two characters. In real life, the choices you make cannot be fixed, no matter what you do after, and that is what the movie is about. Sometimes, some form of closure is far better than a fantasy happy ending that only lives in the imagination.

Filming over 7 days with no real screenplay must have been both fun and challenging, and it comes across in the final product. Loved the choice of colours too (or lack of!), and the soundtrack is decent. One of the best low-budget indie movies out there. Here, take my rare 10/10 for that.