Karan Sharma’s "Bhool Chuk Maaf" is a movie that loses its plot astonishingly in only five minutes. Yes, that’s all it takes for you to guess the entire narrative. At its core, the story revolves around a boy, Ranjan (Rajkummar Rao), and a girl, Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi), who fall in love. But in a regressive…
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Kiyoshi Kurosawa capped off one of the most prolific years of his career in 2024 with "Cloud," his third release of the year and arguably the most idiosyncratic entry in his extensive filmography. Drawing on decades of experience, Kurosawa weaves together his signature techniques to create something that feels both fresh and unmistakably his. Long…
When it comes to courtroom dramas in Indian cinema, most filmmakers tend to lean heavily into melodrama. Every element—from the musical cues to the lighting—is crafted to dial up the tension, making a simple exchange between lawyers feel like a high-stakes duel. While "Court - State vs A Nobody" follows the foundational beats of the…
Directed by Karan Tejpal, “Stolen” is a special movie. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground in terms of themes or story, but the filmmaking itself is so staggering that you cannot help but marvel at it. One of the best kinds of movies is those that keep unfolding with every passing second you watch them,…
With Korean cinema setting exceptional standards for the crime genre, “Nocturnal,” directed by Kim Jin-hwang, stands out as a compelling addition. The director previously helmed “The Boys Who Cried Wolf,” and this time, he brings a more experienced crew to the helm. Ha Jung-woo leads the film, an actor well known for his powerful performances…
There is one common thread that binds most animated films in the modern era: the urge to oversimplify. In trying to cater to younger audiences, many animated films end up diluting their emotional weight, softening their edges, and offering safe, palatable narratives. As a result, the potential of animation as a medium for mature, layered…
Netflix’s "Moonrise", helmed by Tow Ubukata and animated by WIT Studio, begins with a promise. Its premise is compelling, its animation exquisite, and its themes rooted in our times, climate decay, AI trauma, and colonialist guilt. With the Moon as both literal battleground and metaphorical dumping ground, the series explores the human cost of exploitation.…
This writer is in no way qualified to describe the genius of Shankar or how he has influenced generations of filmmakers. Shankar has been making films for over three decades now, maintaining a terrific track record until last year when questions arose about his artistry. While the criticism he received is valid—he did mess up…
There are many interpretations of Nosferatu, originally made by the German filmmaker F.W. Murnau as an unofficial adaptation of Dracula. It’s important to note that most of these adaptations are personal and sincere to the filmmakers involved. Werner Herzog, for example, felt a great weight upon him as he followed in the footsteps of one…
The 2023 film Anatomy of a Fall begins with a deceptively simple setup that lulls the audience into a sense of casual observation. A woman, Sandra Voyter, a renowned author, is seated against a backdrop of snowy mountains, being interviewed by a young student. Their conversation is peppered with laughter and light banter, creating an…