pushanbanerjee Reviews

The Creator (2023)

Piece of racist garbage

[1/10 · 10 May 2024]

What an utter mess of a movie! I was drawn by the trailer but gave up and hour in. The faults are so many and the racism, especially Asian related, that it's unbearable.

Sample this- a man speaks Hindi to a woman who speaks Vietnamese in a city where every sign is in Japanese. Same when the main character enters a vault- all signs are in Japanese but the scientists curse in Thai while another scientist speaks Hindia to an AI robot who understands everything.

The problem with Hollywood is it's patronising attitude towards Asia and it shows. If you're Asian watch this to reinforce the fact that White Americans just are dumb enough to not bother watching tripe like this.

What's shocking is that this was created by a man who gave us the best Star wars movie for years. This is a racist movie that explores all the typical Asian tropes and deserves 1 star ratings. Horrible!

The Good Shepherd (2006)

What a masterpiece

[9/10 · 8 May 2024]

This isn't your run of the mill spy thriller. If you've read 'The Company' by Robert Littell, that should serve as a prerequisite for this movie. This does not move at a fast pace and it's not meant to.

Matt Damon is quite incredible, as he is in most movies he picks up. The supporting cast is incredible and everyone works almost perfectly.

So who should watch this? A Le Carre fan with the penchant for a good old spy thriller and happy to sit through a movie that isn't in your face with everything.

Based on a CIA legend, this is quite the great movie made all the more worthwhile by the terrific acting. Watch this if you like thoughtful movies, and read more about the back story.

Barbarian (2022)

Horrible and utter nonsense

[1/10 · 3 February 2024]

For about the first 5 mins this movie holds promise. This is till Tess sees a light turn on inside the house. After that it's downhill.

I mean, the premise that a woman would just walk into a house with a random stranger is far fetched. Then, in the morning when she sees the neighbourhood, she stares but decides " despite the broken down houses, I'll just stay here". A convention books out a while city is again ridiculous. Also, she can break the glass in the basement and escape easily at the end but not when she discovers the basement first.

What is most disappointing is that this movie just isn't scary. Like not one bit.

How people compare this with great horror films beats me. For me, it's a solid negative 10 but I can only rate it 1.

Dark (2017– )

A masterpiece

[10/10 · 5 January 2024]

I'm watching the whole series while writing this review. I'm amazed at just how good everything is again- the characters, the story telling and the acting. I'm amazed if you've never seen this show.

Based on a favorite topic of many mind bending series and movies, this moves at break neck speed. At times it gets so confusing that you have to pause just to remember where you've see this. And yet, you will keep going back to this series every single time.

Along with Narcos and Sacred Games, this still remains the few series that Netflix produced and won. If you haven't seen this, you're missing out.

Reptile (2023)

How can Del Toro do any wrong

[10/10 · 29 September 2023]

First up, Amazon needs to start dumping idiotic reviews from users who don't understand movies. How in the world have has this received a 1 star? The story is solid, the actors are solid and so is the run time.

For me, reptile is generally how a thriller should be built. Slow, clues thrown in, characters revealed slowly and so on. However for the m***** with the 1 star reviews, they like their thrillers like their premature ejac********.

Benecio Del Toro is one of those brilliant actors I would watch any movie. And you throw in Alicia Silverstone and I'm in.

The story is very good, the screenplay does not reveal all at the beginning, and the support actors are quite brilliant.

Go watch this if you are like me a thriller and mystery lover. If on the other hand you are a tiktok addict who expect the truth in 1 minute don't watch.

Poirot (1989–2013)

David Suchet IS Poirot!

[10/10 · 14 August 2023]

What an absolutely smashing adaptation of one of the most famous fictional characters of all time. The adaptation is great, the characters are well fleshed out, and on a lot of occasions you get some A-listers play the characters.

The first episodes are all about the smaller stories and great to watch in one sitting. However it's the elaborate ones that are so well made and that pay attention to detail. Yes there are some episodes where the plot strays from the books but then again this is true with all book to movie adaptations.

However, the one thing that makes this stand out is David Suchet. It's his understanding of the nuances of Poirot, that walk and all of those ridiculous quirks that make this one of the best embodiments of a character ever. I've watched the Poirot movies as well and nobody other than Albert Finney in Murder on Orient express that comes close to this.

I've watched this whenever it is shown on TV and have my own copies to watch when there's rubbish elsewhere.

Highly recommended and helps me purge my mind of the horrible Branagh BS.

Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023)

Another copycat movie

[1/10 · 8 April 2023]

For all the amazing reviews of the storyline, this is a movie copied from several thrillers. Inside man, a brilliant movie, is copied, with another movie non-stop referenced in the beginning.

The acting is well not really acting. The lead guy needs some lessons on how to show emotions. Yami Gautam is fine. With that exception, the plot, the story are purely meh.

If you want to grab some popcorn and watch another copycat movie and give it a 8 go ahead. For me, this is another example of why mainstream bollywood generally sucks. It's the offstream ones that really grab attention. For me, this is a stay away from.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

What a masterpiece

[10/10 · 2 January 2023]

I've watched this movie over and over. It still captivates me. The acting is just so on point. I admit that there are historical inaccuracies but then again it's a movie. Orlando Bloom, still a blacksmith, is so good as Balian. Love the fragility he brings into the role. Liam Neeson is well just Liam Neeson and Eva Green is as always alluring beautiful with her acting.

Just like gladiator, Ridley Scott weaves another directorial masterpiece. How he hasn't won an Oscar yet beats me.

Last word to the absolutely haunting music by Harry Gregson-Williams that goes so well with every part of this movie.

Spider-Man (2002)

The best version

[9/10 · 18 August 2022]

Whatever marvel try with Tom Holland, Tobey will always be Spiderman for me. Sam Raimi brings in the right story and acting for what is the best version possible. That's why there's no side hero needed to aid, or add to the story.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Why is this a 8 on IMDB?

[3/10 · 18 August 2022]

The steady decline of the MCU continues. Story is all over the place, and most plots have to connect to the next movie. And when you have to add from previous versions of the Spiderman just to get something going, I think it's time to wind up. For all the fan boys it's great I'm sure. However, the quality and the story lines are just in steady decline. Gone is the fun. What you get is a bad story and actors trying to make up on that.

Prey (I) (2022)

Bloody good movie

[9/10 · 12 August 2022]

Really good return to the roots. I love the fresh take and the main character is super good. To all the fan boys crying over good old Arnold muscles and how a teeny girl could fight the predator- Get over it and your misplaced misogyny. To be more accurate, gym pumped muscles hold no candle to real world fighting skills. Get over it!

Darlings (I) (2022)

Excellent copy

[6/10 · 6 August 2022]

I had surmised that this was a copy of Diabolique when the trailer had arrived. And beyond the usual Bollywood stuff, it is! Yet, I'll give it 6 stars cause I like the acting. For all the story line stuff, meh. I've watched the same plot way before so no kudos from me.

The Fortress (2017)

Great movie about war

[9/10 · 2 August 2022]

What a great movie. While it feels like an action packed movie, it's really not. And that's great. What this movie is all about is a fantastic review on war itself, and the stupid reasons we fight. The acting is superb and the settings make for an anti climax ro the drama unfolding. Go watch this Korean masterpiece.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Heading into mediocrity

[5/10 · 29 June 2022]

Slow and steady wins the race. In this case the race to mediocrity. I watched this purely cause I had nothing to watch. Nothing memorable. Also I've not bothered to watch Wandavision and realised that this marvel universe thing is now getting tiring. Watch if you're a hard core fan. Else expect nothing great.

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Good but not great

[7/10 · 9 June 2022]

I'll be honest. My rating would be 9 if not for the horrifying last 2 seasons. I've watched this twice and can finally say that there's a lot of other series that have done a better job overall. Doesn't mean that it's a bad series. Heck that would be doing dis- service to shine stellar acting- Peter Dinklage leading the war. Where it all goes wrong is after season 6 when the original material runs out and the script just goes off a cliff. My suggestion- watch to season 6 and then expect a huge decline in quality.

The Dropout (2022)

Superb acting

[9/10 · 3 May 2022]

While I knew the story, this series is brought to life by Amanda Seyfried. Her mannerisms, the way she acts around people and her singular drive is a treat to watch. And man how can we forget Naveen Andrews. It's on their shoulders this series rests and it's a stellar result. Last thumbs for the always dependable William H Macy for his turn. Go watch this great series.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Very lackluster

[3/10 · 16 February 2022]

Having read the book, and also having watched the older version (with a stellar cast as well) this falls flat. While the cast is great there just isn't enough going on from them. Almost feels like they are reading out lines. My biggest problem though is Kenneth Branagh as Poirot. He just isn't Poirot. Not in the accent, not in the demeanor and the way he does things. Watch the one with Albert Finney or David Suchet. This one is worth a miss.

Reacher (2022– )

Next 10 seasons please

[7/10 · 7 February 2022]

Alright, let's begin. As a huge fan, my first big thumbs up is the main man. Looks the part and acts the part. That done, the story is well made and the supporting cast is great.

What makes this great is how much of the character they capture. There are of course some exaggerations but they need to be there for the sake of riveting TV. And oh yeah, that magnificent cameo :)

I was skeptical but not after binging this. Please star the next seasons already.

The Hungry (2017)

Absolutely stunning

[10/10 · 17 September 2021]

The problem with bollywood is that there's so much drudge commercial nonsense that movies like this just never make any noise.

What a movie! I mean everything about it is just so good. Begin with the acting- I'm a huge fan of Neeraj Kabi. Add to that Naseeruddin shah and Tisca Chopra and you get amazing acting. A word on the director who does such a great job adapting a tragedy like Titus andronicus. Kudos.

Last word to the photography and the eerie settings. Go watch this if like me you hate the commercial nonsense but love the indie side of bollywood.

The Tomorrow War (2021)

Is what the trailer says

[6/10 · 5 July 2021]

An action movie! Aliens, things blowing up, people with guns shooting em from endless magazines. On a Sunday afternoon, with a glass of wine, this is perfect. And Chris Pratt is cool as usual. I watched this for some no nonsense fun. It delivers. Plot holes the size of the 7 oceans aside.

Ray (2021)

Average at best

[5/10 · 3 July 2021]

It's great to begin with and then completely fizzles out. Manoj Bajpayee can carry tripe and make it brilliant. That he does. The last story is nonsense! Average watch at best.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

One of the movies of 2021

[10/10 · 1 May 2021]

This is such a breath of fresh air. Carey Mulligan is the driving force behind this. Her acting is witty, funny and yet carries this air of doomed sorrow.

The story never lets go, and the supporting act is great as well.

And might I say that this movie deserved all the kudos for Emerald Fennell. What a riveting screenplay, and the clever direction. Final word to to oh so amazing soundtrack that I'm now listening to. Go watch this.

Tabula Rasa (2017)

What a gem

[10/10 · 29 April 2021]

In netflix on most occasions remedying recommendations aren't worth much. I'm glad I got this recommended.

It's a deliberate slow burn with a smashing ending. You need to sit through the whole thing till the end to enjoy this. The acting is top notch and so is everything else.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Masterpiece!

[10/10 · 14 April 2021]

Very very few movies get this close to perfection. I've read the book after watching the movie.

Martin Sheen is so very good and what haunted me are the eyes. Every single time. The photography is genius, none more so than in that now famous helicopter scene.

However this movie is all about the master Coppola. How he made this is history. Boy did he make one of the best ever. And yes, Brando is magnificent as ever. How could he not be. This is one movie that other movies get measured by, and so it should.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Probably the best movie ever made

[10/10 · 26 March 2021]

I've watched this 30+ times on TV. I've also watched it in 70MM. I never get bored.

If the story isn't gripping enough, there's the acting masterclasses. I mean do we begin with Peter O'Toole (Another Oscar deserved but not given), or the legendary Alec Guiness, or Quinn and Sharif. Every single one is a lesson.

However what makes this movie is the photography, and the relentless pursuit of directorial perfection. If there are movie markers, this is one of them. Enough said.