The Full Monty

Writing a good comedy script can be quite a challenge because what is humorous for the scriptwriter may not funny or amusing to a lot of us. Not this one though. 'The Full Monty' sets the gold standard for scripts that wanna be funny, logical, active, and entertaining. A masterclass film that draws a very simple and finespun picture on the canvas and along the way produces many neat and refined emotions.

Highs: Acting and direction are outstanding. Genuinely funny and praiseworthy dialogues help produce many memorable scenes. The ending is brave and even with its simplistic mold harvests a momentous closure.

Lows: The strong script produces a variety of emotions and at times the film tussles to set its true tone.

Rating: 5 *****

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The Imitation Game

A fine movie made with soaring professionalism. Based on a true story the film truly does justice to the unbelievable real events and a role model for all movies based on true stories. Fast, thrilling, demanding, and smooth around the edges at every nook and cranny. Acting is also phenomenal by its star-studded cast.

Highs: The writing team has done such a good job that the plot unveiling becomes simply breathtaking. By the ending, the movie will make your heart cry, and its absolutely guaranteed that you will feel like you've seen a masterpiece.

Lows: Some characters feel a little jaded and lack conviction.

Rating: 4.5 ****/*

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The Assistant

A movie made out of one of the most idiosyncratic scripts of all time. One heck of a plot screen played very subtly. Lead Julia Garner's character is written in a very convoluted way and she manages to nail it with perfection. The show sadly stumbles on a few occasions while trying to untangle its arduous scenarios and leaves you with a numb aftertaste.

Highs: Acting is staggering by the cast and the lead lady takes the crown jewel. The script is one of a kind and demands a lot of attention from the audience and once you have given it that you really get a unique and crisp movie.

Lows: Some sequences are full of labyrinthine and it gets problematic to gauge what's actually going on at times as the script doesn't do enough to clear up the air. A few scenes are played with such elusiveness that you crave more for the sake of enlightening.

Rating: 3.5 ***/*

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Kingsman: The Golden Circle

A bigger badder Kinsgman that is equally good if not better than the first one. Kingsman 2 does a great job of producing innovative content for a sequel that is harder than it sounds. Action and spectacles are great and certain solidifies the Kingsman brand for movies. It does a great job of sticking to its ideals and don't feel pretentious at all.

Highs: Very well choreographed. Action scenes have top notch set pieces. Fun,witty and humor packed plot. Dialogues are well written. At times the movie feels like its losing the goodness but then some twist at the end of every scene picks things up really well. Illustrious cast adds firepower.

Lows: Ending is blown out of proportion and predictable. Something both Kingman movies suffer from.

Rating: 4 ****

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Kingsman: The Secret Service

Your regular 'James Bond' genre done right. Intro to the Kingsman is a roller coaster ride filled with innovation and punch. The movie is pure entertainment and even with a lengthy script the screenplay holds well on its own. Its humorous, witty, action packed and most importantly a relaxing film that can be just what you are in the mood for.

Highs: Focus on the x-factor shines through. The film does not bore even for a little. Action is terrific and dialogue is top notch.

Lows: Sometimes gets too carried away by its illusory plot. The ending is average at best.

Rating: 4 ****

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Mirzapur : Season 1

India's take on epic gangster tale is very pretentious. But the good part is it is shameless in that pretentiousness and does not hesitate to come out all guns blazing with whatever little it has in its arsenal. The end result is a quick-witted, lethal, entertaining crime drama that has a lot of flaws but at the same time makes it worth your time to watch through the end.

Highs: Story has a lot of muscle and robustness in its core. It's repetitive but not boring and the Bollywood factor adds a sweet spot in terms of amusement. Has some genuine and original humor and attraction to it as well.

Lows: Build up and relevancy is so poor that it makes you cringe. Characters are not well written and the ending is delusional at best.

Rating: 3.5 ***/*

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Steve Jobs

One helluva biopic that gives a look into the life of Steve Jobs from an angle that you did not expect to see. The movie takes it as a mission to introduce you to Steve on a personal level and passes it with flying colors. On the flip-side it tries too hard to achieve success on that mission and misses out on x-factor. The movie severely lacks charm and wittiness that could have helped the plot.

Highs: Lead actors Michael Fassbender and Kate Winslet are phenomenal in portraying the real life persons. The script delivers some solid and sound surprises and that feels fresh for a biopic. Dialogues are also extraordinary.

Lows: Misses out on a lot more on Steve Jobs illustrious life and career that you crave for by the end. The entire filmaking feels robotic by the second half and lifelessness becomes an unavoidable issue.

Rating: 3 ***

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The Lodge

A dark horror movie that should be more alluring and captivating than it is. The movie stars superbly and ends adequately as well but everything in between is highly perplex. It has its petrifying moments but honestly the story should have concentrated more on how to make it more watchable and interesting to us the audience.

Highs: The starting creates great mystery and the movie gets off with a flyer. The ending is also subtle and well justified. Some decent jump scares. Ambiance creation is well adequate.

Lows: Frustrating character writing brings out fatal flaws in the script. Acting is average and dialogues are poor. Dark and goth theme throughout which fails to be a strong suit for the film.

Rating: 2 **

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Molly's Game

A great movie that is absolutely worth your time. 'Molly Game' visits a place where not a lot of movies often go to. Cunning, smart, pacy and hard hitting thriller with realistic drama is well blended together in this phenomenally well acted and directed film. It does a great job of explaining the nitty gritty details as well.

Highs: Screenplay is top notch. Lead Jessica Chastain's performance is a treat to enjoy. Smartly written and most scenes are meaningful and well put together. Superbly edited as well.

Lows: In the second half the film feels less pioneering and some scenes ends poorly. Ending is okay but by the time the film gets there it had been flying high so you expect bigger balloons to burst.

Rating: 4 ****

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Funny People

Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan are two of my favorite comic actors of all time. They are both amazing and have their individuality in their path to greatness. 'Funny People' is the combination of this dream duo and you expect fireworks. And to be fair fireworks do start to fly in only to be abrupted impetuously. The film focuses more on the drama and forgets its Dramedy identity which was good to begin with.

Highs: Stars great and hooks you off the bat. Sandler and Rogan build plausible chemistry. The film feels down to earth and never extra ambitious than it should thanks to solid writing.

Lows: Drags after the first half and some scenes are plain annoying and pointless. A couple unnecessary angles starts of nowhere and ending is also bland.

Rating: 3 ***

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Maggie

A dark science fiction-horror movie that shows things from the other side of the spectrum of the zombie genre that you always wanted to see. Acting and the overall narrative are average at best so it keeps the movie from achieving greater things. The movie creates a certain amount of cringe through the plot which surprisingly underlines the strength of the script.

Highs: Hard for zombie movies to show a side that has not been seen before. This movie does that with its intriguing plot. Good dialogues and atmosphere build-up is also good and enjoyable. The emotional aspect of the story holds on its own too.

Lows: Acting could have been better and never truly impresses. Gloom narrative and storytelling makes you lose focus.

Rating: 3 ***

#Magge