seshasai-tris Reviews

Hanu Man (2024)

Is everyone watching the same film

[5/10 · 1 April 2024]

The superhigh reviews aren't making any sense

Granted we don't expect much from low budget films. I am okay if they showed cardboard boxes for vfx shots. But the screenplay was lacking. Teja Sajja gives it his best for the role, but is brought down by childish scenes and fight sequences that last longer than they deem for.

This seems like a TV serial than a movie.

I wonder if having religious elements has bloated the rating of this film.

This seems to have inspired from Kickass, but with indian twists. The humor in the movie really doesn't work all the time. It's childish and doesn't serve the purpose.

If the story is around Teja, it seems to progress.

Wishing the best for upcoming sequels.

7500 (2019)

Heavily underrated thriller

[9/10 · 12 February 2023]

Was on edge of my seat. The sound design is 10/10 It can be claustrophobic as it's filmed entirely in the cockpit

I don't get the hate for this must watch film as I can't pick anything apart. Joseph does a phenomenal job as he sells us the whole thing.

The character Omar is second highlight of the film

This is the first film for the director

This is only 92 minute movie but time flies by. If you're too stressed take a break but watch again.

I realised at the end of the movie that there's no soundtrack but just audio effects.

Go watch it right now if you're looking for high drama and high tension movie.

The Lion King (2019)

Technical masterpiece that falls short in expression

[7/10 · 13 August 2022]

When I saw the movie on a 90 feet imax screen. The images were so good spanning every inch of the screen and it took me a while to realise my jaw was dropped. As it let the fabulous CG and cinematography sink in, I realised the animals were not emoting as you'd like in an animated film. The film crew decided to go for realism vs showing more expressions. Nonetheless I loved it and the lack of facial expressions prevents me from rewatching the whole movie again expect for few scenes. But they won't stop your kids from rewatching I guess.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

Best Pixar sequel - Worth the wait

[9/10 · 19 June 2018]

After attending the movie premier at an IMAX, we were awe-struck. The visuals, coloring, editing, music, animation and action sequences were all perfect. The family's chemistry is better than before with Jack-Jack also chipping in this time.

Continuing where it left off last time was a nice move by the creative team that won't be affected by the aged voice actors. Edna's character is awesome though present for less time.

While the critical reviews that mention the movie has weak villain, I can't agree with the argument completely as the movie's motive is more than showcasing a perfect villain; bringing the rich family drama together.

Action scenes are top notch and make you glued to the screen; At times I forgot I was watching an animated movie. The lighting, sounds, camerawork around the scenes is perfect.

The movie doesn't waste any time in focussing on unnecessary conversations or scenes and yet is the longest pixar movie of all time. Still, you feel it's not that long.

The short film before the movie will definitely warm up your emotions before you begin to watch the movie.

Must watch movie of the season.

Ready Player One (2018)

A visually stunning adaptation without the soul of the book

[7/10 · 29 March 2018]

I don't have any problem with movie being different from the book. I would say this movie is based on the book and Ernest Cline who authored the book is the co-screenwriter for the movie. But the movie lacks to capture the drama and the bond between characters.

Plus Visually this one is a spielberg masterpiece. The race sequence was fantastic with great cinematography. The animation is flawless; the way the animated characters also blend in the real world is mindblowing. (or that's what $175 million could get you)

Cons The romance between the lead characters seemed forceful. Despite the actors doing a great job, I think it's some chopped up reel on the production house floor that may make us feel it is forced. Also, the movie does not even capture the emotion between our rebel team at least half as the book. It never explains how all the characters team up. It seemed rushed.

Overall, while visually stunning, bad editing and poor character building fail to connect us with the emotions that our characters feel at certain points of the movie.

It's a definite big screen watch.

The Walking Dead: The Big Scary U (2017) Season 8, Episode 5

Worst episode (There are several others competing for it in this season)

[1/10 · 1 December 2017]

The show keeps getting more and more awful.

The characters are bland. Pointless camera panning to nothingness. I remember seeing camera just panning towards an actresses legs as she walks for several seconds.

Contrived story lines, dull writing, minimal material, lazy directing are the hallmark of this episode.

Nothing happens.

It is very telling how the viewership is plummeting in a free fall.

Pathetic.

The Walking Dead: Monsters (2017) Season 8, Episode 3

Jesus is awful

[1/10 · 1 December 2017]

He could've been a likable character. Due to poor writing and directing, they've ruined Jesus' character for me. In the subsequent episodes, even after Jesus' decisions are counterproductive for the community, he continues with his madness to save the saviors.

A worst episode on the TWD. Free fall of the show continues..

The Walking Dead: Some Guy (2017) Season 8, Episode 4

I would rather watch fungus grow on garbage

[1/10 · 1 December 2017]

An awful episode with, TWD is not going to help itself with such writing and directing. Characterization has been at its weakest. Shiva's sacrifice is pointless. As per convenience, the zombies get stronger and weaker.

I wonder if the writers even care to go through the viewership numbers so that they get a hint.

The Walking Dead: The King, the Widow and Rick (2017) Season 8, Episode 6

Garbage intensifies

[1/10 · 1 December 2017]

The show keeps getting more and more awful.

The characters are bland. Pointless camera panning to nothingness. I remember seeing camera just panning towards an actresses legs as she walks for several seconds.

Contrived story lines, dull writing, minimal material, lazy directing are the hallmark of this episode.

Nothing happens.

It is very telling how the viewership is plummeting in a free fall.

Pathetic.

The Walking Dead: Mercy (2017) Season 8, Episode 1

Have "Mercy" on the viewers

[1 December 2017]

The show keeps getting more and more awful.

The characters are bland. Pointless camera panning to nothingness. Weak writing.

Contrived story lines, minimal material, lazy directing are the hallmark of this episode.

Nothing happens. Pathetic display.

Arjun Reddy (2017)

May be the first modern cult classic in telugu

[8/10 · 29 August 2017]

It has been a refreshing experience watching this movie. The romance, characterization is at its raw best. I am glad that the director and his team did not do anything to dial it down. The performances have been great. We all know the story, but it has not been done before in Telugu cinema. In some ways, this can be called modern Devdas with realistic dialogue.

Without spoiling; the story is about a young MBBS student with anger management issues falling in love. Arjun Reddy's character is deeply flawed. I must appreciate the director and crew steering away from the Telugu movie way of showing the lead character in a perfect light. I am glad the character is flawed. There are several instances in this 186 minute movie that shows us the flawed side of our hero. It works out for the story telling. Also in this tale, we see characters yelling swear words when under stress or anger; which does not happen in other flicks.

The physical romance couldn't be more appropriate. It's is present where necessary and only promotes story telling and emotions. Also, the story is also about a bunch of characters constantly caring and supporting Arjun Reddy despite his strong requirement for sole confinement. The sick kick friend is more than a side kick shows real spine in tense moments, also providing subtle comedy in the various situations.

The movie does not commit to one message. The grandma says "a person who wants to suffer must be left alone and that person will soon get back on his feet"; But almost all characters related to the hero (Brother, friends) always keep visiting Arjun despite Arjun yelling them to go away. It was the supporting friends and family that bring back a almost lost soul back. When Arjun loses everything, left with no money and thrown on the road; it's the brother and father who spend their money to send Arjun to exotic countries to help him get over the girl.

The movie doesn't seem 3 hour long, but definitely feels lengthy, often straining the eyes. Preethi's character is underdeveloped, but she did a decent job at that. The heroin side track was unnecessary and does not contribute much.

Overall, this is a refreshing change in Tollywood and I can see a lot of directors experimenting by not following the Telugu formulaic trend in the upcoming years.

Sully (2016)

Fabulous screenplay and intense acting and emotional

[9/10 · 6 September 2016]

I am one of the lucky few who had the opportunity to get an advance premier screening for Sully at AMC IMAX Somerville, Boston ten days prior to the release.

This is easily the best movie of 2016. I have been following the Jan 15 controlled ditching incident of US Airways Flight 1549 case for a while. Everything about this case was covered on TV and the hearings are uploaded on YouTube. I have watched nearly 5 hours of the footage on YouTube and I was skeptical before the film whether if it offers us anything new.

I was mind-blown; the movie is truly an untold story. The drama, action and intensity is all along. It left me and many audience in tears. It feels realistic in the IMAX edition with great sound effects surrounding you. The screenplay of this film is unique, Client Eastwood is an outstanding director has outdone himself with this gripping tale.

Tom hanks has been the heart of the film. The acting was top notch. I am sure his meetings with Chesley SUllenberger must have contributed something in the acting department. Aaron Eckhart as Jeff Skiles also did a great job with his subtle humor and great screen presence. He makes you wanting more of the character.

Coming back to the facts, Client Eastwood has left what we all know because of the footages shown in YouTube and the hearings.

Overall, great performances, superb screenplay, neat editing and fabulous visual and audio effects make this film easily the best in 2016.

Above all, this one has a heart!

9/10

The Night Of: The Call of the Wild (2016) Season 1, Episode 8

Best episode of the series

[9/10 · 29 August 2016]

Whoa! This episode blew my mind .

The whole series till now has been a build up and we were given no hope about the protagonist. You never see Box help the case really till now. The Andrea case is just a hook as the show writers and director depicted something of greater depth in story, characterisation and cinematography.

In this episode the stakes keep on building up until the last 20 minutes and then everything settled. I was on the edge of my seat for this one. This couldn't have had a better ending. The trial scenes were the best.

The episode tells us that some things just can't change in a person in the end. The way things are left for audience to understand about Andrea's murderer is very good. It would've been nice if CHandra's character had been given a nice ending after all what she's done for Naz.

My rating 9/10

The Night Of: Samson and Delilah (2016) Season 1, Episode 6

Slow and lazy writing

[6/10 · 17 August 2016]

The screenwriters have lingered long enough!

The character building is over , setting up the environment is over. Yet , there is no progress made. There is absolutely no tension in the show. the writers / directors are not able to make us (audience ) root for any character. The riveting factor is nothing .

We have seen several minutes of footage of a leg with eczema or whatever , but they're not satisfied . They keep is giving more of it diluting the essence of the show .

Last episode ending had a great lead on the trial which wasn't even used or brought up in this one ..

Very bad !

War Dogs (2016)

a well made war comedy

[7/10 · 16 August 2016]

Todd Philips has done a fine job in creating a nice War Comedy. There haven't been many decent war comedies in the recent times.

War dogs is about two young kids who exploit the not-so-good government initiative in becoming arms dealers, in the process getting greedy and in trouble. Based on a real life story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan, the director has done a great job in converting a dry story into an entertaining movie.

Jonah Hill keeps up the comedy of the film through out. Miles Teller, an under rated actor proves yet again that he can be a great actor in this one. Bradley Cooper's character is well crafted and is entertaining till the end.

The supporting characters have done a decent job.

This wouldn't be on top movies but sure is a fun watch in summer.

my rating 7/10

Suicide Squad (2016)

Fun movie to watch; DC's attempts to kind of mimic Marvel?

[7/10 · 2 August 2016]

I have watched this film 4 days ahead of its release at Regal Fenway, Boston (Thanks to Warner Brothers Invitation).

This is a fast paced, comic and CGI filled movie. The character introduction is well done. Will Smith, Margot Robbie steal the show. The story is "Assembling a bunch of bad guys against a super villain whose motive is to wipe off the earth". (Story of Avengers 1, Avengers 2, Batman, etc). There is nothing new about the story, but the director David Ayer did a great job introducing the characters and building the story.

Poor characterization, some poor dialogues and erratic screenplay are the side effects of a week story line. Except Deadshot, Harley Quinn and Diablo, the other characters seemed to be underdeveloped.

The Good: - Jai courney as the Boomerang was a great comic relief and he reminds us of DCs attempts to include comedy in their apparent Dark and gritty films. - Diablo was fun to watch, though some things at the end of the movie regarding this character are un explained. - Great directing within the constrains of the story. - Fantastic lead by Will Smith

The Bad - Poor CGI - Villain(s) with poor motive - Viola Davis' poor characterization - Wrong timing for comedy. - You clearly see the audience and critics making an impact on the film. DC was blamed for being too dark unlike marvel and you can see the screen writers deliberately including funny one liners in un- necessary scenes.

Overall, it is a great summer film. If you step into the movie hall with less or zero expectations (like me) you are going to have fun.

Special mention about the Joker.

Jared Leto: The method actor who underwent a lot of physical and mental training is put down as he gets less screen time to show his skills off. It was reported that Jared Leto shut himself from the world and completely transformed into the role of Joker. Will Smith also admitted he never got to know the real actor behind. That said, you will go to the movies to see all the talent unused and given less screen time.

The Walking Dead: Start to Finish (2015) Season 6, Episode 8

this is how the spirit of all episodes must be

[8/10 · 30 November 2015]

This can be considered the best episode of the season. It has so many moments that got me to the edge of my seat. The tension is high, and the characters are in their zone. The screen play is well done in this episode.

All hell breaks lose in the finale as we all know it. Our heroes find a place (road/jail/community) in the first episode and then we have character building in the mid episodes and in the final episode all hell breaks lose and everything is destroyed. This episode follows the same pattern.

This episode also makes me wonder why Rick and his team don't cover themselves up in the zombie-goo and escape in the herds.

This also reminds me all the seasons have the same story over and over and we try to seek what is in the series for the future. Are they going to show if there is a cure of any sort? or our characters get involved in some place that will be destroyed eventually and they go on for a search again all over?

My rating 7.8/10

The Walking Dead: Heads Up (2015) Season 6, Episode 7

please get a move on

[7/10 · 23 November 2015]

the biggest teaser of this show is finally revealed, but at a great cost. The audience had moved on along with the characters, but it is wonderful to know that the writers didn't kill Glenn so cheaply. Most of you might be happy because the prediction theories of Glenn were correct. On a personal front, I would like to see Glenn till the end of the series. He was there all through, been a moral fiber from the viewers perspective. We can't hold on to Rick as he is vulnerable sometimes, but we all root for Glenn.

Moving on to this episode, the story moves finally from where it left in episode 3, but only in a lazy fashion. We can expect a move on only in the finale, but of course with a cliff hanger.

It has been a long ride, 6 seasons, and the writers are not even hinting if the show is a setting where our heroes find some cure for their world or they keep moving on to safer places in every season or is it a zombie survival characterization.

Here is how the show works - Move on to a city - survive till the end and move on. Move on to a village - survive till the end and move on. Move on to a prison - survive till it can hold the people. Move on to the roads and move on to a gated community as long as the walls stand.

So all we need to see is some change of this pattern.

my rating 7/10

The Walking Dead: Always Accountable (2015) Season 6, Episode 6

Going off the track into burnt woods

[7/10 · 16 November 2015]

I've also written in my previous reviews that showing the past of a TV show for great length of time frame (41 minutes in this case) is not an easy task.

We already know that Daryl will contact Rick via his walky-talky.

This episode shows the audience what happened to the three primary characters. It would have been interesting if they mixed all these screenplays to maintain a chronology. It would have been far more gripping , coherent and consistent. Thus we not only know already that Darly would survive but also the ending to the episode as soon as we start watching it.

The closure for Glenn is not given yet , and the show is teasing it's audience more than needed. I'm pretty sure the next episode is going to be an explosive with lot of revelations and action since the last two were quite calm. No harm to say that the last episode and this one are just fillers/curtain raisers for the finale.

My rating 7/10

The Walking Dead: Now (2015) Season 6, Episode 5

Finally we get the filler episode for this season

[8/10 · 9 November 2015]

After witnessing some great plot , screenplay , effects and characterization through this season; this episode remains on the bottom.

A lot of camera angles just staring at character faces, not much plot development or character development. To put it harshly, this episode is just a collection of small incidents that happen. In a single line, this is a filler episode for the last three episodes of the season.

The screenplay was poor and even the acting was mediocre by the characters shown. The last episode was greatly executed with thick plot and screenplay with just two characters, but this one with many is underwhelming.

I got the tinge of the prison setting's monotony.

Get a move on, writers!

My rating 8/10

The Walking Dead: Here's Not Here (2015) Season 6, Episode 4

this is a great episode.. but...

[9/10 · 2 November 2015]

This is a great episode. With a powerful script, the writers were able to make a great one hour and four minutes with just two people with zero dull moments. We have seen the show make-do an episode with just two people in the past but it wasn't as impressive as this. Thick screenplay, great dialogues and terrific filmography form the hallmark for this episode. It really helps us understand the characters. The end was also really heavy and touchy. This episode thus will remain as one of the best character-building episode of the series.

My Rating 9.2/10

*DO NOT READ BELOW IF IT HURTS TO TAKE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM* *NO SPOILERS*

( I have always got down-votes for writing critically regarding an episode, so I had to put up this sign)

This episode also raises the following questions in my head. - Why do the writers often go back to the past of a character. I agree it helps us to know the characterization, but till what extent? -There are 10 to 15 key characters in the show. Are the show makers going to produce 15 episodes to build their characterization? We have seen in the past a few episodes focused on a character and that character who we known to the minute detail is dead. This raises a whole set of questions about the kind of show this is.

-Is this a show that takes the audience through the apocalyptic journey or focuses on how a character behaves in a certain way. The negative aspect about this kind of taking of the show is, some elements and characters get too much of detail while some are ignored.

I feel the best way to film is use a chronological order to show the characterization (not the story, as reverse screenplay can be used for the story). It is sometimes frustrating for an average viewer to sit through an entire episode staring at the past of a character.

The Walking Dead: Thank You (2015) Season 6, Episode 3

a stunning episode (literally)

[8/10 · 26 October 2015]

This is a great episode except for one aspect. It is a spoiler so I will write about it in the last paragraph.

The good things about this one - The pacing is well set, the action is perfect and we've seen some cool walker kills. It has been long since the characters roamed around and all of the areal shots are good. I've been feeling claustrophobic seeing the close shots of walkers and actors. This episode gave some good shots of the topography and the towns. The dialogues were crisp and also the screenplay - giving the right amount of time for a scene. The tension was real in this episode, I was on the edge of my seat on three or four occasions. We also get to know that Rick's team has learnt a lot by living on the move all along and how valuable his team members prove to be. And Daryl's motorbike ride sequence was well filmed.

SPOILERS BELOW

The bad part of this episode was Glen's death. I never bought why he fell when the other Nicholas shoots himself. Nicholas was not right in the head and did it and he falls because he is off balance, but I could not buy Glenn falling after him as we all know Glenn has been a survivor and has seen a lot of things. It is unbelievable he can fall off the trash can for a mere acquaintance. Even if the show wanted to kill Glenn, I bet there might be 100 other ways, may be more shocking than this, but I'd have bought that at-least. I wish the studio did this in some other way (may or may not be in more shocking way).

Overall, this is a fantastic episode of the series till now. A lot of things are set in motion. I feel the next episode will be relatively slow to allow the audience to get the feel of the incurred loses.

My Rating - 8.7/10

The Walking Dead: JSS (2015) Season 6, Episode 2

writers got used to being lazy

[7/10 · 20 October 2015]

I don't understand how this episode got a rating > 9. Just because the episode had action and a few zombie and human kills, it does not deserve a 9. The lazy writing is clearly a factor for the downfall in quality of the episode.

Stay with me, let me explain how - We have seen episode 1 of this season that already happened in the future and it is slightly frustrating to see the events that occurred in the past of this show's time line. Why would a typical show watcher watch the past for an hour and be okay with it.

IF you have seen this episode already, you'd agree with me that episode 1 and episode 2 could have been clubbed together into a beautiful parallel screenplay ( a classic movie making style that parallel-ly shows the events happening at two locations). Thus, the tension would have been high too, but NO; The screen writers just got too lazy to develop and relied on Nolan's Memento Screen play style for episode 1 and a new screenplay altogether for this episode which does not gel with events happened in episode 1.

I know I'd get a lot of down-votes from the fan-boys, but just take a moment and think about the severe quality dip in the show. (Just watch season 1 and season 2 of this TV series and also think why this TV show is kicked off the top 100 TV shows)

The Walking Dead: First Time Again (2015) Season 6, Episode 1

Inspired by memento

[8/10 · 12 October 2015]

The screenplay of this episode is inspired by Nolan's memento. I didn't see it intriguing as the climax of the episode is already shown in the opening shot and there is absolutely nothing that happens in the episode. The only major plot that happens in the next 55 minutes is that Rick scheming to help the people get to a secure location, which is pretty much the same plot as every episode. I might get a lot of hate and down votes for putting it this way, but I feel the show writers need to stop being lazy and portray their thoughts meticulously and cleverly.

Would you take if a director makes a one hour show with a one line plot? I don't think so. Even if you scratch my lines and say that there is much of characterisation left, you are wrong. We all have seen countless episodes that built up the characters. Now all we need is some progress in the show.

The zombies are great , the killings are cool , but just ramp up the story!!

My rating 8/10

Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)

Finally a fresh concept in Tollywood

[7/10 · 31 July 2015]

First half - Not to be critical but the films needs more originality. The story has greater potential for exploring the subject using innovative techniques. The initial half hour where the lead actress tries to follow the hero is greatly inspired by avatar. The fish healing the wounds, the congregation setting also are inspired by avatar. Nolan also greatly helped Rajamouli- the Avalanche scene with same camera angles are present in inception , the hero trying to grab the tree balk mirrors Christian bale escaping an underground prison in the dark knight rises. The background score is way above the average Telugu film but is also hugely relies on the Hollywood orchestras( thanks to James Horner). I really appreciate the fact that a lot has been tried.

Second half - Shades Loki and Thor can be seen in our heroes. Rajamouli used this concept in chatrapati but only this time the bad roles is reprised by raana. It felt awesome the way the war strategy is put forward but it all fell apart when it came to execution. It fascinated me how the mother of two could listen and also observe the facial details of her kids who are fighting miles apart. The standard motivational speech that helped the protagonist gain more soldier and win is pure cliché. The orcs/dorthraki lookalikes did a better job at acting that some of the other characters.

Technical department The camera work could have been a lot better. The slow motion camera is not used at all, even if it was used the frames do not give you a pleasing effect. The CGI shots are odd, making the scenes look like the quality dipped( like from 720p to 240p).

Acting Rana, prabhas, Ramya krishna did a great job. I found it really frustrating when the important characters in the film cannot lip sync.

Overall, the standards of Tollywood films is now raised minus the standard out of the place item songs.