Carolyn_Channing Reviews

Dunki (2023)

Worst Raj Kumar Hirani movie ever

[1/10 · 21 December 2023]

We have finally got a bad Hirani's movie, but I guess that's what happens when someone innovative like Hirani work with someone like Shahrukh Khan who is totally known for doing bad movies like Pathan, Jawan etc. No coherent story which is full of plotholes that you can't even make a sense out of it, you will be confused while watching it. Hirani who is well known for nailing the second half of the movie, totally gone wrong on this one.

One thing you will notice is that Shahrukh Khan is so badly miscasted here but when he is trying so hard to work with Hirani, this abysmal movie comes out as a result. Please save your time and money and wait for it come on OTT platforms, blind Shahrukh Khan fans won't mind my review helpful, though.

Jawan (2023)

Worst movie of the year so far

[1/10 · 8 September 2023]

I just wasted approx 3 hours of my life for this crap. This crap is senseless and a torture to anyone . Shahrukh Khan, please use some logic before releasing a torture cell. Do not waste your time and money . Acting by each and everyone in the movie is pathetic. SRK disappointed me a lot . I am a huge fan of him but he is a total waste in this movie.

Direction from Atlee is too bad. I think he was confused while making this movie and did not know what to do. As a SRK fan, I am very disappointed in him that he is wasting his talent like this. Blind Shahrukh fans won't find my review helpful, though.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Awesometacular

[10/10 · 17 March 2023]

It's awesome to see how John Wick franchise has progressed, four movies in and it still has that same aesthetic, top to bottom, this film was just amazing. The editing was spot on, the scenery and focal shots are amazing, All of the actors were outstanding, the effects were some of the greatest I have ever seen, and the variety in the fight sequences was refreshing and new.

The director and writer really nailed the action and entertainment in this movie. Honestly I was little worried that they couldn't keep up with the franchise going at such a high level, I'm glad it was not the case with this one.

Pathaan (2023)

One of the worst movie I have ever seen

[1/10 · 25 January 2023]

The screen play is so horrible, poor pacing and the childish dialogues doesn't help, either. The VFX and CGI in the movie is pathetic, can obviously tell it's SRK's duplicate Ibrahim Qadri who is doing all the stunts. Usually the movies are good in the first half, but here the first half is so bad that you just can't wait for the movie to be over and the less said about the second half, the better.

Looks like SRK still hasn't learned anything all these 5 years and still sticking to his usual crap. His fans surely won't find my review helpful, either and will blindly rate this movie but as someone who just went through this abomination of a movie, it's my job to save people's time and money.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Too much unnecessary humour

[1/10 · 6 July 2022]

When the movie is literally about God butcher, you would think it would be a serious movie but nope. Too much unnecessary humour has ruined the movie, it's like they doesn't trust the audience how we will handle intense scenes, so they undermine scenes like that by adding unfunny fart jokes. Not worth your time and money.

Lightyear (2022)

Missed the mark

[4/10 · 17 June 2022]

First of all, they should have casted Tim Allen for this movie, he did such an iconic voice over, the one Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story movies we all grew up with. After watching it, I feel like the only reason this movie was made cause they wanted the big bucks that Toy Story franchise brought in from toy sales. Kinda like how Disney made the two Planes movies because they wanted the money that the Cars franchise toys brought in. It is the first theatrical Pixar movie in two years that I would've rather watched on Disney+ instead. Apart from the breathtaking visuals, this extension of the Toy Story brand is simply hollow.

Samrat Prithviraj (2022)

Worst historical movie ever

[1/10 · 4 June 2022]

A movie like this needed atleast 8-10 months shooting but the fact that Akshay Kumar completed this movie in 40 days tell you that he is just a money-hungry person, no wonder he is so eager to jump on other movies after finishing one.

Also he is the worst casting ever, he looks like Bala from Houseful movies, not Prithviraj Chauhan. Throughout the whole movie, he had hilarious expressions on his face which I found really strange cause it wasn't supposed to be a comedy movie, yet it seemed like one. Disaster.

Heropanti 2 (2022)

No logic whatsoever

[1/10 · 29 April 2022]

Worst movie I have seen so far this year. No logic whatsoever in it, full of cringe worthy one liners and dialogues with physics defying stunts. The movie gave me migraine, I had to take medicines for it. Save your time and money.

The Northman (2022)

Not just another Viking movie

[8/10 · 11 April 2022]

Robert Eggers does it again! This isn't just another viking movie, it is one of the BEST dramas ever! GREAT action & emotional too. A fitting end, while also setting up what's next. It is a stunning tale of betrayal and obsessive revenge. With excellent world building saturating every frame, it's one of the most transporting, magical, action-soaked films in some time. Must watch.

Bachchhan Paandey (2022)

Worst movie by Akshay Kumar

[1/10 · 18 March 2022]

He can't act and giving the same old cringeworthy expressions which we are used to by his garbage movies. If you want to watch the better movie on same subject, watch the Tamil remake 'Jigarthanda' or the original South Korean movie 'A dirty carnival'.

Radhe Shyam (2022)

WORST MOVIE EVER

[1/10 · 11 March 2022]

Prabhas looking like fat old man in the Film. He looks like heroine's father and the biggest joke is that Prabhas is doing a love story & his dubbing sucks. Plot, dialogues, acting, everything is poor.

The Batman (2022)

Everything a Batman fan could ask for

[8/10 · 1 March 2022]

The Batman will go down as one of the best comicbook films in a long time. The script, performances, set pieces, & visual storytelling was phenomenal. Robert Pattinson shines as an emotional brooding Batman next to Paul Dano's terrifying Riddler and menacing Collin Ferell's Penguin. Matt Reeves' modern masterpiece.

Peacemaker (2022– )

Believe the hype

[10/10 · 10 February 2022]

I normally don't watch DC's tv shows but man, this show totally surpassed my all expectations and genuinely found it amazing. John Cena surprised me with his acting too, he is playing the character to the point. I'm gonna recommend this show to even those people who don't watch DC stuff, the writing in this show is that good.

Satyameva Jayate 2 (2021)

First movie was better, sequel is pathetic

[1/10 · 27 November 2021]

What the hell the director was thinking while making this, there was nothing to tell anymore after the first movie, just because people liked the first movie, doesn't mean they will like the sequel, cause this movie is only made for the sake of minting money and using John's star power, this movie would have just left untouched cause this just turned out to be bad.

Antim: The Final Truth (2021)

Finally a good Salman Khan's movie after ages

[8/10 · 27 November 2021]

Went with zero expectations in the theatre considering I haven't seen a good Salman Khan's movie since 3-4 years but this surprised the heck out of me, all thanks to Director Mahesh Manjerakar who made the concept gritty and powerpacked till the end.

Salman Khan finally didn't played himself for once and totally got immersed in the character, reminded me of his character in 'Garv' and for a debutant, Aayush Sharma as Gangster Rahulia was pretty good.

This movie will be well-liked by the public, especially from those who are neutrals or don't like Salman Khan as an actor, they are in for a treat. Movies like 'Antim' is what we wanted from Salman, if he is smart, he will utilise the goodwill he gained from this movie, which he lost after doing movies like Radhe, Race 3 and Dabangg 3.

Dexter: New Blood (2021–2022)

Dexter is back and how

[10/10 · 9 November 2021]

I love how the writers tapped into the nostalgia of the original series. The build up of what triggers Dexter's dark passenger was very well done, and having Deb be his new conscious was a perfect way to bring back that dynamic that made the original so great and really gave the viewers what we want and have been missing for so long.

Also love the new characters. The way they tie them into his life is very much how the original characters did. Especially everyone at the police station. Again genius writing. And putting Dex in a relationship with a cop so he can stay connected to that life, was perfect! I can't wait to see what else this season brings.

Tenet (2020)

The Emperor Has No Clothes

[1/10 · 28 August 2020]

Had high expectations but the movie is long and boring. It had such an confusing plot that tricks you into thinking the movie is "actually good". It's quite slow paced, nor suspenseful and hated the sound mixing, too loud, unable to hear the dialogues due to that is just unforgivable.

People are giving 10/10 ratings and praises, ignoring the plotholes and obvious flaws cause directed by Nolan. Think they're doing him a favour but we have to call out such things, else we keep gonna get mediocre movies. I'm sure because of blind fanaticism, same people not gonna find my review helpful, either. Original rating is 4/10, giving it 1 for balancing the high rating.

Uncut Gems (2019)

Sandler really has the potential

[10/10 · 19 November 2019]

I managed to watch Uncut Gems at New York Film Festival and I can say that it's one of, if not his best performance to date. For certain parts of the film, I forget that I was watching Adam Sandler cause you know, you are just used to see him in so many comedies but given the right material, he's actually full of potential in serious and dramatic roles like this. He completely disappears into the role. Adam Sandler is at his best when he's just acting in a movie and has no actual significant creative input over the movie's direction. Thank God to the directors, Safdi Brothers.

Batwoman (2019–2022)

Painful to watch

[1/10 · 11 October 2019]

I tried to give this show a fair shake and tried to stay open minded with no expectations, even after watching the horrendous trailers. But alas it was exactly what the trailers promised and worst! I couldn't even watch it till the end. I really tried but it was cringe from start till I changed channel about 15-20 minutes before the ending. I'm sure the number of viewers would be off the charts for the first episode due to curiousity after all the backlash the trailers got but I'd bet a year's salary that's as good as it will get and that the number of viewers will only go down from here.

Total disaster from what I watched as long as I could till I changed channel to something better which was very easy to find compared to this Batwoman show. There were so many cringe moments in regards to so many different issues like Ruby Rose being a real bad actress, for real. Watching this show was painful to watch to say the least.

Mission Mangal (2019)

Akshay Kumar was the weakest link

[1/10 · 16 August 2019]

Akshay Kumar was the weakest link of the movie with his over the top hammering and overacting. Should have casted someone else cause it also felt like that the movie is more focused on making his character look good, compared to other characters and less focused on the mission to Mars. Akshay Kumar just put me off with everything he does, I'd rather watch the documentary on the mission, atleast that way I wouldn't be distracted by Akshay Kumar's big teeth, which is taking me completely out of the movie and ruining the moments.

Kesari (2019)

Full of historical inaccuracies

[1/10 · 21 March 2019]

After reading some critic reviews, I went to watch it thinking that it's going to be a patriotic movie, instead it turned out be a huge disappointment. Never again, I will trust critics who will give good reviews just for easy money by the creators of this movie.

I know it's not a documentary, but a movie and I should take it like that, but this movie was so full of historical inaccuracies, that I couldn't suspend my disbelief for long. The director and the actor have made a total joke of Battle of Saragrahi which was fought in 1897 between Sikh Army of Britain and Afghan freedom fighters who were fighting for their land.

Remember, in 1897, Saragrahi was a part of India and British invaders was trying to get into Afghanistan, this battle is one of the reason, freedom fighters could push Britain out of India, but this movie is so full of propoganda that those British mercenaries are shown as a hero here and freedom fighters are shown as a villain.

Accuracy wise, I swear it was one of the worst movie I have ever seen but then again, I don't expect anything else from a Canadian citizen Akshay Kumar, who in a potential war between India and Canada is even ready to destroy us all. This is part of the oath to get a Canadian citizenship. One thing, I really hated the most about this movie is that fake beard of Akshay Kumar, this tells me when he himself is not fully dedicated to this role, then ofcourse it's going to be a bad movie. No wonder throughout the whole movie, he was suffering due to pathetic dialogue delivery. Actors like Ajay Devgan or Randeep Hooda would have done justice to this role, who were originally planning to do this movie, when Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar shamelessly stole the script from them.

Now coming to the conclusion of this movie, don't waste your precious time on this, I'm deeply regretting doing that, and if you came here to read the reviews and still haven't gone to see the movie, I suggest to watch "21 Sarfarosh" in Netflix based on the same subject, instead of wasting your hard earned money on this movie. Also, don't believe the high ratings and fake reviews of this movie, this is all part of a paid campaign by the producers of this movie, so that neutral or general public can't see how worse this movie is. I'm sure they will even disagree with my review.

Creed II (2018)

A worthy sequel

[9/10 · 20 November 2018]

Essentially hand-picked by Coogler to take on the sequel, Caple orchestrates a worthy sequel that still has those needed references to the "Rocky" franchise the fans crave, but makes a point to build up Adonis' own story.

From a screenplay by Stallone and Joel Taylor, "Creed II" picks up six fights after Creed lost to "Pretty" Ricky Conlan in the first movie. Having won them all, he's now up against the champion Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler (Andrew Ward) for the title. Creed takes the belt (and the keys back to his car that Wheeler took from the brief fight they had in the first movie) and closes the night by proposing to his girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson). All seems to be going right for Creed.

But in the Ukraine, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) has dreams of a hero's return to Russia by shaping his son, Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), into an even more powerful boxer than he was. In exile since losing to Balboa in "Rocky IV," the Dragos wake up every morning with a singular goal: beat Creed like Ivan did his father. This leads father and son to Philadelphia to challenge Creed and Balboa to a title fight. With footage from "Rocky IV" used in ESPN highlights, Creed can't look away from footage of his father dying in the ring at the hands of Drago over 30 years ago. Of course, the two sons are going to fight.

The movie then turns to the deep-rooted drama that happens in all the "Rocky" movies: why fight? With the guilt of not calling off the Apollo Creed-Ivan Drago fight still hanging over him, Balboa doesn't want any part of it. But of course, Adonis wants to avenge his father. This leads to an impasse between the two that causes some soul searching for both men.

"Creed II" gives us the intense training montages and incredible fights that are a trademark in the "Rocky" franchise, but what really stands out are the things that happen outside of the ropes. What starts out as a revenge tale slowly evolves into a story of fathers and sons and the building of new legacies. At its core is the work of Jordan, who again as Creed delivers a performance that shows why he's a movie star. His charisma matched with his talent is a total package that any franchise dreams of. Then there's the chemistry between Jordan and Thompson that adds another powerful layer. Stallone, who earned an Oscar nomination for playing Balboa in "Creed," once more delivers in the role that has defined his career - especially in the movie's powerful ending.

What Coogler did with "Creed" was special: taking a beloved franchise like "Rocky" and reshaping it for a new generation. But Caple took on an even riskier assignment by doing the sequel. Thankfully he succeeded, and he did it by focusing on the characters and not the legend of the intellectual property

Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

The core of the story is still good

[8/10 · 20 November 2018]

I'll be honest before watching the movie I had a doubt that if too much branding will ruin the movie or what, but after watching it, all my doubts went away and I've came to the conclusion that the core of the story is still good.

With its references to multiple websites from Amazon to YouTube, the movie brings us the myriad highlights embedded in the internet. We even get the shady side of things with pop-up ads and viruses. You may want to get every reference on screen as you watch the movie, but the animators pack so many scenes with Disney characters and homages, you won't catch them all. That's also due to watching the story unfold. Ralph and Vanellope are fish out of water when in the internet. Seeing them find their way through the confusing world makes for a pleasant but not exceptional story. Giving both Ralph and Vanellope some fears and dreams helps amp up the emotional side of things, leading to Vanellope, after meeting the Disney princesses, singing what every Disney princess sings: a princess "dream" song about what she really wants.

The voice work in this movie is outstanding. Reilly and Silverman deliver their character's emotional undercurrents. Gal Gadot as the leader of the racing gang in Slaughter Race and Taraji P. Henson as the talent expert fit perfectly with their characters. A multitude of actors and YouTube stars get their moments in this movie. It all makes Ralph Breaks the Internet an engaging story that has fun with its premise.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

Entirely capitivating and leaves us begging for more

[9/10 · 11 November 2018]

The second installment of Fantastic Beasts, titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald picks up shortly after the first where Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) has been captured and is being taken transferred back to the British Ministry of Magic when he manages to escape and take over the carriage in which he is being transported. As the opening scene, this sets the visual standards for the film extremely high. As they are hurdling in the sky on a carriage in a thunderstorm, the tension and excitement build setting the stage for a fantastic film.

Newt (Eddie Redmayne) is back at his home, tending to his collection of beasts when he is approached by Dumbledore (Jude Law) to help track down Credence (Ezra Miller). Credence, after the first film, has spent time searching for his mother and who his real family is. He is lost, and alongside Nagini (Claudia Kim), he's searching for a place to belong. With Grindelwald on the loose, Credence is surely his next target for recruitment into his following which seeks to take the superior status over no mags/ muggles and restore pure blood to the wizarding world. Racing against Grindelwald to find Credence, auror, Tina (Katherine Waterston) manages to track down a lead. As Grindelwald works his magic and charisma to convince the wizarding world of his beliefs and goals, friend turns against friend, lines are drawn, and sides are chosen, changing the wizarding world forever.

Tackling the infamous wizarding world is no small challenge, but the visuals in this film are nothing short of magical. They work so well to create the perfect atmosphere for our story. From the opening scene to the very end, the visuals bring about an enchanting experience for the audience. I can't get into details without spoiling the ending, but man is it intense. Newt continues to his love and protection of magical creatures in this film, and each one is so spectacularly crafted. The scenes where he is home and taking care of the various creatures is incredible.

In this installment, we get a bit more of the backstory of a lot of characters including Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Newt, Leta, and Newt's brother, Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner). The way in which it is handled is exciting; as the film unfolds, we learn more secrets of the families of the wizarding world and gives us more perspective on the origins of our beloved characters of the Harry Potter series.

The performances in the film are pitch perfect. Eddie Redmayne continues to stun as Newt Scamander. His gentle, awkward, kind, and loyal nature continue to shine through his character, making you fall in love with his character more each minute. Katherine Waterston, while a decent performance, tends to fall a little flat for me. Jude Law as Dumbledore sounded like a strange casting choice, but after seeing the film, it works so well. Ezra Miller gets better and better every time I see him on screen. No matter what he is doing, he wholly dedicates to a role to bring us the best possible version. As Credence, you feel both empathy and fear for him as he tries to navigate what his life has become at no fault of his own. Zoë Kravitz as Leta is pretty fantastic, and I love where they go with her character in the film.

The big question on everyone's mind is how is Johnny Depp? Despite anyone's personal feelings towards him as an actor, it can't be denied that he dives into and disappears in every role he tackles. Grindelwald is no different. He becomes a terrifying, intoxicating, and charismatic leader, hell-bent on manipulating the world to his liking. There are scenes where he will enchant you into almost believing him and the next, he will terrify and appall you.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald takes the first installment and improves upon it tenfold. In the film, we see a strict division in the wizarding world that is sure to shape the characters in a new way come the next installment. This film is darker, more magical, and more thrilling than the first. It starts big and ends with a bang, sure to delight Harry Potter fans the world over. It is all that we loved about Harry Potter and more, bringing the excitement back to the wizarding world once again. There are tons of little nods to the fans of the original Harry Potter that are hidden in the film, solidifying that this story is indeed what will shape the world we know and love. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is entirely captivating and leaves us begging for more.