Aquaman

This sequel of the DC universe tells us how Arthur Curry finally comes to terms with his destiny and becomes the ocean master by earning Atlan's trident. Though the DC guys never get the oomph right as the Marvel universe does, this movie will still keep you engaged. This does in no way reduce the oomph oozing out with Jason Momoa and Amber Heard sharing screen space, because if I remember right, none of the fellow movie patrons bought any hot beverages during intermission because there was too much heat on screen already!

Thugs of Hindostan

The only thing good about Thugs of Hindostan is the poster! Everything goes downhill from there.

Andhadhun

The life of a "blind" pianist turns upside down when he witnesses a murder. I have always considered emotional drama the most difficult to picturize closely followed by satire. This movie falls in the latter genre and is a class apart in that! The delivery of dark comedy is impeccable on this one, whether it be the direction, screenplay or the acting skills. There are more twists in the plot than a carpenter's screw and it will keep you engaged throughout the length of the movie. This is a do not miss masterpiece!

Sui Dhaaga

The story of how a small town guy with tailoring skills and his supportive wife overcome all odds to set up their own designer brand and company. This movie highlights how the informal infrastructure and lack of education makes it tough for rural artisans to make a mark in mainstream commercial space. It is a pleasant surprise that this movie is a good watch with two non actors in the lead role doing just right, with good support from Raghubir Yadav. The fact that it has not been unnecessarily stretched to the 3 hour standard-Bollywood movie length also helps. Go watch it.

Johnny English Strikes Again

When a cyber attack compromises all on-field agents, Britain's intelligence services are forced to recall the one and only Johnny English to save the day. One of the pioneers of slapstick, next only to Chaplin, Rowan Atkinson tickles your funny bone in this one. This movie is filled with loads of absolute mindless nonsense that it is hilarious. Go have a laugh.

Equalizer 2

McCall continues to use his special set of skills to help people in distress until his friend Susan is murdered in cold blood. Then the demon in the assassin is woken up with its thirst for revenge and McCall goes on the hunt for the perpetrators. As in the first movie, the intense raw action delivered by Denzel with his expressionless and ruthless demeanour wows you. But does it wow you as much as it did when you watched the first edition? Well, no. The makers of this sequel somehow started it off with the same tempo, but finished it off in a hurry. But you can go watch it for Denzel.

Mission Impossible : Fallout

The decision to leave Solomon Lane alive comes back to bite Ethan Hunt and his team in the butt. The team joins hands with the CIA to track down Lane's Apostles who are bound to misuse fissile material which they lay their hands on. It is pretty difficult to keep making successful sequels, but this franchise seems to have cracked it again. I generally don't think twice about movies produced by JJ Abrams and my decision was redeemed in this case too. With spine tingling action that will keep you glued to the edge of your seats, this is a must match! The team of Cruise, Fergusson, Rhames and Pegg is lent some extra muscle by Henry Cavill in this edition with Sean Harris at his villainous best and Vanessa Kirby landing straight from The Crown onto the sets of MI6. Should you choose to accept the mission, please go buy your tix

Ant-Man and the Wasp

What a brilliant movie! Brilliant continuation from the earlier Avengers and Ant-Man series and a prequel to the next with the after credits scene giving you goosebumps. Each one of the cast has been a standout, especially Michael Pena getting you knotted in laughter! This is a MUST WATCH, emphasis on the must! 

Kaala

(Rajni’s review of my watching his film) – This movie is one fight scene filled with awesomeness and a couple of songs with the signature Thalaiva ishtyle surrounded by two hours of stereotypical useless static. As for the quintessential question, the answer is Kabali was better than this one; Thalaiva wouldn’t mind because Kabali is Rajni again. I watched this movie for one reason only. I do not know for how long Rajni is going to act and how many more times we will get to see the phenom with his signature moves on the silver screen. If you are of the high intellectual artistic movie types, please don’t watch it and crib. The movie does not require you. If you want to watch it purely for Thalaiva, then go ahead. The tickets will buy you.

Paramanu : the story of Pokhran

The story of how a perseverant scientist and his team withstood the state bureaucracy, the big brother clampdown approach of the US, the moles of the Paki ISI and any other hurdle thrown in their path to conduct a nuclear test, which put India on the same pedestal as other nuclear powers. Though there are so many apprehensions on John Abraham's acting prowess, when the man doesn't overact and does just what is necessary, the outcome is pleasantly nice. After Madras Cafe, this I feel is his next redemption. The movie also makes your heart swell with pride if you are an Indian by origin, which feat can be accomplished only if the story is told well. Abhishek Sharma has done a good job with that one. Do watch it. 

Solo: A Star Wars Story

This movie is about the origins of Han Solo and how he gets onto the path of being an outlaw pilot with proximity to smugglers as also his meeting with the wookie Chewbacca, who becomes his confidante. Picking out a character from a major established franchise and producing an independent movie on it is always a gamble. This does pan out to be a popcorn watch. If you are a hardcore Star Wars fan and is one with the force, go watch it. Else wait for it to pop up on Netflix.

Deadpool 2

Deadpool is bent on killing himself when Copycat is killed by a thug and she is left dying in his arms. He however finds himself a mission in a young mutant who is being hunted by a cybernetic soldier from the future named Cable. He joins hands with other mutants to save the kid. This movie pulls the strings of many a actor and film that has been released and will leave you in splits if you are slightly screwed in the head, with a sarcastic sense of humour and slightly less than bat shit crazy. If you are bat shit crazy, you need to be in the movie! Go watch it if you already haven't.

Raazi

The story of a girl whose life as a student in Delhi University suddenly turns turtle whens she is pushed by her dad into the dark world of spydom. This is a brilliant adaptation of the novel Calling Sehmat, which itself is inspired by true events. This movie portrays how when people decide to decimate each other, feelings, emotions, relations and morals go right out the window to make way for malice and ruthlessness. In any war, the victory is always supported by solid intelligence input, which however comes at a great cost. Alia Bhat, who I feel is one of the very few powerhouses of talent among the young actors of Bollywood, has shown her prowess again. Go watch it if you already haven't

Blackmail

Dev whose marriage doesn't seem to be going anywhere realizes that his wife is cheating on him, but instead of confronting her, he decides to make some dough out of the whole situation. But he doesn't realise the chain of events he unleashes until it is too late. Where every character in this dark comedy is an antagonist, the string of blackmails is so long that it will leave you wanting to blackmail the ticket money out of the person sitting next to you! This one is a good popcorn watch.

Movie Marathon 7: Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill ascended to the hot seat of Prime Minister when Britain was in its darkest hour, at the pinnacle of World War II and when the fuhrer was knocking on it's doors. But to take on a power hungry, psychopathic lunatic you sometimes require an insufferable, obnoxious and blunt madman like Churchill. Both Wright and Oldman did a fantastic job of capturing the minutiae of Churchill's mannerisms, speech and general disposition in this one. A real good watch. 

Movie Marathon 6: The Shape of Water

A mute sweeper at a classified Government facility develops a romantic bond with an alien creature that the facility hosts. This movie plays right out of the 1960s musical reels with commendable performances from Hawkins and Shannon. Also, the humour thrown in by Spencer and Jenkins is guaranteed to tickle your funnybone. Would I recommend this movie, yes. Do I think it deserves the best movie award, no. Probably the romance of the 60s got to the Academy. What stands out for me though is the brilliant mute dialogue by Hawkin's to Jenkin's character on why the creature should be saved, which I found was truly deep with a strong message therein. 

Movie Marathon 5: Red Sparrow

Dominika's days as a ballerina come to an abrupt end after an onstage injury. She is lost as to her future when her uncle steps in and inducts her to the Red Sparrow school which trains young intelligence agent prospects. She's sent on a dangerous assignment where her paths cross with a CIA agent who gains her confidence, after which her world turns upside down. With an established cast of J Law, Edgerton and Irons this movie is a fast paced one. The twist at the end is however worth the two and a half hour wait. 

Movie Marathon 4: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

When Mildred Hayes is not served justice in her daughter's rape and death case, she goes on the offensive by hiring three billboards outside town targeting the laxity of the town's sherriff. This turns into a full confrontation with the town's police force. This is a two hour saga of emotions very well directed by Martin McDonagh with the protagonist portrayed without fault by Frances McDormand. But for me, Sam Rockwell rocked it out of the park as the slightly dumb small town sherriff's deputy who is very hot tempered but ultimately a good man at heart. This is a must watch! 

Movie Marathon 3 : Ladybird

This is the story of any teenager in the late 1990s or early 2000s trying to come to terms with their physical and mental needs and beliefs and understanding about society and life in general. Soarsie Ronan plays the role of the teen Christine "Ladybird" McPherson with heart and Greta Gerwig does well with her direction. But why the movie deserves 5 nominations? Well, your guess is as good as mine. 

Movie Marathon 2 : Death Wish

When a doctor who abides by all laws is struck with a tragedy where his family is attacked in their home and is left wanting for justice, he turns vigilante. Well in today's gun misuse scenario in the US, this plot is very current. However, with the story pretty much the clichéd revenge theme, you may catch it if you have time in between your Oscar movie schedules. P.S - People just don't understand that they should stop ****ing with John McClane ;) 

Movie marathon 1 : Black Panther

Continued from Civil War where King T'chaka of Wakanda is killed, his son Prince T'challa returns to his country to be crowned king. However, he has to contend with a ghost from the past that challenges his claim to the throne. Well Marvel never fails to amaze and this part has a lot of dark complexioned oomph and glam which will leave you wonderstruck!