Shed any prejudices you might have against the Bollywood genre: “Naam Shabana” is as good as it gets in the outstandingly juicy “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” or vandalized category; in league with two of my favorites, “Kahaani” (2012) and the superlative “Ek Hasina Thi” (2004), director Shivam Nair scores sensationally with this thriller, starring overwhelming talented …
Read More »BADRINATH KI DULHANIA (BADRINATH’S BRIDE) HINDI: ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Dimpled Alia Bhatt (“Vaidehi”) has matured in stature, encompassing the inimitable talents of her parents, Soni Razdan and Mahesh Bhatt; “Highway”, “Kapoor & Sons”, “Dear Zindagi” and now as the “Bride” of “Badri” (Varun Bhawan) she soars as a confident woman, controlling her own destiny. Director Shashank Khaitan reunites Bhatt and Bhawan after 2014’s successful “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania”. In …
Read More »COMMANDO 2: THE BLACK MARKET MONEY TRAIL (HINDI: ENGLISH SUBTITLES)
If in the mood for beauty, brawn, exhilarating action, look no further than this Bollywood extravaganza; more twists than a F-scale tornado, Director Deven Bhojani uses martial artist, model and present day action guru, Vidyut Jammwal (Captain Dogra) as the hero of this spinning, at times nonsensical, parody of righteousness prevailing, regardless of the brilliant, nefarious outlaws. “Vicky Chaddha” is …
Read More »JOLLY LLB 2 (HINDI: ENGLISH SUBTITLES)
With the passage of time Bollywood’s versatile actor Akshay Kumar has grown in stature, as a remarkably gifted force in the genre; his serious roles surpass, in my estimation, the comedic sojourns, “Airlift” and “Rustom” are superlative studies of a man challenged, besting superhuman obstacles. Director Subhash Kapoor in “Jolly LLB 2 ” allows Kumar (Jolly) to spread his proficient …
Read More »KAABIL (CAPABLE) (HINDI: ENGLISH SUBTITLES)
Bollywood stars Hirthik Roshan and Yami Guatam give blazing performances as a couple, blind from birth; no stigma or angst is exhibited by their lack of sight; their romance is imbued with all the attributes of young love and fascination; “Su” is a pianist in a dance school, “Rohan” surprises her with a visit, resulting in one of the pre-eminent …
Read More »Peneflix Annual Academy Awards Contest Returns!!
Get ready to make your predictions for this year’s Peneflix Annual Academy Awards Contest and win!! This year if you beat the predictions of Peneflix.com you can win $150! Keep your eyes out for the announcement of this year’s contest. Posting Soon!!
Read More »RAEES (HINDI:ENGLISH SUBTITLES)
At fifty-one, Shah Rukh Khan is incandescently comfortable in his role as “King Khan”, his recent films have shown the breath of his talent and understanding of the human condition: subtly sensational as a physiatrist in “Dear Zindagi”, mesmerizing in a dual role as stalker/star in “Fan”; riveting as a good-hearted bootlegger, “Raees” in Gujarat, India; a state that adheres …
Read More »OK JAANU (OK DARLING) HINDI:ENGLISH SUBTITLES
A romantic slice of reality from director Shaad Ali, referencing a remake of 2015’s Tamil “O Kadhal Kanmani”; starring Aditya Roy Kapur as “Adi” a nascent video artist and Shraddha Kapoor as “Tara” an architectural student aspiring to study in Paris. Pulsating between Bollywood’s ubiquitous dance sequences (score by A.R. Rahman) lies a contemporary conundrum: young men and women of …
Read More »74TH GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS MINI RUMINATIONS
“La La Land” provided fabulous fodder for Jimmy Fallons’s star-infused, opening number; redemptive program, erasing last years’ deadly dud! Acceptance awards by the winners were gracious, heartfelt and in some cases inspirational: Viola Davis wins the highest plaudits for her stunning, humble acknowledgment of her win as the Best Supporting Actress (“Fences”); Ryan Gosling’s (Best Actor Comedy/Musical) tribute to his …
Read More »STARS & FLOPS OF 2016
Being somewhat selective, many films are beyond my pay grade: neck- slurping horror genre, hibernation/rejuvenation sagas, tales from the crypt. Here are the highlights and no lights of 2016. WINNERS:"EYE IN THE SKY""ZOOTOPIA""MIDNIGHT SPECIAL""KRISHA""THE JUNGLE BOOK""SING STREET""THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY""HELL OR HIGH WATER""KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS""LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP""CIEN ANOS DE PERDON""SULLY""A MAN CALLED OVE""M. S. DHONI: THE UNTOLD …
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