A month or so ago, I saw the teaser for the Tamil film VIP 2 with Dhanush and I was super excited that he was doing a film with Kajol. This is her first return to Tamil films in 20 years, and it was great to see a woman in the kind of antagonist role that usually goes to a man in Indian cinema, like Sonu Sood et al.

Commenters on Youtube urged me to see the first film VIP before going to the sequel, and I

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In anticipation of Dhahush’s upcoming VIP 2, I took the first VIP movie with me on my recent vacation to watch. Dhanush is such a good actor! The title VIP is shortened from Velaiilla Pattadhari (English: Unemployed Graduate)

There’s an adorable romance with Amala Paul who moves in to the house next door. She sees a lot to admire in this unemployed young man, and can’t help but be witness to all his struggles next door, and family drama. They have great chemistry together.

Dhanush is fantastic in the couple of action scenes, and a really good dancer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzghzLZWnwk

I loved the crazy action, but especially the intense family drama between Mohanlal and Thalikan, who plays his stern father. Devasuram is still my favorite Mohanlal film, but this one is right up there.

The film is also readily available on Youtube. Check out how crazy the first 10 minutes of the film are. The viewer is just dropped into the action, with no initial clue as to who Mohanlal is fighting or why.

https://youtu.be/xRsE5QL5ASk

I was traveling overseas on vacation and the M.S. Dhoni movie starring Sushant Singh Rajput was one of the “international” choices on the plane movie entertainment system. So, I took a chance on it. I know nothing about cricket — only as much as you pick up watching Lagaan. I knew nothing about Dhoni either — only had heard his name.

The first half of the film with the story of Dhoni’s childhood and early days trying to work up to the big leagues I found very compelling. The two romances in the film were also very well done.

fter I watched the movie, I read about how many months Sushant spent working with cricket coaches to perfect the signature Dhoni swing. I can’t speak to how well he embodied Dhoni since I haven’t ever watched the real man play, but he did a good job acting the part.

The second half of the film just fell apart for me. It was sixer after sixer in a highlight reel of games that didn’t mean anything to me. I suppose they were important. Margaret of Don’t Call It Bollywood shared with me that she saw this film in a theater crowded with Dhoni fans who anticipated every big moment, and even change of jersey colors. I was watching it alone on a plane, so I didn’t have that to give me any sense of dramatic tension.

https://youtu.be/r9QQ5uATFRw

I unabashedly adored this romantic comedy with heart!! This is my favorite rom com in years!

I was worried the film wouldn’t live up to my hightened expectations — the trailer is so amusing, but I shouldn’t have worried. I loved it!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xldCqTE0mbM

The comedy in this one is just fantastic. Loved the smaller scale to the story, and Tom Holland was great. As my son said, "Michael Keaton came to work." He's come full circle from Batman to Birdman to Vulture. One of the best villains in years.

I went to see this Telugu film, Ninnu Kori (Wanting You) with Margaret of Don’t Call It Bollywood, going in knowing nothing. Margaret had heard it was a good Rom Com, so I took a chance. It was a delightful Telugu Rom Com with great chemistry between the leads Nani and Niveda Thomas.

Great dancing by Nani! Some very funny dialogues, too.

Video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg2ukiwIErg

I unabashedly adore Edgar Wright. His Cornetto trilogy starting with Shaun of the Dead are so hilarious = the second, Hot Fuzz is one of my favorite films of all time. And the brilliance that is Scott Pilgrim!

So, when I saw this trailer for Baby Driver, my anticipations was at a fever pitch. It is fantastic. Not laugh out loud guffaws like I had in Hot Fuzz, but oh, so clever. I’m no Fast and Furious type of girl, but the driving is simply amazing. I’ve read that it surpasses some of the Fast and Furious movies.


Full review here: https://moviemavengal.com/2017/07/01/baby-driver-fantastic-fun-action-flick-with-heart/

My first Allu Arjun film on the big screen, and he was great. DJ is a very entertaining film, both a comedy and action film. Allu Arjun's grace as a dancer makes for very acrobatic action scenes that look super cool.

Allu Arjun's DJ is both a priest/caterer AND a vigilante. This is a bloodthirsty film, not for young kids, although there were plenty in the audience of my theater. There are quite a few impalings, but what's blurred for the censors is a crotch shot of Pooja Hegde coming out of a swimming pool in a one piece bathing suit. I wasn't impressed with Pooja Hegde in Mohenjo Daro, but she was quite good in DJ. She has good chemistry with Allu Arjun, and I loved the way she puts him back on his heels by kissing him on the cheek in public.

I didn’t like this film quite as much as Arya 2, but it’s very fun and entertaining. The romance track isn’t the main thrust of the film — the vigilante action is the main story line.

Full review here: moviemavengal.com/2017/06/27/spoiler-free-review-of-the-very-entertaining-dj-with-allu-arjun/