Seshadri's Musings

More web-series reviews… Astrid et Raphaelle – Running from 2019. Astrid Nielsen, an autistic woman, works in the archives of the judicial police. She has an incredible memory, so she is very useful in analyzing the files for ongoing investigations. A district commander, having noticed Astrid's ability, decides to use it to the fullest, entrusting her with very complex investigations which have remained unsolved to date. In addition, also to reciprocate, she will try to help Astrid on the behavioral side, in order to provide mutual help. A review from IMDb... The most amazing thing about this show is the portrayal of autism, in the character Astrid. It's an astoundingly convincing performance, and an astoundingly convincing script. Everyone must fall in love with Astrid, with her simplicity, her vulnerability, and her persistence in the face of tremendous challenges. She captures the innocence and joy of a child as an adult. Around this character is an ongoing lov...

More web-series reviews… Dark Winds – 3rd season came in 2025. Follows Leaphorn and Chee, two Navajo police officers in the 1970s Southwest that are forced to challenge their own spiritual beliefs when they search for clues in a double murder case. A review from IMDb... If you're looking for a series that captures the essence of breathtaking storytelling, look no further than "Dark Winds" on AMC. This show truly stands out as a near-perfect adaptation, brilliantly translating the gripping narratives from the page to the screen. The writing is exceptional, skillfully weaving an intricate tapestry of suspense, culture, and emotion that keeps you hooked from the first episode to the last. The cast delivers an unforgettable performance, breathing life into their characters with an authenticity and depth that's rare in today's television landscape. Each actor embodies their role with precision, adding layer...

More web-series reviews… Spy High – Came in 2025. Documentary. A teen's life is upended when his school accuses him of dealing drugs using a photo from his bedroom. His family's lawsuit reveals a shocking scandal that sparks FBI involvement and raises alarming questions about student privacy. A review from IMDB... Spy High: When Laptops Become Snitches and Privacy Takes a Sick Day Spy High, the docuseries that's like *The Office* meets *Black Mirror*-if Michael Scott accidentally activated a surveillance state in a Philly suburb. Directed by Jody McVeigh-Schultz and backed by Mark Wahlberg's Unrealistic Ideas (a name that's either ironic or prophetic), revisits a 2010 scandal where a school-issued MacBook turned into Big Brother's favorite toy. Imagine being 15, accused of drug dealing because your school remotely snapped a pic of you in your bedroom. Blake Robbins' saga starts here, blending teenage angst with Orwellian vibes. The series nails th...

More web-series reviews… This City is Ours – Came in 2025. Michael, a longtime member of organized crime, falls in love with Diana, prompting him to reevaluate his life and contemplate a future beyond his criminal activities. His newfound love becomes both a motivation and a potential liability. A review from IMDB... Scouse Macbeth stapled to Scouse The Godfather, but really good. I'll cut to the chase: I don't know why so few people have realised it, but this series is a (very loose) adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. It's so loose that after 8 hours we're basically up to the end of act 2, but it's still Macbeth in spirit. My guess is that the series' creator Stephen Butchard originally wrote an adaptation of Macbeth set in his native Liverpool, but somewhere along the line it got expanded into a whole epic drama about Scouse gangsters and their families. And you know what? It's all the better for that. Lots of people have done mode...

More web-series reviews… Number one on the Call Sheet – Came in 2025. A documentary. Intimate interviews with top Black Hollywood actors reveal career challenges, achievements, life-changing moments, and success stories. They honor legends while reflecting on the next generation's potential. A review from Times of India... ‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ brings together Hollywood’s most influential Black artists for a compelling exploration of their journeys. Featuring interviews with legends like Denzel Washington, Daniel Kaluuya, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, and Alfre Woodard, this documentary delves into their struggles and triumphs in an industry historically dominated by white actors. Divided into two feature-length episodes, one focusing on male actors and the other on female actors, the film sheds light on their rise from the bottom of the call sheet to the coveted top spot—reserved for the lead performer and often the highest-paid talent on set. Their stories embody ...

Sholay was released on 15 th August 1975.   From 30 th May to 15 th August, the Film trade magazine had an ad depicting one character from Sholay each week!!   And the final ad depicted the entire cast of the movie!! Sholay was the first movie to be released in 70mm in India.   During the premier, the 70mm print had still not reached the theatre as some bureaucrat sat on the print because has had not been given due importance!! The print was developed in London and was sent from there.   Sippys had to speak to the then Information & Broadcasting minister to get the prints out.   The initial premier was seen on 35mm print and the 70mm print was seen by very few people late at night.   Prakash Mehra was one of the viewers.   After watching the movie, he cursed himself as to why he had let go of this film!! Initially reports came in that unprecedented crowd was witnessed all across Bombay for the movie and they had not seen such a rush since Mugh...