288. Web-series Reviews – 121

More web-series reviews…

Lust Stories 2 – Came out in 2023.  Four eminent Indian directors explore sex, desire and love through short films in this sequel to 2018's Emmy-nominated "Lust Stories".

A review from IMDB...

Thoughts summed up: Lust Stories 2 is a subpar anthology that'll only be remembered for Konkona Sen Sharma's standout segment. The rest are largely forgettable, leaving little in the way of impact.

Made for Each Other (R Balki): An ad-level concept stretched and squeezed all the way but nothing really stands out here. Neena Gupta's granny role sounded interesting at first, but quickly gets preachy and intolerable after a point (rockstar, my foot!). The ending is.. well, just an ending.

The Mirror (Konkona Sen Sharma): Stunner! Not only is the voyeur concept refreshingly presented, this segment also has the best payoff. Both Tillotama Shome and Amrutha Subhash are excellent in their respective roles. The scenes where the ladies lose their cool and their eventual reconciliation were remarkably directed.

Sex with Ex (Sujoy Ghosh): Apart from Tamannaah's unfiltered beauty, there isn't much to relish here. The story is a mess, the CGI countryside is an even bigger mess, and the climactic twist was seen coming 72 miles away.

Tilchatta (Amit Ravindernath Sharma): The plot is as old as it gets. Did this segment really need someone the calibre of Kajol? The twist at the end was fascinating (yet sad), and I think this should have swapped positions with Konkona's segment.

My Take – An ok series.

 

Catching Killers – First season came out in 2021 and the third in 2023.  The investigators behind infamous serial killer cases reveal the harrowing, chilling details of their extraordinary efforts in this true crime series.

A total of 12 episodes so far, 4 in every season.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

For something presented as a Netflix original documentary series, this series was surprising in just how bland and ordinary it was.

Each episode is around 40ish minutes, about enough for a 1 hour TV episode with commercials. The contents are in no way insightful or interesting in any way that would justify being specially made as its own Netflix series. Nothing in any of these episodes would stand out lodged in a series like Forensic Files or some other broad, generic true crime series on some backwater true crime channel with 3 or 4 digits in its channel number on cable services.

Most of the episodes as well seem to not even really be focused on actually touching on the actual casework or investigating or even trials involved. The first episode, for instance, on the Green River Killer spends about 10-15 minutes on the beginnings of the case, finding bodies, chasing down dead-end leads and so on. They find a suspicious guy, Gary Ridgeway, question him, take a DNA sample, let him go.

Then it just skips ahead however many years it took before the DNA sample they'd collected could confirm him as the killer. Then they have some random small clips of him talking and confessing, the detectives reminisce very generically, then it just ends.

The next episode on Aileen Wuornos is just like this as well; they focus a bit on the murky beginnings of the case, then on just one moment, then suddenly they've got the killer and locked them up and the case is solved.

None of the episodes goes into any specific detail of any specific aspect of the case, whether it be forensics, DNA analyses, interrogations, witness questionings, or the trial itself. They just very broadly and lightly touch on three or four of the aspects of the case, giving us the so-called "cliff notes" version of each case.

Except in the same amount of time, so much more could have been done if they'd just focused on one particular aspect of the case. Given an extra 20-40 minutes, they could've gone into more detail altogether and actually made it compelling.

If you want to learn about the cases discussed here, you can find much better and more informative documentaries elsewhere. This series essentially has no reason to exist. 

My Take – Even though a bit bland, some episodes are good.

 

Rafuchakkar – Came out in 2023. A twisted story of Pawan Kumar aka Prince who is accused of carrying out bizarre scams from diet biscuits to low-cost airlines. A man of many shades, is he a swindler or just an honest man tangled in the web spun around him?

One of the rveiews from Times of India...

Story: The show chronicles the journey of Pawan Kumar Bawariya (Maniesh Paul), a simpleton suspected of being a con man. Unexpectedly, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is arrested and becomes embroiled in a legal battle. Is he truly guilty, or just a victim trapped in a complex web of lies that unfolds during the course of courtroom drama?

Review: 'Rafuchakkar' takes viewers on a thrilling journey with Pawan Kumar Bawaria, alias Prince, a con artist from Nanital. Pawan finds himself in court after being arrested by Crime Branch officer Shaurya Chautala (Aksha Pardasany) for impersonating and cheating prominent citizen Savesh Pathania (Sushant Singh). The series delves into the intricate layers of human nature as well as the conman's art of manipulation.

Ritam Shrivastava, previously helmed a true-life drama 'Raktanchal,' has created a drama that delves into the complexities of human nature and the art of deception. While the basic premise of men cheating rich women is not new, the layered narrative and skilled storytelling make it an enthralling watch.

The screenplay is well-paced, with each episode lasting 30-40 minutes, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the story's conclusion. The use of flashbacks to highlight Pawan's exploits prior to his arrest adds dimension to the story and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. While the dialogue, especially in the courtroom, could have used a more serious tone, the series maintains an intriguing mix of suspense and thrilling courtroom drama.

Maniesh Paul shines in his OTT debut as Pawan, infusing the character with charm and mischief. His wit and likability make Pawan a captivating protagonist. Priya Bapat, who previously appeared in ‘City of Dreams,’ delivers a ferocious performance as rival lawyer Ritu Bhandari, enhancing the intensity of the courtroom drama. Jaidev, Pawan's buddy and lawyer, is played convincingly by Akash Dahiya. While Aksha Pardarshini (previously seen in Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega and Kathmandu Connection) shines as crime branch officer Shaurya Chautala, her character arc should have been expanded. Sushant Singh's portrayal of Savesh Pathania, intricately connected to Pawan's world, brings power and depth to the whole story.

All said, ‘Rafuchakkar’ is hardly a novel premise, but it is an interesting blend of suspense and gripping courtroom drama that offers an intriguing watch from start to finish.

My Take – An ok watch

Cheers till next time😊!!