359. Web-series Reviews – 174

More web-series reviews…

Adv Achinta Aich – Came out in 2024.  Bengali series.  Shocking murder with multiple eyewitnesses. Sole suspect in the apparent open-and-shut case hires Achinta Aich, a notary lawyer with limited resources. Achinta's pursuit of justice exposes a web of secrets and sins concealing the truth.

A review from IMDB...

Adv. Achinta Aich (2024): the new Bengali so-called Courtroom Drama does not seem to be that much impressive. The story line is no doubt good. But the biting reality is unlike the famous courtroom dramas of Bollywood, the Bengali legal drama has never been that much successful. This one is no exception. The movie seems to follow the pattern of the Hindi courtroom dramas particularly the "Criminal Justice" Web Series starring Pankaj Trpathi and Manoj Bajpayee starrer" Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai" to a significant extent. However, unlike "Criminal Justice" or" Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai" Web Series, Adv. Achinta Aich (2024) has drastically failed to impact that much which becomes evident after watching this Web Series Plot- The Plot of the Movie better falls in the category of Crime Thriller and Police Investigation more than a Courtroom Drama. The Movie begins with a boring scene of debate over ownership of a goat which is utterly objectionable. This is humiliating to the dignity of the Indian legal system. No doubt, the logic behind such objectionable content is to depict that Achinta Aich is not a competent lawyer. But this could have been depicted in a different manner. Does a movie maker have right to defame Indian judiciary for the sake of narrative of film? Is this a sensible approach? The writer framing a theme and presenting the entire affair of the Movie as a legal battle between two criminal lawyers needs to maintain the minimum dignity of the judicial process.

The movie revolves round convicting a murder case. A person dies as the Movie begins. The initial investigation and statements of the eye witness confirm the perpetrator just after the murder. The narrative goes on as the endeavours keep going by the lawyers to prove the guilty and the innocent. Rather the movie is mainly about the initiatives of the Defence lawyer to prove that the widow of the deceased person is innocent against the whim that she has been already identified criminal by the family members of the deceased and the police. But ultimately advocate representing the Defence prove the innocent and the judgment comes in her favour. The movie ends with the court judgment against the real culprits and an order to reopen another murder case happened 27 years ago. Although, there are certain twists in the course of the Movie, but its ending is quite stereotypical. However, the finishing of the court proceeding is dull and mere repetition

Characterization -

Saswata Chatterjee's performance looks monotonous here. It seems that the famous actor has become a type character. The shade of the role of Police Officer is obvious in the role of lawyer which is never expected from an actor of his status. The Web Series and the role played by Saswata prove that he is yet to attain versatility to perform in different types of roles.

Ritwick Chakraborty- The actor has performed really well in this Web Series. But his acting seems to be impacted by his Detective thriller "Gora". Ritwick has failed to break his Gora image.

Surangana Bandyopadhyay: The actress has done well in the role of the widow portrayed as the murderer of her husband. The simplicity that the character needs to do justice with the role is there. But the Web Series show that she is yet to evolve to perform in challenging characters with multi-dimensional potentiality.

Other Characters are not highlighted with that much importance. Similarly, there are some unnecessary characters in the Movie.

Remarks- You may watch this. But there is doubt whether you like it. The Movie is stereotypical considering different dimensions.

My Take – An ok watch!

 

Shogun – Came out in 2024.  Set in the 17th Century, the story is told from the perspective of British hero John Blackthorne, a sailor who rises from outsider to samurai, while being used as a pawn in Japanese leader Toranaga's struggle to reach the top of the ruling chain, or Shogun.

A review from IMDB...

This is stunning television. The costumes, the sets, the historic period acting are all phenomenal. This show simply oozes dedication to detail and money. So with just two episodes in I can say that this will hook you almost immediately and for fans of Japan and its ancient culture it is almost a must-see.

Knowing the book the casting is near pitch-perfect or at least close enough to it. Maybe Lady Mariko doesn't look as I imagined her from the book but the actress still delivers a good performance and I am deeply appreciative of this show for making a worthy effort to depict the vast and intricate world of James Clavell's masterful historic novel.

However, maybe the book is too big to fit into the confined space of a TV series. For obvious reasons the showrunners had to rush through so much that is explained and described in detail in the book. In order to do the book justice it would have taken almost two seasons of television to show the story of John Blackthorne before he even reaches Osaka. Much of the underlying conflicts and the delicate web of diplomacy and intrigue the main characters have to navigate are cut short in the TV show. There also is a weird shift in perspective which strays from the book. Whereas the involvement of Portuguese foreigners in the politics of early 17th century Japan is treated as just another aspect in a mostly internal Japanese power struggle, the TV show almost sets the Portuguese up as the main antagonists of the show during its first two episodes. I hope the shows swings back to the Japan-centric story it is meant to be.

Bottom line: This is great television but I recommend reading the book eventually.

My Take – A good watch!

 

The Asunta Case – Came out in 2024.  In September 2013, the news and newspapers shocked us with a horrifying and highly publicized case. Asunta Basterra (originally Fang Yong), a 12-year-old girl of Chinese origin, had disappeared, although 24 hours later it was learned that she had really been murdered. Her body was found on a forest track near the family's country house.

A review from IMDB...

Great true crimes series!

With deep characters that generate a lot of interest, the cast is excellent!. The one who stands out above all of them is the wonderful and in Spain well-known actress Candela Peña, in the role of the unstable mother. It is is worth watching just to see her in the role of Rosario Porto. And of course I must also mention the role of Tristán Ulloa, really great in the role of the father, Alfonso Basterra.

The series does not invent anything and it is very well detailed, it is very intriguing and there is a lot of tension. Really gripping. This is a case that filled hours of discussions and that shocked Spanish society, the terrifying and tragic murder of Asunta. What really happened the night she disappeared?

The Judge Malvar, played by the great actor Javier Gutiérrez, is very obsessed with having the winning hand. Without caring if along the way he exposes those prosecuted to a process without all the guarantees. His attitude reaches the point that leads us to wonder if all judges are like that, and if victory and the desire to win are the only things that matter.

Another interesting thing is the media's role in this entire mess. Whether or not you believe the outcome of this case, we cannot deny the role of the media sensationalizing this horrible case, which, at its core, is of a young girl's tragic murder. It definitely makes you think and ask yourself whether the people who are supposed to protect and care for the general public really have our best interests in mind.

And please you have to watch it in the original version with subtitles, otherwise it won't work at all.

You shouldn't miss this one, with a sensational cast of actors, a true crime story told accurately and a tragic and powerful drama and mysterious thriller.

My Take – Worth a watch!

Cheers till next time😊!