384. Web-series Reviews – 199

More web-series reviews…

1000 Babies – Came in 2024.  Enter a cradle of mysteries where a man with a dark past manipulates multiple lives through a series of cryptic letters and deadly games.

A review from IMDB...

An intriguing psychological crime investigation thriller narrating a social crime committed by a medical servant.

The plot of the story is about a retired head nurse who has committed heinous crimes during her service and how the law and order system deals the chaotic situation to curb the persisting havoc forms the storyline.

Najeem Koya and Arfouz Irrfan has layered the story in 7 episodes giving clear character arc and detailing to the performers in the web series. The plot idea conceived for the movie would have definitely crossed the minds of viewers at some crucial moments in their lifetime.😨The story is very engaging except for the flat writing in the climax sequence. The movie should be binge watched in a single sitting with headphones for an enthralling experience and to apprehend about the connection between the characters in the story.

Outstanding performance by Neena Gupta as the mysterious character giving anxiety to the viewers.🔥Brilliant performances by Rahman,Sanju Shivram & Radha Gomathy in their characters.👌👌Other notable performances were by Ashwin Kumar,Adil Ibrahim,Dain Davis,Shalu Rahim & Dileep Menon in the movie.

When coming to the technical aspects,the movie is supported by stunning frames by Faiz Siddik which is very evident in the early episodes.👌Sankar Sharma's BGM and Fazal's sound mixing gave more life to the movie and thrilling experience to the viewers.🔥Awesome work by Ashik & his art team especially in setting the mysterious house with intricate detailing and perfection for creating an anxious and tenseful moments throughout the movie.👌

A good psychological thriller with a spectacular story plot and perfect execution.

My Take – Worth a watch!

Vietnam in HD – Came in 2011.  Vintage footage from the Vietnam war is presented in High Definition video format along with narration from both war veterans and Hollywood voice talent. The documentary follows key events and their impact on both the war effort and the American public.

A review from IMDB...

I was born just shy of 10 years after Saigon fell so I had no relation to the war. I do have a strong interest in history, especially military history, but I must be honest, I avoided this documentary for a long time because Vietnam can be a hurtful subject and everything about the war since it ended has been so negative. I would never argue we, America, won the war, but everything I have ever been shown, taught, or read pretty much makes the point that everything about the war was evil or wrong. No exception.

One evening I finally watched this documentary and I have to say it was perspective changing. I cannot tell you firsthand what Vietnam was like, but I can tell you first hand that if you started school in the 1980s or later, you have never been taught an unbiased view of the war. This documentary is the closest thing to an unbiased take on Vietnam I have yet encountered. This documentary does exactly what a good documentary should; open you to multiple perspectives by exposing you to film and primary sources and interviews. That exposure challenges you to think on your own. I came away with a new opinion on the whole war.

Many reviewers criticize and say this documentary is jingoistic by trying to convince people the war was being won. On the contrary, the only reference to 'winning' I saw was the quotations of the Johnson administration about how we were 'winning' in body counts and the documentary uses this directly as a contrast to the reality the soldiers were facing of the ground. That is the endless Search and Destroy runs where people would die and gained territory was quickly abandoned. This documentary pulls no punches and is not afraid to showcase the insanity of the Vietnam War. Lots of stupid things were done. Lots of opportunities were missed. This documentary does not hide it.

On the other side, this documentary doesn't write off the war as inherently evil or as a perpetually lost cause. It does not hide the fact we now know the NVA was nearly crippled after Tet and the US didn't capitalize on it. Similarly it doesn't hide that Nixon balked at destroying Vietcong supplies in Cambodia after Kent State. Are those things controversial? Yes. Missed opportunities? Maybe so. The documentary doesn't tell you what to think, it simply exposes you to fresh perspectives that my grade school teachers never offered me.

Don't let commercial reviews fool you. This documentary is not overly simplistic. It is simply a fresh overview of a very complex subject. Overviews have their place. I guarantee that you will take new things away from this film. This documentary overviews the good bad and the ugly. Before I saw it all I was ever taught was the bad and ugly.

Ultimately, this documentary really shines in giving our G.I.s the credit they deserve for sacrificing everything in the absence of clear objectives. Don't marginalize them or this documentary just because a majority of historians feel that Vietnam has to be portrayed a certain way.

My Take – Worth a watch!

Raat Jawaan Hai – Came in 2024.  A modern and quirky show that deals with contemporary issues in the society.

A review from IMDB...

With all the serious and gritty dramas around, it's quite refreshing to find a feel-good series. So, when I came across this one, I jumped on it right away.

The story revolves around three childhood friends who are now young parents, and how this new chapter of parenthood brings a host of challenges. The series is all about how they take their friendship forward and navigate daily life issues.

The plot is highly relatable, with each episode tackling a new issue in their lives. It's an urban story, focusing on people in their late twenties or early thirties, which makes it resonate well with an urban audience. The writing is the real star here-you'll often get a sense of déjà vu, as you've likely encountered these situations in your own life or in the lives of people around you.

Barun Sobti is now a name you can trust. He handles every role with maturity, and his performance here, with a pinch of comedy, is flawless. Anjali Anand, of Rocky Aur Rani fame, shines with her sassy attitude. Priya Bapat, with her innocent look and naïve character, will steal your heart. The chemistry between the three leads is the highlight of the show, keeping it engaging throughout. Even the actors playing their partners have done a great job.

Surprisingly, the series is directed by Sumeet Vyas, and he has done a fabulous job. As an actor, he's already proven his mettle, but now he shows he can be a capable director too. The way the characters are written and the dialogues are crafted makes it a very relatable watch. The music and title montage are also standouts. If I had to point out a flaw, it would be the title of the series-it sounds too shady for such a sweet narrative.

I hope the makers plan a second season because this one truly deserves it. If you're looking for something light to binge-watch, look no further-this series is a gem.

My Take – An excellent series!

Adios till next time😊!!