Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX
What makes both of these films highly watchable is that they are based on actual events and more importantly, the iconic Bollywood stars who supported them with their “starship”. Unlike Hollywood, Bollywood actors have a huge say in the production, plot evolution and outcome of the storyline. Hunky, handsome John Abraham, tackles the role of ACP Sanjay Kumar in the “Batla House” travesty of 2008, Delhi; two would be terrorists are killed along with a decorated police officer; a bitter and salacious battle between the press, politicians and a maligned police department ensues, the police are charged with a “fake”, staged encounter; over a two year period the movie spins from one devastating confrontation to another, resulting in a courtroom drama of unexpected twists and revelations. Abraham, robotically captures a man tormented, traumatized by PTSD.
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan dazzle as scientists in “Mission Mangal”; the true tale of India’s quest to reach the planet Mars, besting the rest of the world; launched in 2013 the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) employed a myriad of prodigious women (reminiscent of “Hidden Figures”, 2017’s toast to three African-American women at NASA, pole-vaulting astronaut John Glenn into orbit); director Jagan Shakti allows technology equal footing with the actors; planetary space stupendously sears one’s visual landscape with its magnetism and profound godlike, shattering beauty. The film strokes female empowerment, dynamiting male hierarchy; women whose scientific, mathematical acuity triumph in “Mission Mangal”.
A Bollywood double header, edifying and entertaining exponentially.
THREE & 1/2 STARS!!!
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