Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX

Another formulaic Bollywood extravaganza, starring ageing heartthrob Salman Khan, who indubitably is starting to scarily resemble a Jeff Koons inflatable sculpture; he’s “Devi/Devil”  a  buffed boy, with idiot savant skills but crippled with a huge affliction of ADD, leaping from one escapade to another, searching for a thrill, “kick” to perpetually inject Masala into his life; karma intervenes in the ... Read More »

A lighter, gauzier version of 1995’s “Diwale Dulhania le Jayenge” starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Why the title, so informed by irrevocable breakage, is a mystery; “Humpty” is an indestructible entity when it comes to his choice of a “bride”. Here is delightful romantic comedy blessed by two of Bollywood’s youthful, dynamic film forces. Alia Bhatt is formidable as ... Read More »

Here is a Bollywood film guaranteed to entertain most audiences. Lacking the pervasive silliness that informs so many of India’s romantic comedies, it resonates with universal themes, enchanting performances by all the principals, stunning song and dance numbers, gifting audiences warmth, joy and empathy. Alia Bhatt is “Ananya Swaminathan” a Tamilian girl from Chennai; she is feisty, deliciously beautiful and ... Read More »

“Rani”  (Kangana Ranaut, “Queen”) a traditional, submissive Indian girl is dumped by her fiancé, “Vijay” ( Rajkummar Rao) a feckless cad, resembling a chipmunk, two days before the wedding; sheltered, naive, she nonetheless decides to go on her honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam, alone.   What transpires is a joyous journey of self-discovery; shedding archaic taboos; accepting and understanding cultural differences; ... Read More »

The dimpled -duo (Ayushmann Khurrana and Sonam Kapoor) cannot salvage this soulless, simple scenario about twenty-first century relationships; “Mohit” (Khurrana) struggles with joblessness  (if explored, could have been immensely intriguing) and “Maya” (Kapoor) his fiancé is financially accommodating until their partying ways become too much of an embarrassment for both “parties”. Skimpy comic relief is provided by Maya’s retired father ... Read More »

A highly unique and unorthodox phenomenon is the spine of this deliciously delightful film from director Ritesh Batra; over five thousand “Dabbawalas” deliver “tiffin boxes” containing hot lunches (prepared at home or restaurants) for over four hundred thousand people in the workplace; founded in 1890 by Mahadeo Havaji; this organization still thrives in the bustling, cacophonous over-populated city of Mumbai, ... Read More »

Farhan Akhtan (“Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”) and Vidya Balan (“Kahaani”) depict an urban, sophisticated couple who enjoy creating salacious scenarios to keep their marriage romantically-charged; it works until pregnancy severs the fantasy. “Sid” a frustrated composer and “Trisha” a professional of sorts (we are never informed of the nature of her professionalism) are not prepared for parenthood, but “Millie” becomes a ... Read More »

This provocative, unlikely Bollywood flick revolves around the bombardment of the norm, society’s dictates and  breathtaking freedom gained from being involuntarily ripped from one’s comfort zone; a kidnapping releases the chained, frustrated spirit of a traditional, wealthy, urban, spoiled sophisticate, engaged to the perfect prospect (cad of a man), “arranged” by the families of the mismatched pair. Alia Bhatt (daughter ... Read More »

Being a glass “3/4” full person, I  usually find something redeeming in the majority of films I see; although many of you will find this unbelievable,  there are movies I intentionally, deliberately avoid;  anything to do with vampires, hangovers, anchormen, grudge matches, “this is the end”, or Las Vegas. When questioned about the BEST and the WORST films of the ... Read More »

Run, drive, fly to see Bollywood at its scintillating, shimmering, sensational best; breaking box office records when it opened in India, here is a film worthy of any, and all audiences. The first two were entertaining but “Dhoom 3” is remarkable filmmaking, stunningly- acted, phenomenally, breathtakingly powerful to view. Aamir Khan, in his finest role since “Ghajini” is “Sahir” an ... Read More »