Shalini Langer

Associate Editor

Of Gandhian Frames

Sun, Jan 19, 2020

How Bollywood engages with romance and what Gandhism has to do with it.

Dolittle movie review: A monumental mess

Sat, Jan 18, 2020

Dolittle movie review: Dolittle has barely any plot, with its animals setting off sporadic sparks when left to own. And that is rare as Downey Jr's Dolittle mostly has them at his command.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood movie review: Tom Hanks shines as Fred Rogers

Sat, Jan 18, 2020

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood movie review: It's difficult to think of anyone other than Tom Hanks playing Mister Rogers, and the actor has picked another Oscar nomination for the role.

1917 movie review: Sam Mendes’ film is worth a watch

Sat, Jan 18, 2020

1917 movie review: In line with recent films on war, 1917 is not celebration of valour or glory, neither is it shy in its portrayal of the grime of it.

Like a Boss movie review: An unimaginative reimagining of women and their friendships

Fri, Jan 10, 2020

Despite the talent of Rose Byrne, Tiffany Haddish and Salma Hayek, each of whom hardly needs any embellishing, this film runs like watery mascara even if no one's really does through the ups and downs and ups again.

Richard Jewell movie review: Hero in the Villain

Sat, Jan 04, 2020

Richard Jewell movie review: It is the kind of hero Clint Eastwood's films are made of: a quintessential ordinary American fellow, who loves his guns plus other 'traditional' values, who is driven by his sense of duty, and who is mistreated by the system.

Cats movie review: A musical devoid of any real zing and fun

Fri, Jan 03, 2020

It's only Taylor Swift, descending perched on a crescent moon, sprinkling sparkling catnip powder, who looks like the cat that got the cream. There is really no other kind you want to watch.

Bombshell movie review: Thoroughly engrossing

Sat, Jan 04, 2020

Bombshell movie review: Where Bombshell scores is in bringing out the casual sexism that dogs women in the workforce, from offhand compliments to insistence on shaved legs —take your pick from all in the middle.

Spies in Disguise movie review: A run-of-the-mill animation film

Fri, Dec 27, 2019

Spies in Disguise movie review: Even as you despair that this Will Smith and Tom Holland starrer will end up being yet another clash between the forces of good and evil -- do we really need them in animation too? -- and the power of teamwork and friendship, writer Brad Copeland and directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane subvert the genre.

Somewhere up above temples touching sky

Sun, Dec 22, 2019

The Rajasthan girl is forgotten, a mere statistic in our rape record, with only those now registering whose details are more horrific than the others. As told by the courts, she is cloaked in silence — stripped off all details of life, but for that act

Jumanji The Next Level review: Mildly funny

Sat, Dec 14, 2019

Jumanji The Next Level movie review: What one keeps wishing is that the film had stuck around for longer in the real world, where DeVito and Glover play two old and ageing men with a history that involves real pain.

Marriage Story movie review: A deeply affecting drama

Sat, Dec 07, 2019

Marriage Story movie review: Scarlett Johansson is vulnerable and strong, confident and unsure, generous and stern, all at the same time, as giving to tears as spontaneous action, her unforgettable lips a picture of masterful quiver.

The Good Liar movie review: Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen shine in Bill Condon film

Fri, Nov 29, 2019

With Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen playing the parts, could the plot of this film based on a novel by the same name get more delicious?

Knives Out movie review: This Daniel Craig film is worth your time

Fri, Nov 29, 2019

Knives Out movie review: Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette and Christopher Plummer slip into their roles with relish.

The Irishman movie review: An intimate, tender look at the Mob and its men

Fri, Nov 29, 2019

The Irishman movie review: This is not a film about growing up but growing old, about what all those years of living entail -- the choices, the betrayals, the loneliness, the love, the pain as well as the aches.

Hotel Mumbai movie review: A chilling film

Fri, Nov 29, 2019

There is no attempt to relieve the tension, no little side stories to humour its audience, and almost no strained sentimentality. However, that both serves this deeply chilling script well -- more chilling for it being real -- and takes away from it.

Pagalpanti movie review: This Anees Bazmee film is a mess

Sat, Nov 23, 2019

Pagalpanti movie review: Some good actors have lent their names to this mess, for what can’t be any other reason than money and the hits somehow against Anees Bazmee’s name.

21 Bridges movie review: An all-too-familiar crime thriller

Sat, Nov 23, 2019

21 Bridges movie review: Several good actors, and charismatic ones like Chadwick Boseman and Sienna Miller, are wasted in this by-the-book crime thriller that seems even more ridiculous as it builds up to its climax.

Frozen 2 review: Dazzling drag

Sat, Nov 23, 2019

Frozen 2 movie review: The Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee directorial veers off to a confusing side story, which it clearly believes is heading to a big reveal.

Motherless Brooklyn movie review: Watch it for the impressive cast

Sat, Nov 16, 2019

Motherless Brooklyn movie review: Edward Norton has an impressive cast that turns up even for bit roles, including Willis, while Norton himself is in superlative, if indulgent, form as the man who has been seeking answers all his life -- encumbered by his own mind, which he once dubs an "anarchist".