Columnists

Shalini Langer

Associate Editor

Onward movie review: A decent watch

Sat, Mar 07, 2020

Onward often seems confused about that line between magic that seeks to impress, and magic that just is. It is also too much about a lot of things.

The Invisible Man movie review: Elisabeth Moss shines in this adaptation

Fri, Feb 28, 2020

The Invisible Man movie review: Elisabeth Moss, she of the vulnerable face and the moist eyes, is shouldering her first solo-lead here. And she does a commendable job with what she gets, which is mostly staring at seemingly empty corners and lurking around quiet houses.

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan review: The chase of love

Sat, Feb 22, 2020

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan review: Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan's achievement lies not just in going where Bollywood has not gone before. It is in consistently portraying Kartik (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Aman (a superb Jitendra Kumar in his debut film role) as just a couple, not 'homo' or 'hetero'.

Bhoot review: Vicky Kaushal is the saving grace of this horror film

Sat, Feb 22, 2020

Bhoot review: Bhumi Pednekar and Ashutosh Rana are there to add brief acting heft, and to do some mantra-reciting ghost-fighting. A large part, however, is left to the able and much-taxed shoulders of Vicky Kaushal.

Now that the drum beats of Delhi election battle have died, how long will our interest in Shaheen Bagh last

Sun, Feb 16, 2020

When they come to “clear the road”, what will they do with the India map made of scrap and beautified with lights in what can only be a labour of love? What happens to that man playing songs of protest? What happens to those songs even?

Fantasy Island movie review: This Blumhouse film is a mess

Fri, Feb 14, 2020

Fantasy Island movie review: The whole premise of Fantasy Island is what would happen if people got second chances. The only good ending would be if the film didn't get one.

Little Women review: A near-perfect adaptation

Sat, Feb 08, 2020

Little Women movie review: Writer-director Greta Gerwig gets right to the heart of it, capturing the small, everyday rebellions of the story set in the 1860s, and making it as current as it was 150 years ago.

Birds of Prey movie review: A sprightly superhero film

Sat, Feb 08, 2020

Birds of Prey movie review: Margot Robbie, who stuns with how she can go from mania to tragedy in the blink of an eye, doesn’t really need the help of all that colour and wide-lipped grin to get your attention.

The Gentlemen movie review: A testosterone-fueled romp

Fri, Jan 31, 2020

Hugh Grant is so different that he takes you by surprise, Colin Farrell hams it with a dizzyingly dulled down wardrobe, while Charlie Hunnam has the meatiest lines and part. Matthew McConaughey looks simply bored, as if too good for a role whose only requirement is having fun.

Parasite movie review: A subtle and subversive depiction of class

Mon, Feb 10, 2020

Parasite movie review: Bong Joon-Ho, who has also co-written the story, has several surprises and twists up his sleeve. And many metaphors.

Jojo Rabbit review: An audacious satire

Sat, Feb 01, 2020

Jojo Rabbit review: Jojo Rabbit, of course, is about the gradual friendship between Elsa and Jojo. But it is how Taika Waititi tackles this, mocking the narratives we build about people (any people) different (any different) from us, that makes this special.

Why 8-year-old Sageer Ahmad’s death should make us rethink our fractured world order

Mon, Jan 27, 2020

Surely, even as seemingly yawning divides and hopelessness surround us, it’s this that we must hold onto: That, when a mob, holding colour of whatever flag, comes down a street, a door would open to take them in. That, those who shelter would always outnumber those who attack.

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.