Connect with us

Movie Reviews

Operation Valentine Review: USA Premiere Report

Published

on

Operation Valentine Review: USA Premiere Report

First Half Report:

The first half lacks substantial drama from either country’s perspective, but momentum builds around the pre-interval mark, setting the mission for Operation Valentine.

Operation Valentine takes off in Pakistan with a potential strike aimed at India. Stay tuned for the first half report.

Operation Valentine marks Varun Tej’s first shot at the Pan-India market. It is based on the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack by Pakistan on India and the retaliatory Balakot Air Strikes of 2019 by the Indian Air Force. Films like these should leave a strong impression on multiple fronts – emotions and visual experience. Let’s see how the debutant director Shakti Pratap Singh Hada delivered.

Cast: Varun Tej, Manushi Chhillar

Advertisement

Director: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada

Producers: Sony Pictures International Productions & Sandeep Mudda

Co- Producers: Nandkumar Abbineni & God bless Entertainment

Screenplay: Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, Aamir Khan, Siddharth Rajkumar

Dialogue Writer: Sai Madhav Burra

Advertisement

Music: Mickey J Meyer

DOP: Hari K Vedantam

Editor: Navin Nooli

VFX Supervisor: Durga Prasad Ketha

U.S. Distributor: FunAsia Films

Advertisement

This Week Releases on OTT – Check ‘Rating’ Filter
Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Movie Reviews

Short Film Review: Willow and Wu (2024) by Kathy Meng

Published

on

Short Film Review: Willow and Wu (2024) by Kathy Meng

“Very few friends travel through a lifetime with you”

Fourth film by Kathy Meng, following “Elite Match”, “Willow and Wu” is a film shot in NYC, which has won the award for Best Screenplay at 27th Brooklyn Film Festival.

The film begins with a rather intense scene, where Waley seems to be breaking up with a girl through a video call. The girl’s cries following the call cements the fact, while the next scene has her, Willow, in an obviously depressed state receiving a call from Mrs Wu, her boss, insisting that she comes to her house right away. It turns out that although she is her assistant, Willow has to help her husband this time. Mr Wu wants to be filmed on a script his wife wrote and wants Willow to handle the recording. With her not having prior experience and being quite anxious, things do not go exactly smoothly.

Moreover, the video seems to focus on the passing of his friend Bao and soon asks her to read the script, before he decides to shoot the whole thing outside, even asking her to put some make up on him. It turns out that he is also anxious, which is why he appears so demanding. Eventually, loss brings the two closer.

If you like Willow and Wu, check also this review

Kathy Meng follows the film-about-film meta trope in her short, in order to present her comments. Loss, and how difficult it can be for people to express it is the main one, but there is more. That people who appear being difficult or even unlikeable can actually have reasons for being that way is also commented upon, as much as how opening up can help overcome psychological issues. That both protagonists benefit from this last aspect adds to the particular remark. Lastly, one could say that Meng also comments on how acting works, and how directors can cooperate with the actors in order for the latter to perform they way they expect them to.

Advertisement

Although there is a dramatic base here, Meng instead opts for a more happy-go-lucky approach, which works quite well in general, particularly during the finale in the park, which is surprisingly cheerful. Aolan Guo’s smile as Willow, who gives an overall excellent performance, will definitely stay on the mind of any viewer, as will Yves Yan’s actual performance in the end, as Wu. Overall the acting is on a high level here with the two protagonists’ chemistry also being of the highest level.

Sancheev Ravichandran captures both the interiors and the exteriors shots with realism, without any particular exaltation, with the close-ups working well. Remy LaFlamme’s editing results in a fast pace that allows the full story to be leisurely told in just 13 minutes.

“Willow and Wu” is a very appealing short that manages to tell a full story in rather economical and entertaining fashion. I think Meng is ready to transition to features, as I think she would be quite good in a family drama.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

‘Hit Man’ Movie Review – Signals AZ

Published

on

‘Hit Man’ Movie Review – Signals AZ
Text to speech audio articles made possible by the Quest Grant at Yavapai College. Tuition free industry recognized certificates for your career.

Hit Man is a fairly standard script. It doesn’t waste your time. It gets straight to the point. And it is a hell of a lot of fun.

Release Date: 05/24/2024

Runtime: 115 minutes

Director: Richard Linklater

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

iMBD: 7.1/10

Where to Watch: Netflix

Netlfix, Netflix movies, Glen Powell, movies to watch, streaming movies, movie review, romcomNetlfix, Netflix movies, Glen Powell, movies to watch, streaming movies, movie review, romcom

Mild-mannered professor of psychology and philosophy Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) lives at home with his plants, his birdfeeders, and his two cats Id and Ego

This sets up his character right away and tells the audience everything they need to know. He works part-time doing tech support for the local police, assisting on undercover ops to bust criminals trying to hire hitmen. But one day, the assigned agent is put on suspension at the last minute and Gary is chosen to take his place. Nervous, intellectual, science-obsessed Gary… their best option.

Whether he succeeds or fails will depend on if his anxiety gets the better of him. Walking into a diner to confront the criminal, everyone is on edge. But by the end, it’s clear that Gary is a natural.

The police department starts assigning him more jobs. As he gets into the act of convincing the targets that he is a lifelong criminal, he starts to take a liking to it—his psychology background and solo lifestyle affording him the flexibility to become anyone he needs to be to get them to let their guard down and make incriminating statements.

Then, one day, he meets a woman (Adria Arjona) attempting to escape from a dangerous husband

The lines between his real self and his undercover persona blur as he develops genuine feelings for her while also playing into her desires. This leads to a web of lies, confused identities, and criminal actions that stand apart from the usual tropes of the romantic comedy genre.

As expected, the truth does eventually come out, and in this one it does comes out in perhaps the most hilarious way possible. Discussing the specifics would spoil the story, but needless to say, the pressure builds over the course of the movie until an eventual release that circumvents the standards of the trope in a way that is absolutely delightful.

Advertisement

Despite its dark themes, this movie approaches its subject matter in a light-hearted way that will leave the most morally-upright audience member smiling by the end

Ultimately, it’s a story about identity, the flexible nature of reality, and who we are when personality can be constructed. “Seize the identity you want for yourself” is the quote the movie ends on, and it couldn’t have found a better, more absurd narrative to build that statement on.


About our Admit One Author

Isaac Albert FrankelIsaac Albert Frankel

Isaac Frankel is a freelance writer and content creator specializing in reviews and analysis of cinema, interactive media, and mythological storytelling. He was raised in Prescott, AZ, wrote his first non-fiction book in 2013 after graduating from Tribeca Flashpoint College with a degree in Game & Interactive Media Design, and currently produces content for the YouTube channel: Off Screen.

More of his work and current projects can be found at www.isaacafrankel.com.


Read more stories from Dining, Entertainment, Recreation, & Travel on Signals A Z.com!

First to Know, DealsFirst to Know, Deals

Subscribe and Be the First-2-Know!


If you like this story, consider subscribing to Signals Updates,
Entertainment Events & News!

Show Me How

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Top 5 Movies to Watch This Father's Day June 16, 2024 –

Published

on

Movie Review: Top 5 Movies to Watch This Father's Day June 16, 2024 –

A staff report

June 16, 2024 – Happy Father’s Day! What better way to celebrate than by sitting down with your dad and enjoying some quality films together? Whether you’re looking for heartwarming classics or thought-provoking dramas, here are five movies that are sure to make this Father’s Day special:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Gregory Peck delivers an unforgettable performance as Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer in the American South who teaches his children valuable lessons about morality and justice. Based on Harper Lee’s novel, this timeless film is a poignant exploration of fatherhood and standing up for what is right.

Watch it: To Kill a Mockingbird on Prime Video

Advertisement

2. Moneyball (2011)  

For the baseball-loving dads out there, “Moneyball” offers a fresh take on the sport with Brad Pitt portraying Billy Beane, the innovative general manager of the Oakland A’s. This David-vs.-Goliath story, based on a true story and Michael Lewis’ book, showcases how unconventional thinking can lead to unexpected victories.

Watch it: Moneyball on NetflixPrime Video

3. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Chevy Chase stars as the well-intentioned but hapless Clark Griswold, who embarks on a disastrous cross-country road trip with his family to the elusive Walley World. Full of humor and iconic moments, this comedy is a perfect choice for a lighthearted Father’s Day movie marathon.

Advertisement

Watch it: National Lampoon’s Vacation on Prime Video

4. Minari (2020)

“Minari” tells the heartfelt story of a Korean American family striving for a better life in rural Arkansas. Steven Yeun’s portrayal of the father, Jacob, navigating the challenges of farming and family dynamics, is both tender and powerful. This critically acclaimed film offers a touching exploration of immigrant experiences and familial bonds.

Watch it: Minari on MaxPrime Video

5. Sr. (2022)

Advertisement

In this moving documentary, Robert Downey Jr. pays tribute to his father, Robert Downey Sr., a pioneering filmmaker known for his avant-garde works. Through personal interviews and archival footage, the film celebrates their unique relationship and explores themes of legacy and artistic influence.

Watch it: Sr. on Netflix

This Father’s Day, honor your dad with a cinematic journey through these diverse and enriching stories that celebrate the complexities of fatherhood, family, and the human experience. Whether you prefer classic tales of courage, inspiring underdog stories, or intimate documentaries, these films are sure to create lasting memories and meaningful conversations with your dad.

About Author

Continue Reading

Trending