We are under attack. One lousy script and 320 million dollars later, we are presented with the newest Netflix production led by The Russo Brothers. I repeat, the budget of “The Electric State” (starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt) had an abnormal cost of 320 MILLION DOLLARS making it one of the most expensive movies ever made. That is about all the context you need for this one. As you can probably sense by now, I am completely baffled by this project and its potential implications as to where this industry is headed. “The Electric State” is simply awful.

Gone are the days of likable movie stars carrying even the shittiest of movies. Gone are the days of blockbusters containing any well directed set pieces and compelling ethos. Gone are the days of studios caring about the product as well as the filmmakers themselves. Netflix has a track record of making terrible things and patting themselves on the back. “The Electric State” is an attack on cinema and an insult to anyone that enjoys it.

This Might Be Money Laundering

“The Electric State” having a ballooned budget of 320 million dollars sounds simply unbelievable. Watching it leaves more questions than answers as well. It looks like total shit. It’s a CGI hodgepodge filmed mostly on closed sets and green screens. You’d think maybe they’d have real goddamn robots on set with that kind of money.

It’s easy to harp on the budget continually, but this is a narrative that needs to be addressed. Films should not cost this much and leave so much to be desired. The Russo Brothers have their fingers in the Marvel pot and it makes too much sense that they make schlock for Netflix. Their lack of care for the craft is blatant and disgusting frankly. Zero effort directing this and zero attempts to even draw a lick of complement. The Russo Brothers insult everyone who dreams of being a filmmaker in some capacity while they direct slop like this and pass it on as their service to cinema.

Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt (along with every other name in this movie) got their names drawn from a hat to play generic, badly written characters. They are so, so bad in this movie. I can tell they are not having fun with this project and why should I have fun? There was a time where even the worst of action blockbusters had some form of likability and amusement. This is just sad, dude. This makes cinema look like a dying art.

So, yes, the budget is something that should be noted because there were likely other projects that suffered from it. Seeing a budget cut of a smaller passion project and having “The Electric State” piss it away must be demoralizing. The kicker to it all is this being a straight to streaming movie. We’re all stuck at home watching this garbage.

Netflix, Please Stop This

Netflix has been criticized for many business decisions and I think it’s all earned. Upping the price of their service continuously while adding ad interruptions and producing slop such as “The Electric State.” I know I’m being dramatic this entire review/rant, but it’s important to note what this may mean for the future. They have no problem shelling out hundreds of millions for these things. Hell, it’s not even in the theaters right now. What will happen when Netflix decides to produce projects like this forever?

“The Electric State” is a lifeless, terribly directed blockbuster that conjures up nothing that is enjoyable. It is generic, boring, ugly, and is completely insulting to watch. One of the most sizable budgets ever and it got put into this project.

I cannot in good faith suggest anyone watch this for any reason. It’s not even fun bad and the more watch minutes that go into it, the more Netflix believes they actually did something impressive. We cannot let them think that. Don’t watch.

Watch Movies (not this one)

The endgame of a relationship – or maybe the crisis from which the relationship will emerge reinvigorated – is the subject of this likable, low-key two-hander from Polish film-maker Maria Zbaska. A couple is in crisis; one half is musician Zofia Chabiera who is making her confident acting debut as Wanda, bored and aimless, feeling those first intimations of mortality as people in their late 30s tend to; her unused and thwarted passion is beginning to curdle within her.

Wanda is in a stagnant relationship with Jan, played by Marcin Sztabinski, a heavy-set guy who maybe wasn’t quite as heavy-set when they first got together; he runs a bike repair shop, a situation to which he has dwindled having once dreamed of biking around the world. Wanda is irritated beyond endurance at the way Jan does nothing but doom scroll. (Rather shrewdly, she points out that people who spend their time knitting at least have a scarf to show for it.)

But it is Jan who has had the imagination to dream up a plan to challenge them both: they will hike along the remote and icy Baltic coastline, sleeping in a tent and generally braving the terrible cold. If they stay the course, they will stay together – but if either loses heart and leaves the sandy shore, then they are finished as a couple.

Well, perhaps there are no prizes for guessing whether they have cathartic rows and revelations and quirky serendipitous encounters with unusual people along the way. But the relationship between Jan and Wanda looks very real as they trudge along the vast and freezing seascape, like an ice-cold version of David Lean’s desert. And what does it all add up to? Perhaps not all that much: but it’s a charming and plausible relationship drama featuring people who look as if they might actually be in a relationship.

Amitabh Bachchan calls Be Happy, Abhishek Bachchan’s latest movie, “extraordinary”. The dance-drama, directed by Remo D’Souza, premiered on Amazon Prime Video on March 14.

“…what an honour for you Abhishek .. proud of you .. and today saw BE HAPPY .. such an extraordinary performance .. love you,” Big B wrote on Twitter (now X).

As a father, Amitabh Bachchan loved his son’s performance in the movie. But, what about others? Let’s find out.

“BE HAPPY is truly an amazing film! I watched it today with my Maa, and it was such a heart-touching experience. Incredible performances—more power to Jr. Bachchan!” wrote one social media user.

“it’s a gripping movie, Brilliant performance by Abhishek,” wrote another user.

“Just watched ‘Be Happy’ and I’m still reeling from Abhishek Sir’s incredible performance.. Abhishek Sir! You’re one of the most talented actors of our time. Your acting is always top-notch, but this performance was something special. Keep shining, AB!” came from another user.

“A tender, heartwarming portrayal of a father-daughter bond. His quiet, nuanced, and emotionally guarded role as a single parent really suited him,” reacted one user.

Be Happy movie reviews

“The script gets something right in the father-daughter bond but doesn’t excavate the depth and complexities of single parenting, grief and trauma. In focusing on the drama, D’Souza takes his eye off his core competence—dance,” Udita Jhunjhunwala wrote on Livemint.

“A direct-to-OTT release is a smart choice, freeing it from box office pressures and allowing viewers to discover it on their own time. Despite its flaws, Be Happy leaves you with a smile,” Rishabh Suri wrote on Hindustan Times.

“Abhishek Bachchan literally shines as the struggling single father…But even his honest and sincere effort cannot save this ship that starts sinking in the second half!” wrote Trisha Gaur on Koimoi while calling actress Inayat Verma a “show-stealer”.

“Verma is a sparkler, lighting up the screen. And Bachchan, who did such a solid job being a dad-to-a-daughter in ‘I Want To Talk’, comes off more stolid here,” commented Shubhra Gupta on Indian Express.