Movie Reviews
Prasanna Vadanam Movie Review – Gulte
2.75/5
2 Hr 26 Mins | Thriller | 03-05-2024
Cast – Suhas, Payal Radhakrishna, Rashi Singh, Viva Harsha, Nitin Prasanna and others
Director – Arjun Y K
Producer – Manikanta J S, Prasad Reddy T R
Banner – Arha Media, Little Thoughts Cinemas
Music – Vijai Bulganin
Suhas has become one of the bankable actors in Tollywood. He is now out with his latest film, Prasanna Vadanam, based on a man with face blindness. Directed by Arjun YK, let’s review the film here.
Plot
Surya(Suhas), a Radio RJ meets with a terrible accident and ends up with a rare disease named Prosopagnosia. Due to this, he gets face blindness and cannot identify the faces of people around him. One fine day, he witnesses the brutal murder of a young girl. He informs the cops but instead gets embroiled in the case. Left with no choice; he approaches top cop Vaidehi(Rashi Singh) for assistance. But things turn on its head and multiple cases are now filed on Surya. The rest of the story is about how Surya proves his innocence with the help of his girlfriend Adhya(Payal Radhakrishna).
Performances
Suhas is known for his versatile characters gets a tailor-made role in Prasanna Vadanam. As he has a unique disease, the scope for him to perform uniquely is high in the film, and Suhas lives up to all the expectations. His performance in the second half is highly impressive and arrests you till the end. Nithin Prasanna, who was last seen in Ambajipeta Marriage Band, delivers yet another bankable performance. The various shades he showcased in his performance were impressive. Rashi Singh, who played the top cop, was decent, but she should have worked more on the expressions in the latter part of the film. Viva Harsha was okay, and so was Payal Radhakrishna.
Technicalities
Vijay Bulganin composed the music for the film, and his songs are quite ordinary. None of the songs register with the audience, but the background score is quite impressive. The sound design neatly elevates the proceedings and is composed in a stylish manner. The camera work is so-so and one cannot complain keeping the budget in mind. The production values are also okay, and there is nothing much to rave about. The editing is perfect as the narrative is crisp and to the point.
Thumbs Up
Suhas
Interval twist
Thumbs Down
Lag in the second half
Songs
Flashback
Analysis
Making thrillers is one of the biggest tasks for any writer-director. But newcomer Arjun YK has chosen a story with face blindness which is something new for Telugu cinema. So, this itself makes things interesting for Prasanna Vadanam. Prasanna Vadanam starts on a very interesting note, and the best part is that director Arjun does not waste any time entering the conflict point in the film.
Once the heroine is introduced, the love track gets a bit boring, but that too passes, and things become interesting for the audience. Once the crime is committed, the concentration shifts towards the cops and how they will deal with the case. But the way director Arjun brings in the half-time twist is superb and unexpected. As the director reveals the man behind the murder, things become a bit difficult for the director to handle the proceedings.
This is when the proceedings become slow and a bit dull. Also, the reason behind the motive of the murderer is not showcased convincingly. Also, the way Suhas behaves in the second half looks a bit odd. As he has face blindness, the director could have added more drama and played with the effects, but that does not happen, and things move slowly until the pre-climax.
Director Arjun has potential and narrates the film well for the most part. However, way too many cinematic liberties and a lack of hold on emotions are some of the drawbacks. Prasanna Vadanam has decent moments that hold your attention. However, one needs to prepare for the pace and lack of depth in the proceedings as well.
Bottom Line – Passable Thriller
Rating: 2.75/5
Movie Reviews
Book Review: Captured by Love
Book Review: Captured by Love
By Jason Hooker
Captured by Love is a non-fiction book combining multiple accounts about the real love stories that developed in the lives of the Vietnam War POW’s and their wives back home. It is co-authored by Lee Ellis (a former POW) and Greg Godek (relationship and romance author), who have done a remarkable job of shining light, hope and beauty into the horrific experiences of the POW’s. This positive outlook threads the writing style of every account, each of which is made from interviews and writing from the real people behind the stories. It truly is wonderful to read these true stories of beauty arising from the least likely of contexts.
At the end of every account, the book takes a moment to pause and reflect on the values we can apply to our romantic relationships, as inspired by the real-life goodness lived out in the lives of the POW’s and their wives. Many of them were men and women of faith and testify to the powerful role their faith played in giving them endurance and hope. We are also intermittently given small insights into the factual history surrounding each story, so that we are grounded in knowledge but not so distracted by facts that it feels like a history book. Every account feels personable and emotionally evocative.
This book is incredibly inspiring and heart-warming to read. It is an amazing experience to read about the perseverance, devotion and bravery that the POW’s and their wives upheld during times of trial, and it is a wonderful testament to the power of faith. For anyone interested in inspiring true stories, the beauty of romantic relationships, or world history, this book is a wonderful blend of elements that will inspire and uplift you.
The authors dedicate the book to “couples everywhere that aspire to keep the love-of-their-life, soulmate-relationship vibrant and growing for a lifetime”.
Movie Reviews
Shivam Bhaje Telugu Movie Review, Ashwin Babu
Movie Name : Shivam Bhaje
Release Date : August 01, 2024
123telugu.com Rating : 2/5
Starring : Ashwin Babu, Digangana Suryavanshi, Arbaaz Khan, Hyper Aadi, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani
Director : Abdul Apsar Hussain
Producers : Maheswara Reddy Mooli
Music Director: Vikas Badisa
Cinematographer: Dasaradhi Shivendra
Editor: Chota K. Prasad
Related Links : Trailer
Ashwin Babu starrer Shivam Bhaje is the new age divine suspense thriller directed by Apsar. The film has hit the big screens today. Check out our review to find out how it is.
Story:
Chandu (Ashwin Babu) is a loan recovery agent who falls in love with Sailaja (Digangana Suryavanshi). An unexpected incident causes Chandu to lose his eyesight. After an operation, he regains his vision, but things aren’t the same. He suspects something is wrong about the murders connected to Binary Chemical Pvt Ltd. What really happened to Chandu? What are the motives behind the murders? Who is responsible for the killings? How is the story linked to China and Pakistan? The answers will be revealed in the movie.
Plus Points:
Following Hidimba’s success, expectations for Ashwin Babu were noticeable, and he delivered a competent performance. Actress Digangana Suryavanshi fulfills her role adequately.
Arbaaz Khan performs fine as a policeman, and Hyper Aadhi provides some humour with his comedic timing. The supporting cast, Murali Sharma and Tanikella Bharani, perform their roles effectively.
Minus Points:
Despite being marketed as a new-age divine suspense thriller, the film suffers from a weak script and poor narration. The lack of engaging scenes and a coherent screenplay results in an experience that falls short of its potential, often leading to unintended comedy.
The director’s intention is clear, but the execution fails to create gripping moments that hold the audience’s attention.
The divine angle is poorly developed, making the title feel disconnected from the storyline. The few scenes hinting at a divine connection lack impact.
The film does not effectively incorporate the potential threat to India from China and Pakistan, missing an opportunity to build suspense. Additionally, the romantic subplot and some comedic elements come across as contrived.
Technical Aspects:
As both writer and director, Apsar disappoints. He lacks a more engaging script and suspenseful narration. Improved execution might have led to a more compelling film.
The background score by Vikas Badisa is adequate, enhancing certain scenes. The cinematography by Dasaradhi Shivendra is satisfactory, and production values are reasonable. While the editing by Chota K Prasad is acceptable, trimming some scenes could have improved the viewing experience.
Verdict:
On the whole, Shivam Bhaje is a disappointing thriller with a lackluster plot. Although Ashwin Babu and Arbaaz Khan deliver fine performances, the film’s weak storyline and ineffective screenplay fall short. It’s advisable to explore other entertainment options this weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 2/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
Click Here For Telugu Review
Articles that might interest you:
Movie Reviews
“Twisters” 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.
|
Twisters marks the return of the classic Hollywood blockbuster, a type of summer movie that hasn’t been seen in a couple decades thanks to the box-office domination of superhero movies and sci-fi action spectacles. This disaster film builds on the legacy of 1996’s Twister (starring the late Bill Paxton) by delivering a straightforward, action-packed story of humans vs. nature.
Release Date: 07/08/2024 Runtime: 122 minutes Director: Lee Isaac Chung Rotten Tomatoes: 76% iMBD: 7.1/10 Where to Watch: In theaters |
There are no giant creatures dueling it out, no existential threats to Earth, no evil villains to overcome… all this movie boasts is a great cast of characters and fun set-pieces. At a time when summer blockbusters are still dominated by bloated epics that have become so commonplace they provide nothing but a sense of mundanity, it’s refreshing to watch a story about a small group of people trying to save a couple of towns from natural disasters.
Twisters is tight, focused, and presents a realistic scenario that’s far easier to immerse yourself in. Its script succeeds where many others fail by clearly explaining character motivations, creating ideological clashes, and presenting challenges that are overcome with ingenuity and incremental improvement.
Unlike many legacy sequels, Twisters doesn’t rely heavily on its 1996 predecessor for references or Easter eggs. The characters are entirely new, and the film avoids mythologizing the original cast; while there is a nod to the tornado tracker from Twister, the story stands independently, with its own fresh narrative. Although it shares a similar structure with the original—following rival storm chasers and featuring familiar set pieces like twin tornadoes and a night-time hit—it carves out its own identity.
In essence, Twisters can be seen as a remake of the 1996 film, sharing the basic premise of weather researchers deploying a prototype in the path of tornadoes, facing increasingly severe storms escalating up the Fujita scale, ending with a climactic F5 tornado in the third act.
However, what distinguishes this film from the original is its new cast and stunning special effects that surpass the quaint CGI of 1996. While the original leaned towards horror, this sequel adopts a more realistic and lighthearted approach to storm chasing, allowing audiences to experience the thrill of destruction without resorting to cheap suspense.
For those craving a classic Hollywood flick offering a thrilling ride not seen since Tony Stark donned his Iron Man armor and changed the blockbuster landscape for decades, Twisters is a must-see at your local theater.
About our Admit One Author
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!
Subscribe and Be the First-2-Know!
-
Mississippi2 days ago
MSU, Mississippi Academy of Sciences host summer symposium, USDA’s Tucker honored with Presidential Award
-
News1 week ago
How the Trump Rally Gunman Had an Edge Over the Countersnipers
-
World1 week ago
Typhoon Gaemi barrels towards China’s Fujian after sinking ship off Taiwan
-
Politics1 week ago
Top five moments from Secret Service director's hours-long grilling after Trump assassination attempt
-
World1 week ago
Violence against women, girls at ‘epidemic’ levels: UK police
-
News1 week ago
George Clooney Endorses Kamala Harris, Says Biden Is ‘Saving Democracy’
-
News1 week ago
Video: Secret Service Director Faces Bipartisan Calls to Resign
-
News1 week ago
A coup, fake signatures and deepfakes are the latest conspiracy theories about 2024