yashhraaj
Joined Feb 2012
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Raktabeej (2023), streaming on Hoichoi and Amazon Prime TV, is a gripping political action thriller directed by the acclaimed duo Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee. The film draws its inspiration from the chilling real-life events of the 2014 Burdwan Blast, an incident that shook Bengal and the nation alike. What the directors deliver here is not just a fictionalized narrative, but an edge-of-the-seat cinematic experience that keeps you invested till the very end.
The story unfolds as the President of India (played by Victor Banerjee) returns to his hometown, Khoyragarh, only for a deadly explosion to reveal a sinister assassination plot. Two officials are thrust into a desperate race against time, as they attempt to unmask the perpetrators and prevent a national tragedy. The plot itself is tightly woven, with the screenplay by Zinia Sen and Sarbari Ghoshal leaving little room for slack. Every sequence feels purposeful, building momentum and heightening the stakes as the story progresses.
The film is also significant for marking the return of veteran actor Victor Banerjee in a lead role after a long gap. Watching him embody his character with gravitas and screen presence is both nostalgic and rewarding. Alongside him, Abir Chatterjee and Mimi Chakraborty deliver strong, convincing performances that complement the intensity of the narrative.
On the technical front, the film scores high. Pratip Mukhopadhyay's cinematography captures the urgency and tension beautifully, while Malay Laha's editing ensures that the pace never falters. The background score by Prabuddha Banerjee adds to the suspense, while the songs by Dohar, Anindya Chattopadhyay, and Surajit Chatterjee provide cultural resonance without breaking the flow.
What makes Raktabeej stand out is its ability to blend realism with cinematic thrills. The direction is sharp, the screenplay binding, and the overall execution fast-paced and impactful. With its strong performances, engaging story, and polished production values, this film firmly establishes itself as one of the more compelling Bengali thrillers of recent times.
A heartwarming comeback for Victor Banerjee and a high-octane ride for the audience, Raktabeej deserves to be seen, not just for its political relevance but also for its sheer cinematic craft.
Rating: 9/10 - A taut, thrilling experience that plants its seeds of suspense deep in your mind.
The story unfolds as the President of India (played by Victor Banerjee) returns to his hometown, Khoyragarh, only for a deadly explosion to reveal a sinister assassination plot. Two officials are thrust into a desperate race against time, as they attempt to unmask the perpetrators and prevent a national tragedy. The plot itself is tightly woven, with the screenplay by Zinia Sen and Sarbari Ghoshal leaving little room for slack. Every sequence feels purposeful, building momentum and heightening the stakes as the story progresses.
The film is also significant for marking the return of veteran actor Victor Banerjee in a lead role after a long gap. Watching him embody his character with gravitas and screen presence is both nostalgic and rewarding. Alongside him, Abir Chatterjee and Mimi Chakraborty deliver strong, convincing performances that complement the intensity of the narrative.
On the technical front, the film scores high. Pratip Mukhopadhyay's cinematography captures the urgency and tension beautifully, while Malay Laha's editing ensures that the pace never falters. The background score by Prabuddha Banerjee adds to the suspense, while the songs by Dohar, Anindya Chattopadhyay, and Surajit Chatterjee provide cultural resonance without breaking the flow.
What makes Raktabeej stand out is its ability to blend realism with cinematic thrills. The direction is sharp, the screenplay binding, and the overall execution fast-paced and impactful. With its strong performances, engaging story, and polished production values, this film firmly establishes itself as one of the more compelling Bengali thrillers of recent times.
A heartwarming comeback for Victor Banerjee and a high-octane ride for the audience, Raktabeej deserves to be seen, not just for its political relevance but also for its sheer cinematic craft.
Rating: 9/10 - A taut, thrilling experience that plants its seeds of suspense deep in your mind.
The Long Walk (2025), directed by Francis Lawrence, is an unsettling blend of horror, sci-fi, and dystopian thriller that asks a haunting question: how far would you go, and is it really worth it? Adapted from Stephen King's 1979 novel written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, the film carries forward the author's raw and uncompromising vision but introduces a few fresh angles that make it stand apart from the source material.
The story centers on a brutal contest where teenagers are forced into a life-or-death march. The rules are terrifyingly simple-keep walking, or be executed by the military escort shadowing their every move. Cooper Hoffman takes on the role of Raymond Garraty, with David Jonsson as Peter McVries, and both deliver grounded performances that capture the emotional and physical toll of this relentless ordeal. The supporting cast of young actors also does justice to their roles, though it's the intense premise that truly drives the film forward.
Interestingly, the movie does not stick entirely to King's bleak, solitary meditation on survival. Instead, it explores themes of love, sacrifice, and rebellion against oppressive authority. This shift might divide audiences-purists may miss the unrelenting despair of the book, while others may find the added emotional arcs more relatable and cinematic. One cannot ignore the eerie similarity to Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. In fact, this adaptation makes it even clearer that King's novel might have been a twisted inspiration behind Collins' dystopian saga.
From a technical standpoint, the film holds steady. Lawrence's direction ensures that the pacing never falters, and J. T. Mollner's screenplay balances brutality with emotion. The cinematography captures both the vast, desolate landscapes and the suffocating intensity of the march, while the editing and background score add to the film's oppressive atmosphere. Though performances are fairly good, it's really the mood and narrative weight that carry the film.
Overall, The Long Walk is gripping, gruesome, and deeply emotional. While not flawless, it succeeds in making viewers question endurance, humanity, and the cost of survival. For thriller and dystopian fans, it is worth the watch.
Rating: 7/10.
The story centers on a brutal contest where teenagers are forced into a life-or-death march. The rules are terrifyingly simple-keep walking, or be executed by the military escort shadowing their every move. Cooper Hoffman takes on the role of Raymond Garraty, with David Jonsson as Peter McVries, and both deliver grounded performances that capture the emotional and physical toll of this relentless ordeal. The supporting cast of young actors also does justice to their roles, though it's the intense premise that truly drives the film forward.
Interestingly, the movie does not stick entirely to King's bleak, solitary meditation on survival. Instead, it explores themes of love, sacrifice, and rebellion against oppressive authority. This shift might divide audiences-purists may miss the unrelenting despair of the book, while others may find the added emotional arcs more relatable and cinematic. One cannot ignore the eerie similarity to Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. In fact, this adaptation makes it even clearer that King's novel might have been a twisted inspiration behind Collins' dystopian saga.
From a technical standpoint, the film holds steady. Lawrence's direction ensures that the pacing never falters, and J. T. Mollner's screenplay balances brutality with emotion. The cinematography captures both the vast, desolate landscapes and the suffocating intensity of the march, while the editing and background score add to the film's oppressive atmosphere. Though performances are fairly good, it's really the mood and narrative weight that carry the film.
Overall, The Long Walk is gripping, gruesome, and deeply emotional. While not flawless, it succeeds in making viewers question endurance, humanity, and the cost of survival. For thriller and dystopian fans, it is worth the watch.
Rating: 7/10.
The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) arrives as the ninth chapter in the acclaimed horror franchise, and it proves to be both terrifying and rewarding for longtime fans. Directed by Michael Chaves and written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, the film revisits the infamous Smurl haunting in 1986 Pennsylvania, with Ed and Lorraine Warren once again stepping into a family's darkest nightmare.
The movie succeeds first and foremost in its ability to scare. Rather than leaning heavily on jump scares, it builds an atmosphere that crawls under the skin, enhanced by well-timed editing, a chilling background score, and immersive cinematography. It's a horror film that not only unsettles but also intrigues, keeping the viewer invested in both the mystery and the terror.
Performances elevate the material further. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to carry the series with remarkable presence, portraying Ed and Lorraine Warren with grace, conviction, and emotional depth. Their chemistry is as compelling as ever, grounding the supernatural in human connection. Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy add to the ensemble effectively, but it's Wilson and Farmiga who remain the emotional anchors.
On the technical side, the film delivers strong direction, crisp editing, and a screenplay that balances suspense with storytelling. There are a few minor snags - a couple of predictable moments and some pacing dips - but these are outweighed by the film's overall effectiveness. By the end, Last Rites feels both fulfilling and memorable, offering a chilling ride that meets expectations and, at times, exceeds them.
For fans of the franchise, this entry will not disappoint. It stands as a worthy continuation and a satisfying piece of supernatural horror.
The movie succeeds first and foremost in its ability to scare. Rather than leaning heavily on jump scares, it builds an atmosphere that crawls under the skin, enhanced by well-timed editing, a chilling background score, and immersive cinematography. It's a horror film that not only unsettles but also intrigues, keeping the viewer invested in both the mystery and the terror.
Performances elevate the material further. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to carry the series with remarkable presence, portraying Ed and Lorraine Warren with grace, conviction, and emotional depth. Their chemistry is as compelling as ever, grounding the supernatural in human connection. Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy add to the ensemble effectively, but it's Wilson and Farmiga who remain the emotional anchors.
On the technical side, the film delivers strong direction, crisp editing, and a screenplay that balances suspense with storytelling. There are a few minor snags - a couple of predictable moments and some pacing dips - but these are outweighed by the film's overall effectiveness. By the end, Last Rites feels both fulfilling and memorable, offering a chilling ride that meets expectations and, at times, exceeds them.
For fans of the franchise, this entry will not disappoint. It stands as a worthy continuation and a satisfying piece of supernatural horror.