Monthly Review: June’22
June was one of the months where I completed the pending things, started working on new things, met a lot of people, ate at many new places, and I am pretty much satisfied with the month.
I read books, completed a series, watched many movies (both in cinema halls and on OTTs), met friends and had fun times roaming around the otherwise busy Indira Nagar roads at 1 am :)
Movies
Trance
I was in Hyderabad at the beginning of the month, and my relatives suggested that I watch Trance starring Fahadh when we were discussing his role in Vikram and other movies. Though the movie tests our patience at times, it’s great to see a mainstream movie showcasing how people can be bluffed and played with. Fahad is brilliant, and the sound design takes us into a trance. I was vibing to the music throughout the movie from the time he became a pastor.
Vikram
Finally, I saw the pure madness of Kamal after becoming an ardent fan of his work during the covid. This happens to be my third theatrical experience of Kamal’s movies after Dasavatharam and Eenadu. I did revisit Kaithi after our Lokesh gave the homework! Thankful that his movies are making money, and this movie became the highest grosser in TN (heard it crossed 400 cr).
Coming to the movie, it’s 100% Loki’s film. Please watch the movie at the nearest theatres. It’s gonna stream on Hotstar from July 8th. Please, please watch it. Lokesh Kanagaraj is really the “gold.” Please keep creating such riveting stories, sir 🙌
Highly recommend watching Loki’s interviews with Baradwaj Rangan, both before and after the movie release. Such a humble guy ❤️
Vikram and Trance used Mocobot for the key scenes that stood out for me. There was one BTS video circulating on social media. At times I’m shouting “Vikrammmmm” these days 🔥
Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd
This movie is directed by Reema Kagti, and I saw it randomly. A short and sweet movie, encompassing several stories of post-marriage scenes of the couples who go on a honeymoon to Goa.
Jagadguru Adi Shankara
Long pending one. Finally watched the movie. I was totally unaware of Adi Shankara until I heard it from my relatives who recommended this movie.
Sivaji
I revisited the movie as I read about the movie completed 15 years of release. Rajini’s swag and Shankar’s elevations are bliss. One of my friends wrote this on chat “Pure mass movie. Rajini says ‘I’m Sivaji and I’m MGR.’ Who dares to say that?”
Beast
Watched it on a Saturday morning even though my friends warned me to avoid it. Ani’s work and cinematography are class apart. Writing could’ve been much better. Selva’s acting is a breather 😄
Jana Gana Mana
Wow! Again, suggested by my relatives. This movie covered a lot of issues that happened in our country and kept on happening. I totally appreciate how they reflected society, our thinking and our judgment after reading the buzz and media frenzy. Please watch it, I don’t want to spoil your experience by giving away the plot and all. List down how many real-life incidents you can recall are shown in this movie.
Eenadu
This was a YouTube suggestion and watched it for Kamal alone. It’s ironic how Kamal played this character who seeks instant justice while he personally is the opposite (I believe)!
Vichitra Sahodarulu
This time for Kamal and Singeetham. Innovative revenge comedy. Felt fresh and enjoyed the dialogues and acting by Kamal. Please watch it for these two legends. Highly recommend it.
Everything Everywhere All at once
Absurd comedy — not my kind of movie. Didn’t enjoy it. Many friends recommended it, but I wasn’t into it. Hardly finished the movie.
Sarkaru Vaari Paata
No words. I fear if I swear anything about the movie. Don’t.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I couldn’t watch Major and Ante Sundaraniki in theatres. Wish I had experienced them inside the cinema halls. Will watch them as soon as they stream in OTTs (heard both are with Netflix).
Web Series
Suzhal
I didn’t see the trailer, but the showrunners’ names made me not want to miss this. One of my colleagues recommended it during our call. Thought it was just another Drishyam kind of content, but they’ve more. The narration slowly unravels the truth and the innate truth “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
A whodunit thriller which pays off well with the narration and the plot points. All actors need a shoutout for their immersion into the characters. I’m trying hard not to give away the climax twist. A decent watch that respects your time.
Books
Finally, I finished Robert Mckee’s “Story” this month. I think I started it in March, and it took a lot of time to complete reading it. I am compiling the notes from the book, which I’ll use further while writing stories! Patted myself on the back for not abandoning the book. Really a challenging experience not reading anything until I finish this book.
Other Stuff
I came to Bengaluru in the last week of June to work from here for a week. My office didn’t call me to report, but they organized a meet-up in Coorg. Looking forward to meeting people in person and exchanging stories :)
I ate at a lot of places in the last week. Took many pictures, and I’ll try to create an Instagram Reel and attach the video to next month’s blog post.
Thanks for reading the blog, it means a lot to me, quite literally. Stay safe and be happy 😄
