We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
The Boy and the Heron: Film buffs and anime fans, buckle up! The much-awaited movie by the legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki is finally releasing in India. The story is set during the second World War and focuses on a pre-teen boy Mahito Maki—who moves to the countryside with his father after losing his mother in a bombing attack at Tokyo hospital. But as all Miyazaki films go, Mahito’s fears and guilts manifest in the form of magic surrealism and blurs the boundaries of what is real and what is not. BTW, the film is partly inspired by Miyazaki’s own life and it won the Oscar for best animated feature.
Reviews are good. New York Times calls the movie “enigmatic” and notes: “Better to watch as an exercise in contemplation than storytelling; this is the work of a man pondering life from its endpoint.” The Verge writes: “Indeed, with ‘The Boy and the Heron’, Miyazaki has produced one of his best films to date.” Our take: We love Miyazaki’s works and the beautiful yet solemn stories. Enuf said. The movie was released in the theatres yesterday.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: Fans of the Planet of the Apes franchise, line up! The latest instalment is directed by Wes Ball—best known for the Maze Runner trilogy. The story takes place many years after Caesar—the leader of the apes—defeats the humans. The apes, now, have established a civilisation of their own—with humans living in the shadows. But as a new tyrannical ape leader emerges, one young ape rises to challenge him and his ideology.
Reviews are mixed for this. Indie Wire calls it “lush and nuanced” as well as “rewardingly cerebral journey.” OTOH BBC Culture concludes that the movie “is the definition of generic.” Ouch! Our take: We would like to see the apes ruling their own kingdom for once. You can catch it in theatres.
Let it Be: Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg captures the ‘fab four’ as they go back to basics and attempt to compose a reunion album of sorts. The docu film was originally released in 1970 and this 2024 version is a restored and sharpened version of the same. The first release of the movie was marred by the publicly known break-up of the Beatles—which made it a gloomy watch for most fans. More than half a century later, its release in present-day vibrancy allows us to revisit the beloved band without that stinging ache, and see them in a new light—of a creative foursome doing what they do best—making good music.
Reviews are actually pretty okay. The Guardian says: “when it came out and widely thought of as miserable, the film – restored to its original format – actually offers light and insightful moments”. Our take: A refurbished take on The Beatles sounds like a good way to spend the weekend. The film is streaming now on Disney+ Hotstar.
Under the Bridge: Based on a true crime incident from 1997—and picked from 2005 book by Rebecca Godfrey, this series focuses on fourteen-year old Reena Virk (played by Vritika Gupta) who is murdered ‘under the bridge’ where she partied with her friends. Fictional version of Godfrey (Riley Keough) and the cop on the case (Lily Gladstone) find out the mystery behind the disappearance while shedding the light on the shortcomings of the town that deals with racism.
Reviews are not too great, but not too bad either. Variety grimly notes that the series “is an absorbing examination of cruelty, why some people receive empathy over others and how our own biases can prevent us from recognizing the truth.” Similarly, Hollywood Reporter leaves us with this: “Who killed Reena, and how, Under the Bridge does eventually tell you. Why it happened, it dares only to ask — but not, in the end, to answer.” Our take: Fans of true crime and thrillers may want to watch this one. You can stream the eight-episode miniseries on Disney+ Hotstar.
Murder in Mahim: As for the best among the new Indian watches, here’s a murder mystery-thriller web series for you. Based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Jerry Pinto, the plot follows a team of cops led by the actor Vijay Raaz and his journalist friend, Peter—played by Ashutosh Rana. The story takes place in Mumbai—where the cop-journalist duo find out the responsible party behind the murder of a young man—found in the washroom of a railway station.
Unfortunately, reviews are not that great. The Hindu is of the view that it “lacks the subtlety and craft of a really great crime show.” Film Companion is nicer and says it is not unwatchable but “it mistakes slow-burning for slow.” Our take: We are fans of the actors in this show and expect to find it thrilling. ‘Murder in Mahim’ is streaming on JioCinema.
Mother of the Bride: From the director of ‘Freaky Friday’ and ‘Mean Girls’—this has a stellar throwback cast including Brooke Shields, Chad Micheal Murray and Miranda Cosgrove. Rom-com tropes, a tropical island setting and a wedding—what else do you need to settle in for a feel-good night in. Shields plays the titular mother of the bride who encounters her old college flame at her daughter’s exotic wedding. Sparks fly, awkward incidents get you lolling and there are some tender moments.
Reviews say it’s suitable for a mindless watch. The Guardian says of this genre of Netflix rom-coms—“It’s a slight cut above just how very bad these things can get, but not enough to edge it toward something that would deserve your full attention.” Our take: We’re here for the early aughts nostalgia. Netflix has been doing a consistent job of producing familiar rom-com films with satisfying storylines and interesting cast members and we have no complaints! The film is now streaming on Netflix.
Here’s a new chapter…
Doctor Who Season 14: This one is for the Doctor Who fans! Ncuti Gatwa—from the ‘Sex Education’ fame—is the fifteenth incarnation of the Doctor. He is accompanied by his companion Ruby Sunday—portrayed by Millie Gibson. They travel across time and space in the TARDIS all the way from the Regency era in England, to war-torn future worlds—even fancying an encounter with the bogeyman. The eight-episode season is available on Disney+ Hotstar.
Fresh off the big screen…
All of Us Strangers: This highly acclaimed love story—headlined by two brilliant actors Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal—has finally graced the OTT screen. Directed by Andrew Haigh, the plot is loosely adapted from a 1987 horror novel by the Japanese writer Taichi Yamada titled ‘Strangers’. In it, Adam (Andrew Scott) falls in love with his neighbour Harry and navigates through his past traumas by rekindling his relationship with his dead parents who come back as ghosts.
As for the review, The Guardian gives it a high praise—saying: “It’s a remarkable achievement — a raw and potent piece of storytelling that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.” The movie dropped on Disney+ Hotstar on Wednesday.
