Unfrosted (2024)

STORY – 0
DIRECTOR – 1
ACTOR – 1
MUSIC – 0
CULT – 0

 

 

 

VERDICT – 2/5

 

 

PROS –
1) A fictionalized re-telling about the creation of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries by Kellogg’s. In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg’s and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever.
2) Jerry Seinfeld making his directorial debut on one of his favorite stand-up act – breakfast cereal.
3) Bill Burr as JFK was fun to watch.

 

 

 

CONS –
1) The SNL ensemble cast is always annoying.

 

 

 

QUOTE –
A meeting of the five cereal families has been called.

Sabrina (1954)

STORY – 1
DIRECTOR – 1
ACTOR – 1
MUSIC – 0
CULT – 1

 

 

 

VERDICT – 4/5

 

 

PROS –
1) Sabrina, daughter of the Larrabee family’s chauffeur, is in one sided love with the family playboy son, David. When Sabrina returns from France an elegant lady, David finds himself falling in love with her. But Sabrina begins falling for his elder brother Linus, who reciprocates her feelings.
2) A must watch rom-com. One of the movie that solidifies the impression of Paris as the city of romance.
3) A stellar star-cast.

 

 

 

CONS –
N/A

 

 

 

QUOTE –
Thomas Fairchild: Democracy can be a wickedly unfair thing, Sabrina. Nobody poor was ever called democratic for marrying somebody rich.

Dragon Ball – Season 9: Piccolo Jr. Saga (1988–89)

VERDICT – 4/4

 

 

 

Yajirobe takes Goku again to Korin tower where he recovers. Cat Korin learns about the killing of Shen Long dragon and tells Goku to seek help from Kami who is the creator of Dragon Balls who lives in a temple above Korin’s tower. Goku locates Nyoibō with the help of Fortuneteller Baba and reaches the temple. He meets Mr. Popo and Kami in the temple. Kami explains that he and King Piccolo used to be one being, but in order to be the Guardian of Earth, he had to cast the evil from his body, which became Piccolo.Kami agrees to revive Shen Long Dragon if Goku stays and trains with Mr. Popo for a while, terms which Goku gladly accepts. Dragon Balls comes back to life and the gang wish for everyone who was killed by Piccolo to be revived resulting resurrection of Roshi, Krillin, and Chaozu. Roshi instructs Krillin, Chaozu, Yamcha, and Tien to move out of Kame House and train hard to compete with Goku.

3 years later, the gang reunites at the 23rd Tenkaichi tournament all grown ups. Cyborg Tao Pai Pai entered the tournament and plans to kill Goku and Tien for vengeance, but got easily beaten by Tien. Yajirobe enters tournament incognito and got knocked out early. ChiChi also enters the tournament, got defeated by Goku. She reminds him of his promise to marry ChiChi which he accepts. Goku, Tien, Piccolo Jr and Kami (in a borrowed body) reaches the semi-final. Goku defeats Tien after an intense fight. Kami lost to Piccolo Jr after the Mafuba technique to seal Junior in a Denshi jar fails. Kami himself got trapped in the Denshi jar that Piccolo Jr. swallows. Goku faces Piccolo Jr in the finals. Piccolo reveals to everyone that he is, in fact, the reincarnation of King Piccolo. After an intense battle, Goku tricks him and take the jar out of his mouth to free Kami. Goku beats Piccolo but refuse to kill him as it’ll also kill Kami. Yajirobe reveals himself to everyone and feeds Goku senzu beans and Goku recovers quickly. Goku feed senzu bean to Piccolo and let him go.

The tournament is completed and Goku takes Chichi with him on Kintu-Un to Gyūmaō castle. They began wedding preparation but the castle is again engulfed in fire. Goku starts new adventure with Chichi to get Bansho fan. Fortuneteller Baba reveals it is so because the flames were caused from a leak in the Magical Furnace in the Dark World. Goku and Chi-Chi travels to the Dark World and to their surprise found Grandpa Gohan who’s working there as a watchmen for the Furnace Keeper known as Annin. Goku descends into the furnace and seals the leak solving the problem. Goku and Chi-Chi proceed with their wedding and finally get married.

 

 

 

QUOTE-
Hey Kuririn! What’s a Bride?

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

STORY – 1
DIRECTOR – 0
ACTOR – 1
MUSIC – 0
CULT – 0

 

 

 

VERDICT – 2/5

 

 

PROS –
1) The plot follows the doomed crew of the merchant ship Demeter led by Captain Elliot who attempts to survive the treacherous ocean voyage from Transylvania to London while being stalked by a legendary vampire known as Dracula, who is in fact being transported incognito in one of the wooden crate.
2) An adaptation of “The Captain’s Log”, a chapter from the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker.

 

 

 

CONS –
1) A missed opportunity. 45 minutes longer than needed.
2) Corey Hawkins as Clemens, a Cambridge educated black doctor among the superstitious sailors. Nobody asked for an annoying non existent character fighting prejudice and racism in a horror movie. To add insult to injury, he is the central character. With a better actor playing the central character who was among the sailors, there was possibility of a sequel.

 

 

 

QUOTE –
Clemens: I do not fear you!
Dracula: You will.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

STORY – 0
DIRECTOR – 1
ACTOR – 1
MUSIC – 0
CULT – 0

 

 

 

VERDICT – 2/5

 

 

PROS –
1) Set in postwar Japan, it follows a failed kamikaze pilot suffering from PTSD after encountering a giant monster known as “Godzilla” who was mutated as a result of Operation Crossroads nuclear test in 1946.
2) The climactic action of killing Godzilla.

 

 

 

CONS –
1) The movie could’ve shorter if boring elements were removed.

 

 

 

QUOTE –
Seiji Akitsu: To have never gone to war is something to be proud of.

Dragon Ball – Season 8: King Piccolo Saga (1988)

VERDICT – 4/4

 

Judging by the crest on a paper found next to dead Kuririn, Roshi understood it to be the work of King Piccolo. He tells the gang about Piccolo Daimao, a Demon who menaced the world centuries ago and how he and his master Mutaito trapped him in a jar at the cost of his own life. It turns out Emperor Pilaf released King Piccolo and is assisting him. Having learned from Pilaf about the origin of the dragon balls, Piccolo insists on using them to restore his youth while continuing his plan of world conquest. Blinded by rage seeing Kuririn murdered, Goku follows Piccolo’s minion Tambourine but got beaten easily. Goku had in his mind to collect all dragon balls to resurrect Kuririn. Goku finally wakes up and encounters a mysterious and strong fighter called Yajirobe who’s wearing 1-star dragon ball as a necklace. Another minion of Piccolo known as Cymbal sent to collect the dragon ball got easily slayed by Yajirobe who later eats it. Tambourine is sent to avenge Cymbal’s death but this time a rejuvenated Goku kills him with a Kamehameha Wave. King Piccolo decides to deal with Goku himself and after a fierce battle Goku got critically wounded. Goku requests Yajirobe take him to Korin Tower. Meanwhile Roshi arrives with 5 dragon balls along with Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu. Roshi uses his master’s Mafūba Wave and nearly succeeds at trapping King Piccolo again, but misses the jar’s opening at the last second. The deadly move results the death of Roshi. King Piccolo summons Shen Long. Chiaotzu tries to stop him by wishing for his destruction, but is killed by King Piccolo. King Piccolo makes his wish to become young again, which results in his power rising to an incredible level. After getting his wish completed he kills Dragon Shen Long which results in the Dragon Balls’ destruction. Back in Land Of Korin, Yajirobe climbs the Tower with Goku on his back. Cat Korin informs Goku about Roshi’s death and tells him that he has nothing left to teach Goku, but tips Goku on Super Sacred Water. Yajirobe and Goku reaches the icy labyrinth. The guardian of the labyrinth known as Darkness tests Goku’s mettle by showing him illusion of Roshi and the gang inviting him to enjoy in Kame House but Goku doesn’t fall for the trick. Satisfied with Goku, Darkness offers him Super Sacred Water which has caused death of 14 previous visitors. Goku takes the chance, drinks it, and it works. After a night of suffering through pain caused by the water, he becomes stronger than King Piccolo. Goku and Yajirobe reemerge in Korin Tower where Goku gets a new Kinto-Un. He immediately travels to King Castle to kill Piccolo. Before Goku, Tien Shinhan reaches to King Castle to trap Piccolo in the jar using Mafuba move but he fails. A new minion of Piccolo called Drum is about to kill Tien Shinhan but Goku arrives and kills Drum with a single blow. A fierce fight starts between Goku and Piccolo, where finally Goku uses full power in his right fist to punch a hole through King Piccolo’s torso. Seconds before King Piccolo’s death, he uses the last of his energy to create his final offspring. Yajirobe arrives in the last moment to help a severely injured Goku and takes him for treatment.

 

QUOTE
there is no such thing as furofushi water. it’s not real.

Dragon Ball – Season 7: Tien Shinhan Saga (1987–88)

VERDICT – 4/4

 

After a gap of 3 years, Goku reunites with the gang in Papaya Island for the 22nd Tenkaichi tournament. Master Roshi meets his old evil rival Crane Hermit who arrives with his 2 students Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu. It is later revealed that Tao Pai Pai (earlier killed by Goku) was the estranged brother of Crane Hermit. After the preliminary rounds – Goku, Jackie Chun, Yamucha, Kuririn along with Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Man Wolf, and Pomput reaches the round of last 8. Tien Shinhan breaks Yamucha left leg in the quarter final. After an intense fight, Kuririn battles a barrage of Dodonpa Ray to beat Chiaotzu. Jackie Chun identifies the superior fighter Tien Shinhan and walks out of the ring. He also asks Tien Shinhan to leave the evil side of Crane Hermit. Goku defeats Kuririn in another semifinal to meet Tien Shinhan in the final. After severe round of intense fighting Tien Shinhan emerges as the winner in a photo-finish. Tien Shinhan realizes the wise words of Master Roshi. Tien apologizes to Yamucha for breaking his leg, then takes everyone out to dinner. While they’re eating, Goku has a bad feeling something has happened to Kuririn. He suddenly runs back to the arena and finds Kuririn murdered.

 

QUOTE
“You’ve taken your first step today. Your first step into the world of light.”

Dune: Part Two (2024)

STORY – 0
DIRECTOR – 1
ACTOR – 1
MUSIC – 1
CULT – 1

VERDICT – 4/5

PROS –
1) Paul Atreides emerges as the prophesied leader and becomes the new emperor. He takes his revenge by killing the baron who turns out to be his grandfather. His vision also gives him knowledge of past and present.
2) Some breathtaking action sequences such as the levitation scenes, sandworm riders, and Feyd-Rautha’s arena fight.
3) Hans Zimmer’s music.
4) The 3rd act saves the movie.

 

CONS –
1) For such a massive story of Empires and supernatural heroes, the love story is a boring subplot.
2) The core story remains mediocre however the movie is a visual spectacle.

 

QUOTE –
Stilgar: Madhi, what do you foresee for us?
Paul Atreides: Green Paradise.

Dragon Ball – Season 6: Fortuneteller Baba Saga (1987)

VERDICT – 4/4

 

 

Unable to track the 7th ball, Goku takes advice of Master Roshi to visit Fortuneteller Baba. Goku and the others meet Fortuneteller Baba they found that she is asking a huge price for a single fortune and Goku’s only alternative is to battle 5 warriors of Baba’s. They also came to know that she’s infact the elder sister of Master Roshi. Yamcha battles the first 2 warriors (Dracula Man and Invisible Man). The 3rd warrior (Mummy) defeats Yamcha and he nearly falls in the Devil’s Toilet but got saved by Goku. Finally Goku beats him. The 4th warrior called the “Devil-Man” uses the Devil-Might beam to finish Goku. It takes the tiniest of evil thought that everyone possesses and continually expands it until it causes a huge explosion. But Goku being pure hearted, have no evil thoughts at all, survives the attack – and manages to beat Devil-Man. The 5th and final warrior – a mysterious man wearing a cat mask and a halo on his head. Roshi senses some familiarity about the fifth fighter but is unable to recognize him. After a fierce fight both fighters launches the Kamehameha Wave. The masked man grabs Goku’s tail, disabling him through his weakness from fighting and starts slamming him. Roshi reveals to the gang that the man is none other than Goku’s deceased grandfather, Gohan. Goku refusing to give up through the weakness of his tail, Gohan is about to slam Goku one more time to kill his own grandson much to the horror of Goku’s friends. However, Goku’s tail eventually rips off, just in the nick of time to avoid the final blow.  Completely free from his weak point, but enraged at Gohan for pulling off his tail, Goku is about fight back. But Gohan surrenders and reveals his face to Goku. After an emotional hug, Fortuneteller Baba reveals that she scouts dead martial arts masters in the next world for a single day.  Gohan returns to the next world. Goku gets the location of 7th ball which was in possession of Emperor Pilaf. After getting all seven balls Goku goes back to the Land of Korin with Upa. Goku summons the eternal dragon, Upa wishes his father be resurrected. The dragon grants the wish and Bora rises from his grave. Before they can scatter, Goku grabs the four-star ball, which is already turning into stone. Roshi says that he has nothing more to teach Goku and directs him to travels without Kinto-Un. He asks him to meet him after 3 years in the Tenkaichi Tournament. During his travels and training, Goku beats Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Sky Dragon, and rescue Princess Misa from Demon Shura. He also befriends a Ferocious Beast, Inoshi Kacho from two strangers one of who has a third-eye.

 

 

QUOTE

“I missed you so much Grandpa !”

 

Late Night with the Devil (2024)

STORY – 1
DIRECTOR – 1
ACTOR – 1
MUSIC – 0
CULT – 0

 

 

 

VERDICT – 3/5

 

 

PROS –
1) The film follows the events of a late-night talk show episode aired on the night of Halloween 1977, during which the host attempts to boost ratings by inviting an allegedly possessed girl onto the show and pits her against a myth-buster magician.
2) A documentary style horror movie with fresh screenplay although the basic elements are generic.

 

 

 

CONS –
1) The climax seems incomplete.

 

 

 

QUOTE –
“You truly are a suggestible lot.”