Mayday (2026)

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

 
VERDICT – 1/5

• In 1987, U.S. Navy pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly is shot down during a mission over Soviet territory. He wakes in the cabin of Nikolai Ustinov, an ex-KGB agent obsessed with America and Top Gun. Nikolai helps Troy evade the KGB in exchange of political asylum in the USA.
• Kenneth Branagh steals the film; Ryan Reynolds mostly plays another version of his familiar sarcastic persona.
• 1980s story with 2026 hairstyle and humor. Another soulless slop.

QUOTE –
Troy: What if they’ve seen my picture on TV? They could call the authorities.
Nikolai: You see a television here?
Troy: It could be in the other room.
Nikolai: Do you see another room?

Cruising (1980)

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

 
VERDICT – 4/5

• A New York police officer goes undercover to investigate a serial killer targeting gay men connected to the city’s leather-bar scene. As he spends more time in the underground world, the investigation begins affecting his relationship with his girlfriend and raises questions about his own identity.
• The color palette used in the film is very vivid. Even the lighting during the night scenes are great.
• The ambiguous climax clearly hints that there are more than one killer and Burns could be one of them.

QUOTE –
Loren Lukas: Where you from?
Stuart Richards: Mars.
Loren Lukas: Terrific, I never made it with a Martian before.

A Bronx Tale (1993)

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

 
VERDICT – 5/5

• In 1960s Bronx, young Calogero becomes fascinated by Sonny, a powerful local gangster, after witnessing him kill a man. His father Lorenzo, an honest bus driver, tries to keep him away from organized crime. As Calogero grows older, Sonny becomes a mentor, teaching him about street life while Lorenzo teaches him hard work and responsibility.
• A feel good gangster film. De Niro curbed his performance and gave the meaty role to the author-actor Chazz Palminteri.
• An under-rated movie.
• Chazz Palminteri’s screenplay uplifts the ordinary story.

QUOTE –
Lorenzo: The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.

The Whisper Man (2026)

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

 
VERDICT – 1/5

• Widowed crime writer Tom Kennedy moves with his young son Jake to a new home, hoping to rebuild their lives. Jake soon disappears, and Tom turns to his estranged father, retired detective Pete Willis, who once captured notorious serial killer Frank Carter, the original Whisper Man. New kidnappings copy Frank’s methods, suggesting someone is continuing his work. Pete and Detective Amanda Beck discover that the new killer is Frank’s son, Francis Jr., who has been seeking his father’s approval.
• Michael Keaton outperformed Robert De Niro.
• Far better thrillers are available to watch if you got 2 hrs. to spare.

QUOTE –
You’re a shitty father, but a good fucking detective.

Motor City (2026)

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

 
VERDICT – 2/5

• In 1970s Detroit, John Miller, a Vietnam veteran and factory worker, falls in love with Sophia, the girlfriend of violent gangster Reynolds. After John stands up to Reynolds, the gangster uses corrupt police officer Savick to frame John for drug possession. John receives a 25-year prison sentence, while Reynolds takes Sophia back and eventually marries her. Years later, John escapes prison with two fellow inmates and begins hunting the men responsible.
• Fresh nearly dialogue-free approach. Stylish, brutal and driven by music.
• Pablo Schreiber vs Alan Ritchson elevator fight.
• Its not bad, but the primary revenge plot is not new. 70s music is not for everyone.

QUOTE –
Reynolds: I loved her.
John Miller: I still do.

Chalte Chalte (2003)

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

 
VERDICT – 1/5

• Raj Mathur, a small transport company owner, meets Priya Chopra and falls in love with her, despite learning that she is engaged. Raj follows Priya to Greece, where she eventually realizes she loves him. They marry and return to Mumbai. Their marriage soon faces problems because Raj’s business struggles financially while Priya feels pressure from her wealthy family.
• Excellent cast, memorable music & songs, but pathetic execution by Aziz Mirza. Shahrukh poured his heart out in every scene but the director is clueless. The dialogues are childish and the entire screenplay is incoherent and patchy.
• Shahrukh’s character of an incredulous husband is poorly written.
• A sadness tone looms over the entire movie – every scene, even during the romantic funny scenes. Even Johnny Lever in that drunkard role can’t redeem this mess.

QUOTE –
“yaad rakhna ki duniya ke kisi kone mein ek aadmi hai joh bahut khush hai … kyun ki tum khush ho”

The Limey (1999)

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

 
VERDICT – 3/5

• Wilson, an aging English criminal, is released from prison and travels to Los Angeles after learning that his daughter Jenny died in a supposed car accident. Convinced she was murdered, he investigates with help from Jenny’s friends Eduardo and Elaine. His suspicions lead to Terry Valentine, a wealthy music producer who was dating Jenny and secretly involved in drug trafficking.
• Steven Soderbergh’s quirky direction.
• This could’ve been Taken (2008) but alas, a missed opportunity.
• Peter Fonda wasted as Terry Valentine. Barry Newman impresses as Jim Avery.

QUOTE –
Wilson: You tell him, you tell him I’m coming. Tell him I’m fucking coming!

Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

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

 
VERDICT – 4/5

• Clyde Shelton watches helplessly as his wife and daughter are murdered during a home invasion. The killers are caught, but prosecutor Nick Rice makes a deal with one of them, Clarence Darby, allowing him to receive a reduced sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Ten years later, Clyde begins taking revenge on everyone connected to the case. From inside prison, he executes elaborate killings that expose weaknesses in Philadelphia’s justice system.
• Smart vigilante story.
• Great supporting cast.
• Highly entertaining, despite an unnecessarily frustrating ending.

QUOTE –
Jonas Cantrell: The hard part isn’t making the decision. It’s living with it.

Roman Holiday (1953)

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

 
VERDICT – 4/5

• Princess Ann, exhausted by her strict royal duties during a visit to Rome, secretly leaves her embassy. A sedative makes her fall asleep outside, where American reporter Joe Bradley finds her and takes her to his apartment. Joe soon discovers her identity and plans to get an exclusive story, secretly taking her around Rome with photographer Irving.
• The bittersweet ending. Brave but also frustrating.
• The unforgettable Audrey Hepburn. Epitome of grace.
• Vespa ride. William Wyler’s direction and Rome location shooting give the film timeless visual appeal.

QUOTE –
Princess Ann: Is this the elevator?
Joe Bradley: This is my ROOM!

The Invite (2026)

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

 
VERDICT – 2/5

• Joe and Angela are a married couple whose relationship has become cold and unhappy. Their daughter is away for the night, so Angela invites their upstairs neighbors, sexually liberated couple Piña and Hawk, to dinner. Joe is annoyed because their loud sex has kept him awake, while Angela secretly envies their apparent passion. During dinner, Piña and Hawk reveal that they host group-sex parties and invite Joe and Angela to join them. The offer exposes deeper problems in the marriage.
• A companion piece to Carnage (2011).
• Funny and sharp dialogues. But a one time watch.

QUOTE –
Hawk: Both of you.
Joe: Including me?