Based on a true story and adapted from the book by Shrabani Basu, the film is a story that we got to know probably in the last 20 years or so, about an unlikely friendship that Queen Victoria struck up with a young Indian prison clerk

Crica: It’s the time when the British were ruling India. Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) is instructed to travel to England for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 to present her with a mohur, a gold coin which has been minted as a token of appreciation from British-ruled India. Expect a lot of fun between Abdul and his colleague Mohammed (Adeel Akhtar) who also joins him on the trip. It’s enjoyable to see them make a Mickey of themselves on screen especially in a foreign country.

Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) is alone and lonely after the demise of her husband and finds an unexpected companionship with Abdul whom she refers to as Munshi. The two forge a devoted alliance and heart-warming loyalty to one another, but it is met with fierce opposition from the Queen’s inner circle, especially her son Bertie (Eddie Izzard). Victoria begins to learn the Quran and Urdu and a bit of India from Abdul. As their friendship deepens, despite threats from the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues to resign doesn’t stop her loyalty to Abdul. Victoria is nevertheless unperturbed by this.

When she learns that Munshi is married, she invites his family to the palace, much to the annoyance of those closest to her. It’s amusing to watch the Queen’s family and confidants huddling around doors speaking of Abdul in racially tinged language.

The film’s cinematography is excellent in capturing Victoria in her old age. Fazal gives a good performance.

Bonus features include ‘Jusi and Ali’ focus on the pairing of Dench and Faizal, while ‘The Look of Victoria and Abdul’ shows the production design of the film.

By: Verus Ferreira

The post Victoria & Abdul first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

A perfect Al Pacino styled action thriller has the charming Robert Pattinson, known for his work in the Twilight Saga series, kick off his past roles and take on the role of a street-smart gangster who is out to prove his love for his brother.

Nick (Ben Safdie) is at a rehab centre and being interviewed by a psychiatrist attempting to get to the bottom of his cognitive disability. As his answers reveal his problems, the tears roll down. When his brother Connie (Robert Pattison) bursts into the room and notices it, he pulls out Nick from the torture and drags him away.

Connie has planned a bank robbery and his best backup is his brother. Donning black – face masks, the duo set off to rob a bank, passing a note to the cashier. With a cool and calm attitude, they get the loot and are off. Just as they set off, their dye packs go off, staining their clothes and faces. In the melee, Nick crashes through a glass door and injures himself. He’s arrested and later admitted to hospital with severe injuries.

Connie tries to raise the money to bail him out with a bail bondsman, but the dyed cash is no good. He meets up with his girlfriend Corey (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who secretly stashes her mother’s credit card, but realises it’s no good in clearing the $10,000 bail. Connie has only one way out, head to the hospital and free his brother.

The one night event in the heart of New York City keeps you on pins, as Connie tries to go one step over the law and do everything he can to help his brother.

But will all this trouble really end up with Nick being free? Watch the nail biting finish that proves Hollywood has surprises galore.

Iggy Pop’s shockingly gorgeous closing song The Pure and the Damned, sums up the film perfectly.

By: Verus Ferreira

The post Good Time first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Reliance Entertainment – Rs. 649/-

Circa: 1865. We have a 19 year old Katherine (Florence Pugh) all set to get forcibly married to Alexander (Paul Hilton) a man twice her age. In what should be joyous day, it’s a gloomy day for Katherine, who has actually been purchased along with a plot of land by Alexander’s father, the wealthy mine owner Boris (Christopher Fairbank). Boris’s main idea in marrying off his son is to provide an heir to the property after his death. But the aftermath of the wedding night shows nothing of the sort is going to happen in the future.

Katherine’s soon in the bedroom with her husband, who isn’t interested in her sexually or any other way. On their first night together, he brusquely orders her to undress, face the wall, leaving her naked, untouched and puzzled, while he satisfies himself. Katherine is forbidden from leaving the house and has to adhere to the rules of a strict father in law. Katherine is more of a prisoner than a wife.

Katherine attends to the daily chores with her black maid Anna (Naomi Ackie), the only witness to her sadness. Things take a turn when Alexander and Boris are forced to leave the family’s remote estate on business. Katherine, who loves the outdoors, takes the opportunity to begin exploring the outside world which prompts an awakening inside her. One day she enters the staff quarters where a few workers are mercilessly abusing Anna. She stops the torture and reprimands the molester Sebastian (Cosmo Jarvis) a strong and handsome man of mixed race. Soon she feels a strong attraction to Sebastian. She meets up with him on the sly initially outdoors and in her room at night.

From now on the film takes its course on the extra marital affair of Katherine and Sebastian. Saying anymore would spoil the fun.

For the beautiful Katherine who has not consummated her marriage, we see her and Sebastian multiple times in bed. But even before most of the steamy love making scenes begin, it seems to have been chopped abruptly, with very little skin show. Audiences would really feel let down, considering the plot of the film. No intoxicating eye candy for lovers of romance. The DVD is also devoid of any bonus features.

– By Verus Ferreira

The post Lady Macbeth first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.