Cinematic Showdown – The Best Films to Catch in Theatres

Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) / Releasing on 28th March

Are you a fan of heart-pounding survival dramas like 127 Hours, The Revenant, Cast Away, The Impossible, The Martian, and Maryan? If you are, then you won’t want to miss Aadujeevitham, an adaptation of the gripping 2008 Malayalam novel of the same name by Benyamin. The film is based on true events and stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead.

With the national award-winning filmmaker Blessy at the helm, serving as writer, director, and co-producer, this movie promises to be an electrifying cinematic experience that you won’t soon forget. The soundtrack is surely going to be a treat to your ears, as the music is arranged by the legendary A. R. Rahman while the sound is designed by Resul Pookutty.

The First Omen / Releasing on 5th April

Experience the harrowing journey of a young American woman in Rome as she encounters darkness that tests her faith and uncovers a diabolical conspiracy aiming to birth pure evil. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson and featuring Nell Tiger Free, Tawkeef Barhom, Sonia Braga, Ralph Ineson, and Bill Nighy, this spine-chilling tale is based on characters created by David Seltzer and promises to be the most terrifying cinematic ride of the year.

Maidaan / Releasing on 11th April

Syed Abdul Rahim, the visionary football coach who transformed India’s sporting landscape in the 1950s and 1960s. From local pitches to global arenas, Rahim’s leadership and innovation earned the Indian Football Team the moniker “Brazil of Asia,” mastering the thrilling 4-2-4 formation. Amidst societal hurdles, they soared, clinching gold at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games and pioneering a path to the 1956 Olympics semi-finals. The sports drama is directed by Amit Sharma and stars Ajay Devgn, Priyamani and Gajraj Rao in the lead roles.

Monkey Man / Releasing on 19th April

Indian-origin actor Dev Patel is living proof of the phrase, “You can take an Indian out of India, but you can’t take India out of an Indian.” He first captured our hearts with his lead role in the critically acclaimed Academy Award-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire, and now the ‘Lion’ actor is all set to take the film industry by storm with his directorial debut in ‘Monkey Man.’

The upcoming movie is an action thriller inspired by the legend of Hanuman and tells the story of a young man seeking revenge against corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continued to exploit the poor and powerless. The trailer looks impressive, and the dialogue, “Everyday, I’ve prayed for a way to protect the weak,” captured my soul.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire / Releasing on 19th April

The Spengler family finds themselves back at the iconic New York City firehouse. However, they soon realise they are in a world where the spiritual realm intersects with the physical world. In the modern era, the Ghostbusters have honed their skills to heights never seen before. However, when a lost artefact of immense power is discovered, it unleashes a harmful force that threatens to drag the world into an icy abyss.

Now, a new generation of Ghostbusters must team up with the old veterans, putting aside their differences to confront a menace that’s beyond their imagination. As the existence of humanity hangs in the balance, they must gather their bravery and protect their city. The fifth instalment of the Ghostbuster franchise is directed by Gil Kenan and stars Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, and Celeste O’Connor in the lead.

Challengers / Releasing on 26th April

Tashi, a once-celebrated tennis player turned coach, ventures to revive her husband’s flagging career. With her guidance, he rises from obscurity to the heights of grand slam success, only to be entangled in a web of defeat. Determined to reignite his passion, Tashi orchestrates a risky move of returning to the grassroots tennis competition at a challenger event.

Yet, tensions flare when he faces off against Patrick, a former friend and rival, reigniting old conflicts and forcing Tashi to navigate a treacherous path of love, loyalty, and the pursuit of redemption. The upcoming romantic sports drama is directed by Luca Guadagnino and stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist and Jake Jensen in the titular roles.

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Premam (2015)

Director: Alphonse Puthren

Starring: Nivin Pauly, Sai Pallavi, Madonna Sebastian, and Anupama Parameswaran

“Premam” is a 2015 Malayalam language romantic-comedy film that follows the journey of a young man named George David as he experiences love at different stages of his life. The movie explores the themes of first love, heartbreak, and growing up through a series of lighthearted and humorous events. With its relatable storyline, charming characters, and memorable soundtrack, “Premam” has become a classic in Malayalam cinema and continues to be beloved by audiences.

The English Patient (1996)

Director: Anthony Minghella

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Kristin Scott Thomas

“The English Patient” is a romantic war drama film that revolves around a severely burned and injured man, who is identified only as the English patient, and his memories of a passionate love affair with a married woman named Katharine, set against the backdrop of World War II. The film’s narrative unfolds in a series of flashbacks as the English patient, who is being cared for by a Canadian nurse, recounts his story to her. The film won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress.

Ved (2022)

Director: Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh

Starring: Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh, Genelia D’Souza, Jiya Shankar and Ashok Saraf

“Ved” is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language romantic drama film which follows Satya, a former cricket player, who is trying to overcome his past failures and move on in life. The movie unfolds the flashbacks where we get to see how young Satya’s life takes a turn when he falls in love with Nisha and how circumstances force them apart. Later, Satya marries Shravani but still carries a torch for Nisha. The film explores the complexities of relationships and how love can change people.

Silver Lining Playbook (2012)

Director: Alphonse Puthren

Starring: Bradley Cooper and  Jennifer Lawrence

“Silver Lining Playbook” is a 2012 romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell. The film stars Bradley Cooper as Pat Solitano, a former high school teacher who meets Tiffany Maxwell after a stint in a mental institution, a young widow played by Jennifer Lawrence, who offers to help him win back his wife in exchange for her own favour. Despite their differing personalities and tumultuous pasts, Pat and Tiffany form an unlikely bond as they support each other through their struggles and find hope in the silver linings of their lives.

500 Days of Summer (2009)

Director: Marc Webb

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel

“500 Days of Summer” is a film with a non-linear narrative that follows the ups and downs of a romantic relationship between Tom Hansen, a hopeless romantic played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Summer Finn, a free-spirited woman played by Zooey Deschanel. The film spans the first 500 days of their relationship through flashbacks, flash-forwards, and dream sequences. The film explores the complexities of relationships and the bittersweet nature of love and heartbreak.

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Starring: Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer

“Call Me by Your Name” is a 2017 romantic coming-of-age film set in 1983 in Italy. The film follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman, who begins a summer romance with his father’s 24-year-old research assistant, Oliver. As the two spend time together, they explore their sexualities and develop a deep emotional connection. Despite the age difference and societal norms of the time, they ultimately fall in love. The film explores love, self-discovery, and heartbreak and is noted for its lush visuals and powerful performances by its leads.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” follows an introverted high school freshman named Charlie, who is struggling to adjust to the ups and downs of adolescence. He befriends two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who introduce him to the world of drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Along the way, Charlie learns to confront his personal demons, including his experiences with mental illness and abuse. The film delves into themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of growing up.

Definitely, Maybe (2008)

Director: Adam Brooks

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Abigail Breslin and Rachel Weisz

“Definitely, Maybe” follows Will, a recently divorced father who is trying to explain his past romantic relationships to his young daughter, Maya. He changes the names of the women and tells Maya the story of how he met and fell in love with each of them. The film is set in New York City during the 1990s and received positive reviews for its humour, heartwarming story, and charming performances, particularly from Reynolds and the young actress Abigail Breslin, who plays Maya.

Dia (2020)

Director: K. S. Ashok

Starring: Kushee Ravi, Pruthvi Ambaar, and Dheekshith Shetty

“Dia” is a Kannada romantic drama film which revolves around Dia, a young introverted girl who is recovering from a traumatic incident in her past. She works at a coffee shop and spends most of her time writing poetry. Dia meets two men, Adi and Rohith, who fall in love with her. The film depicts the journey of Dia’s self-discovery and her relationships with Adi and Rohith. The film received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of relationships, strong performances, and its beautiful cinematography and music.

La La Land (2016)

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and J.K. Simmons

“La La Land” is set in modern-day Los Angeles and follows the story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz pianist, who both dream of making it big in their respective industries. The film depicts their love story, the challenges they face in pursuing their passions, and their struggles to balance their relationship with their careers. The film received critical acclaim for its vibrant and stylised direction, creative choreography, and engaging story about pursuing dreams.

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