RIFLE RANGE BOY

Under Suspicion (2000) Director: Stephen Hopkins https://www.primevideo.com/-/tr/detail/Under-Suspicion/ 0FJXXG5CM6WBS4GW9UT054Z0GW This is another character-driven film featuring two Hollywood heavyweights, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. The setting is straightforward. A prominent tax attorney is fully prepared to deliver an important speech at a fundraising event. He is called in for what was meant to be a brief questioning by the local police chief. However, the interview becomes increasingly convoluted. The tax attorney's personal life is laid bare and scrutinised. It becomes so intense that it drains both parties, and the questioning turns into an interrogation. The situation escalates to such a degree that the tax attorney is charged with the murder of two young prostitutes.  His wife is called in for a separate interview, which further reveals intimate bedroom secrets and close family confidences. The tension escalates dramatically. The tax attorney ultimately confesses to...

A Convenient Death (2020) The Mysterious Demise of Jeffrey Epstein Authors: Alana Goodman & Daniel Halper The turn of the 21st century witnessed the rise of conspiracy theories, including Pizzagate, #MeToo, following the exposé of Harvey Weinstein, and QAnon. One prominent news story that captured public consciousness was that of Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein began life as the modest son of a refuse collector in Coney Island. Although poorly qualified and lacking a university degree, he fabricated his resume to secure a teaching position at a school. He was an intelligent man, but when his deception was revealed, he transitioned to the money market. Despite lacking formal qualifications, he succeeded in persuading his clients to invest significantly through him. Epstein claims to have made millions for his clients, but some insist that he keeps the liaisons going through well-crafted blackmail.   He is said to have made tonnes through his shady business of pimping minor girls a...

Tokyo Vice (Miniseries) 2 Seasons, 18 Episodes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/tokyo_vice I don't know why, but watching this miniseries reminded me of President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Southeast Asian countries. Everyone had much to say about Xi in private regarding the CCP's megalomaniac and imposing projects. Still, when the big Don landed in their backyard, leaders from these minion nations decided to hide their tails behind their hind legs and play dead. No one can blame them. This is the effect a powerful nation has on smaller ones. It happened in ancient times and continues to happen now. Might is right. When the majestic fleet of the Ming Dynasty emperor came to the Malaccan shores in the 1400s, the Sultan had no choice but to send his emissaries to China with gifts. When the Siamese King showed displeasure, another entourage would go there with gifts and beautiful princesses to solidify international relations. Intertwined with physical might are the potent ...

Ankur (The Seedling, Hindi, Deccani; 1974) Director: Shyam Benegal https://www.amazon.com/Ankur-Seedling- Hindi-English-subtitles/dp/B008V22NKE The recent passing of actor Manoj Kumar reminded everyone of the patriotic Bollywood films (once known as Hindi or Hindustani cinema) that endeavoured to stir nationalist fervour among the audience. His films from 1965 to 1974, which include Shaheed (1965, about Bhagat Singh), Upkar (1967, set against the backdrop of the Indo-Pak war of '65), Purab Aur Paschim (1970, celebrating Indian values over the West) ,  and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974, emphasising the needs of the common man—bread, clothing, and shelter)—prompted his audience to reflect on their country rather than be numbed by the intoxication of love or the struggles of others in romance. Interestingly, the idea for Upkar came to Manoj Kumar after he was honoured by India's beloved PM, Lal Bahadur Shastri, who inspired him with the notion of a farmer transforming into a war he...

The Conclave (2024) Director: Edward Berger https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/conclave/8d6kgwz2d5gg The selection of a new Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has always fascinated everyone, both Christians and non-Christians. It is not merely that they wait with bated breath to learn who the next de facto leader of the largest religion will be, but rather the actual process of selecting the next Pope, which has been shrouded in considerable mystery and secrecy. This enigma has been a source of numerous conspiracy theories and the theme of many best-selling novels over the years.   Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons offer readers a ringside view of the setup and day-to-day operations within the papal residence and workplace, the Vatican Palace, and the Holy See. This renders it even more intriguing that Vatican City remains in contention as the wealthiest nation by area, alongside Jersey (a British Crown Dependency), Monaco, and Luxembourg, depending on ho...

Test (Tamil, 2025) Director, Screenplay: S. Sashikanth https://www.indiaglitz.com/test-review-tamil-movie-36143 I am not exceptionally knowledgeable about the nuances of how a cricket match is played. This much I do know: the team scores a six when the batter hits the ball out of the field. The hitter is dismissed if the wicket falls, and a Test match is not merely a test but a genuine match, established initially to challenge the English team against its colonies. It is an endurance test running typically over five days. Moreover, Indian cinema rarely produces authentic cricket films, unlike Hollywood, which often features baseball and American football games. I believe this is the first time an Indian film has been made with cricket at the centre of the story.  Another point: Due to security concerns, the Indian cricket team will not play in Pakistan or vice versa. Therefore, it would be wishful thinking to expect the Pakistan team to face their archrivals, India, at Chepauk Stad...

Irrational Man (2015)  Screenplay & Direction: Woody Allen  https://moviesanywhere.com/movie/irrational-man It is irrefutable that life on Earth unfolds as we desire it to. It commences with the pain of birth, followed by a sinusoidal wave of joy and heartaches, ultimately culminating in death. Death is a sorrow not for the newly departed but for the connections formed throughout existence. One can choose to dwell on the nihilistic end of it all and brood over it throughout a miserable life, or alternatively focus on the good one can achieve while life still ticks away.  Others make life on Earth an opportune time to sing praises to their Maker. It is unfortunate that their fellow Earthlings require assistance. They are more interested in seeking divine powers for a better afterlife or improved standings in their subsequent births. Those who regard service to their fellow mankind as their raison d'être reap unmentionable rewards by witnessing the joy on the faces of t...