Why?
I’ve watched countless movies and even more movie reviews. Whether it's a professional critic, a magazine reviewer, a blogger, or a YouTuber, most of them start by labeling their piece a "Movie Review." But what follows is something else entirely—a dissection of the technicalities: the script, editing, direction, pacing, music, and more.
Can that really be called a Movie Review? I don’t think so. At best, it’s an expert critique of the craft of filmmaking. They talk about how strong the script is or how weak the music is. They evaluate the acting, the brilliance—or lack thereof—of the editing.
Let’s be honest: this is a Movie-Making Review. It’s for filmmakers or those deeply interested in the art of filmmaking. But where is the review for the audience? Where is the perspective of someone who just wants to know whether the movie is worth their time, money, and emotional investment?
What Is This Blog About?
This blog is my take on movies as an ardent movie buff, purely from the perspective of an everyday audience member. I don’t care much about the technical aspects of filmmaking—script, editing, or direction. My reviews are simple, honest, and from the heart, written in plain English.
Here, you’ll find straightforward reactions:
- Was the movie good, bad, or downright ugly?
- Was it entertaining or boring?
- What emotions did it evoke—joy, sadness, shock?
- Should you watch it or skip it?
- Does it belong to your favorite genre?
I aim to capture the experience of watching a movie, the way an ordinary viewer would feel.
Who Am I?
I’m just another moviegoer, like you. Someone who loves movies and wants to share their thoughts, not from the perspective of a filmmaker but as an audience member.
This blog is not about critiquing a director’s skills or an actor’s performance. It’s not about analyzing the brilliance or flaws of filmmaking. It’s simply my unfiltered experience as a viewer.
A Shaky Start: My Love-Hate Relationship with Movies as a Kid
Growing up in a middle-class household in the 80s, my mother and sisters were avid fans of Kannada and Hindi movies—a golden era for both industries. But for me, as a child, movies were a source of nightmares.
Hindi villains like Pran, Prem Chopra, and Amrish Puri, along with Kannada villains like Vajramuni, Sudheer, and Toogudeep Srinivas, haunted my dreams. Their evil laughs, paired with flashing red and green lights, left me waking up screaming.
Every time my family planned a movie outing, I would cry and resist, even with the lure of popcorn and ice cream. Eventually, they gave up and started leaving me at a neighbor’s house, where I could sleep peacefully without the threat of terrifying dreams.
The Turning Point: TV and Two Special Movies
My fear of movies started to fade thanks to Doordarshan and its Sunday evening Hindi films. Two movies, in particular, played a pivotal role in this transformation.
The first was Bees Saal Baad. In 5th grade, I bravely joined my family to watch this horror-thriller. The haunting tune, "Zara Dekh Ke Aakar," sent shivers down my spine. That night, my dreams were filled with eerie images of a ghostly woman in a white saree, holding a diya in the dead of night. But something shifted—I wasn’t as scared as before.
The second milestone came in 7th grade when I decided to watch a movie alone in a theater. Armed with 3.5 rupees in coins, I bought a ticket for a morning show. The movie was E Samaaj Ko Badal Dalo.
A Lesson in Emotion: My First Solo Theater Experience
Little did I know that this movie would be an emotional rollercoaster. For three hours, I cried uncontrollably as the film relentlessly piled tragedies on its protagonist—poverty, loss, and endless suffering. By the time I left the theater, my eyes were swollen, my handkerchief was soaked, and my shirt was wet with tears.
When I got home, my family burst out laughing at my red, puffy eyes. To this day, they tease me about my first solo adventure. But that experience taught me something profound: movies have the power to move us deeply, even when they leave us heartbroken.
In Conclusion
This blog is a space where I’ll share my raw, unfiltered reactions to movies. It’s not about scripts, cinematography, or editing—it’s about how a movie feels. I’m here to give you a true audience perspective.
Welcome to my journey as a movie reviewer for the ordinary moviegoer.
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