Never Have I Ever

Genre: Comedy
Episodes: 10
Language: English
Online Release Date: 27-APR-2020
Platform: Netflix
Age Suitability: 16+
PDF & WMR Rating: 3.75 on 5

About the Series:
Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age story that flashes back to the classic sitcoms of the 90s era but blossoms into something that reflects what teens are going through now. Series created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, stars Indian-Canadian newcomer Maithreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi supported by Poorna Jagannathan and Richa Moorjani, who plays Devi’s mom and older cousin – Kamala, Ramona Young & Lee Rodriguez as besties Eleanor and Fabiola respectively. Devi’s inner life is narrated by legendary tennis champion John McEnroe – a choice that makes sense once you watch the series and it feels fresh...

Extraction

Genre: Action, Thriller
Runtime: 116 Minutes
Language: English, Bangla and Hindi (in some parts)
Online Release Date: 24-APR-2020
Platform: Netflix
PDF & WMR Rating: 4 on 5

About the Series – Performances and Technical Review:
From the house of Russo brothers (Joe Russo & Anthony Russo), Extraction stars Chris Hemsworth, best known as Thor in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. The film is a directed by former stuntmen Sam Hargrave and is based on the graphic novel Ciudad. Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a damaged mercenary who is contracted to rescue the kidnapped son of an Indian crime lord from the dangerous streets of Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. With minimal dialogue in 116 minute runtime, Hemsworth has emerged as new rambo with this gruelling action flick...

Hasmukh

Genre: Comedy, Thriller, Drama
Episodes: 10 (Average 30min each)
Language: Hindi
Online Release Date: 17-APR-2020
Platform: Netflix
PDF & WMR Rating: 3 on 5

About the Series:
Hasmukh is a unique attempt in the web series platform to utilise standup comedy as an effective storytelling tool. Created by Das and Nikkhil Advani, this dark comedy talks about a small-town stand-up comedian called Hasmukh Sudiya (Vir Das), who’s trying to make it big in the country’s financial and entertainment capital, Mumbai. Unlike other standup comedians, Hasmukh can only perform well after he’s taken someone’s life, with the fear of being in a life-or-death scenario helping him overcome stage fright. The highlight of the series is its terrific cast with intriguing story and crisp editing...

Ek Thi Begum

Genre: Crime, Thriller
Episodes: 14 (Average 30min each)
Language: Marathi & Hindi
Online Release Date: 08-APR-2020
Platform: MX Player
Pick-D-Flick & WiseMovieReview Ratings: 3 on 5

About the Series:
(ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAI) EK THI BEGUM – A mobster revenge series directed by Sachin Darekar has Anuja Sathe in the lead role. Series set in the mid 80’s has rusty look that will remind viewers of 80’s masala films dealing with vengeance having – guns, corrupt policemen & politicians, hero, heroine, songs and last but not he least – villian. Somehow the director Sachin Darekar could not stir these masalas properly while preparing the overall dish leaving half tasty...

Phone-A-Friend

Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 12
Language: Hindi
Online Release Date: 08-APR-2020
Platform: ZEE5
WMR / PDF Ratings: 3.5 on 5

About the Series:
Directed by Allyson Patel and Yash Dave, Phone-A-Friend is Sci-Fi Romantic comedy that talks on relationship between between a guy, a girl and a cellphone. The series stars Akhlaque Khan, Swati Kapoor and RJ Mantra (voice behind the phone) in prominent roles. The concept is unique and shall remind of the movie Karthik calling Karthik. The story revolves around a guy and the life change that he sees when his phone starts to talk to him making his life better.

Performance & Technical Review
Aklaque Khan as Varun and Swati Kapoor as Jia play their parts with utmost conviction. Voice artists are seldom talked about...

Raikars

Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Episodes: 7
Language: Hindi
Online Release Date: 09-APR-2020
Pick-D-Flick Rating: 3.5 on 5

Review:
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar (of The Sholay Girl & marathi film Faster Fene fame), The Raikar Case is an edge-of-the-seat thriller about family, love, deceit, and their hidden secrets. The triage – Direction, Writing and Editing is what makes The Raikar Case what it is. This nail-biting thriller is supported by powerful performances from Atul Kulkarni (plays the patriarch Yashwant Raikar), Neil Bhoopalam (S.P. John Periera), Kunal Karan Kapoor (Mohit Naik Raikar / Son of Yashwant Raikar) and Ashwini Bhave (the best written role & performance). Background music is apt and add depth to the thrills. Whats not hot is the mediocre cinematography from Manoj Soni...