With a new flashy big stage, inclusion of more famous judges and addition of a fun host, Pepsi battle of the bands episode 3 takes the standard of reality talent shows to the next level. From episode 3 onward we will have knockout rounds, so every band has to do their best otherwise they will not go forward. Starting the episode with a performance by Strings was refreshing and Ahmed Ali Butt added a little humor/fun to the very rehearsed hosting style of Ayesha Umar.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Friday, July 27, 2018
Why Mr. Khan
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
I have lived all my life in Middle Eastern countries as an
overseas Pakistani, that is why my connection to my home land is not that
strong. And as far as politics is concerned all I could remember from childhood
is that I hail from the family of Jialas (term used for avid supporters of
Bhutto), Bhutto senior’s picture used to be in our living room with PPP flag
always flying on the roof of our house and in one election may be the 93 one, I
sat awake all night with my grandfather counting which party is winning.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Pepsi Battle of the Bands - Season 3 Episode 2 Review
Episode 2 had some more auditions where few bands again stood out from the crowd. Also, final reveal of the selected Top8 bands was also added in the end in a typical elimination style from any talent show and what a shocker it was. The band Dhool which Meesha Shafi called hidden gem and discovery did not make it to the final top 8. Dhool’s Nukta was my top choice from the episode as well.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
Mission: Impossible – Fallout, will remind you how great pre-superhero/graphics induced, simple yet hardcore action movies used to be. It’s thrilling, engaging, funny and visually stunning all at the same time. All the elements flow naturally and are very balanced, humor doesn’t feel forced, action is raw/appropriately placed and storyline, even though obvious, still manages to engage the audience till very last minute.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Dhadak - Movie Review (2/5 Stars)
Review by: Danish Lakdawalaa
We all know Shashank Khaitan’s Dhadak is remake of very recent Marathi hit Sairat and launches the star children (all hail to nepotism). I haven't seen Sairat, so for me, I experienced it as a standalone film. Set in the locales of Udaipur and Kolkata; Dhadak is a love story and revolves around a lower-class boy Ishaan (Madhu) who falls in love with an upper-class girl Jhanvi (Parthavi) and is about their struggles to be with each other.
We all know Shashank Khaitan’s Dhadak is remake of very recent Marathi hit Sairat and launches the star children (all hail to nepotism). I haven't seen Sairat, so for me, I experienced it as a standalone film. Set in the locales of Udaipur and Kolkata; Dhadak is a love story and revolves around a lower-class boy Ishaan (Madhu) who falls in love with an upper-class girl Jhanvi (Parthavi) and is about their struggles to be with each other.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Teefa In Trouble - Movie Review (3.5/5 stars)
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
Teefa In Trouble is no doubt one of the finest films to come from Pakistan film industry. Technically it's a very strong film and can compete with any 100-crore budget masala entertainer from Bollywood. It slightly suffers from the makers ambition like most Pakistani films these days but is definitely entertaining and worth watching in cinema.
Teefa In Trouble is no doubt one of the finest films to come from Pakistan film industry. Technically it's a very strong film and can compete with any 100-crore budget masala entertainer from Bollywood. It slightly suffers from the makers ambition like most Pakistani films these days but is definitely entertaining and worth watching in cinema.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Pepsi Battle of the Bands - Season 3 Episode 1 Review
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
Pepsi’s answer to Coke Studio, “Pepsi Battle of the Bands” started July 15th and the first episode was a blast. Everything, from production quality to flow of the episode, from judges comment to quality of music, was spot on brilliant and of standards one expects from a quality show. Pakistan desperately needed a talent hunt show of this caliber and with lucrative prize money of 50 Lacs plus royality, record and concert all over Pakistan deal it has become one of the biggest show of all times.
Pepsi’s answer to Coke Studio, “Pepsi Battle of the Bands” started July 15th and the first episode was a blast. Everything, from production quality to flow of the episode, from judges comment to quality of music, was spot on brilliant and of standards one expects from a quality show. Pakistan desperately needed a talent hunt show of this caliber and with lucrative prize money of 50 Lacs plus royality, record and concert all over Pakistan deal it has become one of the biggest show of all times.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
July - Playlist
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
Summer is the perfect time for movie goers, so many big releases from all the industries that I follow (Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood). July has been the biggest month so far and we are still not done. So far in July we had Dwayne Johnson’s Skyscraper and Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp being released and now for the remaining 2 weeks we have three more releases one from each industry. Starting with a Pakistani release on 19th July followed by Star child debut project Dhadak being released on 20th July from India and ending with recent installment in the Mission Impossible franchise being released on 26th July.
Summer is the perfect time for movie goers, so many big releases from all the industries that I follow (Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood). July has been the biggest month so far and we are still not done. So far in July we had Dwayne Johnson’s Skyscraper and Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp being released and now for the remaining 2 weeks we have three more releases one from each industry. Starting with a Pakistani release on 19th July followed by Star child debut project Dhadak being released on 20th July from India and ending with recent installment in the Mission Impossible franchise being released on 26th July.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Skyscraper - Movie Review (3.5/5 Stars)
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
Dwayne Johnson is the highest paid actor in the world and there is a reason for that. His movies are all about having a good time and Skyscraper is no exception. Was the screenplay perfect? No, did plot make any sense? No, Were the action sequences logical? No, but did I have an amazing time at cinema? Yes, and this last Yes has the power to make one ignore all the other Nos.
Dwayne Johnson is the highest paid actor in the world and there is a reason for that. His movies are all about having a good time and Skyscraper is no exception. Was the screenplay perfect? No, did plot make any sense? No, Were the action sequences logical? No, but did I have an amazing time at cinema? Yes, and this last Yes has the power to make one ignore all the other Nos.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
The First Purge - Movie Review (2.5/5 Stars)
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
“The First Purge” is a dystopian action horror film and is prequel to extremely successful Purge trilogy. These Purge movies are made with a budget of 9 to 13 million USD and always end up making more than 110 million USD, making them extremely profitable. Audience for this genre is limited but loyal. “The First Purge” follows the same pattern as the first three movies in franchise and does give the audience what they are looking for but in bits and pieces.
“The First Purge” is a dystopian action horror film and is prequel to extremely successful Purge trilogy. These Purge movies are made with a budget of 9 to 13 million USD and always end up making more than 110 million USD, making them extremely profitable. Audience for this genre is limited but loyal. “The First Purge” follows the same pattern as the first three movies in franchise and does give the audience what they are looking for but in bits and pieces.
Monday, July 9, 2018
Afdhal Ibtisamah Dental Clinic - Review
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
I started a review blog only because whenever I looked online for reviews (and I religiously read reviews before I do any new thing), I would never find the right kind of review for me. Till now, on my blog I cover Movies, Eateries, Books, Amusement parks/activities and now I want to expand into services and fitness. So, I am starting services with review of a dental clinic I visited recently.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Ant-Man and the Wasp - Movie Review (4/5 stars)
By Hamza Shafique (Instagram / Facebook)
Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man and the Wasp is sequel to 2015's Ant-Man, and the twentieth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I am really amazed at how Marvel Studios have managed to maintain the timeline over a period of 10 years with 20 very successful films employing multiple writers/directors, something at which others big franchises like DC, Star Wars etc. have failed. Another thing that I love about Marvel movies is their ability to be part of the larger cinematic timeline and yet be individual standalone entertainers. This one is no exception and fits right well with in timeline, 2 years after Civil War and just before the events of Avengers – Infinity War and yet can be viewed individually. Initially when I saw the Marvel Studies release schedule for 2018 I wondered how “Ant-Man and the Wasp” will survive after the Avengers Infinity War release but let me just say this is the perfect film to come after the massive 5 starrer action-packed Marvel super hero extravaganza that Infinity War was.
Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man and the Wasp is sequel to 2015's Ant-Man, and the twentieth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I am really amazed at how Marvel Studios have managed to maintain the timeline over a period of 10 years with 20 very successful films employing multiple writers/directors, something at which others big franchises like DC, Star Wars etc. have failed. Another thing that I love about Marvel movies is their ability to be part of the larger cinematic timeline and yet be individual standalone entertainers. This one is no exception and fits right well with in timeline, 2 years after Civil War and just before the events of Avengers – Infinity War and yet can be viewed individually. Initially when I saw the Marvel Studies release schedule for 2018 I wondered how “Ant-Man and the Wasp” will survive after the Avengers Infinity War release but let me just say this is the perfect film to come after the massive 5 starrer action-packed Marvel super hero extravaganza that Infinity War was.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Sanju-Movie Review (3.5/5 Stars)
Review by: Danish Lakdawalaa
Rajkumar Hirani’s movies always have a clear message embedded within entertainment that comes through satire on daily routine Indian life. So, I was wondering what is his message this time with his latest release Sanju, which as we all know is biography of Sanjay Dutt. Film begins its narrative with the help of a writer (Anushka Sharma) - the third person who our protagonist speaks his heart out, to prove that he is innocent and this innocence echoes throughout the film as a crystal-clear message.
Rajkumar Hirani’s movies always have a clear message embedded within entertainment that comes through satire on daily routine Indian life. So, I was wondering what is his message this time with his latest release Sanju, which as we all know is biography of Sanjay Dutt. Film begins its narrative with the help of a writer (Anushka Sharma) - the third person who our protagonist speaks his heart out, to prove that he is innocent and this innocence echoes throughout the film as a crystal-clear message.