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Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘GAIA' by Abhay Kapoor
How can political gamesmanship — the dog-eat-dog kind that is routine in coalition politics — be a mirror to romantic love? Both are seemingly antithetical to each other. In GAIA, a film written, directed and co-produced by 34-year-old, Delhi-based writer and director Abhay Kapoor, politics and love are in a parasitic coil, revealing not just fantasies of heterosexual men for political power and female subjugation and attention, but how technology irreversibly alters these fantasies. A still from 'GAIA'. With a running time of 45 minutes, Kapoor's taut screenplay, unfolds at the home of a seasoned, ageing politician Vivek Shukla (Atul Tiwari) who heads the ruling government. On a stormy night, Arindam Sehgal (Lakshya Goel), leader of the Labour Party, visits Shukla to negotiate ministries and alliances. Arindam seems to be key in keeping the coalition afloat, but tensions escalate as Arindam's arch nemesis Maitreyi Sodhi (Preeti Sharma) unexpectedly arrives. As the night progresses, Vivek and Maitreyi start poaching MPs from Arindam's party, and blackmails Arindam into showing his support for an Artificial Intelligence Bill and save his party from falling apart. The twist in the narrative arrives when Arindam begins talking to Jenna (Komal Munshi), the young lover of Vivek. Power games spiral intro threats, which then devolves into an existential crisis about the nature of love, commitment, love on demand or subjugated love, and the nature of human existence itself. A still from 'GAIA'. Kapoor has earlier written and directed An Act of Violence (2019), a short film about a man who reincarnates in different time periods of human history, every time involved in a violent act. It was an experimental film — in form and theme. The narrative of GAIA is more linear. Shot in an unused home of his aunt, GAIA is inspired in form by David Fincher's 12 Angry Men. 'I've always been interested in sci-fi fiction that it not action-oriented. Blade Runner and Ex Machina kind of storytelling is an influence in my writing,' says Kapoor, who is now at work on a script titled Ek Mard Ka Janam, themed around a modern-day masculinity crisis. 'An empathetic, edgy thriller,' explains Kapoor. In GAIA too, the dark side of male fantasies is a propeller to the story. Kapoor says moral questions such as the ebbing away of how humanity perceives and experiences death and separation were on his mind while writing the screenplay. 'I wanted it to be intriguing, and very cinema-like,' Kapoor says, emphasizing his belief in a more mainstream and commercial way of storytelling to reach audiences. 'I find the communal aspect of film screenings, with people sharing the experience in a dark room, deeply moving,' the writer-director says. With an educational background at the Indian Institute of Mass Communications, Delhi, in radio and television production, Kapoor has worked as a copy writer in advertising and producing and directing social impact films for NGOs before beginning to write fiction. The film has had several screenings so far in India including at Alliance Francaise, Delhi, and at the Aravali International Film Festival this year. The visual language in GAIA, shaped by a very classic-cinematic language by cinematographer Debesh Mehrotra. 'GAIA belongs to the universe of David Fincher, Alfred Hitchcock, Dennis Villeneuve and Michael Mann films,' says Kapoor. The film has enough intrigue and cinematic style to keep audiences engaged — and leave its last frame with a sense of resignation to and fascination about a world we don't yet understand. Short Stream is a monthly curated section, in which we present an Indian short film that hasn't been seen before or not widely seen before but are making the right buzz in the film industry and film festival circles. We stream the film for a month on HT Premium, the subscription-only section in Sanjukta Sharma is a Mumbai-based writer and film critic. Write to her at
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 new Prime Video movies with over 91% on Rotten Tomatoes to stream in June
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There are over 50 new movies coming to Prime Video in June 2025, so you're in for a treat if Prime Video is your go-to streaming service. After scouring through its list of new titles, I've done my best to select five new movies with over 91% on Rotten Tomatoes you should watch over the next few weeks. Kicking off the list with a Hollywood classic crime drama, this is followed by two more crime movies, made up of a legal drama from the '90s and a crime comedy starring Marilyn Monroe. Additionally, there's a sports drama from director Bennett Miller and a Clint Eastwood war movie joining one of the best streaming services, all of which will be fighting for a place in our selection of best Prime Video movies. As mentioned in our full list of new Prime Video titles for this month, while the Prime Video Movie and TV Originals are released worldwide, it could be the case that many of the third-party films Amazon has licensed for June will only be available to stream in the US. With that said, you should bear this in mind when scouring through our list. RT score: 100%Age rating: N/ARuntime: 95 minutesDirector: Sidney LumetArriving on: June 1 Though it's been nearly 70 years since Sidney Lumet's masterpiece was released, it has truly stood the test of time, becoming a landmark courtroom drama and one of the greatest movies ever made. Starring Hollywood legend Henry Fonda, 12 Angry Men is set in the backdrop of New York City and offers commentary on the complex nature of the American justice system, bringing the tension of classic American theater to the screen. During a murder trial, 12 jurors must argue whether the teenage suspect in question is responsible for the death of his father. Their attempt to reach a unanimous decision proves to be more difficult than expected when Juror No.8 (Fonda) expresses his uncertainty on different parts of the case, resulting in a courtroom battle where personal issues arise and conflict between the jurors makes them question each other's morals and preconceptions about the trial. RT score: 95%Age rating: RRuntime: 122 minutesDirector: Tim RobbinsArriving on: June 1 Director Tim Robbins had established himself in show business as a successful actor in movies The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Top Gun (1986), prior to taking a seat in the director's chair. Dead Man Walking is the second legal drama in this month's Prime Video recommendations roundup, adapted from the non-fiction book of the same name. As death row inmate Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) gets closer to his execution date, he enlists the help of Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) for one last appeal. In the time leading up to his execution, Prejean visits Poncelet's family as well as the loved ones of the victims to understand the case better. In the process, she acts as a spiritual counsellor for him, and the two form a special bond. RT score: 94%Age rating: PG-13Runtime: 133 minutesDirector: Bennett Miller Arriving on: June 1 Moneyball is one of those movies that seems to yo-yo between streaming platforms whenever a new monthly schedule is announced. It was added to Paramount+ back in April, and now it's available to stream on Prime Video this month. Miller's sports drama was adapted from Michael Lewis' book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by screenwriters Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin - who had previously served as writers on movies such as Schindler's List (1993) and The Social Network (2010), respectively. The premise is: Manager of the Oakland A baseball team, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), hatches a plan to outsmart wealthier baseball clubs by reinventing his team with only a fraction of the budget other clubs receive. To get his plan up and running, he enlists Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), whom he tasks with going through the major leagues to scout undervalued talent - an old sports analytics method. RT score: 95%Age rating: N/ARuntime: 120 minutesDirector: Billy Wilder Arriving on: June 1 Hollywood veterans Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon star alongside legend Marilyn Monroe in this crime comedy flick from Billy Wilder - the master director behind some of the greatest movies from Hollywood's Golden Age including Sunset Boulevard (1950), Sabrina (1954), and The Seven Year Itch (1955), which also stars Monroe. Some Like It Hot is a campy balance between drama, crime, and comedy. Set during the Prohibition era, saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his friend Jerry (Jack Lemmon) bear witness to a Mafia murder. Worried for their lives, they devise a plan to escape Chicago, disguising themselves as women. RT score: 91%Age rating: RRuntime: 141 minutesDirector: Clint Eastwood Arriving on: June 1 Taking a departure from the crime movies and sports drama in this list, Clint Eastwood's Japanese-language American war movie (which was also co-produced by Steven Spielberg) takes the fifth spot with a score of 91%. Set during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, the movie portrays the conflict from the perspective of Japanese troops who are defending the island - serving as a companion movie to Eastwood's 2006 war drama Flags of Our Fathers, which depicts the same conflict from the American viewpoint. Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya), Baron Nishi (Tsuyoshi Ihara), and Shimizu (Ryô Kase) are just some of the Japanese troops preparing for an attack from the American soldiers. With their diminishing supplies and poor conditions in the tunnels, seasoned veteran Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) uses his skills to hold off the opposition for as long as he can, knowing that his side has almost zero chance at survival. Prime Video's Carrie TV remake cast has been revealed, and it marks the latest lap of the Matthew Lillard renaissance tour Prime Video reveals Gen V season 2 release date, and its first trailer reveals how it might set the stage for The Boys season 5 7 tense thrillers on Prime Video with 100% Rotten Tomatoes scores you can't miss
Tom's Guide
04-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
3 new to Prime Video movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes
We're somehow in June already, and Prime Video is rolling out another batch of movie titles to sink your teeth into. As always, the streaming service's library is packed with a mix of classics, recent hits and a few hidden gems. But if you're someone who likes to let the critics do some of the legwork, it's worth narrowing your search by looking at what's earned top marks. While there's no shortage of well-reviewed movies in this month's lineup, only a handful actually crossed that elusive 90% threshold on Rotten Tomatoes — a mark that signals near-universal praise and a strong bet for your next movie night. The three picks below all cleared that bar and are now available to stream. Here are the most critically acclaimed new additions to Prime Video in June 2025. We're starting off with an absolute classic. '12 Angry Men' is a courtroom drama about a jury deliberating the fate of a teenage boy accused of murdering his father. The entire movie takes place almost entirely in one room, where 12 jurors must come to a unanimous verdict. At first, nearly all of them are convinced the boy is guilty. But one juror (Henry Fonda) has doubts and refuses to convict without discussing the evidence more thoroughly. As tensions rise and personalities clash, the jurors are forced to confront their own biases, assumptions, and the concept of reasonable doubt. It's a gripping, dialogue-driven movie about justice and the importance of standing up for what's right, even when you're the only one doing it. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%Stream it on Prime Video now 'Moneyball' is based on the true story of Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's baseball team, and his revolutionary approach to building a competitive team on a limited budget. Faced with losing his star players and unable to afford big-name replacements, Beane (Brad Pitt) teams up with a young Yale economics graduate, Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), to challenge traditional scouting methods. They use data-driven analysis known as sabermetrics to identify undervalued players who can still deliver results. The movie isn't just about baseball but about challenging the status quo and finding value where others don't. 'Moneyball' is as much about heart and strategy as it is about the game itself. Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%Stream it on Prime Video now 'Some Like It Hot' is a classic screwball comedy about two down-on-their-luck musicians who witness a mob hit and go on the run by disguising themselves as women and joining an all-female band. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon play Joe and Jerry, who become 'Josephine' and 'Daphne' to hide from the gangsters chasing them. On the road with the band, they meet the charming and naive Sugar Kane (played by Marilyn Monroe), a ukulele player with a troubled romantic past. Complications ensue as Joe falls for Sugar while pretending to be a woman, and Jerry unexpectedly finds himself being courted by a wealthy older man. 'Some Like It Hot' is actually widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies of all time. Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%Stream it on Prime Video now
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. Francis hosts Law Day luncheon
LORETTO, Pa. – St. Francis University in Loretto hosted a luncheon Friday to mark Law Day, an annual observance that celebrates the rule of law and aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system. The luncheon was held at the university's John F. Kennedy Student Center. The keynote address was given by Marianne Corr, vice president and general counsel at the University of Notre Dame. Corr was introduced by university President the Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, TOR, who also delivered the invocation. Judge Judith Ference Olson, of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, a 1979 St. Francis alumna, gave the welcome. Several area judges and elected officials were among about 150 attendees. Law Day is observed May 1 each year. The 2025 Law Day theme is 'The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One.' President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 established the observance 'as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law,' according to the American Bar Association, which says it 'provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.' Previous Law Day observances have brought high-profile keynote speakers to St. Francis, including then-U.S. Sens. Joe Biden, in 1982, and Rick Santorum, in 1998; '12 Angry Men' actor E.G. Marshall in 1991; and Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel whose 'Starr Report' led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, in 2000. The university's list of past keynote speakers also includes justices of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, attorneys general of Pennsylvania, federal district and appellate court judges, and other notable legal figures. Before the luncheon, Bishop Mark Bartchak, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, presided over the Red Mass, a Catholic Mass offered annually for members of the legal profession, at the university's Immaculate Conception Chapel. Van Tassell was the concelebrant. The Most Rev. Michael Higgins, TOR, gave the homily. Recently deceased members of the Cambria County and Blair County bar associations were remembered in the event program – John Gibson, Margaret O'Malley, R. Bruce Brumbaugh, Margaret Dallas and Judge Fred B. Miller.
Arab News
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: ‘CineHouse' in Riyadh
If you love cinema but are tired of the same old blockbusters showing at the major chains, then CineHouse in Riyadh's Ar-Rabi district could be just what the doctor ordered this Eid holiday. Opened late last year by Saudi producer Faisal Baltyuor, the city's first ever art house cinema has become a haven for movie enthusiasts keen to see classic, modern and cult favorites in a stylish setting. Located in One Square, CineHouse's three screening rooms have an elegant, old-school charm, with art deco lamps, marble floors and vintage film posters. Each room also has fewer seats than a standard cinema, which adds to the comfort and coziness. But with 4K laser projectors and an Atmos sound system the audio and visuals are top quality. The movie offering is rich and diverse. Recent screenings include classics such as '12 Angry Men' and 'Silence of the Lambs' and more modern fare such as Christopher Nolan's 'Interstellar' and last year's Palestinian indie favorite 'Passing Dreams.' The venue also hosted Korean Film Week and recently screened a selection of popular Arab shorts, including 'Dunya's Day,' 'I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face' and 'Al-Sit.' As well as the cinematic offerings, CineHouse serves up an excellent choice of dining options, including steaks and pasta, all feshly prepared to order. Tickets range from SR80-100 ($21-27).
