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Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
3 Prime Video action movies you (probably) haven't seen
Want to get your adrenaline fix without watching the same old shootouts and car chases? Prime Video's action movies section runs deep, but digging past the obvious picks can take time. There's a whole world of high-stakes thrillers, gritty brawlers, and stylish genre-benders just waiting to be discovered. And plenty of them are hiding right in plain sight. Some have big names attached, and others are cult favorites you might have missed. But all of them bring the heat. If you're in the mood for something fast, fierce, and just a little off the beaten path, here are three of the best action movies on Prime Video you probably haven't seen yet. Based on Irvine Welsh's novel and starring a gloriously unhinged James McAvoy, "Filth" follows a corrupt, coke-snorting Edinburgh cop named Bruce Robertson who's less interested in solving a murder case than in manipulating his coworkers, terrorizing suspects, and indulging every vile impulse he has. So yes, there's plenty of filth to be had here. But beneath the sleaze and chaos, this action flick is something much darker, sadder, and smarter. As Bruce's mental state deteriorates, the film shifts from grotesque black comedy to a shocking look at self-destruction, guilt, and mental illness wrapped up in the dressings of an action trip. It's wildly unpredictable and sometimes unpalatable, and if you can stomach the ride, it's one hell of a performance from McAvoy. Watch "FIlth" on Prime Video now Dev Patel directs and stars in this brutal, blood-soaked revenge thriller that blends the rage of "John Wick" with the raw desperation of "Oldboy," all set against the neon-lit underbelly of a corrupt Mumbai. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Patel plays an unnamed street fighter scraping by in underground cage matches while nursing some barely contained rage at a stolen childhood and a society that crushed him. But when he finally snaps, his violence comes fast and furious, messy and deeply personal. This decadent action thriller pits one broken man against a system that feeds on the powerless, and fortunately, we're the ones who win since we get a front row seat. Watch "Monkey Man" on Prime Video now Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman play a wealthy couple whose lavish home and strained relationship are both put to the test when a group of armed intruders storms in, demanding money and secrets they're not ready to give up. Yep, it's almost like your typical '90s thriller. What starts as a standard home invasion story quickly spirals into something more volatile, thanks to Cage's fast-talking energy and Kidman's typical magneticism. And if you're thinking about it being unhinged, as is the usual when it comes to Cage, you won't be disappointed. Watch "Trespass" on Prime Video now
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
CBFC cuts ‘Superman' in India: A short history of Hollywood films facing censorship
James Gunn's Superman soared into theatres across the world this weekend, but in India, the Man of Steel's flight was grounded by an indomitable foe: the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Audiences here were treated to a version of the film that felt conspicuously snipped, with a now-infamous 33-second floating kiss between Clark Kent (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) mysteriously missing. The romantic moment previously teased in trailers was reportedly deemed too 'sensual' by the CBFC, which demanded its removal in exchange for an UA certificate. A swift wave of public outrage has since followed online, with exasperated fans pointing out the absurdity of censoring a kiss in a superhero flick while Indian films continue to get away with far sleazier depictions of women, often under the guise of tradition or mass appeal. But the uproar surrounding Superman is hardly an isolated incident; rather, it's just the latest cape caught in the CBFC's scissors. One needn't look far down the cutting room floor to find Dev Patel's Monkey Man, a politically loaded revenge saga set in a dystopian India, which found itself ghosted by the certification board. Universal Pictures had already pre-emptively cleaned house, swapping saffron banners for red and scrubbing out scenes that drew lines between religion and violence. Yet, despite these concessions, the film still failed to secure a screening date with the CBFC. No official ban was declared, but the film was never certified either. Industry insiders described the move as a covert form of bureaucratic censorship: by not officially rejecting the film, the board avoided controversy while still keeping it out of theatres. For Indian audiences, Monkey Man remains unseen, and, perhaps more tellingly, unspoken. Shortly after, The Apprentice, Ali Abbasi's thorny biopic on Donald Trump, arrived at the CBFC's doorstep, only to be promptly taken apart. The board demanded that nude scenes be axed, a graphic sexual assault between Trump and his then-wife Ivana trimmed by 75%, and the term 'Negro' removed altogether. They also threw in the usual public service announcements about smoking and drinking for good measure. Not mincing words, Abbasi said the world needed a 'vaccine against censorship,' arguing that what was left of his film after CBFC's pruning barely resembled the one he made. Sometimes, films disappear without a trace. Sean Baker's indie drama Anora, widely celebrated on the global awards circuit and eventually crowned Best Picture at the Oscars 2025, was originally slated for a November 2024 release in India. Then it vanished into the limbo known to Indian cinephiles as 'TBA' — the all-too-familiar acknowledgement that the film likely did not clear the CBFC's moral radar. Featuring the story of a Brooklyn-based stripper marrying into a Russian oligarchy, Anora may have been too risqué, too complex, or simply too uncomfortable, for certification. A slightly more local ghosting was with Santosh, a blistering Hindi-language drama made by an Indian cast and crew under a UK production banner. The film stormed Cannes in 2024, winning praise and major award nominations, only to be stonewalled in its own backyard. The CBFC didn't technically ban Santosh, but instead, sent back a laundry list of edits so sweeping and vague, director Sandhya Suri called them 'impossible' to implement. While specifics remain under wraps thanks to legal restrictions, it's speculated what rattled the board was the film's interrogation of India's police force, gendered violence, and systemic rot. But even filmmakers who play by the rules aren't safe. Halina Reijn's Babygirl, an erotic drama starring Nicole Kidman, was officially granted an A (Adults Only) certificate, only to be carved up anyway. Over three minutes of 'problematic' content were snipped, including intimate visuals and spicy language, prompting critics to ask what purpose an adult certification serves if adults still needed babysitting? The paradox of certifying films for adults and then treating those same adults as incapable of processing difficult or sensual material continues to dog the board's credibility. In a similar vein, Brady Corbet's Oscar-winning The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce, was released in India with roughly one minute of nudity and sexual content removed. While the cuts were less dramatic than those faced by other films, Pearce himself commented that such interventions could undermine a film's emotional weight and artistic intent. A minute may be short, but as Pearce noted, 'Sometimes it's the uncomfortable parts that help the story land.' Of course, nothing quite captured the board's deeply confused moral compass like Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. The film wad released with its runtime intact, but not its integrity. Sex and nudity were blotted out with the infamous 'CGI black dress,' cigarette smoke disappeared into a puff of denial, and a pivotal scene featuring Florence Pugh and a recitation of the Bhagavad Gita sparked outrage from government officials and Hindu nationalist groups. Never mind that the film is about a man grappling with the morality of creating the atomic bomb, for the real crisis apparently, was quoting scripture during sex. And though the audio remained, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting questioned how the scene made it through in the first place. Other Oscar hopefuls, such as Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans, also fell prey to Indian censorship. The CBFC muted several anti-Semitic slurs in the film that, in context, reflected the protagonist's experience of hate and bullying. In doing so, the board managed to rob the film of its sting, all in service of a more 'palatable' viewing experience. But perhaps the most glaring episode of the CBFC's vigilance in recent memory came courtesy of Brad Pitt's F1. The board reportedly asked the filmmakers to digitally replace a middle finger emoji with a fist emoji. Yes, it seems we're censoring emojis now. Around the same time, Marvel's Thunderbolts also faced the wrath of the mute button with five expletives — 'a**,' 'a**hole,' 'd**ks,' 'b***h' and 'pr**k' — scrubbed. All this despite the fact that the film was aimed squarely at older teens and young adults. The history of CBFC's edits is long and often baffling. From blurring alcohol bottles in Ford v Ferrari to removing references to Kashmir from Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the board's decisions have consistently reflected a desire to control what audiences watch and how they interpret it. What may have started as a well-meaning attempt to shield innocent eyes has now curdled into a mechanism of cultural and political gatekeeping. In Superman, the missing kiss might seem trivial, but in a film that quite literally flies the flag for truth and justice, it speaks volumes.
News18
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Anshuman Jha Steps Behind The Camera For Lakadbaggha 2
Last Updated: Actor Anshuman Jha will direct Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business, stepping in after a creative shift in leadership. The vigilante sequel takes the franchise global. Actor-filmmaker Anshuman Jha is set to make his directorial debut with Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business, the much-anticipated sequel to his 2023 cult action film Lakadbaggha. Known for its gritty narrative and its unique vigilante hero who fights for animal rights, the franchise is now poised to expand its universe — this time under Jha's full creative leadership. While early reports had suggested that the sequel would be helmed by adman and filmmaker Sanjay Shetty, the production took a notable turn after just three days of principal photography. In a move that echoes Aamir Khan's directorial takeover of Taare Zameen Par, Jha stepped in to direct the film himself. However, unlike the high-profile friction between Khan and Amole Gupte at the time, this transition has been described by insiders as collaborative and grounded in mutual respect. A source from the production shared, 'Anshuman told the team, 'We will only make this film once — let's make it the best it can be, regardless of who directs.' It was never about ego, but about clarity and vision on the animal lover vigilante universe." Second Assistant Director Aura Chandel offered further insight into the creative shift, stating that Jha had been hands-on from the beginning — from casting international martial arts icons like Sunny Pang and Dan Chupong to shaping the film's VFX, score, and emotional tone. 'Sanjay Sir and Anshuman share a mentor-mentee bond," she said. 'He assisted Sanjay on ad shoots when he was just 16. There's no bad blood — only a shared love for the project." The initial portions filmed under Shetty have reportedly been reshot, and the production now carries a renewed sense of focus and energy. The decision for Jha to take over the director's chair is said to have stemmed from a need for creative alignment, with those close to the project asserting that Jha is most attuned to the emotional core and thematic ethos of the franchise — which blends high-octane action with a compassionate message around animal welfare. Shetty, meanwhile, continues to support the film as a creative consultant. With this bold move, Anshuman Jha joins the ranks of actor-directors such as Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, and most recently, Dev Patel, who brought his singular vision to Monkey Man. For Jha, the transition isn't just about control behind the camera — it's about creating something meaningful and lasting. As one crew member succinctly put it: 'He's not just making a film — he's building a legacy for the voiceless." First Published: June 27, 2025, 21:09 IST
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sobhita Dhulipala captures a tender moment with father-in-law Nagarjuna; shares glimpses of her June so far
Picture Credit: Instagram Actor Sobhita Dhulipala took to Instagram to share a heartwarming collection of photos of her June so far. One of the pictures included a touching image of a tender hug between Sobhita and her father-in-law, veteran actor Nagarjuna Akkineni . The picture was taken during Akhil Akkineni and Zainab Ravdjee's wedding earlier this month in Hyderabad. Sobhita who married Naga Chaitanya last year, was seen fully immersed in the festivities with the family. She shared pictures where she was seen in a rich rust-orange sharara suit with intricate embroidery, dancing in the baaraat caught mid-twirl. Another elegant photo showed her in a vintage black outfit, hair swept to one side with a large white flower tucked behind her ear. Sobhita also shared her signature mix of aesthetics, fun, and wit. There were memes, philosophical quotes, and quirky selfies added to the post. One funny detail that stood out was a photo of a baaraat speaker decorated with the phrase: "Akhil for the kill". She also included video calls with friends and snapshots of casual hangouts, showing her more relaxed, everyday side. During Akhil and Zainab's wedding, the bride glowed in an ivory saree, while the groom looked regal in a white dhoti-kurta. Videos and picture of Naga Chaitanya and Nagarjuna grooving during the baaraat. Celebrities like Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, and others were also seen. Sobhita known for her appearances in popular web series like 'Made in Heaven' and 'The Night Manager,' was last seen in the English language action thriller 'Monkey Man' alongside Dev Patel, which is set to release in early 2024.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sobhita Dhulipala is the dutiful vadhina at bavamaridi Akhil Akkineni's wedding. See pics
Actor Sobhita Dhulipala was, it seems, the dutiful vadhina (sister-in-law) at bavamaridi (brother-in-law) Akhil Akkineni's wedding to Zainab Ravdjee. In pictures she posted on Instagram as part of her photo dump, she can be seen looking gleeful at his wedding and as part of his baraat. (Also Read: 'Vadhina' Sobhita Dhulipala stuns in red saree at Akhil Akkineni's reception; finally shares pics with Naga Chaitanya) While Sobhita's candid photo dump features a mix of memes, quotes, and more, she also included some effortless portraits of her month. One picture shows her looking stunning in an orange sharara as she smiles widely at Akhil's baraat. Another photo shows the sound set at his baraat with 'Akhil for the kill' written on it. Another shows her hugging her father-in-law Nagarjuna at Akhil and Zainab's wedding reception. Some pictures also show her being goofy or video chatting with friends. A post shared by Sobhita Dhulipala (@sobhitad) Akhil and Zainab dated for a while before getting engaged last year in November and marrying in an intimate ceremony in Hyderabad on 6 June. Posting a sweet family picture from the wedding that also featured her husband, Naga Chaitanya, and mother-in-law, Amala Akkineni, apart from Nagarjuna, Akhil and Zainab, she welcomed the new addition to the family. She wrote, 'Welcome to the family dear Z. Congratulations to the newlyweds.' Zainab is a businesswoman and an artist who is the daughter of businessman Zulfi Ravdjee. Sobhita and Chaitanya got engaged in August last year before tying the knot in December. The couple has been dating for two years secretly after Chaitanya's divorce from Samantha Ruth Prabhu in 2021. In 2024, Sobhita last starred in Monkey Man, which did not release in India, and Love, Sitara. She also dubbed for Deepika Padukone for the Telugu version of Kalki 2898 AD. She has yet to announce her upcoming projects.
