Lost and Found

British filmmaker Martin McDonagh earned global recognition for the 2017 filmThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which earned seven Academy Award nominations and two wins. But his relatively lesser-known 2008 film, In Bruges, is our Lost and Found for today.

Set in the city of Bruges in Belgium, a city renowned for its medieval architecture and art, the story follows two hitmen sent from England to carry out a mission. Colin Ferrel essays the role of Ray, a relative newcomer to the profession, who is deeply haunted by the traumatic events of his first mission when he accidentally murdered a little boy. Brendan Gleeson plays the role of the veteran hitman, Ken, who attempts to help ease Ray’s trauma. 

However, they soon realise that their boss Harry had asked for this mission simply to give Ray a proper vacation before killing him. Harry, essayed by Ralph Feinnes, despite being a hardened criminal, is a man of principle and believes that Ray should be punished for his mistake. 

The film’s visuals, sound design, engaging screenplay, and riveting performances, makes it one of the best black-comedy drama films of the 21st century. It explores themes of morality, trauma, and redemption through visual imagery, editing, and narrative structure. It opens a discourse on the social construct of morality and how it is perceived by an individual regardless of established conventions. 

The film remains one of director McDonagh’s best works, if not his best. It is available on Amazon Prime Video. 

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found film for today, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

• Written by Ryan Gomez

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Lost and Found - Talvar - Episode 68

Talvar

Films based on or inspired by true events rely heavily on the filmmaker’s approach and narrative style. After all, the makers are aware that they’re only telling a story that has already been told. Stripped from the opportunity to embellish facts for cinematic flourish, factual accuracy often eclipses the need to draft a compelling watch that actually triggers debate and discussion. Considering these limitations, Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar that’s based on the sensational Aarushi Talwar murder case that made headlines across the nation is equally gripping and as it is a faithful adaptation of real events, even if it doesn’t claim to be.

The film revolves around the mysterious events surrounding the unsolved murder of a 13-year-old Noida girl and her 45-year-old domestic help. The case that shocked the nation had the deceased teenager’s parents being held as the prime accused even when a clear motive couldn’t be justifiably identified.

Instead of focussing on the events that led up to the double murder, it picks up from the point when the case is transferred to central authorities once the local police unintentionally botch up the crime scene. We’re introduced to the unbiased and perceptive lens adopted by investigator Ashwin Kumar (played by Irrfan Khan) in piecing together the facts and cobbling together the shreds of information, in an attempt to get to the bottom of the affair. 

But does he manage to crack the case? And did the young girl’s parents actually murder her? And why? These questions may float around your head when you watch this one. And while the film does take a definitive stand, you may still be left with a few doubts even after the film wraps.

The late Irrfan Khan is in top form here and laces his quirky investigator with fiery clapbacks that he lobs at his victims with a poker face. Konkona Sen Sharma, as the deceased’s distraught mother, and Neeraj Kabi as the father are both equally effective and manage to closely capture their characters’ state of mind. 

That the case was sub judice at the time of the film’s release, meant it had to carry a disclaimer that suggested that this film was actually a fictional account. But significantly, Gulzar allows the audience a deep insight into the case and arms us with enough to arrive at our own conclusions. 

Be rest assured: This is not a whodunit with multiple suspects. It’s also not a thriller that will keep you second-guessing throughout its runtime. But it’s a tastefully-assembled compilation of events leading to a heinous crime that will test your ability to question, reason, and even rationalize.

If you haven't watched the flick yet then do so by streaming on Disney + Hotstar

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next episode it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

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The success of a thriller often lies in its ability to translate fear, dread and tension across the screen. When you can closely experience the gravity of the situation that the characters find themselves in, the job is done. And Kaun?, our Lost and Found for today, hits the nail on its head. 

The 1999 thriller, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, is an exemplary case for how effectively a filmmaker can trigger the audience’s imagination. Starring Urmila Matonkar, Manoj Bajpayee and Sushant Singh, this one makes for an unnerving watch. The film’s plot revolves around a woman who’s alone in a palatial home when she’s visited by a stranger. This is also when she learns in the news about a serial killer on the loose in her city. The events that follow lead us in various directions as we try to mentally construct theories and then discard them with every new development. 

Despite its novel premise for a Hindi feature film at the time, Kaun? leans heavily on tropes used in serial killer films and slashers. Most notably, the use of sound effects to drum up tension and to establish a mood of gloom. Creaky doors, the score reaching a crescendo before every spine-chilling reveal and other camera tricks will also cumulatively leave you nibbling on your fingernails.     

Kaun? has to be one of Matondkar’s most compelling turns and the actress accurately captures her character’s state of mind in a range of sequences. Straight out of the phenomenal success of Satya, Bajpayee is in fine form here. As the overly intrusive, blunt, and audacious visitor who doesn’t know where to draw the line, he’s a riot and delivers much-need comic relief to  intermittently take the edge off the tense scenes. Sushant Singh, who’s confined to a rather grim part is unobjectionable but doesn’t break the flow of the narrative with his brief role. 

There’s a big reveal in the climax here and giving that away would be an utter spoiler. We will, however, leave you with a vague clue and you can employ to try to stitch it all together before the film ends. And the clue is: ‘things don’t always appear as they are’. Think you’ve got the smarts to figure it out? Go give this one a watch and find out for yourself. Its streaming on YouTube.

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Lost and Found - Rush ( 2013 ) - Episode 66

Rush (LionsgatePlay)

Films about cars and racing have piqued the interest of global audiences for decades. The commercial success of the Fast and Furious franchise despite its glaringly obvious shortcomings reaffirms the notion that adrenaline-fuelled films about fast cars appeal to a wider demographic. However, the 2013 film, Rush, directed by Ron Howard, is an anomaly. Despite featuring stunning visuals, vibrant sound design by Hans Zimmer, excellent performances, and an engrossing screenplay, the film has faded away into obscurity in recent years.

Starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl in lead roles, the film is a retelling of the real-life rivalry in the 1970s between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Nikki Lauda. The film brings to life one of the greatest rivalries in the sport’s history as it chronicles their respective careers from Formula 3 to all the way to the top of the podium in Formula 1. The film also focuses on Nikki Lauda’s near-fatal crash in 1976 at the Nürburgring in Germany after his car burst into flames. His return to racing just six weeks after the accident after suffering life-altering injuries to his face and lungs is the stuff of legends. 

The film is also a homage to some of the other great rivalries in Formula 1 such as Alain Prost versus Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher versus Mika Häkkinen, and Fernando Alonso versus Kimi Räikkönen. The charismatic and flamboyant Hunt is essayed to near perfection by Hemsworth while the excellent Brühl completely transforms himself into the pragmatic and unrelenting Lauda. German actress Alexandra Maria Lara also deserves praise for her stunning performance as Lauda's wife Marlene. Olivia Wilde, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Stephen Mangan play other supporting roles, along with a cameo by Natalie Dormer. The film is easily one of the finest of the last decade and offers some truly spine-tingling moments. 

Well thats the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next time its your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

• Written by Ryan Gomez

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Welcome to another episode of OTTplay Lost and Found, im your host Nikhil.

The world’s most popular sport, football, has produced captivating stories over the decades. From South America to Europe and to the Far East, inspirational stories about footballers, managers, and teams that broke barriers have reverberated across the world. But the story of football manager Brian Clough and his rise to the very top of English football is often less talked about outside the British Isles. The incredible stories of Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Sir Bobby Robson have been etched in football folklore, thanks to their association with global football clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Barcelona. However, despite having never managed footballing powerhouses such as the aforementioned clubs, Brian Clough created history by taking relatively lesser-known clubs such as Derby County and Nottingham Forest from obscurity to title winners. 

The Damned United, directed by Tom Hooper, chronicles the life of the charismatic yet controversial figure of Brian Clough and his rivalry with Don Revie. The film begins in the late ‘60s with Clough as manager of the lower league side Derby County, as he is preparing to welcome the Top Division champions Leeds United, and their manager Don Revie, to Derby for an FA Cup fixture. Revie’s refusal to have a customary drink with the home team’s manager after the match and the alleged disrespect shown by Leeds United sparked a fire within Clough. This would start a chain of events with Clough guiding Derby through the league divisions, climbing the football league tables, and finally dethroning Leeds as the champions of England.

The film’s primary focus is, however, on the 44-day period when Clough replaced Don Revie as the manager of Leeds. His troubled relationship with the players, whom he had once berated, was always going to end with him leaving Leeds United. The film describes in detail why Leeds United are regarded as the most hated champions in English football history. Michael Sheen essays this role of Brian Clough, supported by an excellent cast of Stephen Graham, Timothy Spall, and Colm Meaney. 

The film does not delve into Clough’s success at Nottingham Forest, where he took them to back-to-back European Cup trophies. The film will keep one hooked from start to finish, as it navigates through the complexities of one of football’s greatest managers. A man who legendary Manchester United captain Roy Keane referred to as the best he’s played under in his illustrious career. 

If you havent watched this film yet then do so its streaming on Apple TV+ and Google Play movies

Well thats the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next episode its your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written by - Ryan Gomez

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There’s something decidedly eerie about thrillers set in locations divorced from civilisation. The nature of the construct is such that one isn’t bound by societal rules. And that drives characters to resort to unimaginable acts, sometimes in an attempt to just survive. Amit Kumar’s chilling 2003 short The Bypass starring the likes of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and the late Irrfan Khan, takes us on a helluva ride and it’s our Lost and Found for today.

 The film opens to a newlywed couple struggling to keep their hands to themselves as they drive through a desert in an Ambassador. We find a couple of dubious characters perched at a precarious position behind a dune, possibly waiting to spring into action at a precise point. Soon, one of them lobs a rock at the car driving past and manages to catch the windshield leading to a disastrous turn of events. Their devious plan seems obvious. Relieving the blood-covered young couple of their belongings, the two desert thieves seem relentless. While the husband succumbs to the crash, the wife seems to be barely alive and moaning in agony. A smooth swish of the axe across her neck does the job. The same tool is then used to hack the husband’s wrist to retrieve his watch which seems to be lodged between the steering wheel. And you know right away, that this is not a film for the faint-hearted.  

The Bypass spends no time in setting the tone. It’s a film that will keep you tense and terrified through the proceedings and drive your imagination to expect the worst at every turn. 

The 2003 film is one of Siddiqui’s early screen appearances at a time when he would feature in blink-and-miss parts in films such as Munnabhai MBBS, Shool and Sarfarosh. Khan, who plays a cop here, is in inimitable form and one can only appreciate the actor’s ability to infuse various shades to his character. 

Giving away how this one folds up will be an utter spoiler and we’d rather you find out for yourself. What we can assure you is that this film would definitely be the most chilling 15 minutes of your day.

Catch this short streaming on Youtube.

Well thats the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next episode its your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

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Lost and Found - The Town (Prime Video) - Episode 63

Welcome to another episode of OTTplay Lost and Found,one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films and shows but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

Hollywood star Ben Affleck has quietly established himself as an accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker over the years with critical hits such as Good Will Hunting, Gone Baby Gone, and Argo. Apart from Argo, an Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Affleck's films have often focused on the Irish-Americans living in Massachusetts, drawing inspiration from the neighborhoods in Boston close to where he grew up. One such movie is the 2010 film, The Town. Written, directed, and starring Affleck, the plot chronicles the lives of bank robbers from the town of Charlestown in Boston, which has earned a reputation of being America’s capital of bank robbers, a notion which has been disputed. 

Affleck essays the role of Doug MacRay, a bank robber who shares a close bond with his friends and fellow thieves. Doug’s perception of life changes when he is tasked with keeping tabs on one of the hostages, Claire, whom the crew had released unhurt after their previous bank heist. However, Doug falls in love with Claire, who is unaware that he was one of her captors. Doug decides to leave his life of crime behind and move to Florida but soon learns that leaving with Claire to sunny Florida is easier said than done. With the FBI closing in on his crew, he is forced to make hard choices. 

The film, based on Chuck Hogan’s book Prince of Thieves, stars Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Blake Lively, Jon Hamm, and Pete Postlethwaite in main roles. It discusses themes of family, redemption, and existentialism, and was praised for its story, grounded narrative, excellent performances, and direction. 

If you haven't watched The Town yet, then do so it's streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found for today until the next episode it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written By Ryan Gomez

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Lost and Found - Old Enough - episode 62

Old Enough

Navigating the plethora of movies and shows available on streaming platforms today can be exhausting. For those who are perenially on the hunt for something new and trending, most streamers dish out suggestions based on your watch history that would complement your taste and even your mood. But if you dare to go beyond what’s lobbed at your homescreen and fire up the search bar, there’s always a chance that you may find something that you didn’t quite expect and yet, just what you were looking for. The 1991 Japanese reality show Old Enough that’s available to watch on Netflix is just that kind of show and it’s our Lost and Found for today.

Originally produced for Nippon TV and titled Hajimete no Otsukai, Old Enough is a reality show where parents send their toddlers to accomplish an errand or three entirely on their own. The tasks assigned to these tiny tots range from shopping for groceries to visiting the local fingermonger for the day’s best catch. These unsuspecting children are joined by the show’s enterprising cameramen who closely trace their adventures and misadventures en route to produce content that’s swoonworthy, nerve-wracking and yet, thoroughly entertaining. Picture toddlers scampering through busy markets and crossin streetlights to arrive at their destination to complete the task without any parental supervision.

You have to hand it to the Japanese to furnish the heightened drama and delight of reality TV at a time when the world was yet to wake up to the format and its manipulative ability to trigger deep emotions. There’s just something comforting about watching these 2-3-year-olds scurry along as they take on mundane tasks which seem daunting and cumbersome through their hopeful eyes. 

So if you need a break from that taut political thriller series or that long-running saga about a cocain kingpin, Old Enough will offer that much-needed R&R that you truly deserve. The show’s soothing pace and tone is enough to sweep your mind into a lull and transport you to a place where everything’s perfect and nothing hurts.

Well you can catch this streaming on Netflix.

Thats the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next episode its your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

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