The Whimsy Bookworm: A Book Blog from India

Hello, hello, Another weekend and another 'what to watch' post on this blog :)  Today's recommendations are a nice mixed bag of true crime, horror and romance! So, let's get into it, shall we?  Nobody Wants This is a rom-com that is an instant throwback to the mid-2000s! Not only because it stars millennial heartthrobs Adam Brody and Kristen Bell but also it is, basically, a classic rom-com. Has several laugh out loud moments and all the formulaic, trope-heavy things that defined the rom-coms in the early to mid-2000s.  Messed up, commitment-averse heroine- check.  Stable, nice-boy hero- check.  He falls first- check.  She falls harder- check.   And, like I said, lots of LOL-worthy moments, mostly stemming from the hero's extremely Jewish family and the heroine's messy-chaotic family.  This is not a perfect show but it is one of the better rom-coms one has seen in a while. Plus it has six very short episodes which I like. I am so over 50 minute lo...

 Hello, hello, After absolutely ages, we are back with a 'What to Watch' recommendation post! Today we are recommending 5 True Crime Documentaries that we recently watched and loved!  Let's get into it, shall we?  1. Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter tells the heartbreaking story of birth mom- Kathy Terkanian- who had given up her nine-month-old daughter for adoption in 1975. She had heard nothing of or from her child (since it was a closed adoption) until 2010, when the adoption agency wrote to her asking for a DNA sample to match a set of female remains found in Wisconsin. It was then that Kathy, who even after receiving the letter had not learnt her child's name, learnt that her daughter has been missing since 1989! The two-episode documentary follows her tenacious search into the whereabouts of her daughter and the shocking revelations that unearth more unsolved crimes!  Very, very good! Absolute must-watch! Streaming on Netflix. 2. Worst Ex Ever: Who hasn't had ...

 Hello Loves!  Hello from a hot and humid Friday evening here in Mumbai. I am for one praying and hoping for Rain. I hope this weekend we see at least a sprinkling of some monsoon showers.  Anyhoo, here are some things I loved best this week. Of course, the Election Results are my absolute favourite thing ever. Such a wave of hope and such a dopamine hit ❤  Here are some lesser faves for the week:  Clouds teasing us but not delivering on their promise.  I love grey skies and can't wait for some seriously cozy rainy days 🌧 Things I've Watched:  Under Paris on Netflix is a shark attack film with a dose of climate change. Different and entertaining. I love me some shark films and this was good fun.  Summer means re-watching some of my favourite Agatha Christie adaptations. These are streaming on Sony Liv and I cannot recommend them enough.  Reading Faves:  Read Mayadevi's London Yatra by Bulbul Sharma this week and thoroughly enjoyed it. I...

  Hello, hello, We just finished watching Laapataa Ladies on Netflix and we loved it so, so much that we simply had to get on here and recommend it to all of you!  So, without further ado, let's get into our top 5 reasons for watching this absolutely smashing movie: 1. The writing! OMG, the writing! It is funny, insightful, wise and so pitch perfect! I haven't watched an Indian movie in the past 5-6 years where the writing made me actually clap more than once! So, so good!  2. The story. A simple story of two brides getting lost because of being inside navel-length ghunghats. Phool, married to Deepak, sleeps on the train and, Deepak mistakenly takes Pushpa/ Jaya to get off with him at his station because both women are dressed in similar bridal sarees with a huge ghunghat. Chaos ensues! The story is about how both the women find their way back home and to themselves.  3. The found family in this movie so absolutely adorable! The people that Phool (Deepak's wife) find...

 Hello, hello, I hope your long weekend has gotten off to a great start!  After a busy week, mine has been slow and lazy, exactly as I wanted it to be!  In case you are planning to be home this long weekend, here are a few series and movie recommendations for you!  1. Destined With You is a Korean series that is a romance but with elements like reincarnation, mystery and magic. It is funny and sweet and totally worth bingeing this weekend. Streaming on Netflix. 2. Wilderness is a suspense/ thriller domestic drama about a woman, who decides to kill her cheating husband during a road trip through the US West Coast National Parks. It is gripping and worth watching. Streaming on Prime Video.  3. Athidhi (The Guest) is a Telugu (dubbed in 7 languages) horror/ suspense series about a man living with his wife in a beautiful home when random strangers start showing up on a stormy night. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.  4. No Hard Feelings is a comedy movie about supe...

Hello, hello, We've been having a very rainy week in Mumbai and so, have been watching a mix of old and new and underrated horror movies! Sharing some that we enjoyed for fellow horror aficionados.    In no particular order, here are the horror movies we enjoyed!  1. The Pope's Exorcist: Inspired the real life adventures and misadventures of the actual exorcist hired by the Pope in the 1980s to help individuals suffering from demonic possession, this is a pretty gnarly movie. When an American widow moves to a tiny town in Spain to restore and sell an ancient abbey that belonged to her husband's family, she finds a demonic entity possessing her young son. The Pope's Exorcist is called in to help the little boy.  Streaming on Prime Video.  2. Slumber: When a family that has consistent, horrifying nightmares approaches a sleep clinic for help, little do the doctors know that they have bitten off more than they can chew and what seems like some kind of sleep disorde...

  We watched Lust Stories 2 last night and here is a full on spoiler-filled review for y'all!  BEWARE- FULL SPOILERS AHEAD- SKIP THIS POST IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPOILERS Lust Stories 2 is an anthology of four short films centred around, what else, lust. The themes for each of these stories are different and so, as an anthology, it works well. Also, all the stories are women-centric, which given the theme is always nice to see. So, without any further ado, let's dive into the individual short films.  The first story is directed by R. Balki and is, honestly, one of the most ridiculous and far-fetched ones in the anthology! While it did make me chuckle on multiple occasions, the whole schtick of a Dadima insisting on her granddaughter have sex before marriage with a potential semi-arranged marriage groom is just ridiculously far fetched given the social milieu and the kind of family shown in this story, which is an average middle-upper-middle class family!  Can you imagine ...

 Hello, hello, It is Friday and in just a few hours, another weekend starts! WeeHee!  If you plan on staying in and being a couch potato, then we have some binge-worthy OTT show and movie recommendations for you!  1. Shabash Feluda (Zee5): Another new reboot/ new franchise for our favourite Bengali detective! This one stars Parambrata Chattopadhaya as Feluda and brings to life one of the many Feluda stories that have not hitherto been made for TV or film! This is a convoluted, fast-paced thriller and is definitely worth watching!  2. The Last Thing He Told Me (AppleTV): Based on the eponymous book, this is a fast-paced thriller about whether we really know the ones we love! When Hannah Hall's husband goes missing, she has no idea the kinds of things she would end up finding out about his past and the sacrifices they would need to make to keep his daughter- Bailey- safe. If you liked the book, you'll also like the series.  3. Kathal (Netflix): A sharp and well-ma...

  It's another weekend and a hot one at that! Or a rainy one if you are in the path of Cyclone Mocha! Please stay safe!  So, if you are looking to stay in and binge a show, then may we suggest Dahaad on Amazon Prime Video.  We binge watched it today and here are five reasons why we think you should watch this show!  1. Loosely inspired by the notorious Cyanide Killer - a serial killer from Karnataka known for killing women with cyanide - Dahaad is, at a very basic level, a serial killer thriller show. However, it is not just that. It is a lovely, nuanced look at general misogyny, the role and place of women in society, issues of casteism and religious intolerance that are so prevalent in our society today. So, if you want to watch a great serial killer cat-and-mouse type show with some thoughtful and intelligent layers, then this is the show for you.  2. The casting is just stellar! Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma, Gulshan Devaiah and Sohum Shah are pitch perfect in...

 Hello, hello, Sharing some of our most loved movies and web series of February 2023!  Given we have some long weekends coming up in March, these would be good ones to watch.  Let's get into it!  1. Mr Queen: A K-drama that is absolutely hilarious and adorable but with a hint of palace/ political intrigue! When a 21st century masterchef falls into a swimming pool, he wakes up in the body of a 19th century queen-to-be. Hilarity ensues as he tries to keep the King at an arm's length, try desperate means to get back to his life and fix things in the past all at the same time!  2. Crash Course in Romance: An introverted, workaholic Maths tutor falls for an extroverted, kind restaurant owner. This is, however, not just an opposites attract love story but is also a commentary on the brutal education system in Korea, especially, the cut-throat world of competitive exams, special tuition classes for these exams and the toll it takes on students. There is also a bit of a...

  I saw the trailer for Govinda Naam Mera when it came out and frankly, I didn't think I'd watch it. It looked so loud and so over the top, I didn't think this would be something I'd enjoy.  Yet, last night, as I doing my dinner prep, I figured I'd try it for ten minutes while I chopped veggies for my pasta and then switch to something else when I sat down to eat.  And surprise, surprise I began to enjoy myself and laughing.  The trailer really did this film dirty. It is so much more than a loud and overly sexual film, it's a fun ride from start to finish with a lot of laughs and even a twist or two.  Here are 5 Reasons You Need to Watch Govinda Naam Mera on Disney Hotstar:   1. It's a laugh riot. It's reminiscent of old Bollywood, the 90s comedies~~ a little bit of physical comedy, funny lines and even a touch of slapstick humour. But all of these combined make for a film that will have you laughing out loud several times. It's the kind of film you ...

  Today was the second season finale of The White Lotus and if you haven't watched it yet, then, now is the perfect time to do so!  The White Lotus is an anthology series based on the follies and foibles of the rich as they spend a few days soaking up the luxurious life in a 5-star Resort, usually, somewhere very, very beautiful!  Season 1 was based in Hawaii and Season 2 has one-upped that by basing the show in Sicily! So, let's get into the quick reasons as to why this season is such a must-watch!  1. Since we were already talking about it- Season 2 is a visual treat! The beautiful town of Taormina in Sicily and the places around it are so stunning that you are torn between paying attention to the drama unfolding on the screen vs the gorgeous surroundings! Oooh la la! Some of the palazzos and hotels and markets shown are just drop dead stunning! What a treat for the travel hungry, who are waiting to start travelling!  2. Unlike Season 1, where there were a few...

 Hello, hello, Another weekend closer to Christmas! The lights in our building went up today and I am feeling most festive!  If you are looking for some quick stuff to watch tonight and tomorrow, then we've got you!  Here are some movies and shows that we've enjoyed recently!  1. Blur Blur is a thriller movie streaming on Zee5 starring Tapsee Pannu and Gulshan Devaiah. It follows the story of twins- Gautami and Gayatri- who have progressive blindness. When Gautami is found dead, the police think it is suicide but Gayatri refuses to believe it. As she delves more and more into her twin's life in the days leading up to her death, she uncovers some pretty sketchy and dangerous things that confirm her suspicions.  Though a bit of a slow burn, Blur is quite nicely done.  2. The White Lotus (Season 2)  Season 1 of The White Lotus was weird and slightly problematic but fun. Season 2 is even better!  Set in a beautiful resort in Sicily, the series follows...

  We watched Monica O My Darling last night and we simply had to come over and tell you why you need to absolutely watch it! Here's why:  1. After a long, long time, a Bollywood movie has hit all the right notes!  Monica O My Darling is a neo-noir thriller, a sort of a whodunnit, a comic caper, a massive misadventure saga and all of this with a wild 70s ka tadka! We have the iconic Monica O My Darling song being played in the background during some insane moments of the movie and everything just works so well together! Watch it for the amazing storytelling, the treatment and sheer fun!  2. The performances were pitch perfect! Every single actor was SO GOOD and perfectly cast! Huma S. Qureshi as the eponymous wily, chalu, grifter/ hustler   Monica was perfection! Her dialogue delivery, body language and just everything was perfection. Rajkumar Rao, as always, was insanely good! Radhika Apte in a sort of comic role was also very good. Sikander Kher was hilarious! ...

 Hello, hello, Over the past couple of weeks, we've watched a few things and thought we'd recommend some of our favourites here!  Let's get into it, shall we?! 1. Thor: Love and Thunder (Disney+ Hotstar) The latest instalment in the Thor series of films, Thor: Love and Thunder  continues Thor's journey in dealing with his grief and loss after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Directed and written by Taika Waititi, the movie has the hallmark Waititi wit and zany humour that made Thor: Ragnarok such a hit with Marvel fans! It is a fun ride and if you are a Marvel fan, then this is definitely worth watching!  2. End of the Road (on Netflix) When a recently widowed (and deeply in debt) mother decides to leave LA to move back home (Houston, Texas) with her teenaged kids and her younger brother, she never thought that a simple cross-country road trip will end up becoming a nightmare when they unwittingly witness a murder at a motel.  Queen Latifah helms this action-adv...

 Hello, hello, A nice long weekend is staring us in the face and if you are not travelling anywhere and planning a cozy weekend at home, like us, then we've got you covered!  Sharing some of our must-binge shows and movies below that will have you all set for the weekend!  1. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (Prime Video) If you, like us, loved and watched Pretty Little Liars, then this reboot of the series is eminently watchable! Also, even if you haven't watched the OG PLL but love slasher flicks, then this one has to be on your watchlist!  Set in small town Pennsylvania, just like the OG show was, and revolves around 5 girls connected by a macabre incident in their mothers' lives!  Don't want to give too much away, but 5 episodes in and we are totally hooked! Give this a watch!   2. Old (Prime Video)  A creepy, makes-you-think kinda movie that is very watchable, Old is almost quintessentially M. Night Shyamalan but also not.  A family on holid...

Hello, hello! It is Friday afternoon (here in India) and the weekend is almost here!  If you are looking at a rainy or cozy weekend in, then we've got you covered! Sharing some of our recently watched and loved series and movies that you could, potentially, watch over the weekend!  Let's get into it, shall we? 1. Suzhal: The Vortex on Amazon Prime Video Set in a small town in Tamil Nadu, Suzhal  tells the story of a crime (or two or more) committed during a popular local festival. As the police begin investigating one crime, more and more secrets (past and present) rise up to the surface.  A really interesting, not-so-easy-to-guess and absolutely brilliantly acted series. Highly recommend!  2. Kaiser (Hoichoi)  Two young women are found brutally murdered in their apartment. Gaming addict and brilliant cop- Kaiser Chowdhury- gets on the case and even before he has started properly investigating it, someone attacks him and warns him to not dig into this case....