Life, The Universe, and Everything

Spoilers below. I couldn't find a way to say what I wanted to without going into plot points. If you're just looking for a recommendation, I think this is one to watch.
There’s something to be said about timing. When it clicks in a movie, payback to the viewer cannot be quantified. The placement of the song ‘Ik Kudi’ in ‘Udta Punjab’ is one such instance of impeccable timing, it makes you stop and take notice. It’s almost as if the director was cocky enough to realize you’d stop and notice, and he made the bedridden crook as well as the door-banging cops stop and savor the moment too. Only when the singing stops do the cops come to their senses, and resume their attempts to capture Tommy (Shahid).

The first few minutes of the movie do really well to pull you in. There’s a nod to the filmy Punjab as we start from lush fields, but we soon realize that these are not the same fields where a Raj would be waiting, arms extended, for his Simran. From setting things up for Mary Jane (…

Unplanned movie nights are the best, and spending those on gems such as Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the icing on the cake!
The film has been much acclaimed, and is definitely one you should take time out for. On display are amazing scenic view of New Zealand, humour from unexpected quarters, strong performances from the cast - especially Sam Neill (Uncle Hec) and Julian Dennison (Ricky) - subtle dose of emotions, and lots of drama!

Image Credit Facebook

(Some Spoilers Below.)
What stood out for me, however, was how it handled sadness. We all have our ways of dealing with life’s sad events. People often show their most unexpected sides when dealing with sadness, and that’s what happens here to Hec. Sam Neill underplays the character brilliantly, and also shines when Hec gets demonstrative about his feelings.  He bawls like a child when he discovers Bella (portrayed lovingly in the short role by Rima Te Wiata) is dead, an act he seemed completely incapable of up until that moment. There’s …