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Tupaki Review

Behind the Movie Tupaki: While AR Murugadoss has a brand value in Andhra Pradesh, it is the presence of Vijay which could keep the hype surrounding this project a bit low. However, it is too late for a review from our side and sorry for that. Let us see, whether this 'Tupaki' has enough ammunition in it to trigger the BO or not?

In the Movie Tupaki: Jagdeesh (Vijay) is an intelligent Indian Army Officer off to Mumbai to enjoy a vacation. Family of Jagdeesh is in hunt for a right bride and they find Nisha (Kajal Agarwal) as an apt match. Although reluctant early, once Jagdeesh understands the real side of Nisha, the love track deepens. In this mean time of romance, accidentally Jagdeesh happens to bump into a sleeper cell terrorist in a local bus. Into action, Jagdeesh teams up with his old batchmates to upset the terrorist plan of 12 serial bomb blasts planned in Mumbai. Frustrated by this, the Master mind and terrorist head behind (Vidyut Jamwal) enters into scene to take it face to face with Jagdeesh. Did Vidyut's plan to lay a trap for Jadgeesh was successful? Was Jagdeesh enough talented to put an end to sleeper cell network forms the rest.

Values of the Movie Tupkai: The one invaluable quality AR Murugadoss blessed with is, his knack of commercializing aky kind of subject. In fact, none could have made this kind of gripping action thriller with a simple sleeper cell terrorist concept which isn't touched in depth by any director in India. The kind of hold Muruga has on screen-play writing was evidential throughout the second half. Our Telugu audience would easily forget that we are watching a Tamil to Telugu dubbed film because of the intensity packed. Meanwhile, the romantic track weaved into the story is actually a weak thread which distrubed the actual soul and feel. Cinematography of Santosh Sivan is just top notch and Sreekar Prasad could have been better in the boring love track. After enjoying extra-ordinary tunes and exhilarating back-ground from Harris Jayaraj, we expect much more than this. Dialogues were just okay. Production values of Gemini FIlm Circuit and SVR Media are worth appreciable.           

Performance wise, Vijay's character has been underplayed for major time and that has become the blessing in disguise. Compared to past flicks like 'Snehithudu,' the way Vijay directed his energies into simple yet stylish action episodes made him a winner. Next in the list comes is Vidyut Jamwal. Utilizing the biggest of opportunity offered, Vidyut's muscular body and handsome looks give a new flavor to villainsm. The less we speak, it would be more better about Kajal who is just portioned for songs and romance. Of the remaining we can only remind, Sathyan and Jairam who were just fit to their comic portions. 

Out of the Movie Tupaki: The best memories which striked my thoughts watching 'Tupaki' were about Venkatesh's 'Gharshana.' Director Muruga has cooked a recipee which is similar to Gautham. Yet, both are different in their own versions. Scripts like 'Tupaki' need more of the hardwork on visualization. When you are presenting the same on screen in the form of mind games between antagonist and protagonist, viewers should feel the goose bumps else your attempts go in vain. When we have some one like Muruga leading from front, even the expression face like Vijay too becomes engaging. Same happened here and Vijay might find some part of his dream to form a market in Tollywood will be fulfilled. 

While first half is a bit entertaining with romantic track, introduction to sleeper cells in Mumbai, narration changes the gear and suddenly we get too much involved into the bloodshed of pre-interval episodes. Then second half is entirely the magic of Murugadoss while the tasteless love episodes and placement of songs pulls down the anxiety. So, overall the graph goes up and down till a much more desired climax.

Commercially, 'Tupaki' might be a profitable project in Tamil because of Vijay factor. When target audience for this kind of action thrillers form a low minortiy core, it is difficult to anticipate on where the Telugu version will land. For regular audience, think before getting in and for hardcore Muruga admirers, don't miss this. He has got ammunition right this time.

Cinejosh Verdict of the Movie Tupaki: Best Action Thriller in recent times. 

                                                                                    Reviewed by Srivaas

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Jeevi rating: 3.25/5 Punchline : intelligent play Genre: Action Type: Dubbed (Thuppakki in Tamil) Banner: SVR Media

Cast : Vijay, Kajal Agarwal, Satyan, Jayaram, Vidyut Jamwal etc

Music : Harris Jayraj Cinematography: Santosh Sivan Editing : A Sreekar Prasad Story - screenplay direction : Murugadoss Producer: Kalaipuli S Thanu Release date : 13 November 2012 Theater watched : Screen 3, Cinemax Banjara Hills, Hyderabad

Tupaki links • Music launch • Photo gallery • Videos

Jeevi reviews of previous films • Denikaina Ready • Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu • Rebel • Avunu • Life is Beautiful • Shirdi Sai • Srimannarayana • Sudigaadu • Julayi • Onamalu • Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara • Eega • All the best • Mem Vayasuku Vacham • Shakuni • Oka Romantic Crime Katha • Endukante Premanta • Gabbar Singh • Dhammu • Racha • Lovely • Ee Rojullo • Mr. Nookayya • Ishq • Poola Rangadu • Love Failure • SMS • Snehitudu • Bodyguard • Businessman • Rajanna • Journey • Panjaa • Priyudu • Solo • Sri Ramarajyam • Oh My Friend • Mogudu • Nuvvila... • 7th Sense • Pilla Zamindar More Reviews

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Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

RAGHU ANIKHA 597 days ago

My favourite movie all time<br/> When I'm child saa this movie and this movie makes me @thalapathy fan

raghu6300386775 raghu 110 840 days ago

Powerful Subject With Powerful Soldier.

PROMAX studios 1151 days ago

Thuppakki is one of the best movie in Vijay's career. Vijay acted very well. A.R. Murugodos did a awesome work. This movie was so good.

full of epic 1466 days ago

Amazing acting by Vijay!<br/>And the heroine was just WAY TOO HOT

Alwin Kachappilly 1468 days ago

vijay at his best

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Movie Name : Razakar

Release Date : March 15, 2024

123telugu.com Rating : 3/5

Starring: Raj Arjun, Markand Deshpande, Bobby Simha, Anasuya, Vedhika, Tej Sapru, Indraja, Thalaivasal Vijay

Director: Yata Satyanarayana

Producers: Gudur Narayan Reddy

Music Director: Bheems Ceciroleo

Cinematographer: Ramesh Kushendar

Editor: Thammiraju

Related Links : Trailer

A film named Razakar has hit the screens today. Yata Satyanaraya directs it. Let’s see how it is.

India gains independence from the British in 1947, but Hyderabad, which is the largest princely state, remains an independent kingdom under the control of the Nizam Of Hyderabad a.k.a Mir Osman Ali Khan (Markhand Deshpande). The Nizam of Hyderabad refuses to sign the accession agreement and opts for a one year standstill agreement with the Union Of India. A paramilitary army force named Razakars, formed by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, is controlled by Qasim Razvi (Raj Arjun) during that period. Qasim Razvi lends his full support to the Nizam of Hyderabad and they infuse terror among Hindus with their atrocities. What happens later is what Razakar is about.

Plus Points:

If you are someone who haven’t heard about this genocide that happened during the Nizam rule, you will be shell-shocked after watching the movie. The atrocities against lots of Hindus and the forceful religious conversions will send chills down your spine, as they are shown in a gut-wrenching manner without any inhibitions. There are many hard-hitting moments and one would surely walk out heavy hearted.

Even if you have known about this exodus, you will still be invested in the film, as there is a lot of detailing that has gone into the writing. This is the best part of Razakar, as the writing team did a thorough research in documenting the trauma undergone by many innocent souls. Operation Polo carried out by the Indian Army to annex Hyderabad from the Nizam rule is sure to give you goosebumps.

Often, we would have heard stories describing the greatness of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in uniting the country. This film will give you more clarity regarding the kind of role Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had played in making Hyderabad a part and parcel of India. The film is clear in what it conveys. It doesn’t target any religion and it only highlights the atrocities committed by the Nizam and Razakars against common people.

Raj Arjun is the show stealer of Razakar and he performs Qasim Razvi’s role to the tee. We feel like hitting him right in the face and that’s the level of performance he has delivered. Markhand Deshpande as the Nizam Of Hyderabad is brilliant and so is Tej Sapru as the Iron Man Of India. Bobby Simha, Anasuya, Vedhika, Indraja, and others gave compelling performances. The second half is more gripping with many key moments.

Minus Points:

The first half is all about the depiction of Razakars’ brutality against Hindus and here the pacing is a bit slow. A few scenes are repetitive and the narrative could have been better.

Razakar is a film made with utmost honest and if someone expects entertainment this movie might not be their cup of tea. The atrocities and heinous acts are shown in a no-holds-barred manner and these visuals might be distributing for a few.

Technical Aspects:

Music by Bheems Ceciroleo is impactful. Cinematographer Ramesh Kushendar neatly depicted the angst of the affected people. The makers pulled off a high quality film within a limited budget and kudos to their efforts. The VFX was good and the production design team did a superb job in recreating the bygone era. The set works are fantastic.

Director Yata Satyanarayana showed conviction in bringing a heinous genocide on to the screen. The film is informative, heart-wrenching, and also does it portray the bravura of many unsung heroes who fought against the monarchy. The director can go a long way in his career if he comes up with more such good films.

On the whole, Razakar is an honest depiction of the heinous genocide that took place in Hyderabad province during the time of Nizam. The film is sure to leave you shocked with its horrifying facts and neatly documents the ordeal of common people. The film will blow away the minds of those who don’t know about Razakars. Performances are very good and the film is rich technically. The first half is slightly slow, with some repetitive scenes, but the second half grabs our attention every minute. Those interested in knowing about history can watch this film this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

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‘Mother of the Bride’ Review: An Old Flame in a Tropical Locale

Brooke Shields plays a single mother who comes face to face with her college ex-boyfriend at her daughter’s destination wedding in this tired romantic comedy.

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By Natalia Winkelman

How often do exes get back together at destination weddings? Based on Hollywood rom-coms, one might assume it’s an epidemic. The last few years alone have seen rancorous pairs reconcile on the tropical beaches of Bali ( “Ticket to Paradise” ), the tropical coastline of Sydney, Australia (“Anyone But You”) and in the tropical jungles of the Philippines (“Shotgun Wedding”). What a surprise to see the trend reappear in Netflix’s “Mother of the Bride,” set in Phuket, Thailand, at a tropical resort.

These movies, as critics have pointed out , are themselves rehashing an older Hollywood trope: the comedy of remarriage, in which a separated couple reunites to find their acrimony transformed into revitalized affection. (A classic example is Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in the 1940 rom-com “The Philadelphia Story.”)

In “Mother of the Bride,” that twosome consists of Lana (a committed Brooke Shields) and Will (Benjamin Bratt), ex-beaus who severed ties after college. In Phuket, they discover that their grown children — Lana’s daughter, Emma (Miranda Cosgrove), and Will’s son, RJ (Sean Teale) — are betrothed.

“Mother of the Bride” is directed by Mark Waters (“Mean Girls”) with an apparent allergy to verisimilitude. Early on, we are told that the opulent Thai ceremony will be bankrolled by Emma’s company (she’s an intern) and livestreamed to “millions of eyes.” These fantasies of pomp and circumstance often serve to make Lana and Will’s budding romance feel like a B-story to the action — although that may be a blessing when the best screwball gag this movie can muster is a pickleball shot to the groin.

Mother of the Bride Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 28 minutes. Watch on Netflix .

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From 'The Iron Claw' to 'The Idea of You,' here are 10 movies you need to stream right now

Sure, you could surprise your mom with a trip to the movie theater to see some smart apes or Ryan Gosling . But if she'd rather spend Mother's Day hanging at home – and she loves movies, too – there are plenty of options to make the holiday entertaining.

Netflix, Amazon's Prime Video, Peacock, Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+ and others boast all sorts of streaming films for fans with various tastes, from comedy and horror to an Anne Hathaway double feature. There are recent theatrical releases like Zac Efron's buzzy pro wrestling drama , a restored 1970 Beatles movie available for the first time in decades, plus a slew of original flicks such as  Jerry Seinfeld's Pop-Tarts movie , a new film adaptation of a John Green book and a return to the film world for Brooke Shields, in a Netflix flick perfect for moms of all stripes.

Here are 10 notable new movies you can stream right now:

'The American Society of Magical Negroes'

Yarn sculptor Aren (Justice Smith) is recruited by wise mentor Roger (David Alan Grier) into a secret organization of Black agents whose mission is to keep white people comfortable, and Aren's first assignment turns messy when love gets in the way of the job. It's a satirical take on the "magical negro" trope that makes some points about race and culture before losing its way (and any sort of bite) when the film turns into a predictable rom-com.

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Where to watch: Peacock .

'The Book of Clarence'

An entertaining blast rather than being blasphemous, the biblical epic stars LaKeith Stanfield as the title character, a weed dealer in Jerusalem circa A.D. 33 who sees the respect Jesus gets and touts himself as "the new messiah." Directed by Jeymes Samuel ("The Harder They Fall"), it's a bold, thought-provoking retelling of the resurrection story through the lens of Black culture that anyone can relate to, believer or not.

Where to watch: Netflix .

Like "Carol" painted with some noir-ish shades, the 1960s-set thriller casts Thomasin McKenzie as the title character, a mousy secretary at a Boston boys prison who lives at home with an abusive dad (Shea Whigham) drinking himself to death. Eileen gets a pick-me-up at work with the arrival of sophisticated psychologist Rebecca (Anne Hathaway), who pulls the fragile younger woman into unfortunate circumstances.

Where to watch: Hulu .

'The Idea of You'

There's a bit of a "Notting Hill" vibe to this rom-com starring Hathaway as 40-year-old divorced mom Solène, who reluctantly takes her teen daughter to Coachella and inadvertently meets – and sparks a spicy romance with – Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), lead singer of a popular boy band. It's a lot more serious and emotionally wrought than you might expect, but Hathaway nails her character's layered nuance as Solène's relationship goes viral.

Where to watch: Prime Video .

'The Iron Claw'

A very ripped (and amazing) Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson play members of the Von Erich pro wrestling dynasty in this gripping 1980s-set biopic. Raised by their ex-wrestler father (Holt McCallany), the Von Erichs find success in the ring while navigating a series of tragic losses outside it in director Sean Durkin's touching story of Americana mixed with sibling rivalry, parental pressure and brutal despair.

Where to watch: Max .

'Let It Be'

For Beatles fans or music lovers in general who've just never seen it, Michael Lindsay-Hogg's restored 1970 documentary is a fascinating, candid look at the Fab Four recording the "Let It Be" album, bickering, goofing off and also creating timeless gems. Not as exhaustive or drama-filled as Peter Jackson's "Get Back" docuseries – which pulled from Lindsay-Hogg's wealth of footage – it's still a groovy watch of musical geniuses at work.

Where to watch: Disney+ .

'Mother of the Bride'

It's nice to see Brooke Shields still relevant, and as a lead in a rom-com no less. ("Suddenly Susan" hive, rise up!) But this cheeseball affair is only for Shields completists: The actress plays a famous geneticist whose daughter (Miranda Cosgrove) drops the bomb that she's suddenly getting married, and then the protective mom finds out at the destination wedding in Thailand that the father of the groom is her college ex (Benjamin Bratt).

'Prom Dates'

What could easily be just another R-rated "one crazy night" teen comedy gets a boost from its lively main characters. Jess (Antonia Gentry) and Hannah (Julia Lester) made a pact to have the perfect senior prom at 13, but on the eve of the big night, Jess dumps her cheating beau and Hannah comes out as a lesbian. When they have to scramble to find the perfect dates, assorted shenanigans and, of course, personal growth ensue.

Where to watch: Hulu , Disney+ .

'Turtles All the Way Down'

Adaptations of John Green's young adult novels (including "The Fault in Our Stars") have been a mixed bag, but this one's the best if just for its effectiveness in capturing mental health struggles. Aza (Isabela Merced) dreams of going to college, has ride-or-die pal Daisy (Cree) in her corner and reconnects with camp friend Davis (Felix Mallard), though her crippling OCD – and fear of germs and infection – is a constant threat to foil each one.

'Unfrosted'

Jerry Seinfeld's delightfully ridiculous directorial debut explores the origins of Pop-Tarts with an extremely silly not-so-true story and tons of gags and cameos. The comedian and Melissa McCarthy play Kellogg's employees tasked in 1963 with creating a toaster pastry before their competitors, a processed food spin on the space race that also involves a milk mafia, disgruntled breakfast cereal mascots and a heap of nostalgia.

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Chris Pine 's first film as a director, "Poolman," is a character comedy about oddball Los Angelenos that doubles as a spoof of 1940s detective movies. Pine also cowrote (with Ian Gotler ), co-produced, and plays the title character, Darren Barrenman. Darren is a big-bearded, long-haired, talkative, thoroughly goofy pool cleaner who lives in a tiny trailer right next to the pool that he tends, which is in the courtyard of an old Tiki-style motel that's been converted into apartments. I think it's set in the present, but maybe not. Nobody uses a cell phone, and there's a heavy pre-1950s influence in the production design and costuming. One of the presumed bad guys drives a huge roadster like you'd see in the 1930s. The score is retro-hipster jazz with a violin and a zither. A mysterious woman named June Del Rey ( DeWanda Wise ) who appears out of nowhere and draws the hero into a mystery has a silhouette like a film noir dame and the wardrobe to match.

The mystery involves real estate and the corruption of a local city councilman named Stephen Toronkowsky, whom Darren sees each week at community meetings where he rants about historic preservation and the improvement of bus schedules. (The councilman is played by  Stephen Tobolowsky , whose name is so similar to the character's that you have to wonder if the part was written specifically for him.) Other films about corruption in Los Angeles are mentioned within the plot, including " Chinatown ," which gets multiple references plus actual clips, and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," which Darren yells about at one of the council meetings. 

There's not a whole lot of plot to describe or even allude to, and I don't think "Poolman" is all that interested in what little there is. This is a vibes movie. Darren is a handsome, lovable, hairy man-child. His girlfriend Susan ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ), who manages the complex where Darren works, wants him to commit to her, but he's so lost in his own racing thoughts that he doesn't realize how much she adores him until it seems as if she's about to give up. Darren goes to therapy twice a week with a New Age-y lady named Diane ( Annette Bening ) and is apparently the star of a documentary by Diane's partner Jack (Danny DeVito), who's betting his entire career on the project even though it's hard to tell what it's actually going to be about. 

"Poolman" is a deeply weird movie. Not deeply weird in the sense of "alienating" or "hard to take." On the contrary, it's so gentle that it could probably be considered an example of  Nicecore , a type of film described by critic David Ehrlich that mostly avoids conflict and resolution and instead showcases people being nice to others. There are arguments and some treachery and one murder, but the killing so formal, in an old-movie way, that it barely registers as being violent. Most of the movie is laid-back or mildly farcical. 

No, the film is weird in the sense of "Can anyone but Chris Pine truly appreciate this?" I'm not asking that question because I disliked "Poolman." I thought it was sweet and fun, and once I settled into it and latched into its wavelength, I laughed a lot, even though it does start to wear out its welcome towards the end because so much of it is dependent upon exploring the emotional interior of the kind of guy you'd be happy to chat with at a bus stop but wouldn't want to sit next to. You don't throw yourself into a project like "Poolman" unless you have a burning urge to do it, but that urge doesn't always communicate itself.   

The movie has been repeatedly compared to " The Big Lebowski " and other films in that spoof-of-LA-noir vein; I suppose there are superficial similarities. But it reminded me more of an unpolished answer to something like Jim Jarmusch's Nicecore classic " Paterson ," which is about a New Jersey bus driver who writes poetry and loves his girlfriend. In its choice of hero and its hermetically sealed Something Old/Something New style, it is also (bizarrely at times) a kind-hearted mirror of " Taxi Driver " (instead of writing in a journal, Darren writes old fashioned letters on a typewriter to Erin Brockovich--the real crusading legal investigator, not Julia Roberts , who played Brockovich in the Oscar-winning movie). 

This is the kind of film where the hero makes origami figurines and gives them to others to convey messages or feelings, and where one of the baddies tells the hero, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known god." It's the kind of movie where, during a confrontation, one antagonist suddenly slumps with his head down and says, "I've had a hard week" and the other replies "Me, too" and they end up hugging. It's the kind of movie where a stakeout consists of five people hiding in plain sight from the people that they are surveilling, who make direct eye contact with them, and one of the stakeout participants is reading Karl Ove Knausgård's "My Struggle" and suddenly begins to recite a passage from it and looks right into the camera as she does it. There's also a dream sequence with a lizard whose voice is provided by Pine's dad Robert Pine , who became a star on the American TV cop show "CHiPs." 

That's all just another way of saying that this is the kind of film I think cinema could use more of, even though it's far from perfect. Robert Altman and Hal Ashby and Alan Rudolph all used to make movies like this, especially when they were working small, as in projects like " Brewster McCloud " and " Harold and Maude " and " Trouble in Mind ," which, like "Poolman," were all so wispily assembled that you could imagining them coming apart in a soft gust of wind, like a dandelion. There were also times when the movie reminded me of melancholy comedies starring Bening's husband Warren Beatty, who often played hunky man-children who were so lost in their heads that they were their own worst enemies.

"Poolman" was unveiled last year at the Toronto Film Festival and got slaughtered by reviewers. That seems puzzling to me in retrospect because the film is so upfront about its own kookiness and near-weightlessness and relentlessly sunny-side-up attitude that it's as hard to hate as a muffin basket or a big old fluffy dog. Some people won't be able to tolerate five minutes of it, but I think others will love it, and they won't be wrong to. I hope Pine makes more movies and refines whatever he was trying to do in this one. There are moments where it wanders into the sublime.

Matt Zoller Seitz

Matt Zoller Seitz is the Editor at Large of RogerEbert.com, TV critic for New York Magazine and Vulture.com, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism.

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Sasquatch Sunset

Monica castillo.

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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

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Chicken for Linda!

Robert daniels.

Kim's Video

Brian tallerico, film credits.

Poolman (2024)

100 minutes

Chris Pine as Darren Barrenman

Danny DeVito as Jack Denisoff

Annette Bening as Diane

Jennifer Jason Leigh as Susan

DeWanda Wise as June Del Rey

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Movie Review: Brooke Shields and Benjamin Bratt deserve more than Netflix’s ‘Mother of the Bride’

This image released by Netflix shows Brooke Shields and Benjamin Bratt in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” (Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Chad Michael Murray and Brooke Shields in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” (Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Miranda Cosgrove, left, and Brooke Shields in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” (Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Brooke Shields and Rachael Harris in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” (Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Benjamin Bratt in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” (Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Sean Teale and Miranda Cosgrove in a scene from “Mother of the Bride.” (Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix via AP)

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Romantic comedies are in a destination wedding rut. Perhaps it’s a collective post-COVID wanderlust kicking in, or, more cynically, some combination of tax credits and a place producers want to spend time. But between “ Ticket to Paradise ,” “Anyone But You,” “ Shotgun Wedding ” and now Netflix’s “ Mother of the Bride ,” the conceit is starting to curdle.

The problem is bigger than the setting, of course. There’s only so much heavy lifting a picturesque location, photogenic bodies and enviable resort outfits can do to make up for a lame story. Also, the appeal of an out-of-reach travelogue is limited in this age of influencers living wildly extravagant lifestyles around the clock on Instagram and TikTok (not to mention the sharp ways “White Lotus” has skewered and luxuriated in those worlds).

“Mother of the Bride,” now streaming on Netflix, wonders what might happen if you find out a few days before the wedding that your kid (Miranda Cosgrove) is marrying the offspring of the guy who broke your heart. That’s what happens to Brooke Shields’ Lana. She arrives in Phuket, Thailand, for her daughter’s wedding, meets the groom (Sean Teale), turns around and sees that his father is her college ex, Will (Benjamin Bratt). Barely a minute passes before they both fall into a pond.

Later, she’ll walk in on him emerging from the shower, hit him in a sensitive spot playing pickleball and, after they’ve made some progress, overhear the wrong conversation at the wrong time. This is a movie that is adhering to some kind of romantic comedy checklist, but whose ingredients add up to very little in the end.

Our tolerance for a silly set-up in a romantic comedy is usually pretty generous if we’re given a clever, charming script and authentic emotions. Just think of how ridiculous so many of the greats sound on paper, from “Sabrina” to “Sleepless in Seattle”? Is it fair to compare “Mother of the Bride” to Nora Ephron and Billy Wilder? Maybe not, but it never hurts to be aware of a North Star, which veterans like screenwriter Robin Bernheim Burger and director Mark Waters no doubt are. Just look at the title. This movie even has a romantic foil in a younger doctor (Chad Michael Murray) who is smitten with Lana, which can’t help but remind of Keanu Reeves in Nancy Meyers’ “Something’s Gotta Give.”

But this is so wildly contrived from the start that you never get to that moment where you’re enjoying it enough to stop asking questions, like did Lana never google Will in the 20 years they’ve been apart and find out that he’s a wildly rich and successful businessman? Or why would a major corporation offer an intern who has a barely maintained lifestyle Instagram that she started freshman year of college “six figures” to help promote their luxury hotels? Why are we supposed to root for these young people with seemingly infinite resources (one of their wedding presents in a multimillion Tribeca loft) who agree to get married in a month because a brand asks them to? Maybe more fundamentally, did the kids and a wedding have to be involved in this story at all? Does it make the idea of Will and Lana getting back together too weird to be fun? Couldn’t they have simply run into one another at a resort?

I won’t go so far as to say that “Mother of the Bride” feels like an AI creation but it does feel at least a little stitched together from pieces of other romantic comedies of varying quality. Why cast a capable comedian like Rachel Harris as the best friend only to have her say lines like “Is he on the menu”? Or give Wilson Cruz so little to do as Will’s brother?

And it’s a shame, too, because Shields and Bratt came ready to play, to fall in the pond and be minimally clothed for comedy’s sake. There must be a new generation of romantic comedy writers and directors who grew up on Ephron and Meyers out there and are ready to give us something that’s commercial and glossy but also smart and fun to revisit (ahem, remember “Set It Up”?). Maybe they just need to be given a shot.

“Mother of the Bride,” a Netflix release streaming Thursday, is rated TV-PG. Running time: 90 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.

What to watch with your kids: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ and more

Common Sense Media reviews of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” “Star Wars: Tales of the Empire,” “Unfrosted” and “Prom Dates.”

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13)

Stand-alone sequel has violence and sympathetic characters.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is a stand-alone sequel to “War for the Planet of the Apes” and set many generations after the death of the ape leader Caesar, whose teachings have begun to unravel. Violence is the biggest issue: Expect deaths (and mourning, with funeral pyres), bloody wounds, spitting blood, characters being stabbed with knives and zapped with electric prods, falls from high places, a cabinet full of guns, a gunshot, pounding, throwing, bashing, trampling, a lethal chokehold, an explosion and more. Ape characters also struggle with rising floodwaters, and human characters are captured in nets and via ropes around the ankles. “S---” is used three times, but there’s not much other language, and there’s no notable sexual content, product placement or substance use. The movie looks great and has sympathetic characters (albeit not a very diverse cast), though it seems less ambitious than its predecessors. (145 minutes)

Available in theaters.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (TV-PG)

Solid Star Wars miniseries has lots of sci-fi violence.

“Star Wars: Tales of the Empire” is an animated action miniseries set in the Star Wars universe. It explains how two characters — Barriss Offee (voiced by Meredith Salenger) and Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) — converted to the dark side. There’s a lot of fighting with sci-fi weapons like lightsabers, some of which results in (non-gory) deaths. The main characters show some remorse for their actions, but their violence is rewarded with positions of power. Characters are in constant peril, and there’s an ominous tone throughout, but there aren’t any jump scares. Besides the near-constant action scenes, there’s not much other iffy content. (Six episodes)

Available on Disney Plus.

Unfrosted (PG-13)

All-star comedy has innuendo, language and stereotypes.

The Jerry Seinfeld-directed Pop-Tarts sendup “Unfrosted” is a silly 1960s-set comedy with some swearing, suggestive language, drinking and violence. Men also behave in sexist ways. Violence and intimidating behavior or threats are played for comedy, but people do get blown up, beaten, electrocuted, drugged and kidnapped — and “tortured” with cow flatulence. There are jokes about a man’s privates showing in his pants and references to “eating you,” a wife “coming back for more,” whether “a man’s pleasure is also hers,” the possibility of having sex to close a business deal, a “lewd” dance, sexy advertisements and a U.S. president having affairs. People drink and smoke. Swearing includes “damn,” “goddamn,” “hell,” “a--” and some potty humor and insults. Stereotypes are played for laughs. The all-star cast includes Amy Schumer, Melissa McCarthy and Hugh Grant. (93 minutes)

Available on Netflix.

Prom Dates (Unrated)

Boozy, crass teen comedy has lots of sex, language, drugs.

“Prom Dates” is a rowdy teen buddy comedy about best friends (played by Antonia Gentry and Julia Lester) on the hunt for escorts to the big dance. Teens drink a lot , smoke joints and cigarettes, snort lines of cocaine, get offered Molly, and pass out. There’s discussion of going “all the way,” using condoms, oral sex and more, and characters engage in various sexual acts. A stripper dances at a frat party. Language includes “f---,” “s---,” “a--hole,” “hell” and “b----,” as well as anatomical slang and insults. Violence — played for comedy — includes cuts, falls, concussions and an attempted human sacrifice. Characters also vomit on one another. Although the film aims for positive representation, the script also plays into stereotypes. (86 minutes)

Available on Hulu.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.