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Coolie (2025) — Lokesh Kanagaraj’s High-Octane Rajinikanth Spectacle

By your  Entertainment  Journalist Following the runaway success of Leo and Vikram , filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj reunites with icon Rajinikanth for Coolie —an epic Tamil action thriller that aims to make a seismic impact this August. 🛠️ Genesis & Filmmaking Project announcement & production : Officially unveiled as Thalaivar 171 in September 2023 and retitled Coolie in April 2024, principal photography began mid‑2024, spanning Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok Crew highlights : Director & Writers : Lokesh Kanagaraj (story/screenplay) alongside Chandhru Anbazhagan . Music : Anirudh Ravichander – marking his fifth collaboration with Rajini and fourth with Lokesh . Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj . Casting : Apart from Rajinikanth , the ensemble includes Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan ....
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“Thunderbolts (2025): Marvel’s Gritty Antidote to Capes and Glory”

 

🔍 The Basics

  • Director: Jake Schreier

  • Release Dates:

    • India: May 1, 2025 (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)  

    • Global: May 2, 2025 (final film of Phase 5)  

  • Runtime: Approx. 126 minutes (2 hrs 6 min)  

🎭 Who’s In the Squad

The film introduces a ragtag team of reformed anti‑heroes and villains:

  • Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova (ex‑Black Widow)

  • Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier)

  • David Harbour as Red Guardian

  • Wyatt Russell as John Walker (US Agent)

  • Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost

  • Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster

  • Lewis Pullman as Bob/Sentry (rumored)

  • Julia Louis‑Dreyfus as CIA Director Valentina de Fontaine  

🧩 Plot & Tone

The CIA, led by Valentina, coerces this underutilized team into a covert mission—only to find themselves betrayed and forced to decide whether to follow orders or forge their own path. It blends espionage vibes with moral ambiguity, darker humor, and lower-key visuals—traits critics have praised as a refreshing departure from the usual blockbuster formula  .

🎭 Stand-Out Performances

  • Florence Pugh delivers sharp dry humor and emotional depth, anchoring much of the character-driven narrative  .

  • Julia Louis‑Dreyfus shines as Valentina, offering biting wit and manipulation—some critics are already hailing her as "Marvel’s best villain since Thanos"  

🔥 Reception: Critical vs Box Office

  • Critics: Praised for mature storytelling, character arcs, and emotional clarity; holds ~88% on Rotten Tomatoes  

  • Audience: General approval—a CinemaScore of A–, PostTrak 4.5/5 with 74% recommending it  

  • Box Office: Earned $378M on a $180M budget—considered underwhelming since it needed ~$425M to break even .

🌌 Significance for the MCU

  1. Tonal shift: A more grounded, espionage-flavored team-up, filled with moral complexity rather than grandiose spectacle  .

  2. Narrative bridge: Sets up future events like Avengers: Doomsday, Fantastic Four, and possibly Secret Wars .

  3. New archetype: Casting redemption-seeking misfits as the next "Avengers for anti‑heroes" resonates with fans .

🎯 Final Verdict

Thunderbolts* offers a tighter, character-centric approach with morally gray heroes and firm storytelling. While it may not deliver the blockbuster numbers Marvel hoped for, it succeeds on emotional resonance and raw character chemistry.

Best for: MCU fans craving grounded team dynamics, stellar acting (especially Pugh & Louis‑Dreyfus), and a break from spectacle-heavy plots.
May disappoint: Those expecting Avengers-scale action or a big-budget event film.

💬 Over to You

Have you seen Thunderbolts yet? Did the ensemble’s chemistry hit the mark—or did the lack of grand spectacle hold it back? Let us know your favorite performance or moment!



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