SAMAR

SAMAR

Theatre : Aluva Matha
Showtime & Date : 3.00pm, 19-01-2012
Status : About 20%

Director Thiru once again joins with Vishal after his debut hit THEERATHA VILAIYAATTU PILLAI, a mass entertainer. This time he takes a deviation from routine tamil formula. The result is SAMAR.

Story
Shakthi(Vishal) goes to Bangkok after his lover(Sunaina) sents him air tickets three months after love breakup with him. At airport, he meets Maya(Trisha). At Bangkok, he faces strange things & rest is what is happening to him & how he resolves that.

Performances
Vishal gives a controlled performance, something different from his routine formula films(leave AVAN IVAN). Trisha gives an impressive performance, not a routine just for songs heroine this time -  a well written role which she did with 100% perfection. Sunaina in her cameo was ok. Rest of the cast - Chakravarthy, Manoj Bajpai, Jayaprakash.. did their part well.

Songs & BGM
Music by Yuvan Sankar Raja disappoints. Except Samaran & Azhago Azhagu, no other song impresses. Azhago Azhagu was the only well picturised song. BGM by Thaman disappoints.

Technical
Nothing great to rave about. Editing could have been a lot better.

Script & Direction
Both departments were handled by Thiru. Basic thread was inspired from hollywood flick THE GAME. Script was a haf baked one. First half created the expectation only after protaganist starts to Bangkok. The initial scenes & song were just part of commercialisation. Till interval though enjoyable, lacks thrill & speed to a great extent. Second half lacked the thrill & climax was predictable. Still Watchable because of actors. Direction could have been a lot lot better. Song were speedbreakers.

On the whole a somewhat different attempt & one time watchable
Not everyone's cup of tea

Verdict : One time Watchable
BO Verdict : Average

ROMANS

ROMANS

Theatre : Aluva Zeenath
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 17-01-2013
Status : Balcony FULL, FC 95%

The hit duo Kunchacko Boban - Biju Menon comes together in Janapriyan fame director Boban Samuel's ROMANS scripted by Y V Rajesh. Expectation was just a simple entertainer. But the movie turned out to be a well made kidu racy mass comedy entertainer which was never expected from the director. The duo actors made the show to the max entertaining level.

Story
Aakash(Kunchacko Boban) & Shibu(Biju Menon) escapes from way to prison and reaches Poomala village where people were expecting two priests from Rome. To find a hide out & to make money, they acts like priests from Rome & things change when they plans to conduct the church function which has got some mysterious past.

Performances
Kunchacko Boban & Biju Menon - their chemistry was magical. Throughout the film we can see them complimenting each other. The whole film was their show. Terrific combo & ORDINARY is just a history after this movie for sure

Shaju was funny with costumes & visiting card numbers. Nelson was too good. Ponnamma Babu rocks in her cameo. After a long time, Kakka Ravi aka Nizhalgal Ravi in a cameo.Lalu Alex rocks, T G Ravi & Vijayaraghavan too. Niveda was just for the sake of a heroine. The one who played Arun Ghosh's heroine is a heroine material. Awesome screen presence.
Rest of the actors did their part well.

Songs & BGM
Though songs by M Jeyachandran was passable, BGM by Bijipal rocked especially for Chackochan & BijuMenon scenes.
Technical
Cinematography was awesome, Editing was perfect for second half, but first half needs a bit more better work I felt. Art direction was awesome.

Script & Direction
Script by Y V Rajesh was superb. Though the basic thought was from hollywood flick We're No Angels, the thread was beautifully made into a fresh story & executed very well with nice elements in apt mixture. Fun was there thoughout along with sentiments & horror factor. Best screenplay by Y V Rajesh till date. Dialogues were too funny at many parts which makes us miss some proceeding dialogues. Smart work

Direction by Boban Samuel was impressive. We can't believe that the same director who created Janapriyan made this. Scenes were well crafted & told in a fresh manner at many points especially flashback & story telling modes. Frame composition were awesome for 90% of the scenes. Not a single dull moment. So racy & fun filled.

Overall the first good comedy mass entertainer, enjoy with your families

Verdict : Go for it
BO Verdict : Sure Hit, chances for Blockbuster too(if ORDINARY can, this one has  double chances)

ANNAYUM RASOOLUM

ANNAYUM RASOOLUM

Theatre : Aluva Matha
Showtime & Date : 2.45pm, 12-01-2013
Status : Balcony Good status, FC 35%

Rajeev Ravi, cinematographer turned director's debut film ANNAYUM RASOOLUM is a simple love story presented with atmost sincerity in a realistic way.

Story
Its just the love story of Anna(Andrea Jeremiah) and Rasool(Fahad Fazil). A set of characters comes in between. The whole movie is presented through the voice over of Ashli(Sunny Wayne), who comes to his home for a vacation.

Performances
Realistic performances by all be it debutants too. Fahad Fazil as Rasool was impressive with his looks, dubbing and body language. An actor delivering emotions on screen through his eyes is here. Andrea Jeremiah as Anna - the silent simpleton realistic girl was good with Rima Kallingal's cool dubbing. It is Sunny Wayne as Ashli who steals the show eventhough his screenspace is limited. Smart performance & dialogue rendering & cool narrative style. Ranjith was good in his role with appearance, hand movements & slang. Aashiq Abu was fine. Rest of the roles were realistic and good. The actress(the one who played Rima's friend in 22 female Kottayam) is one cool actress to look forward to - realistic performance.

Songs & BGM
Both were just fine only. The movie deserved a more emotional than a viral one

Technical
Cinematography was top class. Editing was good in first half, but second half lacks the punch.

Script & Direction
Script by Santhosh Echikkanam was simple and realistic one. The first half had enough moments to engage. But the second half went to cliches. It is direction by Rajeev Ravi & cinematography & performances which takes movie to another level. First half was more of a visuals telling a story. But second half lacked that magic though tried best at parts especially Sunny Wayne's love track and all. On the whole a commendable debut.

Overall, a good first half and an above average second half though the movie is not everyone's cup of tea

Verdict : Good
BO Verdict : Above Average to Hit