TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC

Watched the movie for the fourth time

IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT TO SAY ABOUT TRAFFIC????

READ ALL THE THREE REVIEWS ABOUT TRAFFIC I POSTED.

Theatre : TVM Dhanya

Showtime & Date : 6.20pm, 26-01-2011

Status : HOUSEFULL

AND FOR YOU READERS, I'M CONDUCTING A SMALL QUIZ ABOUT TRAFFIC.

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE ONLY CAN ANSWER.

WHATS THE NAME OF CHARACTERS PLAYED BY SAIKUMAR & LENA IN THE MOVIE TRAFFIC? 

PLEASE POST YOUR ANSWERS AS COMMENTS

TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC

What shall I do?

Saw the movie third time in a week after the release.

What a BRILLIANT execution of an EXCELLENT script in a new way.

Theatre  : TVM Dhanya

Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 12-01-2011

Status : Balcony Full, FC 55-60%

Story

Already said, I won't tell u, go and watch the movie.

Performances

Read this http://vpn-reviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/traffic_10.html

Songs & BGM

Songs by Mejjo Joseph & Samson Kottoor matches the mood of the movie. Samson Kottoor's song, the one used in the climax was SUPERB which matches very well with the thrill in the scenes.

Mejjo Joseph scores very well in BGM department with a very nice theme music.

Mejjo, why u copied KRRISH music in first half, a few minutes before interval? 

Technical

Debutant cinematographer Shyju Khalid was impressive with nice shots especially traffic signal shots and some fast racy shots both inside & outside of the van, avoiding cliche scenes.

Mahesh Narayanan, the editor of this movie is another DIRECTOR of the movie. Awesome Cuts. A movie like this was managed brilliantly with impressive editing of all the episodes. Finally, like Antony in Tamil Cinema, we have a Mahesh Narayanan.

Art Direction by SabuRam was Superb, especially the traffic signal & buildings there.

Another person who needs a special mention is costume designer S.B.Satheeshan. Costumes were very natural for the actors playing different characters and good colour combination which looks very natural.

Script & Direction

No other scripts in recent times was this strong, giving an identity to each and every character. An original script inspired from a true incident. Bobby & Sanjay had done a great work. Dialogues were classy.

Director Rajesh Pillai took the script to the next level giving audience a new feeling on screen. BRILLIANT work. U avoided every sort of cliche scenes and shots which would have been there if approached the script in a very usual manner. U gave a new experience to malayalam cinema audience. THANKS

VERDICT : WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? RUSH TO THE NEAREST THEATRE PLAYING TRAFFIC MOVIE

BO VERDICT : WE AUDIENCE ARE THERE FOR THIS MOVIE

IF THIS MOVIE BECOMES A FLOP, MALAYALAM CINEMA INDUSTRY SHOULD STOP MAKING MOVIES AS OUR AUDIENCE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS A GOOD CINEMA, A PERFECT ONE.

TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC

Went for TRAFFIC, second time

Theatre : TVM Dhanya
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 08-01-2011
Status : Balcony Full, FC 60%

A movie which is forcing me to watch in theatres again and again .
Factors are many - Brilliant Script, exceptional narrative style & excellent direction, Brilliant Natural performances, Classy Technical part....

Story
If u want to enjoy the movie, don't read anything regarding story in any of the reviews u come across.

Performances
Felt a few more things while watching second time

Sreenivasan as traffic police constable Sudevan
Sreenivasan is the routine actor for directors who think something different or something new. As usual, he did his part well.

Kunchacko Boban as Dr.Abel Tharyan
Natural performance of a flawed character in a brilliant way. Very few dialogues were there. More importance for his looks & expressions which conveyed everything to the audience. Be it his smile to Asif Ali inside the van or how he message from his mobile after looking at others or his entry to hospital just before the mission, nothing but Excellent. VILLAINISM was done very well in a natural way. Also in the climax Bilal Colony sequence, he was good with some nice thrilling moments. Also the fight in second half was a natural one without cinematic gimmicks.

Anoop Menon as commissioner Ajmal Nassar
While walking we can see Mammootty in him
While acting we can see Mohanlal in him
If the role is something like an angry character, we can see SureshGopi's expressions in him
Atlast he did it, though traces of all above said comes in parts, he did his part well with high energy and good screen presence.He was natural when mission starts, especially, when wireless lost connection, his dialogue "u chk it, chk it."
Finally Anoop Menon behaved as a character, AJMAL NASSAR, keep doing these.

Asif Ali as Rajeev
Asif did the role of a true friend well especially in the Bilal colony sequence showing like he'll do anything for his friend Rayhan. His voice modulation needs to be improved. He spoiled a good scene with Sandhya with bad performance.

Vineeth Sreenivasan as Rayhan
Vineeth Sreenivasan was there in very few scenes only but made his mark and his presence was there throughout the movie. He did his part well.

Rahman as superstar Siddharth
This is the character which Rahman as an actor shines well in his third innings. As superstar Siddharth with head-weight, he simply scored in an interview scene in first half. At times, audience may feel like whether he's imitating Mammootty by wearing sunglasses, makeup in between, arrogant nature & driving car by himself.

Saikumar as Rayhan's father
Natural performance at its best, be it the hospital sequence talking to collector or calling his friends to watch his son's TV programme or asking his wife " Shall we go for a drive". Crying while driving the car, SMART PERFORMANCE!!!

Rony as journalist
Rony as journalist in Asianet was natural, nice work!!!

Vijayakumar as Mathew
Vijayakumar's role of Superstar Siddharth's right-hand Mathew may reminds us Antony Perumbavur or Anto Joseph, JUST JOKING!!!

Baiju Ezhupunna as Thanseer
With two dialogues and climax song sequence, he rocked especially the scene in which he blocks school children and clearing roads.

Krishna as Jicku
Krishna was there in a few scenes but did his character well.

Lena 

As the mother of a ill-daughter, she simply scored especially in second half, Good Performance!!!

Sandhya as Adhithi
Sandhya got a nice role, she did it well in the beginning. After a few scenes, emotions were not that deeply presented.

Roma as Miriyam
Roma comes only in second half. She had a very few scenes & was very natural in performance. This role is an escape from her routine roles, what movies like Notebook & Chocolate gave her.

Remya Nambeeshan as Shwetha
Nothing much to do. Did her part well, especially the accident scene in second half without dupe, good work.

Namitha Prasad
Namitha, a debutant, as Siddharth's daughter had nothing much to perform. In the interview sequence and in opening scene she had some good moments.

Reena Basheer
As a middle class govt employee and wife of Sudevan's character , she nicely potrayed her role.

Jose Prakash in cameo as Dr.Simon D'souza
What to say, with brilliant dialogues and screen presence, he starts the game. Impressive effective cameo.

U won't find any unnecessary character in the movie.

VERDICT : We can watch the movie atleast once for these performances alone

TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC

Theatre : TVM Dhanya
Showtime & Date : 11.15am, 07-01-2011
Status : Balcony Almost full, FC 50-60%

After a not so impressive debut with Kunchacko Boban starrer HRUDAYATHIL SOOKSHIKKAN, director Rajesh.R.Pillai is back in tinsel town with his new movie TRAFFIC scripted by Bobby-Sanjay team, a perfect pathbreaking, original, first of its kind in malayalam cinema.

Story
The story revolves around 4 main characters - constable Sudevan(Sreenivasan), Dr.Abel Tharyan(Kunchacko Boban),  journalist Rayhan(Vineeth Sreenivasan), superstar Siddharth(Rahman) and their families & friends. It's an emotional thriller. Watch the movie to enjoy to its core.

Performances
All were equally important characters. That was the beauty of the script.

Kunchacko Boban steals the show. He got the most emotional character. He did it very well. In second half he simply rocked. Sreenivasan was perfect. Vineeth Sreenivasan had nothing much to do. Asif Ali scored in the second half song scenes, but voice modulation needs to be improved which spoiled a good sequence with Sandhya where he was too dramatic. Anoop Menon was good. Rahman as superstar Siddharth was original and did it well, especially interview scene with Rony. Ramya Nambeeshan, Krishna, Roma, Sandhya, Sai Kumar, Rony, Lena all did well. Nivin Polly with single dialogue could not make any impact.

Baiju Ezhupunna as a fans association member simply rocked in the climax Bilal Colony sequence.

Jose Prakash in his cameo in two scenes scored with his dialogues.

Songs
Two songs by Mejo Joseph were apt and nicely picturised. BGM was superb. In the first half unnecessarily BGM of Hrithik Roshan starrer KRRISH was used. That could have been avoided.

Technical
Everything was perfect. No negatives.

Script & Direction
Script by Bobby-Sanjay team was excellent. HATS OFF!!!! The script was simply original and every character had individuality and a fast paced one. Nothing more to say EXCELLENT!!!

Direction by Rajesh.R.Pillai was SUPERB. Hardwork done by him was seen in each and every frame avoiding cliche scenes, even camera angles seems new.The climax episode, a Bilal colony sequence was very well taken.

Where were you these many years director & script writers????

Producer Listin Stephen should be congratulated for his brave attempt to produce this movie.

Altogether a very good first half, a double superb second half

Verdict : A must watch, Go for it. 

Excellent pathbreaking first of its kind in malayalam cinema
Don't miss it. Watch it in theatres.

BO Verdict : Sure HIT

The whole crew promised an emotional thriller. They gave that with double effect.

It was not only the characters on screen, but the people watching the movie were also part of the mission in the movie. The applause from beginning to end for those shows that.

When final title card appears like "A Rajesh Pillai film" whole theatre applauded.

There was a scene in which Sreenivasan's daughter watching a song from movie Anwar on TV, KOOVAL FESTIVAL NADANNU Prithvirajne kaanichappol

MARYKKUNDORU KUNJADU

MARYKKUNDORU KUNJADU

Theatre : TVM Anjali
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 30-12-2010
Status : HOUSEFULL with 90% family audience
After Chattambinaadu, Shafi-Benny.P.Nayarambalam team is back with Marykkundoru Kunjaadu, a Dileep starrer after a long gap from Kalyanaraman.The movie is a routine one time enjoyable entertainer with some good lighter moments but nowhere near the humour situations compared to Chattambinaadu.

Story
Story happens in a village where christians are most. Solomon aka Kunjadu(Dileep) is a good for nothing coward person, son of Kapyar(Vijayaraghavan) and Mary(VinayaPrasad). He is in love with Mary(Bhavana), daughter of Ittichan(Innocent). Ittichan don't want his daughter to marry Solomon as Ittichan was the one who was supposed to marry Solomon's mother Mary. His daughter was named Mary because he still have that love towards her. Solomon always gets beaten by Mary's brothers played by Anand, Appa Haja & a newface. Then comes Jose(Biju Menon) to that village. Solomon makes Jose as his brother who left home 12 years before. Who is Jose? What exactly is his motive? Will Solomon marry Mary? The rest of the story answers these questions.

Performances
Dileep as Solomon aka Kunjaadu is nothing special for him. Though in the beginning, Dileep could make it somewhat different with some good lighter moments & expressions, once Biju Menon's character enters, Dileep's character changed to what he had done in his previous movies. Even traces of Chanthupottu & Chakkaramuthu were there. And the situations in the movie spoiled his show in second half.

The real show-stealer is Biju Menon as the mysterious character Jose. With limited dialogues, powerful screen presence & expressions, he simply stole the show.
Though the title of the movie had Mary in it, Bhavana was the one who is seen least in the movie. Another routine masala movie heroine role just for songs & 4 scenes.
Salimkumar, who used to be a show-stealer in Shafi movies(Remember Pulivaal Kalyanam, Chocolate, Mayavi, Chattambinaadu) fails here. He couldn't evoke much laughter. He did his emotional scene well.

VinayaPrasad looks too young to act as Dileep's mother. She performed well.
Innocent was good, Vijayaraghavan was perfect. Ponnamma Babu, Kochu Preman, Kalabhavan Shajon, Chalipala, Anand, Appa Haja.. were apt in their role.

Sad to see a great actor seems unutilised in such a role-I'm talking about JAGATHY SREEKUMAR. He did his part well as usual with finesse. If Jagathy-Ponnamma Babu episode was not there in second half, Shafi & Benny should have been blamed for bringing that actor to that role. Jagathy's expression while seeing Ponnamma Babu at church shows his acting range once again.

Songs
Music by Berny-Ignatious was below average. BGM by Bijipal was loud at times.

Technical
Stunts were good(thanks to BijuMenon's ease in doing action sequences). Cinematography by Shamdath was good at parts. Editing by Manoj was good. Art Direction was superb.

Script & Direction
Script by Benny.P.Nayarambalam was an engaging one with lighter moments at times. In the second half and towards the climax, script had traces of movies Pappy Appacha & MeeshaMadhavan. Also the emotional scene for Salimkumar seems unwanted for a movie like this. Script could have been better. Direction by Shafi was racy. he showed his finesse in taking action sequences & comic sequences this time too.

On the whole, a watchable entertainer with some light humour at parts. Don't expect a rollicking comedy entertainer like Happy Husbands.

Verdict : Above average
BO Verdict : Hit

Surprised to see 90% family audience in Anjali theatre. BEST ACTOR would have changed the mentality may be.

TOURNAMENT

TOURNAMENT

Theatre : TVM SreePadmanabha
Showtime & Date : 11.13am, 25-12-2010
Status : Balcony Almost Full, FC 50%

Director Lal, as an independent director, after sequels of In Harihar Nagar, is back with new movie TOURNAMENT with comparitively newfaces & freshfaces in malayalam cinema in lead. The movie had a promising thread, but the paper ads & the intro about the movie by Lal before title cards spoils the whole show.

Story
Vishwanathan(Fahad Fazil aka Shanu), Balu(John Jacob, remember the dancer in the election song in Sakudumbam Shyamala) and Ummar(Praveen, a newface) got selected for APL cricket team selection from the club run by Siddhique. The selection was to be conducted at Banglore. Balu met with an accident. The other two with their friend Aswathi(Roopa Manjari of Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru fame) starts a road trip as their flight got cancelled along with another competitor Boby(Manu). The rest of the story is the betrayal by everyone to win the selection.

Performances
Shanu was cool and perfect as Vishwanathan. John Jacob as Balu has nothing much to perform. Also the fat guy, Praveen irritates us at times though good at some parts.  Manu with Thrissur slang was the hero of the movie with nice expressions but not at all a hero material. Roopa Manjari offers nothing new. Newface Prajin was apt and Aryan was surprising.

Siddhique as usual made his mark eventhough he had just two scenes in the movie. Kochu Preman was superb while Bijukuttan was not upto the mark.

The real showstealer is SALIMKUMAR. Awesome performance with bad english, typical dialogues with his style and SILSILA song.

Indrans as a tribal person was horrible which evokes no laughter. Thesni Khan & Paravai Muniamma were wasted.

Songs
The real plus point of the movie were the songs by Deepak Dev. Good work!!! BGM by Alex Paul was not upto the mark.

Technical
Editing by V.Saajan was good. Cinematography by Venu was nice at parts. Art Director Prasanth Madhav did his part well.

Script & Direction
Lal handled both departments. Direction was above average. Storyline was good. But the screenplay lags in second half. Since the paperads & intro before the movie by Lal spoiled the whole show as the viewers were vigilant with each and every scene. That negligence by the viewers were the success point of his previous movies. Here he himself spoiled his work. Lal is rehashing the same formula he did in his last two movies, REPLAY everything to see exactly what happened. Here the problem is he starts his replay from the introduction of the lead actors itself. First half was an engaging one eventhough an unwanted action sequence was there. Salimkumar's character was a big plus point for the movie. Second half drags once the lead actors reaches a tribal area. Horrible sequences to make us laugh. Also traces of In Harihar Nagar godown sequences were there.

Overall, an engaging first half and a not so well made second half with expected twists.

Verdict : Strictly Average
BO Verdict : Does not deserve a HIT status, but LAL RELEASE will make it

Lal, you are beating around the bush. These kind of REPLAY sequences once again may not work at boxoffice.

Strong screenplay with innovative ideas only can make a change in Malayalam Cinema.
Rehashing of formulas always wont work.


FANS ASSOCIATION FLEX for John Jacob & Prajin were there in theatre premises. Many don't know who they are. John had a single song and 2 scenes. Prajin had 3 scenes, thats all.

Good Songs & Nice Marketing may help it to be in safe-side as the production cost is low

SAHASRAM

SAHASRAM

Theatre : TVM Dhanya
Showtime & Date : 2.25pm, 19-12-2010
Status : Balcony 60-70%, FC just 20 people

After an unimpressive directorial debut with Mahasamudram, Dr.S.Janardhanan is back with in tinseltown with his new movie SAHASRAM with SureshGopi in lead. The movie is a well-scripted one and to an extent well executed engaging suspense thriller with a dose of supernatural element.

Story
The whole story happens on the backdrop of a cinema shooting location. Story is not a great one. But how it unfolds through subplots and twists makes it interesting. So watch the movie.

Performances
VishnuSahasraNamam IPS was a cakewalk role for SureshGopi which he executed without the hangover of any other police roles played by him. Bala & Sandhya had performed well. Rest of the casts - Madhu, Jagathy Sreekumar, KochuPreman, Kottayam Nazeer, Sudheesh, Rizabava, Kollam Thulasi, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, V.K.Sreeraman, Indrans, Krishna, Kiran Raj were good in their respective supporting roles. Niyas(Remember the hero in Kshanakkathu) as SureshGopi's assistant was not that convincing. His big mustache and bad dubbing spoiled some scenes.

Songs
Music by M.Jayachandran was average only. BGM was ok only, but expected a much more thrilling one in a movie like this. BGM seems to be rehash.

Technical
Art Direction was superb. Editing by Mahesh Narayanan was apt. Cinematography by U.K.SenthilKumar was good. Finally a fire effect was neatly done in a malayalam movie in the climax scene.

Script & Direction
Dr.S.Janardhanan handled both departments. Story is a simple one but it is the screenplay which makes the movie an engaging one with twists and subplots. Visual cheating, usually seen in these kind of movies were absolutely absent here, Nice work. Though traces of bollywood flick Om Shanthi Om was seen, the whole execution makes movie enjoyable. Director presented SureshGopi in a police officer role without guns & fiery dialogues, but the seriousness was there with sharp dialogues which were tightly related to script. On the whole a nice work. The first few minutes were not so impressive. Other than that, I don't find any negatives.

Verdict : Well made suspense thriller
BO Verdict : Don't know, the verdict it deserves is a HIT

Hardwork done by Dr.S.Janardhanan was seen in screenplay. We can expect more tight scripted movies, whatever the genre, from him.