BUDDY

BUDDY

Theatre : Aluva Zeenath Screen 1
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 07-07-2013
Status : Balcony no idea, FC 40%

BUDDY is the new film by debutant RAAJ PRABHAVATHY MENON. A well edited trailer and release by UTV Motion Pictures were the calling cards. Whether the movie surprised??? Lets see

Story
Two ladies - an Indian English writer(Asha Sharath) and a dancer(Bhumika Chawla) discloses their child Kunju(Midhun of Black Butterfly fame) on his 18th birthday that he was the product of artificial insemnation. Kunju founds out that his father is Manikunju Thaadikkaaran(Anoop Menon) from hospital records & meets him. Rest is one hundred times told same old wine.

Performances
This one is the film in recent times which had the best or near perfect miscasting.
Anoop Menon as Manikunju Thaadikkaaran was in usual Anoop Menon style of acting & style of dialogues with an overdose of Mohanlal. Asha Sharath looked out of place & Bhumika Chawla looked too young for the role. Srikanth was wasted. BalachandraMenon's comeback did not make any impact in this poorly written role. Babu Antony had nothing to do, so as the serial artist who played the cook role. Arun was just ok in his small role. Lal and T G Ravi in their scenes were the only better ones. Aju Varghese disappoints big time in this cliched role which was executed poorly. Anil Murali was routine. Honey Rose just for one song and one scene with no dialogues.

Songs & BGM
Songs by Navneeth Sundar were okay  only. Some of them had many old A R Rahman tunes rehashed. BGM by Gopi Sundar as usual worked especially second half towards climax.

Technical
Editing - I won't say bad, what else can be done with whatever taken and what director says. Art direction was good. Costumes by Sameera Saneesh needs special mention.

Here comes the high positive point of this movie which makes us sit till the final scene - CINEMATOGRAPHY. Prakash Kutty who debuted with Kunchacko Boban-AnilBabu movie INGANE ORU NILAPAKSHI, after a gap is back. AWESOME WORK. EVERY FRAME WAS A VISUAL WITH GREAT COLOUR COMBINATION. ACTION SEQUENCE WAS WELL TAKEN, ABOVE AN AMAL NEERAD WORK.

Script & Direction
Story & Screenplay by Raaj Prabhavathy Menon itself. A decent plot on the hangover of Vicky Donor was there. A storyline which a good director could make us engaging too. But the sceenplay was horrible. Just like Manikunju character in the movie, the screenplay also lacked a presence of mind or direction. The problem I felt was what to do till the final portion was an empty page which was filled with routine TV serial stuff. Dialogues by Bipin Chandran disappointed a lot. Is this the same person who worked in DADDY COOL??? Forced kind of newgen items couldn't make any impact in screenplay or for the movie

Direction was fine in respective scenes at times. But as a whole movie, a below average work. Action Sequence as such was superb. Certain scenes were well executed and some others in rather poor manner.

Overall BUDDY minus Cinematographer PrakashKutty is below below average

Verdict : Watch it only for Cinematography
BO Verdict : Flop to Disaster
WAITING FOR A LAL JOSE - PRAKASH KUTTY WORK SOON.

The same plot if given to Priyadarsan or Lal Jose could have made wonders.

Don't know whether Mr or Miss or Mrs, whatever Raaj Prabhavathy Menon, putting such a lengthy name in direction part and influence of english in dialogues will not help in making another Gautham Vasudeva Menon

SINGAM II

SINGAM II

Theatre : Aluva Matha
Showtime & Date : 5.45pm, 06-07-2013
Status : Balcony No idea, FC 30%

SINGAM II, the sequel of Suriya-Hari combo's superhit SINGAM, a well made mass masala entertainer in last few years ,came with high expectations. Lets see whether the expectations were met.

Story
SINGAM II starts from where SINGAM ended. Making public believe that DuraiSingam(Suriya) resigned, he is on special deputation to know more about the illegal activities happening in Tuticorin area. Now he is working as PT in a school. After a series of incidents, Satya(Hansika) falls in love with DuraiSingam. On the otherhand, Kavya(Anushka) is still waiting for him to marry her. The marriage didn't take place before as Durai's father refused as he resigned his job in part one. An incident forced him to join back in the duty. The rest is a racy entertainer.

Performances
Suriya as Durai Singam did a neat job. He excelled in certain scenes and in some scenes he lacked the punch. Certain mass scenes did not suit that well for him. Overall a SURIYA SHOW. Anushka repeated her role and came in two songs and some scenes. Hansika got a better role and did a fine job. Vivek was wasted. Don't know why Santhanam was given a role done by Vadivelu or Ganja Karuppu in previous HARI movies. His comic scenes lacked comedy and were speedbreakers. Rahman was fine. Thalaivasal Vijay was wasted. Mukesh Rishi was good. Danny as main villain lacked the screen presence and punch. Still the old scenes of PrakashRaj makes such an impact which no other actor could match. Nasser, Vijayakumar, Radharavi, Manorama repeated their roles as usual.

Songs & BGM
Too loud though SINGAM DANCE and Kannukkulle were hummable. Nowhere near SINGAM. BGM was a disappointment compared to SINGAM. Except the family sentiment scene BGM, from first part & Puriyavillai song BGM, nothing impresses. The remixed SINGAM SINGAM was used in a small portion only.

Technical
Priyan's camera needs special mention - SUPERB work for a mass entertainer and new frames definitely needs appreciation. Editing was racy and apt. Art direction was good.

Script & Direction
Both departments handled by Hari. Script lacked the punch which was there in first part. Dialogues were fine at parts and funny at parts. From interval portion onwards, the storyline is just a rehashed version of Viji Thampy - SureshGopi team's SATHYAMEVA JAYATHE. In that SureshGopi arrests Hemanth Ravan not knowing who really he is for traffic case. Here Durai Singam arrests Danny without knowing he's an international drug dealer as a person having not enough papers to land on port. Though script was thin, especially Kerala episode was made too comical, it is the awesome direction by HARI which makes the show engaging with no time to think about anything even the scene before.

Overall an enjoyable mass masala entertainer

Verdict : Well directed MASS MASALA ENTERTAINER
BO Verdict : Sure HIT

GOD FOR SALE : DAIVAM VILPANAKKU

GOD FOR SALE : DAIVAM VILPANAKKU

Theatre : Aluva Matha
Showtime & Date : 6.20pm, 28-06-2013
Status : Balcony 50%, FC 15%

What if a beautiful chocolate with nice layering packed in waste paper and put for sale with no marketing??? Thats exactly the case of this movie.

Story
Prasannan Nair(Kunchacko Boban) who is now Poornanandha Swamy is arrested for killing a kid as part of his rituals. Story unfolds when he is taken for Narco Analysis & through his brother Kamalasanan Nair(Suraj Venjarammoodu). Its told as an autobiography - Story before his birth in 1970 at Attingal, after his graduation, his life as a coolie worker, his love for Kamala(Jyothi Krishna), realising his past,his college life, a communist life, a betrayer, an alcoholic, person who joins dhyanakendra, person who lost everything, a demigod, a criminal....

Performances
An awesome performance from Kunchacko Boban as Prasannan Nair. The climax portions clearly says that this actor is yet to be explored by our script writers and directors. Be it the climax portion or the scene he tries to kill Anumol's kid, be the scene he fights when Krishnaprasad mentions about his father or the scene he cries as an eccentric,be it he slaps his own brother or the sweet simple smile in final scene -  simply awesome performance. He looked simply superb in his various looks.

Suraj Venjarammoodu was a surprise. He plays double role here. In father role, he was too good. In brother role, he simply excelled. Only negative felt about his performance was he tries to be the same trademark Suraj at times. On the whole he was superb in serious scenes. As handicapped brother, he simply makes his mark as an actor.

Jyothi Krishna as Kamala makes her presence effectively. With trademark Trivandrum-Murukkumpuzha,Chirayinkeezhu,Kadakkavoor slang she was awesome. A lookalike of yesteryear actress Vidhubala is an actress to look out for.

Anumol as Anumol was fine in her limited role. Thilakan's character was not fully picturised I believe. In scenes he appear, Thilakan makes his mark. Tiny Tom was ok, Kochu Preman too. Rest of the actors did their part.

Songs & BGM
Songs were fine to hear, but picturised in a very boring manner. "Illaathaalam" by P Jayachandran is the best which reminds us of 80's song. BGM was loud at many parts.

Technical
Cinematography by SinuSidharth & Pramod-Pappan lacks a constant tone & working style. Editing was bad. Art direction needs special mention. The initial portion was an art director magic in recreating 70s. He did a good job.
Script & Direction
Story by Babu Janardhanan was a good one to be converted into an enjoyable watch. But the screenplay lacks pace and elements to make audience entertained. A Gautham Menon style of story telling mixed with T V Chandran's Danny style with date mania. Though the screenplay had its own moments at parts, it lacks consistency & a good flow. Dialogues were good at parts. On the whole a very bad & lazy work.

Direction was done as if he's not at all interested to make this movie at majority portions. A passion to script by director was clearly missing. Scenes were made, edited and says a movie is here - thats what a common audien will say.

On the whole, a good storyline & awesome performance packed by a bad screenplay & direction marketed poorly

Verdict : Autobiographical documentary
BO Verdict : Ezhichu podey, kaliyaakkathe

Lal Jose was the best person to direct this script, he would have made this one into a mind blowing one.

LEFT RIGHT LEFT

LEFT RIGHT LEFT

Theatre : Aluva Zeenath Screen 2
Showtime & Date : 3.00pm, 16-06-2013
Status : Balcony FULL, FC 98%

Indrajith - Arun Kumar Aravind - Murali Gopy team is back with LEFT RIGHT LEFT after last year's much talked movie EE ADUTHA KAALATHU. Whether movie works well with audience?? Lets see

Story
The story unfolds with three main characters - P.K.Jayan aka Vattu Jayan(Indrajith), Cheguvera Roy(Murali Gopy) and Kaitheri Sahadevan(Hareesh Peradi). Watch the movie to know the story as it goes through the social and political issues of today's Kerala eventhough the makers claim that everything is purely fictional.

Performances
Indrajith walks away with all applause as Vattu Jayan with well written dialogues with the ample support of actress who played the role of his mother with typical Trivandrum slang in an awesome way. Murali Gopy was fine in his role. Hareesh Peradi was refreshing in his role. Hope he won't get typecasted like his predecessors. Lena delivered a powerful performance. Remya Nambeesan did justice to her role. Irshad was fine in his cameo. Sudheer Karamana & Sreejith Ravi was good, also Anusree & person who played the bookshop owner on roadside. Baiju, Vijayaraghavan delivers a strong mark. Saiju Kurup and Jagadish was wasted, Mamukkoya too. Suraj Venjarammood and Krishnaprabha were unwanted actors in the script. Rest of the artists did their part well.

Songs & BGM
Though the songs by Gopi Sundar did not make any impact, LRL anthem & BGM was awesome & effective. The whole movie had a strong BGM with LRL anthem.

Technical
Cinematography was fine. Editing was good, especially climax part, director-editor Arun Kumar Aravind deserves special mention for that. Art direction was good in recreating 60s,70s and 80s, but failed to create an effective NewDelhi in flashback episode.

Script & Direction
Script by Murali Gopi was good. Though a clear oneline is missing, the screenplay was strong enough to hold audience attention thoughout with the well written strong dialogues. Though the writer made a strong first half, second half was a letdown comparing first half. The script does not offer something new towards the final portions. Indrajith-Remya episode in second half and a not so effective Saiju Kurup murder case without even enquiring Saiju's past did not suit well with the script's flow. Also the flashback episode of MuraliGopy comes in the wrong reel of the movie. It would have been in first half. And glimpses of it in final hours would have been much more effective. Anyways he succeeded in making the audience engaged till final credits though cliches and loopholes were there.

Direction by Arun Kumar Aravind was good & effective though certain scenes were treated not that good like Sahadevan-Roy talk in second half. A simple scene with limited dialogues was a more effective than this one. Anyways that does not affect the movie in any way. On the whole direction was too good at times and average at times.

On the whole an engaging entertainer

Verdict : Good
BO Verdict : Hit

In the scene, when Saiju Kurup met with accident on right side of the road, blood sheds to Remya Nambeesan's face who was sitting on right side of bus. Is that a technical error or symbolic one director - LEFT RIGHT LEFT???

ABCD - AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI

ABCD - AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI

Theatre : Aluva Matha
Showtime & Date : 6.00pm, 15-06-2013
Status : Balcony Good status, FC 40%

Martin Prakkat after Mammootty starrer BEST ACTOR is back with his second movie ABCD - AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI, this time Mammootty's sn Dulquer Salmaan in lead. Whether movie entertains?? Lets see

Story
Johns Issac(Dulquer) & Kora(Gregory) are spoiled brats in NewYork. Issac(Lalu Alex) decides to make them learn what is life. For that he sends them to Kerala & cancel bank accounts and asks them to live life with the small amount he gives every month. Both tries to go back to NewYork in several ways. What happens when they got fame in the city?? Watch the movie

Performances
Dulquer was cool as Johns though the character is similar to his role in Usthad Hotel. This time his energy level is high & he carries the movie well. Gregory as Kora was good especially in second half. Lalu Alex was good especially in second half flashback story. Aparna the heroine was superb. Rest of the characters did their part well.

Songs & BGM
Though songs & BGM lacks the usual Gopi Sundar touch, it fits to the mood of the movie.

Technical
Nothing special. Editing could have been better at many parts.

Script & Direction
Story oneline was somewhat similar to movies like Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal & Wakeup Sid. But it is the screenlay & characterisation which makes the movie so lively throughout along with lead actors' performances. Writers have tried their best to avoid cliches to the core though at times it happens & second half lacks the pace at times. The climax part definitely needs appreciation as the characterisation was given 100% justice. Direction by Martin Prakkat keeps us engaged. The flashback episode in second half was a fun ride. Dialogues were fine & funny. Screenplay by Martin, Sooraj & definitely needs special mention for avoiding the love track which was a must in this type of movies. At the sametime, the typical do gooder social worker heroine with typcial spects was a cliche to the core though Aparna's performance provided ample freshness on screen.

Overall a fun filled entertainer

Verdict : Entertainer
BO Verdict : Hit

HONEY BEE

HONEY BEE

Theatre : Aluva Zeenath Screen 1
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 08-06-2013
Status : Balcony No idea, FC about 70%

HONEY BEE is the debut film of Jean Lal aka Lal Jr, son of actor/producer/director LAL. Lets see whether the movie entertains or not

Story
Angel(Bhavana) is the sister of goonda brothers Mighayel(Lal),Suresh Krishna & 2 others. Angel's friends are Sebastian aka Seban(Asif Ali), Fernado(Baburaj), Abu(Sreenath Bhasi) & Ambro. Police Officer(Vijay Babu), tells Angel that Seban might have fallen in love with her. On marriage day, she elopes with Seban once Seban realises his love for her. From there on, its their run from her brothers.

Performances
Asif Ali as Seban has got limited role & dialogues. As usual, his dialogue delivery failed at many points. Bhavana has to look bubbly as Angel, nothing else, Archana Kavi had a better role. Baburaj with bad english vocabulary tried to make us laugh throughout, sadly only few succeeded. Sreenath Bhasi & Ambro was fine at parts. Lal repeats his tough play once again, Suresh Krishna too. It is Vijay Babu, who was superb in his looks. An actor to look forward.

Songs
Two songs in the movie were fine. BGM was okay, nothing great. Deepak Dev disappoints this time.

Technical
Cinematography was good from cameraman's view point but too much Amal Neerad style shots were boring especially fight with song in second half. Chase scene in auto was well taken. Editing could have been a lot better especially second half & climax portions. Art direction was good.

Script & Direction
Story was one hundred times told one only. Writer tried to make it different in making it happen in Fort Kochi. Lal Jr had a good start but once the movie unfolds the main plot, the writing was disappointing. Too much of drugs & drinks to make the story engaging makes us bored at many points. Second half towards climax portions were a rehash of old Siddhique Lal movies, especially In Harihar Nagar godown scenes. A success formula plot spoiled by the over use of drugs. Thats what I felt.

Direction was fine. Lal Jr tried his best to make frames fresh. Promising direction style for a good script. All the best for the next movie. Hope that will entertain all type of audience like Lal's movies rather than focusing target audience.

On the whole just an okay movie. On DVD, 1.5 hours itself will be too long

Verdict : Just OK
BO Verdict : Average

The movie was supposed to be a throughout FUN movie, but sadly what lacked was FUN

UP & DOWN MUKALIL ORAALUNDU

UP & DOWN MUKALIL ORAALUNDU

Theatre : Aluva Madhurya
Showtime & Date : 3.00pm, 25-05-2013
Status : About 40 people

T K Rajeevkumar after a series of dull films is back with his new film - UP & DOWN, MUKALIL ORAALUNDU, a thriller genre. Whether mmovie succeeds in entertaining us?? Lets see

Story
All the lead actors in the story gets trapped in a lift. Above that lift, they find a dead body. The rest is an investigation through flashbacks by each in the lift.

Performances
Indrajith as lift operator Thamburan was another ordinary one for him. His lift repairing scene was funny. Ganeshkumar as Police Commissioner delivers a powerful performance. Baiju rocked with his comments in first half. Prathap Pothen once again makes the scenes appear entertaining with his typical style. It was a MeghnaRaj show as the whole story revolves around her character without a proper name. Remya Nambeesan was fine, Rejath Menon & Vijayakumar too. Nandulal repeats Jagathy style once again. Kochu Preman failed to evoke laughter at many parts. Rest of the cast were okay except the female artist(Idea Comedy Stars TV programme anchor - somebody please make her attend an acting course session)

Songs
No songs in the movie. BGM by Prasanth Murali syncs well with the movie.

Technical
Great work by cinematographer & Editor. Sound effects by Arun Seenu, Mixing by Shankar and team needs special mention for powerpacked sound effects right from titles.

Script & Direction
Story by T K RajeevKumar was fine. Screenplay by Sunny Joseph & Manuvel George need special mention. Without a dull moment and in a single location they made the plot this much engaging eventhough the towards climax portions were predictable. Still they could make the show engaging with light surprises in climax. Dialogues by Indugopan needs special mention - Awesome oneliners.

Direction by T K Rajeekumar will be a surprise to all who have seen his past few movies. Remember he is the one who gave us CHANAKYAN, MAHANAGARAM & PAVITHRAM. Good execution of a theme like this.

Overall a well made entertaining thriller.

Verdict : Engaging well written & executed thriller
BO Verdict : Deserves a HIT status, but chances are less.

Another movie which will be getting appreciated after DVD release. Support this movie and watch it in theatres.