BHAIYYA BHAIYYA

BHAIYYA BHAIYYA

Theatre : TVM Anjali
Showtime & Date : 11:30am, 05-09-2014
Status : Balcony Don't know, FC 45-50%

Kunchacko Boban-Biju Menon combo again after a short gap, Benny P Nayarambalam penning the script. This Johny Antony flick had these features to attract attention before release. Did the movie reach the expectations??? Lets See

Story
Movie begins with Babumon(Kunchacko Boban) on an ambulance introducing his Bhaiyya Baburam Chatterjee(Biju Menon), his love Angel(Nisha Agarwal), Baburam's untold love Shanthi(Vinutha) and Udayipp Soman(Suraj Venjarammood), all for different reasons travelling together while both Babus on the way to Bengal to deliver a deadbody of one of their workers. Story begins from childhood when Chacko Contractor(Innocent) takes home Baburam to his home and considering his as his own son and both Babus are living as brothers. Now Babumon is a Bengali employee supplier with the help of Baburam. Angel is the daughter of politician Vijayaraghavan and his son Monayi(Shammi Thilakan) is an upcoming MP Candidate. Story takes a turn in Interval after flashbacks when the Ambulance met with an accident.

Performances
Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon did their part well. But the screenplay failed to create a strong bonding and emotional attachment the story demanded. Suraj was superb, though repetitive at times. Salimkumar was good in one scene, otherwise wasted, Innocent too. Shammi Thilakan and Vijayaraghavan were Superb. Nisha Agarwal, reminded Kajal in most frames except closeups. Her lipsync needs special mention. Vinutha was fine as Tamil girl Shanthi. Gregory except one or two scenes, failed to evoke laughter. Thesni Khan repeats her Trivandrum Lodge role. Sadhique was wasted.

Songs and BGM
Vidyasagar disappoints big time. Aarodum by Jayachandran which is the title song is my pick. Only 3 songs are included in the movie, not even theme song Bhaiyya Bhaiyya. BGM could have been a lot  better

Technical
Nothing much to talk about, except the opening shot cinematography, the road from hills.

Script & Direction
Benny P Nayarambalam seems to have a plot and a no proper storyline to engage the audience at times. It is the lead casts with Suraj makes the show watchable. Screenplay lacks the flow and the whole stuff treated as a fun film, which lacked that seriousness the scenes demanded. Comedies some of them were too old or rehashed which acted as subplots.

Direction by Johny Antony was engaging. Climax portions clearly states that slapstick humour is his forte and he could create that well. Overall the packaging was OK to FINE only. No blames to director, but the script didn't give him ample support most of the times.

Overall an avg first half with few comedies and an avg but better second half with an enjoyable climax which takes the movie to an abv avg level

Verdict : Tads Above Average

The ones who are planning to make Chackochan-Biju team has to keep one thing in mind. The script and final product should be something above ROMANS to satisfy the audience fully

VISHUDHAN

VISHUDHAN

Theatre : TVM SreePadmanabha
Showtime & Date : 11.15am, 22-11-2013
Status : 85%

Vysakh who is known for his 100% success track record with four commercial mass masala entertainer joins with Kunchacko Boban for the third time after SENIORS & MALLU SINGH, but this time its a totally different Vysakh movie which sans all the usual masala elements. Lets see whether Vysakh entertains in this way

Story
Fr.Sunny(Kunchacko Boban) takes charge as a priest in new church in a village. Snehalayalam an oldage home run by Vaavachan for getting dead bodies for his Medical college creates clash between them. To cover up the issue, Vavachan creates an issue of illicit relationship between Fr.Sunny & nun Sister Sophie(Mia) which results in the marriage of both. The rest is their life in the same place after marriage & a subplot of Nandulal.

Performances
Kunchacko Boban as Sunny was superb. His looks, voice modulation, especially crying scenes in climax needs special mention. The best scene of him was the first night in the home when Mia comes to his room. Superb expressions & dialogues. Mia had nothing to do. Her looks itself did what she was supposed to do. Hareesh Perady as Vavachan was a letdown. He is still in the hangover of Left Right Left, climax scene underlines that point well. Shalin in her limited role was good, Nandulal too. Lal's intro was one of the best scenes in the movie, after that he too lost track. THough a single scene, Shaju was good as Chackochan's brother. Krishnakumar, Joju, Anil Murali, Suraj...all are wasted in poorly written roles

Songs & BGM
Both departments are handled by Gopi Sundar. Oru Mezhuthiriyude works well. BGM was not upto usual Gopi Sundar level. Still good at times.

Technical
Shehnad Jalal's cinematography was superb especially mist scenes. Editing by Mahesh Narayanan could have been a lot better. Art Direction needs special mention

Script & Direction
Vysakh handled both departments. Vishudhan was supposed to be Vysakh's first film. And the script was also ready long back. The problem is there is an incident in the movie. But there is no proper story which could create a good impact for that. First half was a good one with nice proceedings eventhough predictabel. But in second half, screenplay was half baked to reach the climax. Dialogues were superb at times. The best scenes were First Night dialogue scene & Lal's Intro. Predictability is another big problem of the movie. There are no surprises for audience at any point of the movie. Plot was a good one, but screenplay killed the part altogether though. Scenes as such was good but when considering the whole package, its a failed attempt. Overall a movie Vysakh could have made into a blockbuster in his usual way of direction was executed in a way which didn't struck the chord with audience at many times. The serious approach also kills the flow.

Verdict : Watchable, but lacks pace
BO Verdict :Flop

The movie will be an advantage for Kunchacko Boban as an actor, nothing more nothing less.

Idavakayil ethunna puthiya Fr.Sunny(Chackochan)
Naattile pramaaniyaaya kuttykku kandudan ishtam
Nayika ishtam thurannu paranjittum nayakan anusarikkunnilla
Romansle pole bhagyathinu kutty suicide cheyyunnilla
Naattile mattoru villainum muthalaaliyude makanumaaya Sasikku ee kochine nottam
Upadravikkaan varunna Sasiye(Riyaz Khan) pedichu nayika palliyil olikkunnu
Nalla vaakku paranju madakki vidaan nokkumbol Riyaz Khan kelkunnilla
Pinne Sunny Sasiye loha oori vechu thera paara adi
Itharinju Saside father naattilethi father pattam therippikkunnu
Sunny veendum aa naattil land cheythu Sasiyeyum gundakaleyum veendum thera paara ittu thalliyittu avante fathernte business samrajyam thakarthu nayikaye kettumennu parayunnu
INTERVAL
Pinne oru kidu second half

Vysakh ingane vichaarichirunnel padam SUPER HIT

KADHAVEEDU

KADHAVEEDU

Theatre : TVM Kripa

Showtime & Date : 11.30am, 08-11-2013

Status : Susheela... Enthooooo!!! Aaro enne vilich

KADHAVEEDU was supposed to be a serious cinema raising the question whats the relevance of marriage in a society where divorces are happening a lot due to various reasons. Or is it better to have a Living Together relationship?? This is what I understood from what I saw. But nothing was presented well and effectively other than making the audience yawn

Story

Characters from the stories of M T Vasudevan Nair, Madhavikutty & Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer was mixed to the storyline of a film maker Raj Karthi(Kunchacko Boban). He makes the movie with Basheer's storyline(featuring Manoj K Jayan as Abdul Khader & Mallika as Jameela) and Madhavikutty's Indulekha & Balachandran played by Swapna Menon & Biju Menon respectively. In between Raj Karthi reminds what happened two years ago with Major Frederic Mukundan(Lal) & his wife Reetha(Rituparna Sen Gupta). Whats the final decision by Raj Karthi whether to marry or not Jeena(Bhama) who is having a living together relationship with him.

Performances

Kunchacko Boban delivers a good performance as Raj Karthi. As a film maker, he was simply awesome in his looks which suits well with attitude of the character he plays. His scenes with Lal & Rituparna Sen was too good. The scene remarking his victory over Reeta like a kid featuring Innocence lost was awesome. Biju Menon as Balachandran was too good. He underplays the pain the character demanded and makes it more effective. Only positive I found was these actors' performances.

Lal was usual. Rituparna Sen Gupta as a debutant in malayalam needs special mention for perfect lipsync even with the song. Manoj K Jayan was wasted in a badly directed episode. His makeup too looked bad especially old getup. Mallika scored well in old getup scene. Swapna Menon was  just a showcase. Bhama too. Kalabhavan Shajohn was fine.

Songs & BGM

Songs by M Jayachandran was superb ones which were picturised in a dull manner. BGM was done as if the person wants to market himself of what he knows rather than sticking to the mood of the movie.

Technical

Good Cinematography by T D Sreenivas. Editing NO COMMENTS. What else can be done with these. Art Direction was good. Sound Recording needs special mention. Rain Effects were Awesome

Script & Direction

I appreciate Sohannlal for selecting this theme, but a movie works mainly on the screenplay rather than the theme. Bad screenplay on the whole. Dialogues were too drama type ones at times. At times too good too. Direction was below average one.

On the whole, KADHAVEEDU never impresses as a movie. If the movie has any positives its Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon & Songs(just listen, don't watch the video)

Verdict : No story presented well

BO Verdict : 1 Week Run itself is too large for this

ALL IN ALL AZHAGURAJA

ALL IN ALL AZHAGURAJA

Theatre : TVM Ajantha
Showtime & Date : 11.00am, 02-11-2013
Status : Balcony Full, FC ~80%

Rajesh M after hits Siva Manasula Shakthi, Boss Engira Bhaskaran, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi this teams with Karthi who is going through a tough phase in his career after flops Saguni & Alex Pandian. Whether Azhaguraja saves him?? Lets see

Story
A very simple plot as in every Rajesh movie - Azhaguraja(Karthi) falls in love with Devipriya(Kajal Agarwal). Raja is running a local cable TV channel along with friend aka officer Kalyanam(Santhanam). How Raja wins Devipriya along with problems happening in between with Kalyanam forms the rest of the story with a super flashback episode of Raja's father(Prabhu) played by Karthi again in 80's episode.


Performances
Kajal Agarwal as Chithra Devipriya aka Devipriya towers above all in performance with her impeccable comedy timing and smart expressions. She proved that she's not the usual glamdoll in routine tamilcinema. There is a good actress in her who can emote well comedy & emotional scenes without going overboard. Directors out there, an actress is here, give her good roles to perform. 

Karthi makes a strong comeback & he performed well. His comic timing & voice modulation needs special mention. Santhanam is getting typecasted and boring at times. His Kareena Chopra avatar was good but long sequences made it irritating in initial scenes. He was good in 80s episode. M S Bhaskar was enjoyable in his extended cameo. Prabhu, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Nasser & Saranya was adequate. Rest of the cast did their part well.

Songs & BGM
Songs were good especially Unna Partha Neram in flashback was superb. It was picturised well. Also Yaarukkum theriyaamal is one of the most colourfull song after Maduraikku Pogathedee in Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Azhagiya Tamizh Magan. Rest were enjoyable and sync well with the flow of the movie. BGM was enjoyable though nothing great to rave about.

Technical
Cinematography was usual, but did a neat job for a movie like this especially in flashback episode. Editing could have been a lot better especially Santhanam scenes and at times certain scenes. Art Direction was good.

Script & Direction
Both departments handled by Rajesh M. This time too he chad chosen a waferthin plot and converted to an enjoyable ride with lots of comedies in proceedings. First half though the nothing great happens still it was enjoyable with nice song well taken scenes and neat proceedings. It is second half, flash back episode and post that makes it a laugh riot. For me its Rajesh's best after Siva Manasula Shakthi. His other two movies bored me at times in second half. Interval Punch though nothing to do with tone of the movie was a Mass one matching to PAIYYA interval block.


Overall a jolly funride this Deepavali season, enjoy with your families

Verdict : FUN-FILLED JOLLY ENTERTAINER
BO VERDICT : HIT

NORTH 24 KAATHAM

NORTH 24 KAATHAM

Theatre : TVM Dhanya
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm,16-09-2013
Status : Balcony Almost FULL, FC 21 persons
A small movie with Fahad Fazil in lead released this Onam season - NORTH 24 KAATHAM by debutant Anil Radhakrishnan Menon. Does the movie offers anything interesting?? Lets see.

Story
Hari(Fahad Fazil), an IT professional at Ernakulam is an introvert and a person who has a disciplined life and more concerned about cleanliness. He was forced to attend a meeting at Trivandrum on a Harthal Day. On the way, situations made him to be with Saghav(Nedumudi Venu) and Narayani aka Nani(Swathi) on their way to Kozhikode. How they reach Kozhikode from Paravur near Kollam on a harthal day, the persons they meet and how everything changes Hari's life forms the story.

Performances
Fahad Fazil as Hari delivered a brilliant performance with less dialogues and more expressions. Nedumudi Venu delivered another terrific performance especially towards climax. His dialogues about his wife while travelling in an auto was awesome. Swathi did a notable performance as social worker Nani. Premji Amaran in his cameo made his mark. His trademark dialogue recieved terrific applause. Sreenath Bhasi, Geetha, Thalaivasal Vijay did a neat job so as rest of the cast.


Songs & BGM
Govind Menon handled both sections. He did a great job. Especially the last song and climax episode BGM was top noth with nice lyrics.

Technical
Everything was perfect - be it Jayesh Nair's Cinematography or Dilip Dennies's Editing or Sameera Saneesh's costumes.

Script & Direction
Both departments are handled by Anil Radhakrishnan Menon. A simple story presented in a beautiful manner. Though climax was predictable, the packaging was too good and the lead actors' performances took the movie to another level. Dialogues were natural. The best one being Nedumudi's dialogues about his wife.

Nothing more to say, the best movie of this Onam season is undoubtedly this one
Verdict : Go for it
BO Verdict : Multiplexes and Balcony hit, Audience out there, please support this one.

SRINGAARAVELAN

SRINGAARAVELAN

Theatre : TVM SreePadmanabha
Showtime & Date : 2.30pm, 16-09-2013
Status : Housefull

Last year's biggest hit MAYAMOHINI team unites once again for a festival season release SRINGAARAVELAN. Whether the movie works?? Lets see

Story
Kannan(Dileep) is a lazy guy who is in search of a rich girl to marry and settle in life. In a scenario, he goes to go to a palace and he was forced to stay back. He fell in love with the heroine and rest is whether he wins or not

Performances
Dileep as Kannan was below his usual energy level we saw in MY BOSS or MAYAMOHINI. His looks were fine. Lal as Yesudas aka Yesu, a goon was over the top and he tried his best to laugh the audience with his histronics but sadly failed. Kalabhavan Shajohn too tried his best but the script was too weak for him to do anything. Nedumudi Venu repeats the role again. Vedhika as heroine is ok in a cliched role. Sreedevi Unni made the audience laugh in Mohiniyattam scene in song with heroine(or is it Bharathanatyam?). Joy Mathew was a miscast. His dialogue delivery was pathetic. Baburaj though his slang was fine, his underdeveloped character made him an unwanted character. Shammi Thilakan as Ukken Tintu(the character in film NERAM) but lacks the soul as in the original. Babu Namboothiri was usual, Rahul Roy too.

Songs & BGM
Berny Ignatious disappoints once again. Rajamani tried his best to uplift certain scenes with his BGM, but the script failed him too.

Technical
Nothing special to mention except art direction in certain scenes.

Script & Direction
Script by Udayakrishna-Sibi K Thomas was a rehash of rehashes which they had done in their recent flicks. Sad to say that this time no good comedies were there in the movie other than loud scream by the actors. If we closely look into their career graph, we can see that they can surely create a tight script with surprises. But this festival flick has no solid storyline or screenplay or nice dialogues. Climax part was weak and thattikkoottu to the core.

Direction by Jos Thomaas was fine. He tried his best to uplift certain scenes. Scenes as such was fine. But as a movie it lacks the pace and a nice packaging.

Overall a rehash of rehashes which provides no comedies though labelled as comedy entertainer. Wait for DVD and watch this 2hr 40 min movie in less than an hour or get the DVD of Mayamohini which was far better than this one.

Verdict : Below Average
BO Verdict : Vacation season and Dileep's family audience might make this one a hit

DAIVATHINTE SWANTHAM CLEETUS

DAIVATHINTE SWANTHAM CLEETUS

Theatre : Aluva Matha
Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 12-09-2013
Status : Balcony NO IDEA, FC 40%

Benny P Nayarambalam once again joins with Mammootty after Chattambinadu which was a fun filled entertainer for DAIVATHINTE SWANTHAM CLEETUS directed by debutant Marthandan. Whether movie entertains as Chattambinaadu?? Lets see

Story
A drama troupe plans a Bible drama. They are in search of a person to play the role of Jesus. Cleetus(Mammootty) enters the scene as the actor, who is a goon, to play Jesus. What happens there. Nothing more

Performances
First of all, it may be the first script of Benny P Nayarambalam with least well written characters.
Mammootty as Cleetus had nothing much or new to do. Another dull performance from Mammootty. Even THAPPANA had an energetic performance than this. Honey Rose as Lakshmi was cliched and she did an ok job only. Vijayaraghavan though he performed well, his character was incomplete in all aspects. Siddhique as usual did a fine job. P Balachandran too. Rejath Menon had nothing much to do. Abu Salim, Vinayagan, Aju Varghese, Anoop Chandran, Kailash all makes the scene worse. Kottayam Nazeer had something different but whether to make the character comic or villaneous make the scene again worse. Moorkhan Jose as police officer was another wastely executed role by director & scrip writer.

Songs & BGM
Both by Bijibal. Songs were below average ones and badly picturised. BGM for Mammootty's intro scene was good. Rest of the BGM was a big failure.

Technical
Nothing much to rave about. A lazy work by Editor Shyam. Editing could have been crisp at many parts especially action scenes. Art direction was good.

Script & Direction
For me Benny P Nayarambalam's boring script was SPANISH MASALA. Even Puthiya Theerangal was ok to an extent. But this one crosses all the limits. Lack of a clear storyline and rehash of many film stories makes the final storyline a confusing one for scriptwriter itself I hope. Whether to make it full length comedy movie or one like Chattambinadu an action comedy entertainer. But lack of the former makes the script proceedings dull and boring which provides nothing new for the audience where as it tests patience at times too. Comedies were trademarks of Benny's script. May be this one will be his script with least comedy numbers.Also included ones didn't work as expected because of poor direction, bad choice of actors and cliched items. Moorkhan Jose scene seeing Mammootty as Jesus in Drama rehearsal camp was irritiating at peak level and audience were commenting and booing. A bad work from Benny

Debutant Marthandan disappoints big time. Offers nothing new in making or presenting well the script. Not at all promising debut by the director.

Overall a movie, which has a mixed storyline of many movies, and which has to be released in 1980s released in 2013 with the very same making style as in 1980s.

Verdict : Big Bore
BO Verdict : Flop

I think the part of storyline had enough elements to be a good entertainer without mass elements. Siddhique's or P Balachandran's, don't know which role was supposed to be for Rajan P Dev if the movie was released years back.