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 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
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.
MEMORIES Theatre : Aluva Zeenath Screen 2 Showtime & Date : 12.00pm, 15-08-2013 Status : Housefull
Jeethu Joseph who started his career with an investigation flick - Suresh Gopi starrer DETECTIVE is back to that genre after a hatrick success with MUMMY n ME & MY BOSS. Does the movie promises the ample thrills?? Lets see
Story Its the same old wine - Sam Alex(Prithviraj)who was once a brilliant police officer is now on leave and a drunkard now because of his personal tragedy. He was asked to take up a case which he starts and finishes well, as usual towards the end it becomes personal.
Performances Prithviraj was good as Sam Alex, especially in first half. He performed well in scenes with Nedumudi Venu. Its a big break for Rahul Madhav. Nedumudi Venu and Vijayaraghavan was good and Suresh Krishna was apt. Sreejith Ravi gets typecasted where as Madhupal is wasted. Kuttickal Jayachandran was fine in his cameo, so are Irshad & Praveen though nothing much to do. Rest of the cast were fine. Mia was an unwanted role as Varsha, the journalist while Meghna Raj had nothing to do in cameo.
Songs & BGM Only one song in the movie which could have been avoided that adds as a speed breaker. BGM was good in towards interval and towards climax portions. But on other proceedings BGM failed.
Technical Cinematography was fine, Editing could have been a bit more tighter. Graphics work was not upto the mark though the idea was awesome.
Script & Direction Both departments are handled by Jeethu Joseph himself. Though the story is the same old wine, a mix of Mohanlal starrers MUKHAM & GRANDMASTER, it is the screenplay and packaging by Jeethu which makes the product a bit different. First half was more focussed on character development and from few minutes before interval, the movie falls on track. The flashback episodes were routine and the interrogation scene was the most funniest one in the film. Dialogues at few scenes were superb, but at other times, it was too artificial. Second half was much better and the detailing by director needs mention though many are left unanswered. Eventhough the suspense revealing scene and final encounter between main characters do not make any impact, it is the question to HOW(those who watched the movie may understand) he saved makes a better impression for the movie altogether(similar impact which S J Suryah could create in the climax of Newtonin Moondram Vidhi). Direction by Jeethu could have been better though initial and climax scenes were well executed, at times the movie lacks the pace. Overall a well-written investigation flick Verdict : Engaging Thriller BO Verdict : Hit
NEELAKASHAM PACHAKKADAL CHUVANNA BHOOMI Theatre : Aluva Madhurya Showtime & Date : 6.15pm, 11-08-2013 Status : Housefull
Samir Thahir, after Chappa Kurishu is back with his second flick with Second Show team - Dulquer Salman & Sunny Wayne in major roles in a road movie with an interesting title. Does the movie makes an impact?? Lets see
Story Qasi(Dulquer Salman) is going for a road journey in his motorcycle without a proper destination. Suni(Sunny Wayne), his college mate and friend joins him. The destination somehow ends at Nagaland for Qasi to meet his love - Asi. Its all about the people they are meeting in between.
Performances Dulquer Salman as Qasi was good. Sunny Wayne repeats his Second Show as Asi in Kannur slang with well written set of oneliners and sequences for him. Joy Mathew was apt. Rest of the casts did their part. Heroine did what the script demanded and freshness was there in her characterisation as a Nagaland native. Needs special mention for actors on other state episodes.
Songs & BGM Both disappoints big time. Not a single song was hummable. BGM, which had a lot to do in a movie like this was a total disappointment.
Technical Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan was fine. Though these many locations from Kerala to Nagaland was involved, cinematography lacked the charm at many places. May be ebcause the script focused more on characters and a travelling mood than visual beauty. The travelling mode work by cinematographer needs special mention. Sreekar Prasad did a neat job in editing, especially the flashback episodes and traces in present mode was just superb. Script & Direction A clear oneline was there. Hero with his friend going from Kerala to Nagaland to find his love and the incidents he meets in between and the impact on him. But screenplay by Hashir Mohammed was a clear failure I should say at majority portions. First half was a blank paper except the flashback scenes. It was just a travelogue with no dialogues most of the time. The Puri episode was boring and lengthy whereas the village episode was another Swades rehash. But second half was better with well written scenes till the climax portions though dragging was there at times. The mechanic episode was superb. Ganja episode at Railway station was an avoidable one. Climax was a big letdown. Dialogues were good and subtitles were class.
Direction by Samir Thahir was not upto the mark I should say. It is commendable that he produced and directed this road movie, the first of its kind in Malayalam Cinema. But the direction(with script) fails big time in creating an emotional attachment for characters with audience leading to a dull reaction for a happy ending episode.
Overall a commendable effort with a dull first half and a better second half. Verdict : Its New, but halfbaked BO Verdict : Expecting a HIT
THALAIVAA Theatre : Aluva Casino Showtime & Date : 6.00pm, 09-08-2013 Status : HOUSEFULL
First of all, THANKS to all those "great people" who watched this movie yesterday at outside India theatres and for putting negative reviews.
A Vijay starrer after Thuppakki, a mega mass teaser and a well cut trailer though increased hype, the name of the director and his previous track record made a small doubt. So how's the movie??? If that's the question, read here.
Story Vishwa(Vijay) is doing business in Australia. His father Rama aka Anna(Sathyaraj) is a leader in Mumbai. To avoid his son know what he's doing, he sends Vishwa to Australia and visits him once in a year. Things change when Vishwa falls in love and takes her and her father to Mumbai to meet his father. The rest is villains killing Anna and Vishwa becoming the next THALAIVAA with some interesting twists and good as well as cliched sequences.
Performances In the first half, Vijay is just that cute simple lover boy and in second half he's at his full energy carrying the whole movie. As in THUPPAKKI, its the character and not the image of Vijay which carries the film. His scenes with Sathyaraj and his histronics and dialogue delivery was superb. Sathyaraj makes a strong presence as Anna. The intro scene itself was too good. Amala Paul though her makeup is a bit over the board, she had considerably improved in acting and a big round of applause for dubbing in her own voice. In song sequences too she shines. Santhanam as usual with his witty oneliners makes audience laugh. All other actors did their part as needed for the movie.
Songs & BGM Songs lacked the tempo though the ecstacy of love and Sol Sol fits well. THALAIVAA and Vaanganna song were picturised badly. BGM was good at parts.
Technical Nirav Shah's cinematography was top class. Editing was good. Art Direction needs special mention.
Script & Direction Story by A L Vijay(not exactly) is as old as hill one. Screenplay had nice moments in first half with a good interval punch. Second half was too predictable though director included some nice sequences. And climax was routine. Still the movie is worth a watch as this one is an A L Vijay style of making and above all the actor VIJAY is used more than the star ILAYATHALAPATHY VIJAY.
Verdict : Mass presented in a classy way BO Verdict : Hit
Theatre : Aluva Matha Showtime & Date : 12.15pm, 09-08-2013 Status : Balcony Almost Full, FC 55% Lal Jose - Kunchacko Boban - Sindhuraj teams up after Superhit ELSAMMA ENNA AANKUTTY which gave Kunchacko Boban a new image. Expectations were a bit high for this as the trailer, songs and song picturisation were to good. Whether it lives upto expectation?? Lets see
Story Just watch the trailer, the storyline is clearly there.
Performances Once again Kunchacko Boban impresses with his ease in comedy and dialogue delivery as Aadu Gopan aka Chakka Gopan. He carries the whole movie from start to end. In action sequence too he shines. Irshad as Chakka Mani surprises us with ample fun in histronics and face expressions. Shiju as Chakka Vijayan was a revelation and sure to give this actor a new image. His "Ingere njan thaallilla" scenes were good. Joju as Chakka Suku had the oneliners which he delivered superbly. Suraj Venjarammood impresses on big screen without his cliche items after a long time. Harisree Asokan was superb with witty oneliners. Its his good comeback. Namitha Pramod as Kainakari Jayasree impresses with her ease in acting. She is sure to stay in Malayalam Cinema. Also Anusree with her typical dubbing style. Shammi Thilakan as Kuryachan once again entertains us. Chaali Pala in his cameo was good. All other actors did their part well.
Sreenivasan once again as a narrator of the story impresses us with his voice over.
Songs & BGM Songs by Vayalar SharathChandra Varma - Vidyasagar team are already chartbusters which was picturised superbly. BGM perfectly fits to the whole movie especially "Chakka Gopa, Nee Pettu Gopa". Also the lyrics by LalJose, the small humming portions was too good.
Technical It was S Kumar show all the way. Every frame was a visual. Cinematography work on backwaters need special appreciation. Editing was crisp. Art Direction by GokulDas Mohandas was awesome.
Script & Direction The same team's previous flick Elsamma enna Aankutty was just a tad above average flick for me. In all Sindhuraj scripts, second half was out of track. This time, he changed that track. The movie had enough fun elements in both halves making it a full length fun film. Dialogues were superb at many parts.
Yes, the captain of the ship - LAL JOSE. He did his part as usual. Took the movie to another level by his direction. Nothing more to say other than a neat work with that cute LalJose touch. Overall a simple neat fun film of the season. Enjoy with families and kids. Verdict : Good Family Entertainer BO Verdict : HIT
RSS Feed (xml)
