Category Archives: Drama

Comedy, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Velaiyilla Pattathari

Velaiyilla Pattathari (VIP) – is a Tamil drama released in 2014. A civil engineering graduate is jobless for 4 years since graduation waiting for a civil engineering job rather than taking up any other job that is available.

VIP is touted to be the 25th movie for Dhanush and they have taken the safest route of making a run of the mill entertainer. Mostly we brush off run of the mill entertainer but it still takes a lot of effort to get it right. Cinematographer turned director Velraj has created a decent entertainer for Dhanush fans. The first half of the movie would appeal to a larger audience but the second half is only for the fans of Dhanush. Overall VIP wouldn’t bore you and you can watch it on TV or DVD

Wait for DVD/TV

 

Action, Can Skip it, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies

Anjaan

Anjaan – is a Tamil action drama released in 2014. A Mumbai gangster seeks out revenge against a rival for the murder of his close friend.

By now many of you have read reviews about Anjaan. I had a very low expectation when I went to watch it. The core plot of the movie has some substance for it to become a blockbuster. A gangster’s revenge saga would heavily depend upon screenplay and build-up of characters but the movie totally failed in this department. There is a 20 minute block in the middle of the script which you might find engaging but the rest is so disconnected and far from the plot that it spoils the entire product. Director Lingusamy should start working with new screenwriters for fresh thoughts. He is still sticking to sequences like introducing an innocent guy and later reveals he is a violent guy when he starts bashing up all villains closing the gate. The whole unit seemed to have banked on the charismatic presence of Suriya and never bothered to shape up any other character including the supposedly treacherous villain Manoj Bajpayee who barely gets 3 sequences in the entire movie, he doesn’t look treacherous at all. Samantha who is not significant for the movie plot gets more screen time than Vidyut Jamwal and Manoj Bajpayee. The dialogues writing department has run out of creative ideas and the dialogues in the first half reminded me of those dubbed Hindi soap serials running on TV. Suriya has performed well as Raju Bhai, he looks stylish but as Krishna he is not even half convincing.

Overall this would be a movie Suriya and Lingusamy would have to forget and move on.

Can skip it

Comedy, Drama, Genre, New Wave, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Worth a Watch

Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam

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Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam – is a Tamil film released in 2014.  Director R.Parthiepan said it is a film without a story. How will a film without a story be what the story would deal with? He also said it is a tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema. Well the movie is about a team of aspiring film makers trying to search for that convincing story to make their first film. Through their journey the director has conveyed how difficult it is to make a movie that is entertaining for the audience.  Making a film is not always as it is perceived by people; it is really a tough job. Years and months of hard work can be trashed by audience in minutes. A magic is only as good till the audience can guess the trick… a film is only as good till the audience can predict the flow. Finally they do realize they can create script from their everyday experiences but the final question is will a producer agree for it? How long they can run behind their aspirations with family commitments each of them have.

The first half of the movie is about the nuances of script writing and also through their discussion covers some of the amazing gems in old Tamil Cinema which has concepts and outlook that none of the modern day movies have. Due to some of the amateur actors and lack of dramatic elements of the story you would feel disconnected in the first half but the second half is very engaging. Through this R.Parthiepan has tried to experiment multiple things; he has tried to narrate a story to the audience that can be made into a film, he also broken all the grammatical rules of script writing but still the end product has come out decently.

This is not for those who search for a standard story and plot in the movie but for those who appreciate the magic of cinema in whatever form it might be. This one deserves a watch for the sincere attempt and for the love of cinema.

Thanks to all those who has the perseverance of creating good cinema and midst of so many difficulties devote their life to entertain the audience – a true tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema.

Watchable – for the love of cinema

Comedy, Drama, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, War

Jakob The Liar

Jakob The Liar – is an American war comedy film released in 1999. During the Holocaust in a ghetto in German occupied Poland a rumor spreads that shopkeeper Jakob has a radio. Playing along with the rumor Jakob starts telling lies to people in the ghetto to keep up their hopes. This is not the only lie he is telling but he is also hiding a young Jewish girl who had escaped from an extermination camp deportation train. Jakob soon becomes the symbol of hope for the community and he goes a long way to give everything for his people.

The movie is made from a Novel by Jurek Becker. It is a remake of the East German DEFA film Jakob der Lügner from 1975. But I felt it was tailor made for Robin Williams.The movie has a tone of the movie Life is beautiful. However here the protagonist is spreading belief and hope for an entire community and gives everything in the end for his people. A very nice tale told in the background of one of the cruel times. Robin Williams brings Jakob’s character from book to life. This is a must watch for all Robin Williams fans.

The tag line – When all hope was lost, he invented it. – how fitting it is for Robin Williams… we will miss him.

Must Watch – for all Robin Williams fans

Drama, Genre, Korean Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Suspense, Thriller

Old Boy

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Old Boy – is a South Korean suspense thriller movie released in 2003. A man named Oh Dae-su is abducted and imprisoned in a dark room for 15 years. In the meantime he learns his wife is murdered, he is the prime suspect for the murder and his daughter is adopted by a Swedish family. After 15 years he is released on the roof top of a tall building. He is out to find the reason why he has been tortured to this extent and vows to take revenge on his abductor.

The movie is known for its unique plot. It is strictly for mature audience for its content and it is gross in parts. The tone has been set like that to give the impact of the torturous life the lead character has gone through. As the movie progresses Oh Dae-su discovers the identity of the kidnapper and the story unfolds. The screenplay is done brilliantly and the climax would leave you dumb stuck. It is a movie that has the potential of keeping you disturbed and at the same time give a feeling of having watched a brilliant movie. The plot of keeping a man abducted in an unknown room for unknown reason has been used in various movies which had released later including the recent Tamil movie Ivan Vera Mathiri. Overall this is a must watch if you have open mindedness and have a strong heart.

Must Watch – not for the weak hearted

Action, Crime, Drama, Genre, Korean Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

A Dirty Carnival

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A Dirty Carnival – is a South Korean neo-noir film released in 2006. An upcoming film director Min Ho has to read a gangster’s life to create the script for his gangster movie. He follows and interviews his high school friend turned gangster Kim Byung-doo to understand the life of a gangster and make his movie. When the movie is released it is so close to the reality of the crime Byung-doo was involved in that he now has to kill Min Ho to save his secrets.

Sounds similar? Well this is the movie that many of the movie buffs have compared with Jigarthanda. Only the central plot is similar but the genre, treatment, the actual conflict and where the movie heads to is vastly different. They are two different movies with different story. So stop comparing the two movies.

A Dirty Carnival is a very serious gangster movie in itself. The movie is so realistic to the life of gangsters. You would see some realistic looking fights rather than the cinematic fights with visual effects. The movie right from the start follows Kim Byung-doo who is leading the life of a gangster and struggling to make his ends meet with an ailing mother, dependent brother and sister. The story is about his rise to power, his love for his childhood friend, his interactions with Min Ho for the movie script and the final conflict he gets into where he would have to kill his friend to live free. The story is very engaging right from the start. You would have the experience of looking into the life of a gangster. The performances, character buildup have been done very well. The editing of the movie is outstanding. If you are fan of gangster movies watch this one definitely.

Must Watch – for gangster fans

Comedy, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Sathuranga Vettai

Sathuranga Vettai – is a Tamil black comedy heist movie released in 2014. It is based on a true story about a person who finds easy way to make money by cheating people. He is a by product of the economical imbalance in the society.

The movie is definitely very engaging as the script does not deviate from the main plot of the movie. It is based on the true incidents that had happened in India. The character of the protagonist Natarajan Subramaniam has been built well. The film has the tone of movies like Naan Avan Illai which is again based on fraud. There some dialogues which are very good and apt for the script. Beyond the main character the buildup for other characters seems to be a letdown for the movie. Apart from this the movie will definitely engage you and also remind you of how someone could easily make a fool out of a common man. You would have a feeling of reading a host of Junior Vikatan articles on con.

Overall this one is definitely watchable on TV or DVD and you would enjoy it.

Wait for DVD/TV

Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Uncategorized, Worth a Watch

Jigarthanda

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Jigarthanda – is a Tamil Gangster Drama released in 2014. Karthik an aspiring film director follows a terrifying gangster in Madurai to read his life and create the script for his movie. 

The movie had a lot of promises right from the promos, posters and the trailer. The end product has turned out to be decent but the length of the movie is far too much than deserved by the script. Director Karthik Subburaj has yet again produced a script that has not been typical of any Tamil movies. Kudos to him for taking up such a plot, believing in it and making it into a full length feature film. If the length has been reduced by 45 minutes or so the movie would have been much more enjoyable. There is a drag in the movie for the first 45 minutes and the last 45 minutes. You would enjoy the parts around the intermission stage. The savior for the script is acting of Simha. Right from his introduction scene he has taken the movie on his shoulder. Siddharth has done his part well. Lakshmi menon has very minimal scope in the movie and her character does not gel well with the storyline. The background score has been done well. The shots are taken very well.

Overall the dessert (Jigarthanda) is cloying and you might enjoy it in parts would be a good one to watch in the theater.

Watchable

Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Romance, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Un Samayal Arayil

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Un Samayal Arayil – is a Tamil romance drama released in 2014. This is a remake of Malayalam hit movie Salt N’ Pepper. Kalidasan is a food lover and an archaeologist. He is still unmarried in his early 40s. An accidental phone conversation brings him and Gowri a dubbing artist together and they find a soul mate in each other through their common interest in food. But they are hesitant to meet each other in personal with a fear of being rejected.

The movie is unique that it uses the love for food bringing about love between two persons. The first half of the movie is very engaging and you tend to fall in love with its lead characters. However a major part of the second half the movie is distracted by focusing more on the second set of characters and with two songs for them is a drag. The movie again gets on track when it starts focusing on the main characters and food. Ilayaraja’s music, performances of Prakashraj and Sneha and tasty food is a big plus for the movie. Drag in the second half screenplay and non-related locations to relate to audiences across states are few things which would make you bored. Overall this dish is good for Take Out.

Wait for TV/DVD

Comedy, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Worth a Watch

Vaayai Moodi Pesavum

Vaayai Moodi Pesavum – is a Tamil comedy drama released in 2014. The movie plot revolves around the fact that humans have taken their ability to speak and communicate for granted. Either they do not use it properly or they use it to speak unnecessary stuff. The message is conveyed in the backdrop of a fictitious town names Pani Malai where there is a serious disease spreading which takes away the ability for people to communicate. The protagonist has an aspiration to become a radio jockey which is put in jeopardy when there is a law passed which prevents people from speaking.

The movie is very notable for its different story line. The plot is very simple and cute to outline the importance of speech for humans and how they keep wasting the valuable gift by over using it or not using it. As it is a very simple concept the movie it does not warrant the length it currently has. The director has taken a huge risk by not having dialogues for a large portion of the second half. Despite the length, the movie works for the plot and the humor it carries. This one deserves a watch for the different attempt and creative plot. I personally liked this better than Balaji Mohan’s previous Kadhalil Sodhappuvathu Eppadi.

Watchable – for the creative plot

Can Skip it, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Thriller

Vadacurry

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Vadacurry – is a Tamil thriller released in 2014. A novice medical representative gets into trouble when he gets a iPhone that had been misplaced by someone else.

The movie had a promising promo but the screenplay and execution is a big letdown. Hardly there are entertaining and engaging parts in the story. The screenplay is a mash up of sequences that are far related to each other. The director has created multiple characters and fails to utilize them in the movie. Like that of his brother, sister in law and their daughter hardly have any role to play. During the establishing sequence these are the characters that are stressed upon. The characters in the establishing phase are different from those in the buildup phase who are different from those in the climax. Overall you can skip this one as this has very little to offer.

Can Skip It

Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Vallinam

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Vallinam – is a Tamil sports movie based on basketball released in 2014. Krishna decides to quit basketball after losing his close friend in an inter college tournament. When he moves to Chennai to pursue his studies, he is pushed into a situation to lead the college basketball team to win one of the biggest inter-college championships.

Director Arivazhagan has been bold enough to take up a sports movie after his success with Eeram. The movie opens with a very promising note and gets you prepared for an exciting game. However the romance sequence which has been forcefully fitted into the movie drags down the pace of the script. He could have totally avoided this. The movie is brilliant when the sports events are covered. He could have concentrated more on the sport rather than getting distracted. Given that basketball may not be the most popular game in India, going through the various rules and situations in the game would have been very interesting and would have given a lot of scope to make the final game very interesting.  Sabu Joseph’s editing has been brilliant for all the basketball scenes and the national award is well deserved. There is a very strong message for people aspiring to get into sports. Overall Vallinam is a predictable game with lot of unwanted commercial breaks. You could watch it on TV.

Wait for TV/DVD