Category Archives: Genre

Fantasy, Genre, Historic, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Puli Review

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Puli Review – Puli is a Tamil fantasy adventure movie released in 2015. Many years ago a superior race known as Vedhalam had won wars over the human race in India and ruled them. The atrocities of their general  in the kingdom caused misery to people’s life. Circumstances lead an adopted son of a village chief to take on the might of the Vedhalam race.

There has been enough negative trolling on Puli review on the social media. This increased my curiosity to watch Puli and understand why it could have gone so bad. This review is my take on Puli and an unbiased opinion.

Director Chimbu Deven had treated us with periodic movie Imsai Arasan 23 am Pulikesi. He has now experimented with periodic fantasy movie. Post the era of Vittalacharya there has not been any successful attempt in Tamil Cinema on any fantasy adventure. Even if it had been it has not become wildly successful. Most of the Tamil filmmakers stayed out of this genre for quite some time. The financial budget and relevance of such stories in the modern era should have been the fear.

Vijay and Chimbu Deven should be lauded for going beyond the usual mass masala movie to create a fantasy adventure. It is definitely a welcome change to Tamil Cinema. However where the movie has gone bad is in the script writing department. The plot was in place which has similarities to 1948 classic Vedhala Ulagam starring T.R Mahalingam directed by A.V Meiyappan, Pa. Neelakantan and M.V Raman. Many of the trollers in social media may not have been aware of such a movie which was a mass entertainer of its time and beats many of the fantasy movie stories that are out there in the west.

In the movie Puli the writers have fallen prey to push mass masala film elements which seem out of place. The dual between Sudeep and Viay is one of the important portions of the movie. Sudeep says,  “Intha kottaikke Thalapathy naan thaan” and Vijay replies “Intha kottaikkuthane…” looks very cliched and out of place for the movie. The film is filled with such cliches throughout including the dance numbers that doesn’t fit the genre of the movie barring one song which happens in the Kingdom.

The first half of the movie is long and boring. I felt why did I come for this movie. The scenes were too disconnected, the artists eye line match was out of place in many occasions. This is sure to test your patience and by the time the interval block comes it would have disconnected the audience from the movie. The second half of the movie which seems to be the actual story which the director wanted to convey is sure to engage you in a much better fashion. Thanks to the characterisation of Sudeep and Sridevi who help in making the movie watchable. If someone walked into the movie hall just for the second half they might be wondering why people are upset about the movie. Shruthi Haasan and Hansika are just used for glamor quotient. The songs are more jarring to the years than being pleasant.

The big plus for the movie is the production design by T. Muthuraj. He has aesthetically created some of the sets which looks grand and help you connect to the movie. Also, the VFX department has worked hard to add more grandeur to Muthuraj’s set.

High Points: A fantasy adventure genre for Tamil Cinema, Sridevi’s performance, Muthuraj’s production design, Mannavane Mannavane song choreography, Talking birds, frog, Lilliputs would entice kids.

Low Points: Screenplay is a big let down, Cliched mass elements in the movie, Songs and choreography, Title of the movie doesn’t fit in well, There should have been much more creativity in differentiating Vedhalam race and human race, Long and boring first half.

In 2002 Rajinikanth tried a different genre in Baba and it failed when it released in theaters, but later the home audiences enjoyed watching the movie on their TV sets once it was edited and all expectations died down. Vijay’s Puli is one such movie. When it comes on TV hopefully with some of the cliches edited the home audience would like it.

Overall Puli is a wannabe fantasy adventure movie that works in parts in the second half. A better script writing would have helped it to appeal to the audience. Still it is not as bad a movie as it is being trolled about, it could be watched when played on TV.

Wait for DVD/TV

Action, Comedy, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

The Man From U.N.C.L.E Review

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The Man From U.N.C.L.E Review – The Man from U.N.C.L.E is an English comedy spy film released in 2015. This is based on the television series with the same name. Solo, an US CIA agent and a KGB operative have to come together to stop yet another nuclear bombing.

The movie is an out and out Guy Ritchie style movie. If you have loved Guy Ritchie’s movies you would love this one as well. The movie is stylish, witty and engaging right from the word go! The first one-hour of the movie just moves so fast that it was hard to realize the time go by. The situations are comical in nature and entice you with some amazing visuals and cool background score. Henry Cavill still has the expression from A to B but still has managed to be convincing in the role of a CIA agent. Ilya Kuryakin’s role is more adorable one in the movie. The tiff between Cavill and Kuryakin in the first hour is the most enjoyable part of the movie.

The movie slows down a bit once they are set on a mission but quickly picks pace towards the end. The traditional trademark of Guy Ritchie movies of repeating the same sequences with missing pieces is used in here as well and is brilliant to keep the narration interesting. The art direction is also done well to recreate the period setup.

High Points: Stylish visuals, Background score for the movie, Ilya Kuryakin’s performance, and the sequences of tiff between Cavill and Kuryakin, true to a Guy Ritchie movie.

Low Points: Once they are on the mission the pace slows down a bit. But this can be ignored.

 Overall this one is a very enjoyable spy movie completely presented in Guy Ritchie’s style. If you love spy movies and also Guy Ritchie’s movies then you are in for a treat. Don’t miss this one while this is in the theaters.

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Crime, Genre, Korean Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Seven Days Review

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Seven Days Review – Seven Days is a South Korean crime thriller movie released in 2007. Yoo Ji-yeon is a successful lawyer. Her daughter is kidnapped and she has to win a case to release a convict with death sentence for a murder to save her daughter.

The movie is very slick and engaging throughout. The suspense of the plot is maintained throughout and keeps you guessing on what is going to happen next. Yunjin Kim has performed her role very well. She comes across very convincingly for a lawyer and a mother trying to save her daughter. The scene in which she is interacting with the criminal with utmost confidence and the scene in which she breaks down for her daughter there is a sharp contrast and powerful.

The script keeps building up well and knots tighten as they try to break it. In the end everything falls in place. The movie has a strong take on the moral values and the conflict between moral values versus the selfish benefit for one’s own family.

High Points: The script is very thrilling and engaging throughout, Yunjin Kim’s performance, suspense maintained throughout the movie.

Low Points: Not many for this movie.

This movie is remade in Bollywood as Jazbaa featuring Aishwarya Rai and Irrfan Khan. From the trailer it seems to be neatly done, maintaining some of the core essence of the movie. It definitely promises to be a good movie and has a very promising cast for the roles that had been in the original.

Overall Seven Days is a treat for crime thriller fans and it does go beyond dealing with emotional dilemma of ethics. If you love crime thrillers, this one is a must watch for you. This one has some explicit violence scenes and viewers discretion is required.

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

Kunjiramayanam Review

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Kunjiramayanam Review – Kunjiramayanam is a Malayalam comedy movie released in 2015. Kunjiraman a youth living in a village called Desham unknowingly brings upon some curse to the place. The plot revolves around the curse, the superstitions and how the people living around deal with it.

Director Basil Joseph has taken a very innocent story that deals with the simplistic lives of the people. The movie is sort of a bouquet of memories that you would have experienced from childhood spent in a village. The movie is a lighthearted fun watch with some good quality humor. Vineeth Sreenivasan has essayed the role of Kunjiraman very well. The ensemble of cast who also have significant role to play in the movie ably supports him. Dealing with so many characters and providing them some significant screen space is not an easy task for a first time director. Basil Joseph has handled it very well.

The liquor shop sequence involving the liquor brand Salsa is hilarious and is the best part of the movie. Aju Varghese and Dhyan Sreenivasan are part of a sub plot in the movie, which is also very entertaining. Similarly the sub plot featuring Mamukkoya as Well done Vasu is entertaining. There are many such things to look forward to in this movie. There is no one person who is central to the movie but the village and its people form the core of the story.

High Points: Very simplistic plot, Good humor and good ensemble of cast, screenplay and characterization, liquor shop sequence, multiple subplots that are entertaining.

Low points: If you are expecting a larger than life movie then you might be disappointed. You need to catch the subtle references to enjoy the movie.

Overall Kunjiramayanam is a wholesome entertainer that would give a hearty laugh to the viewers this Onam. While you can argue that it can be done much better, still it is a very laudable effort for a first timer. Go and watch it in the theaters.

Worth a Watch

Action, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Thriller, Worth a Watch

Thani Oruvan Review

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Thani Oruvan Review – Thani Oruvan is a Tamil action thriller movie released in 2015. Mithran an IPS officer wants to take on organized crime that happens in the society by tracing the links of unrelated petty crimes reported on a daily basis to an organized crime source. But at the source is a fearsome villain Siddharth Abhimanyu who is invincible. Will Mithran be successful in this challenge is the plot of Thani Oruvan.

Director M.Raja has given a very racy thriller that is entertaining for most of the parts. After a long time this is a good break for Jayam Ravi. The script has been developed with the sole intention of giving a compelling thriller. They have failed to establish the core conflict very well. The reason why Mithran is so passionate about revealing the organized crime is not established very well as that is the core of the movie. The strength of the movie is Arvind Swamy. He has essayed the character of a fearsome, intelligent and unapologetic badass guy very well. The clashes between Jayam Ravi and Arvind Swamy are done well.

It was so pleasing to see that there was no bar song, unnecessary comedy track. Hope other filmmakers take clue from this and start concentrating on the strength of the screenplay rather than giving into the temptation of masala formula.

High Points: A very engaging script, Arvind Swamy’s performance and the character of Siddharth Abhimanyu, No unnecessary bar sequences and comedy tracks

Low Points: The length of the movie is bit long for the plot reducing this would have made it more racy, There should have been more effort to create the core conflict very well which would have made this more impactful. There are few loopholes in the plot, which do not get highlighted due to the raciness of the script.

Overall Thani Oruvan is definitely a very engaging thriller that needs to be watched in the theaters.

Worth a Watch

Biopic, Genre

Manjhi – The Mountain Man Review

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Manjhi – The Mountain Man Review – Manjhi – The Mountain Man is a Hindi biopic released in 2015. The movie is based on the life of Dasarath Manjhi the man who carved a path through a mountain using only a hammer and chisel.

Director Ketan Mehta has taken an inspiring story of a man who did something, which anyone would have written off, as impossible. The movie is a blend of commercial cinema and art house cinema. Most of the scenes are very realistic in nature.

Although a very inspirational story it has challenges when it is told as a full-length feature film. The makers have tried their best to use nonlinear narration to keep it interesting. I would say it has worked in parts. Can’t complain too much as the story only had so much to offer. A reduction of 20 minutes of the movie could have made it very impactful.

NFDC has jointly produced this movie with Viacom 18. It is good to see NFDC active in mainstream movies as well. Hope this trend continues. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance is a stand out in the movie. He has helped recreating the type of person Manjhi might have been on the silver screen. Radhika Apte is another major strength for this movie. She had portrayed the character so well and is very convincing that someone has gone so far for the love of her.

The movie also has some strong political statements. I was not able to verify the authenticity of the subtle references. Nevertheless it was some of the best portions in the movie.

High Points: Inspiring Biopic, No unwanted commercial frills, Nawazuddin and Radhika’s performance, realistic visuals

Low Points: Not much in the story for a full-length feature

Overall Manjhi – The Mountain Man is an inspiring biopic that you would not want to miss. If you were interested in Biopics and realistic movies you would enjoy this.

Watchable

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

Maari Review

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Maari Review – Maari is a Tamil commercial comedy drama released in 2015. Maari is a local goon who lives by collecting money from the locals. His passion is pigeon race and an undisputed winner. Things change when sub-inspector Arjun takes charge in that area.

The movie is an out and out commercial drama that is just made to woo the first day fanfare. Director Balaji Mohan has a very good talent in creating comical situations but when it comes to action sequences it is not turning out to be effective. The story and the conflict were very weakly portrayed and some of the twists were very subtle and took a much predictable route. The build up for the hero for overdone to please the fanfare.

Dhanush has tried his best to do justice to the role and his performance is the one that lifts the movie on occasions apart from the comedy scenes. Robo Shankar playing the comedian is a refreshing change. The production quality of the movie is overall good. Particularly a lot of effort has gone into give it an aesthetic appeal. The music score was a different one from Anirudh. However it gets jarring after a while. Vijay Yesudas does well only in parts. His range of expressions is minimum to portray a wicked Villain. Kajal Agarwal is used as a eye candy for the visuals.

High Points: Comedy, Production quality, Costumes, Performance of Dhanush, Robo Shankar’s comedy

Low Points: Absence of core conflict, overdoing of build up scenes, Many characters are present in the movie but seldom used.

Overall Maari’s story is not a compelling one to be told and seen. If you love Masala movies and an ardent fan of Dhanush performance you can give it a try. If not you can watch it when it is played on TV.

Wait for DVD/TV

Comedy, Drama, Genre, Rating, Worth a Watch

Orange Mittai Review

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Orange Mittai Review – Orange Mittai is a Tamil comedy film released in 2015. Satya an EMT (emergency medical technician) receives a call to pick up a person suffering from heart attack. But the journey to the hospital is not an ordinary one.

This is an abstract experimental film that touches upon so many aspects of life and realities of life in many different places. We should appreciate the team for having tried giving a new movie to the audience. It was a pleasure to see a movie without a kutthu song, bar scene, below average slapstick comedy and build up sequences. All these end within an hour and forty minutes.

Vijay Sethupathi has performed very well as an old man. Not many actors would dare to do such a role in the early time of their career. The way he has modulated his voice and establishes his egoistic authority right from the first scene is definitely very powerful. Director Biju Viswanath known for taking up off beat subjects has yet again been successful in that.

The film touches upon many social issues. In particular the distance they travel to get medical facilities is quite astounding. The fact that the ambulance is not able to reach the doorstep of the person is showed in a very humorous way. Life is much beyond the rules that the society lays upon you, it is all about the journey and you are the only one who can control your life is a message that came through to me throughout the movie.

The screenplay has few weak points. First and foremost you may not connect or travel with any of the characters in the movie. It had to be established strongly for a deeper engagement. The first half of the movie seems to have been dragged to make this into a full-length feature film.

The first look poster depicted a larger than life godly costume for the lead characters, which was quite not the way to prepare the audience for this movie.

High Points: Acting performance by Vijay Sethupathi, no unnecessary drama, length of the movie, Experimental movie

Low Points: The movie may not have wide appeal due to its abstractness, Sometimes the events and hints are too subtle to create an impact

Overall Orange Mittai is a good effort in Tamil cinema industry. If you love experimental movies give it a try definitely. This movie would make you reflect back and draw your own interpretations much like seeing an abstract painting.

Worth a Watch

Drama, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Thriller

Papanasam Review

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Papanasam Review – Papanasam is a Tamil thriller drama released in 2015. This is remake of Malayalam movie Drishyam. The movie revolves around the middle class family of Suyambulingam, his wife and their two daughters. They lead a typical life that has both happy as well as challenging moments around petty things. Overnight they go through a situation that threatens to change their lives forever. What was the situation and did they manage to overcome it is the plot of Papanasam.

Director Jeethu Joseph and Kamal Hassan should be appreciated for remaking the movie in Tamil. Many a times the remakes of a super hit falls into the trap of making it bigger and dramatic thereby loosing the essence of the movie. Papanasam does not fall into the trap and maintains the essence of the story and also adapting it very well to the nativity of Tamil Nadu very well. Kamal’s performance is outstanding and is on par with Mohanlal’s performance in Drishyam. He has performed the role with such ease. The scene, in which he boasts about himself to his wife, creates pun intended statements in the teashop, breaks down at the key moment his performance shines.

There are few changes done to the screenplay as compared to the original still they don’t spoil the story. Kalabavan Mani has performed his role very well as a ruthless inspector. Gouthami has come onto the screen after so many years, it is definitely refreshing to watch her on screen. You might have heard people refer to Japanese movie Suspect X to be similar to this one, but both are very different movies.

High Points: Screenplay of the movie, Kamal Hassan’s performance, Essence of the original maintained, very appealing story line

Low Points: Not much to say as low points although the length of the movie could have been kept within 2.5 hours.

Overall Papanasam is a very well made thriller. Even if you have watched Drishyam it is still entertaining to see this one as well.

Must Watch

PS: SPOILER AHEAD – On a funny note I wonder why the police didn’t catch the fact that the family couldn’t have watched Anjaan on August 2nd as it released only on August 15th 🙂

Can Skip it, Comedy, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies

Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga Review

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Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga Review – Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga (VSOP) is a Tamil slapstick comedy drama released in 2015. Vasu and Saravanan are close friends but as women enter their life as their love interest and wife they should forgo their friendship to please them.

“Not again Director Rajesh”. That’s what I wanted to tell the director once I was 20 minutes into the movie. He has used this theme very consistently in many of his previous movies.

You can now try to narrate what would happen.

The friends would now start drinking more often and crack jokes about women….

Then?

They would try some foolish technique to fix the issues……

Then?

Not sure… think the drunken jokes and foolish attempts would make a good movie.

Rajesh has fallen into the trap here. He has an amazing sense of humor, which was well represented in Boss Engira Baskaran. But in all of his other movies this has started to nose-dive.

The cast for the movie is a big plus and would attract the audience but with a weak plot banking on only male chauvinistic jokes would appeal only to a certain segment of the audience. The script is so weak that at many dull situations Arya tells Santhanam “Ethavathu pannu machi…” They have also used the technique of characters in the movie mocking at a joke attempt to make the audience laugh which has worked in few instances. The other big disappointment is the songs. Not the tune per say but the choreography is of very low production quality and seems out of rhythm.

High Points: Very few high points, the casting of the movie is a strong point, few comedy scenes would make you laugh out loud, Costume design is good.

Low Points: Weak screenplay, poor choreography, repeated story plots and a weak conflict

Overall VSOP is a lackluster effort only banking on slapstick comedy that would work for a niche segment of audience.

Can Skip it

Action, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Thriller

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Review

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Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Review – Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is an English action thriller released in 2015. The movie is a sequel to the Mission Impossible franchise. Ethan Hunt the undercover agent is on a mission for IMF. However as IMF loses its existence his existence is under threat, as he is wanted by the CIA and also by a criminal organization.

I am not sure if this one were the best of the Mission Impossible series however this would definitely be one of the best in the series. The movie has all the ingredients that one would expect from a Mission Impossible movie perfectly assembled together in the right proportion to woo the audience. There is the impossible mission, unexpected twists, adrenaline pumping action sequence and you know what would happen in the end. Still this makes a very interesting action thriller that keeps you glued throughout. The only part I hated was the mid movie break.

The strongest part of this movie is the characterization of the Villain. This one well could be the arch nemesis of Ethan Hunt as Moriarty was for Holmes. The villain is very sophisticated, intelligent and more gruesome which makes the mission more challenging and more bangs for the bucks. Tom Cruise looks very handsome despite his age. I felt he looked better than how he looked in Ghost Protocol. Good part of the movie is that they haven’t used the facemask technique too much which has now become predictable thanks to the over use of it in the second installment. They have in fact made fun of wearing a facemask.

High Points: Screenplay of the movie, Motorbike chase sequence, Characterization of the villain, Brilliantly placed twists, impossible situations that puts the hero in the corner.

Low Points: Not many low points for this one. If you want to find one then it would be the opening sequence, which looked forcefully stuffed into the screenplay but what is a MI movie without such gravity defying stunts  🙂

Overall this one is a very enjoyable outing for the Mission Impossible fans and also fans of action thrillers. Forget the logic; just go in to be enticed by the mission.

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

Mother Review

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Mother Review – Mother aka Madeo is a South Korean crime mystery released in 2009. A mother has to find the killer of a girl murdered in the neighborhood to save her son from being convicted for the murder.

The premise is very interesting and is set in a small town in South Korea. Director Bong Joon-ho yet again comes up with a brilliant script with full of suspense and mystery around a crime after his Memories of Murder. A mother’s love towards her son is universal. How far a mother would go in order to save her son when all the odds are pointing against him is a very interesting plot line. The screenplay is very intense and starts getting gripping once the mother start her journey of finding the killer. The opening shot of the movie itself is a brilliant one and keeps you interested till the end. Kim Hye-ja has performed the role very well and is the backbone of the movie.

The scene in which she is trying to hide in one of the suspect’s house to take an evidence of crime and the attitude in her walks is simply amazing. The entire scene is very gripping. She can turn her expression from anger to guilt to love in seconds. The suspense is maintained till the end of the movie and the ending is just brilliant. I had a very long reflection process after watching this movie. It was quiet overwhelming for me to see the ending anything I speak about it I would give the movie away.

High Points: The screenplay of the movie, acting performance by Kim Hye-ja, gripping moments, background score

Low Points: There are no much low points. I felt the script was bit longer for its content.

Overall the movie is brilliant and is very different from the movie you would have seen. Watch it for the unique script and power packed performance by Kim Hye-ja. This is a must watch for all suspense thriller fans.

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