Category Archives: Genre

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

Aaranya Kaandam

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Aaranya Kaandam – is a Tamil neo noir released in 2011. The plot has different angles which come together at the end of the movie. A local don is in his old age is trying to cope up with the end of his golden era. One of his men is trying to take things on his own by getting the drug deal which their rivalry group is dealing with against the will of the don. The don is trying to divert his rival group onto this guy. A young girl in the captive of the don wants to flee from his captivity along with a worker in don’s house. A poor drunkard man and his young son chance upon the drugs for which the rivalry groups are fighting for. How all this come together is the plot of Aaranya Kaandam.

Director Thiagarajan Kumararaja has dealt with a very complex subject and a genre less used in Tamil movies in his first film. He has done well for a first timer. The movie acquired a cult status much later since it had been released. The casting of the movie has been done well. Jackie Shroff is a perfect choice for the role. Sampath Raj has equally done his role well. As the movie progresses the plot thickens, keeping you engaged with the narration and the ending unties all the knots leaving you convinced. The name is apt for the movie which means Jungle Chapter and the movie revolves around the gang wars in the city. If you are a fan of black action films then you would like Aaranya Kaandam. The movie is not suitable for kids.

Watchable – for fans of black films

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

Endrendrum Punnagai

Endrendrum Punnagai – is a Tamil romantic drama released in 2013. Gautam hates women since his mother left his father and him in his childhood. He and his two close friends since high school take a vow that they would lead a life without getting committed to a woman. However things turn topsy-turvy when his friends decide to get married and settled down in life. Did this bring a change in Gautam is the plot of the movie.

Director I M Ahmed has taken the right plot for the season. He has worked on the characterization of Gautam very well and Jiva has essayed the character as the director has created it. However he hasn’t spent too much time on building out the other characters in the movie. They all seem to be wrong as seen by Gautam and also easily give up even though they get hurt deeply by Gautam’s behavior. The movie might remind you of the I Hate Luv story but this one is on a more serious note and the protagonist is a male chauvinistic person. The screenplay gets weak when the other characters easily give up justifying the actions of Gautam. If there has been more time spent in building out strong characters of his friends and Priya (character essayed by Trisha), the movie might have been an interesting watch. Overall you wouldn’t get bored by watching this movie but it is not more than a forgettable affair.

Wait for TV/DVD

 

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

Hasee Toh Phasee

Hasee Toh Phasee – is a Hindi romance drama released in 2014. Nikhil wants to a lead a life with guarantee from his job, to the house and his girlfriend. During the preparation for his wedding he gets in touch with the sister of his fiancee who is a drug addict and chooses to live life spontaneously. Does this change his life is the rest of the plot.

Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap producing a movie jointly raised some interesting questions if it is going to be a fun fair with song and dance or some serious dark drama. It was more of the former. This is one of the movies which has not been positioned very well. The title and promos had set the expectations for a romantic comedy but it ends up being a bit of satire on Indian wedding, bit of old school romantic drama in the end leaves you a bit confused as are the lead characters in the movie. There are parts of the movie which are interesting including the performance of Parineeti Chopra, the chemistry between the lead pair. But this isn’t sufficient to make it a overall exciting package. You might consider to watch it once when played on TV.

Wait for TV/DVD

Comedy, Genre, Malayalam Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews, Romance

Om Shanthi Oshaana

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Om Shanthi Oshaana – is a Malayalam romantic comedy released in 2014. The story revolves around a girl who falls in love with a guy in her teens. The guy doesn’t accept her love as she is still a kid. She waits six long years till she is on her own and completes her degree. Was she able to get the guy of her dreams is the plot of Om Shanthi Oshaana.

The plot is a very old one and has been dealt in numerous movies. Certain plots are like a fresh coffee in the morning… no matter how many years you had been having it, the first sip in the morning always tastes fresh. Only thing to take care is to make the coffee right. Director Jude Anthany Joseph with his fresh screenplay has made a perfect blend. Being his first full length movie he hasn’t compromised on the elements of his plot. Nazriya is cute with her performance and the story sails around her. Nivin Pauly has given a much matured performance and the Neram pair strikes gold again with their onscreen chemistry. All the characters you meet are positive, “there is a cool breeze, general warmth and greenery” (you will understand this phrase once you see the movie) throughout the movie. It is one of the movies where even the sad scenes look beautiful. While people are struggling hard to make something big, innovative and out of the world love stories… this one comes with simple, beautiful and down to earth love story. If you are girl kid of the 90’s you will have more things to relate in the movie. The dialogues are witty and makes you laugh at many places. Overall the movie is right for the season  and it is a feel-good entertainer throughout.

Must Watch – for all rom-com lovers

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

Villa – Pizza II

Villa – Pizza II – is a Tamil horror thriller film released in 2013. Jebin is an aspiring novel writer who is struggling against odds for financial stability post the loss in his father’s business. Post his father’s death he discovers that there is a villa in his name in Pondicherry. He goes there only to discover that the villa is full of paintings done by his father. To his shock many of the paintings were predicting incidents that would occur to him in the future. What happens next in the Villa is the plot of the film.

Director Deepan Chakravathy has done a pretty neat job for a first timer. He has been able to give a script that definitely engages the audience throughout. There are not many thrilling sequences that you would find in a horror film but the subject of science behind superstition keeps one interested. The best part of the movie is its length. Kudos to the director for keeping the length of the script under 90 minutes. It is always difficult to find a balance between science and myth. Naturally the story struggles when it tries to draw line between the two. If you don’t look for a path breaking answer of finding scientific reasons for all the myths (which the movie initially sets the expectation to deliver) you would not get disappointed.  Overall the movie is a watchable one for its crisp story line and production quality with the given budget.

Watchable

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

Jilla

Jilla – is a Tamil action drama released in 2013. Don Siva adopts the son of his driver after Sakthi and his father save don’s family in a fight. From then on Sakthi becomes the soul of Siva’s life and naturally evolves as a successor for Siva. Circumstances leads to a point were in Siva and Sakthi has to act against each other. Who wins remains the plot of Jilla.

The star cast has been the highlight of Jilla. Mohanlal and Vijay carry the story on their shoulders. Apart from the star cast there is nothing much left in the movie. The story feels very disconnected in the first half and the majority of the screenplay is written to please the fan following of Vijay and Mohanlal. In the effort of doing that there has not been any effort in building up for the plot. Director R T Neason did have some interesting screenplay at the end but he couldn’t build up the story towards it. You wait for almost 2 hours and 15 minutes before the climax sequence begins which has some interesting moments. You end up feeling so much for so less. Characters played by Kajal Agarwal, Poornima Jayaram seemed to be disconnected from the movie throughout. The menu of this pongal feast had been an interesting one but in the end you end up having below average taste in the main course till a delicious dessert is served in limited quantity. Many people might end up skipping the dessert.

What you would like: The star cast, climax sequence

What you would dislike: Length of the movie, unfitting songs, characters and sequences

Overall, Jilla is yet another forgettable mass masala movie from Vijay.

Can skip it

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

Biriyani

Biriyani – is a Tamil thriller released in 2013. Sugan and Parasu stop at a road side restaurant to have biriyani. But they seldom realize this would put them into an unimaginable situation for being chased by police for a link to a murder and their family being targeted by goons. How they get involved in this situation and where they able to get out of it is the plot for the movie.

Director Venkat Prabhu known for coming up with some creative situations for Tamil movies has done it once again for biriyani. But it falls short of being as tasty as it claims to be. The screenplay is carved out the same template the director has done in his previous movies. There are – a group of friends, goons involved in heist, good cop and corrupt cops, business man wanting to more power, an item girl trying to woo the guys. A majority of the movie sails on the same lines. There is very little that can differentiate this from others. Karthi and Premji had tried hard to keep the audience engaged and have a hearty laugh… but their success is few and far between. Instead of falling into the trap of his previous plots if the director had spent efforts to perfect the script this biriyani would have been very yummy but it just ends up with more masala and less of taste.

What you would like: The visuals, the main plot, occasional thrills and laughter

What you may not like: Same old treatment of the screenplay, unrealistic and forced in sequences

Overall this dish might be enjoyed if you don’t crave for a biriyani and have it at home.

Watch on TV/DVD

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

Veeram

Veeram – is a Tamil Action Drama released in 2013. Vinayagam is a village don who lives with his five brothers. Together they stand for truce and believe in violence to bring about justice. Vinayagam falls in love with a girl whose father is also a head of a village but believes in non-violence as a mode for seeking justice. How does this conflict resolve, Did Vinayagam marry the girl he loves forms the plot of Veeram.

It is yet another movie that is written banking on the star value of Ajith. Director Siva known for his commercial masala pot boiler has not deviated from his comfort zone. The plot would remind of you of umpteen movies you had already seen in the past. Murattu Kaalai, Vaanathai pola, the recent remake of Murattu Kaalai. There is nothing new in this one either. At one point of time you feel the movie is heading towards the conflict between violence and non-violence to win a war. But it does nothing and has tried to bank on the commercial elements. On the whole Veeram is much of a forgettable affair. You wouldn’t miss much.

Can skip it

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

Prisoners

Prisoners – is an American thriller released in 2013. Two young kids go missing from the neighborhood on Thanksgiving Day. The only clue is that there was an RV stationed outside their house before they went missing. What happened to the kids, did their parents able to locate them remains the plot of the movie.

The movie sets on its in main story line right from the beginning and you try to learn about the characters as it progresses. The sequences are taken on gloomy winter afternoons which make the visual convey the depressing tone of the movie. As and when the plot reaches the point of unsolvable mystery some unexpected incident happens which would keep you engaged. Director Denis Villeneuve has crafted a slow but very gripping thriller plot. Hugh Jackman had portrayed the role of a father whose daughter has gone missing very well and has performed very well. The movie is a must watch for all thriller drama lovers.

Must Watch

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

American Hustle

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American Hustle – is a crime drama released in 2013. The movie is loosely based on the ABSCAM operation that had happened in the late 70’s in the United States. A FBI agent persuades two con artists to help him make some high profile arrests in return for not arresting them for their con. The operation leads them into a world of politicians and underworld mafias. What transcribes is the part of the story.

Director David O. Russell yet again pulls a very intriguing movie after Silver Linings Playbook. American Hustle is loaded with powerful star cast whose performance will impress you through the movie. The screenplay is witty and subtly touches on the ambiguities involved in the ABSCAM operation. Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence have performed brilliantly and are very convincing of the characters they had portrayed. The movie is high in drama value and background knowledge of the ABSCAM operation would make it more interesting. Overall it is a must watch for all crime drama lovers.

Must Watch

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

Now You See Me

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Now You See Me – is a English thriller released in 2013. Four magicians are brought together by a unknown man. They perform magic shows in which they rob bank live and distribute the money to the audience. FBI and Interpol are after the magicians to catch them live. Where they able to prove the deception in their magical acts and arrest them is the plot of the movie.

The movie is made in a very stylish way as many of the famous heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven. It keeps the audience engaged and guessing the trick throughout the movie. Although there are few of the tricks you might be able to guess before hand as you had already seen movies on similar lines but still the screenplay is written very brilliantly to keep you glued to your chair. This is one of the movies which got released without many frills but would sweep you off the feet if you are a fan of heist movies. It is a must watch.

Must Watch

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

Drishyam

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Drishyam – is a Malayalam drama and thriller released in 2013. The movie revolves around the middle class family of Georgekutty, his wife Rani 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 Drishyam.

Director Jeethu Joseph has created a very engaging thriller in Drishyam. The movie starts on a slow note revolving around the family going about their routine life. One might start having a feeling of watching a TV serial during this portion. However once the problem is manifested everything falls in place and keeps you engaged throughout. You would leave the hall with a very satisfied feeling. Mohanlal’s acting is laudable and is very convincing. The other characters Meena, Kalabhavan Shajon has done a very good job in their roles as well. The screenplay and the shots layout has been the soul for the movie which slowly unfolds and keeps the audience guessing till the end. But for the length of the movie you would not find many shortcomings. Overall the movie is a must watch in the theaters.

Must Watch