Category Archives: Tamil Movies

Tamil Movie Reviews

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

Yaagavarayinum Naa Kaakka Review

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Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka Review – Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka is a Tamil action thriller released in 2015. Sagaa a young man from Chennai lands up in Mumbai under mysterious circumstances to take on a fearsome don. What lead him here, what happens after his encounter with the don is the story of Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka.

The movie showed a lot of promise from the time the promotions started. The first half of the movie is fairly engaging and thrilling. The scenes flowed into each other very well and the non-linear narration was told very well. The interval block raises the expectation further. However post the interval block the screenplay was a let down and falls into the trap of commercial over action drama with some unwanted larger than life sequences making it long and uninteresting. The characterization of Mithun Chakraborthy was a let down. They could have utilized him much better. The same comment goes with some of the seasoned actors like Nasser and Pasupathy. Nikki Galrani has performed decently compared to her previous outings; still there is scope for improvement. The love portion between Nikki Galrani and Adi has been done based on Karthik and Revathy’s romance sequence in Mouna Raagam, the only difference being here the girl stalks the boy. This is definitely a very interesting treatment.

High Points – The overall plot and suspense in the movie, the engaging narration, the performance by Adi, Love angle of the lead pairs structured in resemblance to Mouna Raagam, The production quality of the movie has turned out really well.

Low Points – The second half and unwanted over the top action sequences, underutilization of the Mithunda, Nasser and Pasupathy.

Overall Yagavaraiyinum Naa Kaaka banks on a non-linear narration to convey a thriller but gets lost in thrusting in larger than life sequences. For the level of expectation I had on this one, I was disappointed.

Can Skip It

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

Netru Indru Naalai Review

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Netru Indru Naalai Review – Netru Indru Naalai is a Tamil science fiction comedy film released in 2015. Elango and his friend Pulivetti Arumugam chance upon a time traveling device sent from the future and uses it make a successful business. But things go hay wire when they alter some undesired things in the past.

A science fiction movie in Tamil is always not a viable commercial option. It takes a lot more to make it appealing to the general mass. While many of the makers are hesitant to take up one debutante director Ravikumar. R should be lauded for his efforts in making a science fiction movie in Tamil and yet making it with wide appeal. If you have seen movies like Back to the future then this concept may not be new to you, however the brilliance of the script is in adapting the time machine to Indian context.

Vishnu and Karunakaran combo strike very well. The sequences involving them are hilarious.  The makers have created some similarities to the english movies which I think is intentional. Like the design of the time machine resembles the device from the movie The Time Machine released in 1960 and the scientist Parthasarathy resembles Doc Brown from Back to the Future movie series.

The way the time traveling concept is explained to people should be appreciated as it is simple and neat. When the scientist take out all the time traveling books like theory of relativity, a brief history of time to help the lead characters understand it, they ask him to explain it in simple terms. Thats how the screenplay handles it.

High Points: The screenplay is easy on people without much complications, The comedy has worked very well, A time travel movie in Tamil is a welcome change.

Low Points: Dragging screenplay in parts, in particular when the romance angle of the lead characters are portrayed. This slows down the pace.

Overall there is lot to enjoy in this movie. Although it is not talking about any new scientific theory, the screenplay makes it an enjoyable ride between the present, past and the future.

Worth a Watch 

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

Kaaka Muttai Review

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Kaaka Muttai Review – Kaaka Muttai is a Tamil comedy drama released in 2014. The movie had its theatrical release in 2015. The movie revolves around two young kids growing up in the slums and their biggest aim in life is to eat a pizza, but it is not as easy as they think.

Director M. Manikandan has done a wonderful job in painting the view of life through the eyes of two kids from slum who gets excited with simple things in life. Most of the movie is shot with a Camera angle at the eye line of the kids, which gives the view of the world from their eyes much more naturally. The names of the kids are not revealed in the movie and they are just addressed by their nickname “Chinna Kaaka Muttai and Periya Kaaka Muttai”. This is very effective in making them a true representation of unknown kids from slum. The other characters in the movie are also used very well in the larger screenplay and every character has a meaningful role to play in the 2 hour drama. Yet another movie that is shorter in length and works more effective than the 3 hour extravagant movies. Indian moviemakers should take some cues from this and be precise to their premise without introducing unwanted frills.

The two boys playing the lead roles in the movie has performed very well. In particular the younger one is so adorable in his acting and innocence. The movie also touches sarcastically upon some harsh realities in the society. Although subtle but still makes a very compelling impression on issues like economic differences, discrimination based on economic status, child labor and many more.

High Points: The screenplay is the major strength of the movie, Cinematography is very apt for the movie, the performances of the kids, the humor in the script is another big plus

Low Points: There is nothing really as a low point. Such movies should be promoted well to reach more audience.

Overall Kaaka Muttai would bring in smile on your face as you walk out of the movie hall and next time you see slum kids running around their chore you would definitely stop and think about the battle they are fighting. 2 National awards for this movie is well deserved.

Must Watch

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

Uttama Villain Review

Uttama Villain Review – Uttama Villain is a Tamil comedy drama released in 2015. Manoranjan is a leading actor in the film industry and takes everything in his life for granted. When he learns he is suffering from brain tumor and will die soon he tries to set everything in his dysfunctional life.

Well many of you might have already seen the movie. And it did not get great reviews across from the box office. I liked whatever Uttama Villain had to offer. It is a very bold move by Kamal Hassan to act and produce such a movie. If you are expecting a commercial movie on the lines of Panchathanthiram, Sathi leelavathi and go in then you are in for a great disappointment. The movie is much different than many of the main stream cinemas you see today. If you are able to identify this difference then you would enjoy Uttama Villain. The most impressive part is the film within the film and the story narrated in it. It is very intelligent humor savored in the recipe of a fairy tale. If you set aside everything else in the movie this part alone is very much enjoyable. The performance of the artists in particular Kamal Hassan and Nasser is commendable. The movie draws a stark contrast of the actor’s real life and the reel life. The title is apt in this way, An idealistic hero and a role model for many on the silver screen (Uttaman) is in reality leading a dysfunctional life (hence Villain).  Although Kamal for the sake of the screenplay tries to explain the Villain term as “Toxophilite” (one his good at Archery, villalan), the deep meaning is very different. Kamal’s performance is very good and he does the characters with ease and a natural flair. The presence of K. Balachandar playing the role of a director is a master stroke and a fitting tribute to the Legend himself. As the movie shifts between the reel life and real life there is a strong contrast drawn at every shift. The fact that an immortal hero on screen is dragged into mortality in the real life is shown very well at every cut in the movie shoot. The movie does not carry any moral or social message but a pure drama exploring two ends of a spectrum. The art work for the sets and the make-up is a great plus for the movie. The dance sequence in the climax is made brilliantly.

Where the movie has failed to connect with the audience is the way it had been promoted and positioned. If Kamal Hassan had prepared the audience for a drama then it would have worked better. Kamal deserves applause for not falling into the trap of any stereotypical storyline. He has tried to explore the next level in cinema. Director Ramesh Aravind deserves a special mention for directing the movie so well.  Another item that would definitely catch your attention is the sound recording. It is so good and very immersive in nature. The hard work had paid off.

High Points: Kamal’s acting performance, Fairy tale storyline for the film within film, Experimental value, Sound recording and direction

Low Points:  Length of the movie is tad bit long, May not appeal to everyone, People expecting a slap stick comedy would be disappointed

Overall if you are in mood for a new wave cinema which explores different dimensions then you would love Uttama Villain. If you are looking for a commercial entertainer then this one is not for you.

Worth a Watch – only for lovers of new wave cinema

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

Romeo Juliet Review

Romeo Juliet Review – Romeo Juliet is a Tamil romantic comedy released in 2015. Aishwarya misunderstands Karthick to be a wealthy man and falls in love with him. When they decide to take their relationship to next level she realizes that he is not rich and breaks up with him. Will Karthick be able to win Aishwarya back is the plot of Romeo Juliet.

Producer turned director Lakshman has tried his hands with some tried and tested formula of romance. However the plot uniquely differentiates itself from the lead pairs being the ideal lovers to more self-centered people. When this was a welcome change in the plot, it quickly falls back into the trap of making them those ideal pair. The screenplay is very superfluous and does have a lot of flaws. What keeps the movie ticking is the music and those moments where few of the comedy sequences had worked and brings a laugh. Jayam Ravi has done a decent job in his role while Hansika’s acting chart varies like an ECG graph. The scenes are bit lengthy compared to how precise the modern day scene constructions have become.

When making romantic dramas one of the key things that the writers should pay attention to is the point of view from both male and the female characters. Many screenplay falls into the trap of skewing towards the point of view of just one character. Romeo Juliet is one such screenplay.

High Points: Uniqueness in the plot with self-centered people falling in love, music is a big positive for the movie.

Low Points: Very predictable screenplay, cheesy romantic sequences that had been done and dusted in many movies. It is high time for Tamil script writers to move away from naming their lead character in the romantic drama as “Karthik”.

Overall Romeo Juliet is an average affair that delivers only half of what it had promised to. It would entice people looking for a cheesy romantic drama. You might enjoy it watching this one when played on TV.

Wait for DVD/TV

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

Masss or Massu engira Masilamani Review

Masss or Massu engira Masilamani Review – Masss is a Tamil supernatural thriller released in 2015. Masss alias Masilamani is a con man. While performing a con operation he and his friend meet with an accident and he starts seeing dead people from then on. He uses this to his benefit to perform more con operations.

It is an out and out Director Venkat Prabhu movie. I say this because post Saroja, Venkat Prabhu has been caught up with very stereotypical predictable, out and out masala movies that bank on the lead protagonist’s star value than any creativity in the story line. I still miss the engaging script, fresh creativity, comical timing he had created in Chennai 600028. Somewhere he has got into the mold of riding on the success of the jokes that had worked then. Excessive usage of same lines and comedy makes it just ordinary sequences. Also he would need to concentrate more on the dialogues. But for a few, most of the dialogues in the movie are very cliched. The only point in time I was very engaged with the script was during the interval block which had been executed well. Post that a lot of loop holes in the plot and continuity becomes a major distraction. A ghost is able to touch and move rods, wood but not able to touch money seems very odd. Many sequences in the movie would remind you of movies like Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Apoorva Sagodharargal. The main theme of the movie where the protagonist is able to see ghosts is very different and interesting but soon it becomes a 80’s revenge saga script spoiling all the uniqueness it tend to exhibit.

High Points – Difference in the theme for Tamil Cinema, Suriya’s presence, Interval block

Low Points – Repetitive sequences, illogical continuity, below average special effects

If you do not worry about logic and just want to pass time then Masss would not bore you. It is a movie that you could watch on TV when you don’t have anything else to do. On a lighter note, believing in ghosts might be far more realistic than believing in Venkat Prabhu’s movies 🙂

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

Enakkul Oruvan Review

Enakkul Oruvan Review – Enakkul Oruvan is a Tamil psychological thriller released in 2015. Vicky is an insomniac, working as an Usher in a movie hall. Vicky comes across a drug dealer who sells him a new drug Lucia that would enable him to sleep with a caution that he would start living a double life in his dream. Vicky takes the drug and starts living the life of a celebrity in his dreams but soon things take unexpected turns.

This is the remake of the Kannada movie Lucia directed by Pawan Kumar. The Tamil version is directed by debutante Prasad Ramar. I haven’t seen the original which had a more of a new age film treatment while the Tamil version is bit more charismatic with actor Siddharth’s presence.  The movie kept me engaged right from the first scene. The screenplay is the king of the movie. Having most of the sequences of the movie in black and white is a huge risk but still it has worked beautifully here. As an audience you would be confused as the promos for those portions have been in color. The intertwining of the dream life and the real life is treated very well in the narration. Having character overlaps in the two worlds have also been brilliantly placed.  Siddharth has performed his role very well. His performance as an Usher is commendable. He has exhibited a great deal of difference in his body language to differentiate between the two characters.

High Points: Novelty of the plot, the screenplay, Siddarth’s performance, black and white treatment

Low Points: Challenge to stay upto the expectation of the original, audience had watched the original may not like this so much as it always happens with remakes.

Overall despite being a remake Enakkul Oruvan is still a brilliant movie that would stand out from the crowd. If you love movies then watch this one for sure.

Must Watch

 

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

Rajathanthiram Review

Rajathanthiram Review – Rajathanthiram is a Tamil heist movie released in 2015. 3 friends who do petty theft for a living plan on doing a larger heist from a rich jeweler.

Debutant Director A.G Amid has chosen heist as the plot for his movie. Heist plots has the potential of creating a very interesting and engaging screenplay. However the element of surprise and twist should be placed very smartly enough for the audience to be enthralled as the movie ends. If this is not done well then any heist movie would fail badly. Rajathanthiram manages to keep the interest going on. Although the audience know there would be a twist in the end but still the script keeps you engaged with it as how it is done is kept as a well maintained secret in the film. The movie also works well in most of the parts in moving the pieces together. The acting levels of the lead actors are not of top notch as many of them are new. Still they put up a show that is decent enough to make it an entertaining watch. The comedy blends in well with the story and helps in moving the story ahead. Regina is underutilized and serves only as an eye candy in the film rather than how the promos of the movie had tried to portray her. The director should be appreciated for his sincere first attempt with a limited budget yet giving a decent output.

High Points: Heist plot, Comedy in the screenplay, the final heist sequence is entertaining to watch.

Low Points: Predictable plot line and novice acting skills

Overall Rajathanthiram may not be that brilliant heist movie that would blow your mind off but it is a movie that would definitely serve as a light hearted entertaining watch any time.

Watchable

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

Darling Review

Darling Review – Darling is a Tamil horror comedy film released in 2015. Three youngsters decide to end their life in a guest house near the beach. But the beach house has more mystery in it than they had imagined.

Darling joins the recent list of horror comedy movies that had worked well in Tamil language. This is a remake of the Telugu movie Prem Katha Chitram. This is the first movie of G.V Prakash as an actor. He had taken a subject that is too light which is good. The best thing about the movie is the humor that had worked well. The horror part may not scare you like many other movies but the humor part would definitely make you laugh your heart out. The scene in which Rajendran appears as Ghost Gopal Varma is a laugh riot. Given that this is the first movie for GV as an actor we can forgive the nuances that he had missed. Nikki Garlani has also tried her best to act. Karunas and Bala Saravanan are a great addition to the cast and they steal the show in many places of the movie. Credit should be given to Director Sam Anton who in his debut film has given a very decent product.

High Points: The genre of horror comedy, Comedy scenes, The scenes in which Rajendran appears as Ghost Gopal Varma, Staying away close to the core plot

Low Points: Novice actors, if you miss the jokes then you may not like this one as many of the jokes are very much related to other Tamil Cinemas

Overall Darling will keep you entertained throughout and make you laugh your heart out if you care for the jokes. If you go with the expectation of getting chills and thrills then you would be disappointed. This is a good addition to the movies in horror comedy genre and definitely deserves a watch.

Watchable

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

Kappal Review

Kappal Review – Kappal is a Tamil romantic slapstick comedy released in 2014. Vasu and his friends make a promise to each other that they would not get married as it would distance them. But Vasu is interested in girls and he elopes to Chennai and falls in love with Deepika. When his friends come to know about it they try to separate them.

The movie’s expectation soared high with Shankar pitching in the last moment to pick up the production. The genre of the movie did not work for me at all. It is a romantic slap stick comedy which I am not a major fan of. It might work for folks who like movies of this genre. The plot is a very decent one and is different from many other movies. Usually friends help the lovers get together but in this they are the ones who oppose it. The production value of the movie is quite good. The songs shot also have a very fresh perspective. The comedy portion works in parts. For me the weak point was in the performance by Vaibhav and Sonam they had expressions between A and B. This kind of made it very monotonous. There is not character arc for the lead characters that take them through a transformation. They tend to remain the same till the end.

There are quite a heavy comedy department including Karunakaran, VTV Ganesh and their friends. They have tried hard to make people laugh which has worked in parts. As I had mentioned the comedy is for a segment of people and may not entice everyone. The length of the movie is also too long for the content it had.

High Points: Comedy, Freshness in the song sequences, Production quality, Plot

Low Points: Grossness in comedy, Romantic slap stick genre which did not work for me, Characterization and performance of the lead pair, length of the movie.

Journey on this Kappal (Ship) left me feeling tired by the end of it.

Can skip it

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

Meaghamann Review

Meaghamann Review – Meaghamann is a Tamil action thriller released in 2014. Arul and Karthik are undercover cops working for two major drug lords in the Mumbai and Goa area. They want to bring the ghost drug lord Jothi out and arrest him but it is not easy as Jothi leaves no trace even for his gang to find him

Director Magizh Thirumeni has given an action thriller in Meaghamann (Captain of the ship). The script is an out and out action movie that revolves around the gangsters and drug lords in the backdrop of Goa. There are moments in the movie which are very brilliantly constructed. In particular the scene in which Arya plays card game in the cold storage along with the gang without being aware of the lurking danger is brilliantly done. Asutosh Rana’s characterization is done well. However the director has not been able to successfully maintain the thrills throughout the movie. The movie has too many characters which might make it complicated for the common audience to follow it. The script is gripping overall, but takes a dip with the love interest angle for Arya which seems to be force fitted into the movie. Another point which is missing is the ability for the audience to connect with the purpose of the protagonist. The buildup phase although builds the audiences up for the thrills but fails in establishing the emotional connect. Hence the climax lacks the vigor it had to be established with.

High Points: Action sequences, Performance of Asutosh Rana

Low Points: Too many characters, Love interest for the protagonist, Lack of emotional connect

Overall Meaghamann is a decent gangster movie which could have been done much better. Still there are elements in it which will keep you interested in this captain.

Wait for TV/DVD

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

Aambala Review

Aambala Review – Aambala is a Tamil action movie released in 2015. Saravanan runs an organization responsible for gathering people for political meetings, party gatherings. He falls in love with Maya. He soon learns about his father and he has to go in search of him and his younger brother to reunite them back with his mother. The search lands him in a situation he hasn’t imagined.

Aambala is a run of the mill masala movie that has been done with only commercial intent in mind. Vishal fans would have moments to enjoy in the movie. Every scene from the movie is a minimum guarantee scene that would not bore the audience. There is a large ensemble of cast which will keep the screen occupied throughout. Right from the first scene you would feel the screen is crowded.

The plot of the movie is very age old and even the treatment is not anything new. The team has stuck to elements that would make the movie work. They have relied on the comedy elements to carry the movie forward. This is the only saving grace for the movie. But for this there is nothing new that you could expect here. As there are so many characters in the movie the villain himself does not have much screen time and looks weak in the plot.

Vishal is in his home turf and does the role with ease. Hansika is a mere eye candy. Music of Hip Hop Tamizha is different and fresh. The comedy elements are highlight of a Sundar C flick and it works in this with Santhanam and Sathish filling in for that role.

If you are a fan of run of the mill masala movies then give this is a shot or else you can skip this.

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