Urumi-Prithvi's 19th step to super stardom is here.Directed by Santhosh shivan the movie lives upto the expectations in the sense that the frames are rich ,glossy that you wouldnt dare to blink an eyelid.Unfortunately Urumi reminds you that a great cameraman isnt always a great director.The enchanting visual beauty of the movie often was let loose by the director-script writer combo!
The plot is based on a rivalry between Kelu Nair and the Portuguese explorer Vasco da gama.Having lost his people and his father to the invasional spree of Gaama,kelu sets out ,waiting for his chance to tore apart gaama and his men.He is ably helped and supported by his friend Vavvali (prabhu devas character).In due course of his venegance Kelu happens to meet arakkal Aisha and Vavvali meets Bala (Nithya menon) and the love track runs in parallel with the swashbuckling sword clashes.The track seems all set for a gripping outing but some characters developed in the script were poor and even poorly executed.Often dual meaning dialogs spoiled the intensity the movie intended to create.
Coming to the performances,Prithviraj looks well built but has nothing new to present (save his new prince of Persia looks ).The dialog delivery and style all reminded of his previous characters.Still the character kelu demanded lot of manliness which he could easily portray with his well built looks. He looked wanting in the scenes where Vawali gets shot! Prabhu deva performed well a character that handles some humour as well.Genelia looked too cute and immature for Arakkal aayishas role though her fight scenes were awesome.Nithya menon did an OK job as Bala.The pick of the cast for me was Jagathi who was at his usual best as Chenichery kurup,the villain character with shades of feminine charcater in him.Amol gupte as Chirakkal Thampuran
cracked a few jokes here and there.Ankur Sharma as Bhanu was a real Miscast and looked pathetic.Wonder why the crew preferred so many non-malayalees when we already had finest actors here.The cameo roles by Arya,Tabu and Vidya balan has nothing much to go ga ga on.Arya however looked ravishing as Kothuval.The foreign actors (Vasco and his son) were typical.
Coming to the technical side Urumi is a treat to watch with the astonishing camera art taking its toll.Santhosh shivan has succeeded making the movie rich in its technical side with barely any flaws to note.The action scenes were well shot and is certainly among the best that has happened in malayalam cinema.Music from Deepak dev matched his class as well though the BGM at places seems to be a lift from the gladiator theme music.
With all these working for Urumi ,it could have gone places with a better director & screenplay.Urumi- technically brilliant,could have been better on most of the other aspects!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
August 15 ----- Lacks the Punch
Sequels have come and gone in malayalam,and most often we have seen them spoiling the aura of its prequel.Shaji and SN swami the war horses of malayalam political-action-suspense thrillers have tried it out with the suave police officer from Aug 1 Mr Peruamal.Shaji seems to have put a deliberate effort to see that he aviods his super heroics and camera gimmicks....but unfortunately seems to have been too much overcautious.
The plot and the scenes unfold in the same manner as the prequel with captain rajus role donned by siddique.Perumal arrives to save the CM's life yet again.That is all that can be revelead as the rest would feel better on screen.
Mammmmotty as perumal has minimal punch scenes or dialogues which was the result of the care to preserve the true nature of the character,but the sequences in aug 15 was less intense to work that out.Mammooty has recreated perumal in his walks and styles and the role was indeed a cakewalk for him. Nedumudi as the Cm and Saikumar as the part secretary (Mocking achuthanandan and Pinarayi) have done their roles neatly enough.Siddique as the villain is the major negative in the movie.Aug 1 was equally shouldered by Captains villain role as well.Siddue though has performed credibly,the role lacks the solidness and shrewdness that captains role had.Roles of Meghna,shwetha,Jagathi etc has nothing mention worthy.
Perumaals BGM was well recieved but Capatins BGM in Aug1 was really felt missing in this.
Shaji Kailas seems to have tried to sort out his mysteries going for minimal gimmicks but he lets the plot loosen with the same.SN swami had nothing to be put in as an effort as he had to reshape most of the characters from the prequel (Though i completely agree that this was piled up to settle the losses of the movie DRONA,the makers do have responsibility to the crowd too).Some of siddiques ways to kill the CM didnt look proffessional at all....!
On the Whole Swami and Shaji can be happy in one aspect that they havent ruined the name of the prequel in the likes of Saaagr elyas Jackie or Balaram Vs Tharadas.This time atleast, the movie is watchable.
The plot and the scenes unfold in the same manner as the prequel with captain rajus role donned by siddique.Perumal arrives to save the CM's life yet again.That is all that can be revelead as the rest would feel better on screen.
Mammmmotty as perumal has minimal punch scenes or dialogues which was the result of the care to preserve the true nature of the character,but the sequences in aug 15 was less intense to work that out.Mammooty has recreated perumal in his walks and styles and the role was indeed a cakewalk for him. Nedumudi as the Cm and Saikumar as the part secretary (Mocking achuthanandan and Pinarayi) have done their roles neatly enough.Siddique as the villain is the major negative in the movie.Aug 1 was equally shouldered by Captains villain role as well.Siddue though has performed credibly,the role lacks the solidness and shrewdness that captains role had.Roles of Meghna,shwetha,Jagathi etc has nothing mention worthy.
Perumaals BGM was well recieved but Capatins BGM in Aug1 was really felt missing in this.
Shaji Kailas seems to have tried to sort out his mysteries going for minimal gimmicks but he lets the plot loosen with the same.SN swami had nothing to be put in as an effort as he had to reshape most of the characters from the prequel (Though i completely agree that this was piled up to settle the losses of the movie DRONA,the makers do have responsibility to the crowd too).Some of siddiques ways to kill the CM didnt look proffessional at all....!
On the Whole Swami and Shaji can be happy in one aspect that they havent ruined the name of the prequel in the likes of Saaagr elyas Jackie or Balaram Vs Tharadas.This time atleast, the movie is watchable.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Christian Brothers ----- Star show with less Impact
Ever since the success of T20 the tricky script makers of malluwood has announced their next mega project christian brothers.No price for guessing that most of the character and scnearios are all similar to other sibi udayan movies....not even sparing T20.
A storyline better than many of sibi udays recent flick was surely let down by a screenplay that was cooked up trying to create a show space for the four lead characters.Not going into the story line as it wouldnt be that easy narrating it here.
The movie promised to be treat for the fans and the screenplay was desperate to execute the same but one would feel it couldnt create the expected cheers in most of the places.The first half almost lost its way but made up with the hero intros and fights.The second half of the movie bores you with the predictability and poorly written flashback scenes of mohanlal lakshmi rai love track.Finally the star show ends up with the usual stars Vs Villains fight.
Mohanlals intro was one among his recent worsts though he made up for it in the next scene.The script was over laced with heroism and punch dialogues for him but went well only in parts.The scene lal mocking Suresh gopi that he would break out from the custody was a cool one.Lal looked out of sorts in songs but one should admit that whatever was given to him was well executed.Suresh Gopi shared good screen space and was as usual in his cop outfits.Sarath kumar has nothing to do except for a couple of fights.Dileeps comedy track could have been used to add some entertainment quotient to the overall movie.Saikumar excelled as Varghese mapilai,the father of the bros.Vijayaraghavan,suresh krishna,biju menon etc does their typical villain act.Kaniha,Lakshmis,kavya etc has to just show up.Suraj and Salim kumar yet again proved of their lesser impact these days.Music and song lyrics are irritating to the core!
Joshiy almost managed the 1st half pretty well(saving some scenes)....but let loose the 2nd half,which can be an outcome of the prolonged schedules of the movie.
On the whole the heads of the four stars in the posters can create some intrest among the moviegoers but the movie would not make the expected impact.
A storyline better than many of sibi udays recent flick was surely let down by a screenplay that was cooked up trying to create a show space for the four lead characters.Not going into the story line as it wouldnt be that easy narrating it here.
The movie promised to be treat for the fans and the screenplay was desperate to execute the same but one would feel it couldnt create the expected cheers in most of the places.The first half almost lost its way but made up with the hero intros and fights.The second half of the movie bores you with the predictability and poorly written flashback scenes of mohanlal lakshmi rai love track.Finally the star show ends up with the usual stars Vs Villains fight.
Mohanlals intro was one among his recent worsts though he made up for it in the next scene.The script was over laced with heroism and punch dialogues for him but went well only in parts.The scene lal mocking Suresh gopi that he would break out from the custody was a cool one.Lal looked out of sorts in songs but one should admit that whatever was given to him was well executed.Suresh Gopi shared good screen space and was as usual in his cop outfits.Sarath kumar has nothing to do except for a couple of fights.Dileeps comedy track could have been used to add some entertainment quotient to the overall movie.Saikumar excelled as Varghese mapilai,the father of the bros.Vijayaraghavan,suresh krishna,biju menon etc does their typical villain act.Kaniha,Lakshmis,kavya etc has to just show up.Suraj and Salim kumar yet again proved of their lesser impact these days.Music and song lyrics are irritating to the core!
Joshiy almost managed the 1st half pretty well(saving some scenes)....but let loose the 2nd half,which can be an outcome of the prolonged schedules of the movie.
On the whole the heads of the four stars in the posters can create some intrest among the moviegoers but the movie would not make the expected impact.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Combo Reviews
Watched a couple of movies which i dont wanna go gagaa on....But i feel they have to be recommended here..!
Dil To Bacha Hain Jee ---
A movie that could be watched with a smile throughout on your face....Too good performances from all the lead and supporting artists.Madhur Bhandarkar shows that he can very well handle light subjects too!
127 Hours ----
Danny Boyles outing this time is about a guy who gets his stuck in between the rocks of grand canyyon.Excellent camera/locations fuelled by some rocking bgms from the indian maestro,127 hours is truely inspiring to watch.Performance from the lead actor needs to be lauded too!
Aaadukalam -
Very entertaining movie.Good performance from dhanush.
Dil To Bacha Hain Jee ---
A movie that could be watched with a smile throughout on your face....Too good performances from all the lead and supporting artists.Madhur Bhandarkar shows that he can very well handle light subjects too!
127 Hours ----
Danny Boyles outing this time is about a guy who gets his stuck in between the rocks of grand canyyon.Excellent camera/locations fuelled by some rocking bgms from the indian maestro,127 hours is truely inspiring to watch.Performance from the lead actor needs to be lauded too!
Aaadukalam -
Very entertaining movie.Good performance from dhanush.
Makeup Man --- Manages to Entertain
Shafi's latest outing has struck the screens,when his own flick Marykkondoru kunjaadu is still continuing to be the favourite pick in the theatres.And one should say, to Shafis credit Makeup man isn't bad either.It provides the quotient of entertainment that is ever promised by a Shafi movie.
The movie is about someone who had to project himself has a makeupman to his wife,who again accidentally had to enter into the attire of a cine-actress.The confusion hide and seek dramas follow but ofcourse laced with typical humour from Suraj,Jayaram,Jagathi and Salimkumar.The movie might remind you of the love track in chocolate which again was penned by sachi sethu.The script goes places at times in the second half but shafi has managed to route the plot well enough to entertain and engage.
Jayaram as the title character was cool, wisely not opting for his strenuous expression-comedies that we saw in some of his latest flicks like happy husbands.Sheila looked beautiful as ever and was a bit of surprise to me as she performed above the benchmark that one would have pre set for her before entering the theatre.Siddique as the director was an impressive character which as usual was safe with him.Suraj-Salim kumar roams around with their usual stuff,which as usual works well enough.Jagathi,Janardhanan,Jagdish(though his stammering character with the magnifying glasses has been here before) etc too contributed to the fun.Cameos by Prithvi n Kunchacko boban fitted well into the plot.
The songs tuned by vidyasagr were impressive on the first hearing,did not get a chance to hear it a 2nd time!
Makeup man is definitely a time pass movie - But for Shafi the movie would have sank in the second half ,he indeed knows the viewer pulse!
The movie is about someone who had to project himself has a makeupman to his wife,who again accidentally had to enter into the attire of a cine-actress.The confusion hide and seek dramas follow but ofcourse laced with typical humour from Suraj,Jayaram,Jagathi and Salimkumar.The movie might remind you of the love track in chocolate which again was penned by sachi sethu.The script goes places at times in the second half but shafi has managed to route the plot well enough to entertain and engage.
Jayaram as the title character was cool, wisely not opting for his strenuous expression-comedies that we saw in some of his latest flicks like happy husbands.Sheila looked beautiful as ever and was a bit of surprise to me as she performed above the benchmark that one would have pre set for her before entering the theatre.Siddique as the director was an impressive character which as usual was safe with him.Suraj-Salim kumar roams around with their usual stuff,which as usual works well enough.Jagathi,Janardhanan,Jagdish(though his stammering character with the magnifying glasses has been here before) etc too contributed to the fun.Cameos by Prithvi n Kunchacko boban fitted well into the plot.
The songs tuned by vidyasagr were impressive on the first hearing,did not get a chance to hear it a 2nd time!
Makeup man is definitely a time pass movie - But for Shafi the movie would have sank in the second half ,he indeed knows the viewer pulse!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Arjunan Saakshi - Ends Up Nowhere
It is a common talk in cine field that the second film of the director is actually his first film ,in the sense that it would brief if he was a one film wonder/he is here to stay.After a decent debut with passenger,Renjith shankar this time had the company of prithviraj to display his thoughts in arjunan saaakshi.
The movie began well enough,where one would think there is a plot to play with.Prithvis introduction was cool enough and was well within the the movies wavelength.But thereafter the movie slowly lets you know that it is not gonna be anywhere near your expectations. The plot is all based on a letter to mathrubhumi from Arjunan,who claims to be the witness of Firoz Moopan,who was the Kochi dist. collector.The movie then revolves around the suspense element of Arjunan's identity.If passenger was a movie that deserved a low profile treatment,arjunan saakshi required a more energetic/aggressive/thrilling treatment. Unfortunately this is one place where the director has let the movie lose.
Prithvi as Roy Mathew does put up a decent performance though the dialogues penned for him were below par to register any great impact.Ann augustine does not have a great role to boast about but has handled it credibly enough.Mukesh,Jagathi,Nedumudi,vijayaraghavan,the villain group and the new muscleman avataar of noolunda fame vijeesh, all blends in well enough.
Music by Bijibaal suits to the mood that the theme demands,but the happenings in the screen often seemed to be too subtle for such heavy Bgms.
Ranjith shankars script and direction falls average,some of instances which would prove the same....
-scenes like the accident scenes looked incomplete and amateurish.
-One would wonder why Roy mathew takes the caravan to a ship to give a chance for the bad men to shoot him down...but guess what they don't get to do that!!!
-On a personal note i thought,arjunan should have shown his face in the climax...
somebody like sreenivasan smiling to the viewers after the climax court scene would made the movie end on a better note!
To draw to a close,Arjunan saakshi is for sure not a bad movie,at least for its thoughts, but has fallen apart to end up below passenger!
The movie began well enough,where one would think there is a plot to play with.Prithvis introduction was cool enough and was well within the the movies wavelength.But thereafter the movie slowly lets you know that it is not gonna be anywhere near your expectations. The plot is all based on a letter to mathrubhumi from Arjunan,who claims to be the witness of Firoz Moopan,who was the Kochi dist. collector.The movie then revolves around the suspense element of Arjunan's identity.If passenger was a movie that deserved a low profile treatment,arjunan saakshi required a more energetic/aggressive/thrilling treatment. Unfortunately this is one place where the director has let the movie lose.
Prithvi as Roy Mathew does put up a decent performance though the dialogues penned for him were below par to register any great impact.Ann augustine does not have a great role to boast about but has handled it credibly enough.Mukesh,Jagathi,Nedumudi,vijayaraghavan,the villain group and the new muscleman avataar of noolunda fame vijeesh, all blends in well enough.
Music by Bijibaal suits to the mood that the theme demands,but the happenings in the screen often seemed to be too subtle for such heavy Bgms.
Ranjith shankars script and direction falls average,some of instances which would prove the same....
-scenes like the accident scenes looked incomplete and amateurish.
-One would wonder why Roy mathew takes the caravan to a ship to give a chance for the bad men to shoot him down...but guess what they don't get to do that!!!
-On a personal note i thought,arjunan should have shown his face in the climax...
somebody like sreenivasan smiling to the viewers after the climax court scene would made the movie end on a better note!
To draw to a close,Arjunan saakshi is for sure not a bad movie,at least for its thoughts, but has fallen apart to end up below passenger!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Pave The Way For Traffic ---- Traffic My review
A movie that creates a deep sense of you being a part of it,a movie where you find yourself clapping off to situations that are devoid of super heroism/slapstick comedies,even more importantly a movie which wins your heart and lets you know the real value of your two hours and 50 bucks!......Traffic the movie has arrived!
Direction & Script
Brilliantly brought out by Rajesh pillai,traffic the movie takes you to the lives some independent mortals who are all coincidentally destined to meet for span of 12 hours.Not going to any details of the plot as i strictly recommend you to experience the plot unravel with all its surprise elements in tact.Traffic follows a narration that could have easily been confounding but Rajesh pillai has shown you the glimpse of the craft in him.All credits to Bobby Sanjay as well for not resorting to the tried,tested and tiring formulas.Kudos to the impeccable direction and script ,traffic happens to be the best thing that has happened to malayalam cinema for quite sometime!
Acting
In a script where situations are developed with so much intensity ,even look or a smile of a character seems to be an enthralling performance on screen.The actors in the movie are none new.Many of them might have welcomed booing in poorly worked out films as well,but Traffic shows how a strong and spotless plot can bring out the best in the actors.Kunchakko,Sreeni,Saikumar,Asif Ali,Lena,Rahman,Anoop Menon to the legendary villain of Malayalam cinema Jose Prakash who appears for a couple of scenes -- Congratz you were splendid on the celluloid!Certified by the overwhelming applauds of a content group of cine goers.
Music -
Music by Majo is full of life,keying up the viewer with the frantic developments in the screen!
Action!
Action sequences,especially the accidents were matchlessly simulated to go with the life of the movie!
Difference of opinion - Well,I did feel that Dr. Albes character should not resorted to talk to the phone call he receives towards the climax.That would have been a better ending to his episode!
Negatives - Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............Mmmmmmmmmmmmm........Mmmmmmmmm!
2010 end had shown some signs of brilliance in malayalam cinema with movies like cocktail,Pranchi etc .Let crap Masalas and nonsense movies pave the way for Movies like traffic!
Direction & Script
Brilliantly brought out by Rajesh pillai,traffic the movie takes you to the lives some independent mortals who are all coincidentally destined to meet for span of 12 hours.Not going to any details of the plot as i strictly recommend you to experience the plot unravel with all its surprise elements in tact.Traffic follows a narration that could have easily been confounding but Rajesh pillai has shown you the glimpse of the craft in him.All credits to Bobby Sanjay as well for not resorting to the tried,tested and tiring formulas.Kudos to the impeccable direction and script ,traffic happens to be the best thing that has happened to malayalam cinema for quite sometime!
Acting
In a script where situations are developed with so much intensity ,even look or a smile of a character seems to be an enthralling performance on screen.The actors in the movie are none new.Many of them might have welcomed booing in poorly worked out films as well,but Traffic shows how a strong and spotless plot can bring out the best in the actors.Kunchakko,Sreeni,Saikumar,Asif Ali,Lena,Rahman,Anoop Menon to the legendary villain of Malayalam cinema Jose Prakash who appears for a couple of scenes -- Congratz you were splendid on the celluloid!Certified by the overwhelming applauds of a content group of cine goers.
Music -
Music by Majo is full of life,keying up the viewer with the frantic developments in the screen!
Action!
Action sequences,especially the accidents were matchlessly simulated to go with the life of the movie!
Difference of opinion - Well,I did feel that Dr. Albes character should not resorted to talk to the phone call he receives towards the climax.That would have been a better ending to his episode!
Negatives - Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............Mmmmmmmmmmmmm........Mmmmmmmmm!
2010 end had shown some signs of brilliance in malayalam cinema with movies like cocktail,Pranchi etc .Let crap Masalas and nonsense movies pave the way for Movies like traffic!
