Showing posts with label Malayalam Movie Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malayalam Movie Review. Show all posts
What do you call a film that is terribly confused and actually not sure of what it wants to deliver? What would you term a film that is not sure of itself and that switches from one mode to the next, hoping all the while to eventually deliver the goods? You call it ‘Film Star’.
We begin with the impression that this is going to be a film about a wannabe scenarist Nandan (Dileep) who has been striving hard to read out his script to Superstar Surya Kiran (Kalabhavan Mani) for the last couple of years. Finally he does meet Surya, but is shown the door in no time. Dejected he disappears, leaving the script with the actor.
Shaping a career in films could be a tough game indeed. But imagine your surprise when you realise that this movie isn’t about film making at all. Its about more critical issues like expansion and its pitfalls, and at a deeper level, plain exploitation.
Confused? Nandan has scripted a film based on his own life, and how he and his fellow slum dwellers were forcefully displaced from their homes, when a factory was established n their small village. Those who had opposed the establishment had become martyrs, and Nandan himself had lost his hearing and half a leg.
Surya Kiran decides to film the script, and the actor along with his crew heads for the said village to start shooting. For those of you, who wonder if the actor hasn’t heard of shooting sets, let me tell you that Surya Kiran has some ulterior motives in mind.
The first few minutes of the film has none other than Suraj Venjarammoodu in the role of a car thief, and you wonder if this is going to be a crass comedy. No, its not, as Suraj Venjarammoodu vanishes without a trace, making us wonder if his was a cameo appearance.
Talking of cameos reminds me of Dileep himself, who does just a little more than a guest appearance. I am still at a loss as to why he had agreed to do the role in the first place; a role that could easily have been done by any supporting actor. Salim Kumar too makes an equally brisk entry and exit.
You remind yourself that is a movie that deals with movies, when you see Rambha on screen playing herself. Fans, do not keep your hopes high, since she’s there barely in a song and in another scene. Mukta George is there as well, in a much lengthier but not necessarily a meatier role.
I do agree that a superstar who is busy doing commercial masala flicks might dress gaudily for his films. But what excuse does Kalabhavan Mani have for those showy, gross costumes that he otherwise flaunts on and off the sets?
Film Star is an utter disappointment all the way. As an entertainer it neither entertains and as a film it neither interests nor inspires.
Rating : 2/5 – Courtesy : NowRunning
Krishna (Vikram) is a mentally-challenged adult whose wife dies while giving birth to his daughter Vennela (Baby Sarah). He works in a chocolate factory and is being helped by his colleagues and owner. When Vennela is 5 years old, she is forcibly taken by her grandfather (Sachin Khedekar). The rest of the story is all about how he wages a legal battle with him for his daughter with the help of a young lawyer (Anushka).
Vikram comes up with another spellbinding performance as a mentally-challenged person. You will see only the character in this movie. He looks very cute despite playing a uncomfortable character. He is bound to win awards for his phenomenal portrayal. Baby Sarah has done a terrific work. She dominated Vikram at times. She is helped by a beautiful characterization. Anushka is pretty good in a supporting role. Amala Paul resembles Deepika Padukone in a few angles and she is perfect. Nassar and Sachin Khedekar have done justice.
Story – screenplay – direction: The story of this film is loosely inspired by the Hollywood flick ‘I am Sam’. It has a nice story line. Director Vijay is sensible and has a class of his own. It reflects in the way he narrated the story and in the way he seamlessly blended humor. There is a nice feel throughout the movie. Screenplay in the second half is pretty good. It is very difficult to succeed in sustaining interest when the entire second half is dominated by the court scenes. There are many scenes in this movie (especially father-daughter combination one) that are heart-touching. Director Vijay succeeds in narrating the story in interesting way without falling prey for the commercial elements.
Other departments: Music by GV Prakash Kumar complements the mood of the movie. None of the songs look forced. Cinematography by Nirav Shah is excellent. I loved the way the scooter song is canned with slow-mo camera. The story-telling song is highly creative. The sets are realistic (especially the chocolate factory and court-room interiors). Editing is fine. Dialogues are neat and heart-touching at times. Producers Malla Vijay Prasad and Santosham Suresh risked a bit and it is worth it.
Beginning of the film is slow. First half of the film is neat though lengthy and devoid of story. Second half is pacy with good screenplay and drama. Plus points of the film are performances (Vikram and Baby Sarah), second half screenplay and classy direction. On the flip side the first half of the film needs trimming as it’s too lengthy. On a whole, Nanna is a decent film with nice sentiment. The success of the movie will depend on the mouth talk and how the family crowds in A/B centers patronize it.
Rating : 3/5 – Its A Beautiful Movie
The critical point that the makers of ‘Collector’ have missed out on, is that gone are the days when you could craft a film based on a central character, bestow some bureaucratic power on him, dig into some political issues, create a ruckus and keep the audience entertained.
Collector has Suresh Gopi playing the title role, and he is Avinash Verma in the film, the District Collector of Cochin. Assuming office, Verma has to take heads on several kingpins who rule the underworld of Cochin. Of these, Williams (Rajeev) the real estate mafia don proves to be a deadly opponent to the officer.
There are not many situations in the film, that you haven’t seen in several other films that have been moulded on the same lines. As usual, there is an extremely benevolent leftist Chief Minister who goes out of his way to lend a hand to the smart officer in charge. In Collector, it is, for the umpteenth time, Janardhanan again donning the role of the CM.
The supporting characters lose no time in falling into a line and occupy either of the two sides in the battle. Along with the Collector, there is ACP Revathy and social activist Arundhati. The City Police Commissioner, along with a couple of corrupt ministers and officials rally behind Williams.
The strength is almost evenly distributed on both sides. For instance, to counter the feminine power on the Collector’s side, we have the Lady Mayor along with Williams. And true to the spirit, the Collector has a doting mother at home, who at one point is forced to throw him out due to his excessive affinity towards his duty.
Its not a mere war of words that Anil C Menon has envisaged. There is a terror element thrown in for that extra effect. And these bad men are real mean in the film. They kill each other with a vengeance, and the battle soon gets real bloody.
Much chaos and confusion later, the dust finally settles down and justice is served. Truth and honesty is rewarded. And all is well with the world. Pretty good, except that the Collector reminds us of a King or a Commissioner. And its not a relieving thought that we might have to sit through the dare devil antics of lesser officers now, since all the higher ones have already been taken.
Suresh Gopi is quite comfortable playing the Collector. He is more like the Commissioner himself, minus the khaki uniform and the English dialogues. He does his job well, as he has already done a million times. Rajeev is quite good as well, as the cut throat villain.
Collector fits into the socio-political thriller genre in Malayalam films to the ‘T’. The film tries to speak a lot, but the fact is that not many are in a mood to listen. For, we have seen it all.
Rating : 2/5 – Courtesy : NowRunning
The much awaited film of 2011 Vineeth Sreenivasan starrer Chaappa Kurishu hit the screens this week, but to the surprise of many the movie have not gone down well with the critics and cinegoers.It seems despite of an engaging story line the movie fails in critical departments.
Well let’s see what constitutes Chaapa kurisu, mmm, so the story, what is it all about,A very thin story is what i could feel,Arjun (Fahad Fasil) and Soniya (Ramya Nambeesan) are the centre of this slick flick, the story revolves around a mobile that reaches the hands of Vineeth sreenivasan which contains a scandal clip of the hero and heroine getting cozy with each other, what vineeth does with this, and how he does a cat and mouse with hero Fahad constitutes the rest of the story. I dont want to reveal too much about the story, because that is the only possible fun element in this entire movie.
Ramya Nambeesan once again stands out with her acting par excellence and stunns the audience.But unlike Traffc, and Malaravadi the movie fails drastically to impress the audience.Vineeth Srinivasan and Fahad have not done justice to their roles.Roma does well in parts, but she too could have been utilized in a much better way.
The only plus point of the movie is its story in parts and some truly touching music.But even the story doesn’t do any noted justice to the world famous 1000 True Stories.
The Director Sameer Thahir have failed miserably in building up what could have been otherwise an intriguing film with some cool moments.Even the background music department failed big time.The stroy written by R.Unni is unnecessarily elongated and is a total tragedy.A producer of Listin Stephen’s caliber who gave us all wonderful movies like Traffic could actually be a hand burning experience and not to mention Chaapa Kurishu could well become a “True Kurishu.”
As far as the audience response and box-office collections are concerned, Chaapa is a boring experience and will have to wait for some miracles to get the expected level of ticket-sales and could well be a box-office disaster.Well, what can we say, better luck next time.
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