Kappalu Muthalaali

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Ramesh Pisharadi, Mukesh, Jagadeesh, Jagathi, Bheeman Raghu, Sarayoo
Direction : Thaha
Music : Sumesh Anand, Mohan Sithara

Malayalam cine field has witnessed the rising of many youthful stars in the last 10-12years, Some of them are Kunjakko Boban, Prithviraj, Jayasurya, Narein etc. But it is a fact no one had given consistent hits and has got a stable place in the viewer's mind (including Prithviraj). This shows that still the film industry is ruled by the two giants that came in the beginning of 80's.

Viewers won't easily accept and allow a popular figure from the mini screen to become a star in feature films. A rare exceptional case like Suraaj Venjaramood is there. He came to the field as a comedian and exists due to his peculiarity in using the "thiruvanthoram" slang. He has also acted as hero in a film ('Duplicate'), but it was not a big hit. Since he is getting many supporting comedian roles, he won't take another risk to do central character. After became popular through the caricature show (Bluff Masters) in Asianet and many stage shows, Ramesh Pisharadi comes in the lead role in the new malayalam film, 'Kappalu Muthalaali'. He did a role in the film 'Positive' before.

Years before, directors-duo Asokan Thaha got splitted, after delivering films like 'Mookkilla Rajyathu' and 'Sandhram'; Then Thaha became independent and done films like 'Varaphalam', ''Five Star Hospital', 'Gajarajamanthram', Ee Parakkum Thalika', 'Kerala House Udan Vilppanakku' etc. His last film, 'Hailesa' with Suresh Gopi was "horrible" and it became a big flop. It is a matter of time that one lucky project can change the fame of any director.


Ramesh Pisharadi does the role of a protagonist, who belongs to a middle class family. He is working in the Regional Passport Office. He bought some land with the money he received when he took voluntary retirement. He decided to build a resort. When the construction process goes on, he got the remains of a big sailing boat, which was buried underground. (We are informed that the current location was a part of sea hundreds of years ago and the boat got drowned. As period changed, the water disappeared and the whole part became land, hence the result). Now the particular land caught attention in the media and the archeology department came to the scene, they wants to recover the place as the govt property. How the hero and his companions tried to fight the situation is shown humorously through 'Kappalu Muthalaali'.


The opening scenes showing the "Yamalogam" looks like a fancy dress competition. The art work is suitable for a district court and the comedy used there is good for a mimics drama only. Anyway the script writers (Thaha and Saji Damodar) took an anticipatory bail by showing it as a dream sequence. The two songs the film are not good and its visuals are good for a third class film; it shows the non professionalism of both the director and the choreographer (a non familiar name). The two songs are shown as a part of certain situations, then we don't know why the heroine is also included unnecassarily there. If the hero is not comfortable in dancing, then whats the use in forcing him to do steps. The climax portions are cinematic and it looks like deliberately shown to create a tension. The scenes where the hero chasing the boat and the elephant helping the hero are clearly understood as cheating shots. So there was no need for such a climax. The boat that got buried in the ground look like a new one, hence it is not easy to believe as they tells that it came here hundreds and hundreds of years before. Hence the story told behind the boat is not a convincing one.


Ramesh Pisharadi has managed the role to a certain extend, with the big experience he got in front of the camera so far (he can be included as a team player). Jagathi did well as the NRI, especially his car driving scene is notable. There were also some comedy dialogues in the movie here and there. Sarayu, who acted in the film 'Sulthan' before, is ok. She is having a tele-serial face rather than a cinematic one. Sadath is the cinematographer of the film.


Since the theme is not bad, the creators of 'Kappalu Muthalaali' should have done more homework on the scripting side (by excluding some unwanted situations, songs etc) and a neat professionalism on the making side also. So if you got bulk hours as free time, then watch it keeping this in mind.


Rating : 5.5 / 10

Naan Avan Illai 2

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Jeevan, Sangeetha, Lakshmi Rai, Swetha Menon, Sruthi, Mayilsami
Director : Selva
Music : D Imman


'Naan Avan Illai' is a superhit film by Gamini Ganesan that released 35years before. The film was remade two years before with the same name and was acted by Jeevan ('Kaakka Kaakka', 'Thiruttu Payale' fame), Sneha, Namitha, Malavika, Jyothirmayi etc. It was directed by Selva (director of films like 'Karna' and 'Puthayal'). The director wants to repeat the success and now its second part has released with the title 'Naan Avan Illai 2'. It has got heroines like Sangeetha, Lakshmi Rai, Swetha Menon, Sruthi etc to support the hero.

The theme of the previous version was the cheating done by the hero towards five girls on different occasions. When a case is filed against him, he denies all charges by telling "naan avan illai" (i am not the person you are looking for).

In the second part also the concept is same; the major change happens is the foreign location with another five girls. He had robbed a bulk amount of money from each and has spent for a good cause. Here also he repeats that he is not the particular person they are all looking, but he gets into an argument by telling that the girls chosen by him are not cent percent correct in their characters. All of them had their own bad habits, which paved the way to lose their money in the end.

The director had included a group song for the hero along with the girls and also separate duets for each pair (hero being the same all the time). The theme itself is not good, so no use in telling that the treatment is not interesting. The police officer in the first version, who is also the uncle of a victim lady, reaches abroad to identify the culprit. Simply, the hero denies all by telling "naan avan illai"; we are made fool of ourselves by the creators. It looks like the director wants to make another version with the same title, since the culprit is not yet caught in the end. The body language of the hero Jeevan is horrible; It is not good for a hero, he will be suited well in villain roles, like he did in 'Kaakka Kaakka'.

D.Imman had given some fast songs, "manmadha leelai..." remix is also included; his background score is noisy. Balamurugan did the cinematography.


In the story of 'Naan Avan Illai 2', the hero is shown making fool of the heroines and I became a fool of myself, watching it.


Rating : 4 / 10

Yogi

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Ameer Sulthan, Madhumitha, Vincent Asokan, Ponvannan
Director : Subramanyam Siva
Music : Yuvan Shankar Raja


Though director Ameer gave tamil films like 'Mounam Pesiyathe' and 'Raam', he became distinguishable through the film 'Paruthiveeran' acted by Karthi and Priyamani. After a short gap, he comes with his new project. He has written the script and produced the film, but he is not in the director's role. He has acted as the hero in the new film 'Yogi'. Probably, he has followed the path of his seniors like Cheran, Rajkapoor, Manivannan, Soundar Rajan etc who were all directors turned actors. 'Yogi' is directed by the man who gave films like 'Thiruda Thirudi' (Dhanush) and Pori (Jeeva), Subramanyam Siva.


'Yogi' tells the story of street rowdies. The hero (Yogi) belongs to the slums of Chennai. He and his gang involves in all the illegal activities like the robbery and the murders. As a part of escaping from the police chase, he robbed a car parked in front of a shop. When he was about to leave the car in a far away distance, he got a baby from it. He took the baby to his houseand came to know that a business man (second husband of baby's mother) is spending lot of money to find it. But he don't want the baby to be alive. He wants the properties and the belongings of the lady to be registered to his hand. In the mean time, there develops an emotional relationship between the baby and the hero. Anyway in the end, the baby is brought back to the father. But the latter tries to kill the baby and it leads to the climax fight. What happens to the hero, the villain and the baby etc are told here.


Yogi' cannot be classified into the gangster type movies given by the director Ramgopal varma or the realistic movies like 'Subramanyapuram' and 'Nadodikal' done by many new faces. It is sad to see that the script writer has copied "the baby and hero episode" from the malayalam flop film, 'Mulla'. But the fact is that 'Yogi' is a carbon copy of a South Afrcian film, 'Tsotsi' that released 4 years before.


Ameer, as the hero has done as far he can, but he doesn't looks confident in some areas. His body language in the dance scenes are not good.The snake scenes are shown to deliver the roughness of the hero character, but some where, it felt cinematic. The family portions of the hero shown in the flashback, resembles the Dhanush film 'Pudhuppettai'. Madhumitha, who acted in films like 'Englishkkaran' and 'Boy Friend'(mal) before, has done her role well.


Stunt master Rajasekhar gave a couple of fast fight scenes. Songs by Yuvan Shankar Raja are not appealing, especially the first one is too noisy. His background score helped to maintain the tempo. Cinematographers Gurudev & Devraj have done their job as the script demanded.



'Yogi' tells the story of underworld, where the rough and tough hero changes his character when a baby comes to his life; but there is nothing big here which can attract you.


Rating : 5 / 10

Neelathaamara

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Kailash, Archana Kavi, Rima Kallingal, Sredevi Unni, Samvritha Sunil, Suresh
Sript : MT Vasudevan Nair
Director : Lal Jose
Music : Vidyasagar


Director Lal Jose is a prominent name in the malayalam cine field. He has given notable films like 'Oru Maravathoor Kanavu', 'Meesamadhavan', 'Chandranudikkunna Dikkil', 'Chandupottu' etc His last few films like 'Achanurangaatha Veedu' and 'Mulla' were not hits. Now he has got a golden chance to direct the legendary writer MT Vasudevan Nair's work. In the last 20years, MT had written script for directors like Hariharan (films like 'OVV', 'ESJ', 'Parinayam' and 'KVP'), IV Sasi ('Midhya'), Bharathan ('Thaazhvaaram'), K.S.Sethumadhavan ('Venalkkinavukal'), Sibi Malayil ('Sadhayam'), Harikumar ('Sukrutham'), Ajayan ('Perumthachan'), Venu ('Dhaya'), Kannan ('Theerthadanam') and also a couple of them for his own direction ('Kadavu' and 'Oru Cheru Punjiri'). The new film for Lal Jose, 'Neelathaamara' is not a fresh subject. It is the remake of an old film with the same name that got released 30years before. It was directed by Yusafali Kecheri; Ravikumar, Sathaar, Ambike etc did the main roles.


This 'Neelathaamara' is produced by Suresh Kumar under the banner Revathy Kalamandhir. New faces like Kailash, Archana, Suresh, Sreedevi Unni, the three film older Rima Kallingal, Samvritha etc are in the main cast. Unlike the old version, here the director had included three songs; Vidyasagar had given some good numbers here.


The film opens in the current period when the youngest member in the family reaches her native village as a part of a video production. The grandmother's (Sreedevi Unni) niece cum daughter-in-law (Jaya) and a lady (Parvathi) also visits the house hearing about her disease. The flashback portions are shown through the memory of those characters. Almost three decades before, you can see the poor young girl (Archana, doing the younger age role of Parvathi) reaching the big house as a servant, where the mother and her son (Kailas) alone stays. He has completed his studies and is waiting for the result. He gets into an affair with the servant girl. She gets a friend (Rima) who is also a servant in the neighbor house, to share her feelings. Later, the hero's marriage is fixed with a rich girl (Samvritha, doing younger age role of Jaya). What happens to the cheated girl, the bride and the other characters are shown later.


The film mainly highlights on the relationship between the hero and the servant girl. There is nothing unpredictable here. In the first few scenes itself, the story is understood. Hence the script and the dialogues by MT becomes the main attraction. The concept of the flower "neelathaamara", the conversation between the neighbors, the lunch menu given by the grandmother, the quotes regarding the steps in the house, the mention of the disease of the singer character etc are some of the areas which we can't witness in the films now a days. The director had presented the film as the script demands. The performance of the new heroine Archana and the new hero Kailash were good. They are promising talents, where the industry can utilize. Casting a new face like Sreedevi Unni (later actress Monisha's mother) in the grandmother's role also felt different. Rima Kallingal had also made her role notable. Using the old non popular hindi song by Yesudas, "zid na karo..." in the background (as if from the radio) for the romantic scene, the telegram shot, remarks about the bridge, close up of the calendar etc are all sequences done to establish the period.


The performance of the old lady who accompanies the heroine girl looks amateur and the dubbing given to her character by Anandavalli is also not matching. The quarreling between the couple felt dramatic in few shots. The divide in the relationship between the lovers happens all of a sudden. Here and there, you are having the after effect of the film 'Nandanam'. The selection of heroine's old age character done by Parvathi is good, but old age character of Samvritha is not a real prototype. Director's boldness to include songs is good, which can in turn becomes a promotion factor for an ordinary film (theme wise) like this. Since I have not seen the old version, no scope for a comparison here.


Vidyasagar's background score is good. Cinematographer Vijay Ulaganathan ('Madambi' fame) gave colorful frames without any gimmicks.


'Neelathaamara', acted by many new faces is told in the village background. It is not extraordinary and it won't surprise you also; but it is a fact that this film highlights certain situations which we can't see usually in commercial films these days...


Rating : 8 / 10

Peraanmai

Medium : Tamil
Starring : 'Jayam' Ravi, Vasundhara, Saranya, Varsha, Dhanshika, Liyasree, Roland Kickinger
Direction : SP Jananathan
Music : Vidyasagar

The media is so strong these days that we are able to get the news of a newly started film by any actor in any language. I also take an extra interest in collecting such data. Most of my friends also seek my help in such a matter. So questions like "what is actor X doing now?", "what is next film by director Y?", "who is the heroine in the film Z?" etc generally comes before me. But as far as the new film 'Peraanmai', I was totally blank. Even after watching its trailer in a tv channel, i thought that it won't be a notable one, since 'Jayam' Ravi coming in the guest appearance and that too in a action role with many new faces supported by Vadivelu, Ponvannan and Urvasi. Since the film's director, SP Jananathan has also not given any super hits before ('Iyarkkai' and 'E' being his previous projects), I didn't showed any affection towards the project. With such a mood I decided to watch the show.


'Peraanmai', produced by Ayngaran International, opens by showing the arrangements of a new rocket launching from the space station. The hero ('Jayam' Ravi) belongs to a tribal family. He studied and has become a forest guard by his hard work. When a group of students reaches the college situated near the forest as a part of the NCC camp, he was assigned the job of training them. The five notorious girls in the group were not interested in his lecture from the beginning, thinking that he belongs to the lower caste and tribe. They tried many fowl plays to get him out of the camp. As a part of vigorous training in the deep forest, those five girls were taken by the instructor. On the way, they met with an accident and got stuck up in the forest. In their journey, they found the enemy gang including 16 foreign terrorists who has trespassed the area. Their mission was to block the launching of the new rocket. The hero and his girls decided to guard the land and to kill the enemies thus paved the way for a smooth launch. This is what 'Peraanmai' discussed here.


This is the first action film for 'Jayam' Ravi, who had so far done the majority chocolate roles only. I was also surprised to see him in the real tribal appearance which shows his dedication for doing such a role. The new girls had done their roles well. The action scenes used in the film are good. The film has got excellent visual effects sequences, especially the rocket launching station is neatly designed accompanied by a good art work. Background score by Vidyasagar gives the deserved feel. Vadivelu is not needed in such a small role. The attitude of the students towards the teacher, sometimes resembles the situation in the film 'Chak De India'.


The script writer - director SP Jananathan needs claps for rendering such a story, which is shot majority in the thick forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. He got the good support from the new cinematographer Satheesh Kumar, who captured the real beauty and the hazrads in the nature. The dialogues used in the film are good, especially the hero character telling the value of the land, commodities, national integration etc are inspiring. The hero giving clarification for each and very steps are also notable.


We have seen many English films where the similar theme has been discussed. Since this film is in tamil and its name is 'Peraanmai'(?), which is directed by a non-popular film personality and the hero is also not a big name in the Indian film industry, no one will listen for me even if I give a good certificate.


'Peraanmai' is a time pass. It is an action film told in the background of dense forests where the young hero and his students guard the nation's prestige from a group of foreign invaders.


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Kurbaan

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Ompuri, Kareena Kapoor, Dia Mirza
Director : Rensil D'silva
Music : Salim Sulaiman


Karan Johar is a big name in the bollywood industry. He has directed films like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Kabhi Khushu Kabhi Ghum' and 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and he is also the producer of films like 'Kaal', 'Kal Ho Na Ho', 'Dostana', 'Wake Up Sid' and now 'Kurbaan'. The producer has written the story of the film also and the script writer - director is a new name in the field, Rensil D'silva (He has shared credits of screen play writing in films like 'Luck' and 'Rang De Basanthi').


The film deals with the issue of international terrorism and its influence on the society. Ehsan Khan (Saif ) is a professor in the Delhi University where Avanthika (Kareena) also does the same profession. They loved each other and married. Both of them reached US, when she gets a job in an University there. He also gets a part-time tutor's job. They stays in a locality where the majority are muslims.

Once, a girl from their neighborhood, came to Avanthika asking for help telling that her life is in danger. As per her request, she passes the message to a news reporter (Dia) and her colleague (Vivek). The unstable surroundings gave some fowl smell to Avantika and she accidentally came to know about the illegal activities going on there. How she manages to get out of the trap, what happens to her husband, how the journalist helps them are all shown in the later portions.


The film is presented well by the new director. The colorful visuals by the cinematographer Hemant Chathurvedi ('Company', 'Maqbool' and 'Dus Kahaniya' fame) helped to give a serious mood. Salim-Sulaiman had given an excellent background score, 'sukranallah...' song is also notable. All the artists have done their roles well. The scene at the lecture hall where Vivek Oberoi open up, is interesting.


The hero's character is a suspense, but the circumstances around him gives us a clue about it in the earlier portions itself. The scenes involving FBI officials should have been done more seriously. The anti climax portions including the train scenes are ok. As an extension to the climax, what will be happening to such a new born baby should have been mentioned. The resemblance of the tamil film 'Kuruthippunal' by Kamalhassan (adapted from 'Drohkaal' in hindi) is there in few scenes.


The theme of 'Kurbaan' is very relevant in the current era; you can watch it once.


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Chemistry

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mukesh, Jagathi, Vineeth, Sharanya Mohan, Shilpa Bala
Direction : Viji Thamby
Music : M.Jayachandran, Vinu Kiriyath


Came to the field as an assistant to Balachandra Menon, Viji Thamby had started his direction career by giving the film 'David David Mr David' in the late 80's. Even after 25 years in the field, he didn't get a chance to direct many films with the superstars "M" and "M". Only one being, 'Soorya Manasam' with Mammootty. He was known as the minimum guarantee director. Some of his notable films include 'Thiruthalvaadhi', 'Simhavalan Menon', 'Kunukkitta Kozhi', 'Witness', 'Nanma Ninranjavan Sreenivasan', 'Nagarangalil Chennu Rapparkkam', 'Avittam Thirunal Arogya Sreeman', 'Sathyameva Jayathe' etc. Films like 'Nammal Thammil', 'Bada Dosth' and 'Krithyam' etc which came in the last few years were not successful. His new film 'Chemistry' has got the tag line "Che-Mystery", it is based on a real incident happened many months back. The script writer of the film is Vinu Kiriyath.


The film opens with the death of three school students. The police officer (Mukesh) is in charge of the investigation. His close relative (Sharanya Mohan) gets an admission in the new batch. She is being accommodated in the same hostel room where one among the dead stayed. As days passed on, some mental changes happened to the girl. She came to know about the villain through the "spirit", who enters her body. The police came to know about the culprit and he is destroyed in the end.


'Chemistry' should have been treated as an investigation subject. But the addition of unwanted comedy situations and the scenes involving the heroine losing her mental balance (resembles the scenes in 'Vismayathumbath' and 'Vellinakshatram') has made the environment more polluted. The comedy situation given to Jagathi (he says the letter 'F' in place of 'S', when he talks) and Harisree Asokan, shows the non-professionalism of the script writer. The shot in which the SI (Vijayakumar)looking at the laptop regarding the nude pictures as a part of enquiry, shouldn't have shown like that. It is an area where the complete seriousness of the whole situation is lost. The introduction of the heroine girl in the class looked dramatic. The song "muthuchippi..." is not good with such a beginning line; more over it happens all on a sudden and it is also not needed in such a situation in the film, "vandematharam..." song has got visuals which does not have any link between each other.



'Chemistry' has got many negatives to cover the very few positives. The creators of this film should watch the tamil film 'Eeram' (that released at the same week here) and analyze how horror based murder investigation subjects can be handled neatly.


Rating : 5.5 / 10

Eeram

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Aadhi, Nandha, Sindhu Menon, Sharanya Mohan
Direction : Arivazhagan
Producer : Director Shankar
Music : Thaman

S-Pictures is a successive production banner in tamil; they gave films like 'Kaathal', 'Veyil' and 'Himsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi'. Don't you know that the banner is owned by super hit director in tamil, Shankar ('Shivaji-The Boss', 'Anniyan', 'Indian' fame)? It is also appreciative that many new directors are getting a chance through him and also different creativity are happening in tamil, in such a way. Each films came under this banner had got unique themes. Now their latest project, 'Eeram' is different in its title itself. It is a horror based murder investigation subject. Aadhi ('Mrigam' fame), Nandha ('Punnagai Poove', 'Mounam Pesiyathe' fame) and Sindhu Menon have acted in the lead roles.

The story is mainly based in an apartment which forms the background of majority of scenes. The film begins with a murder happened to one of the prominent characters in the story. The investigation is handled by the ACP (Aadhi). While the case study goes on, a series of murder happens. At the same time, the flash back story of the hero and the heroine is also shown, which gives a lead to the current investigation. In the end, the cause for the murders and the real culprit is revealed.

The excellent presentation of the film is notable. The lighter bluish color grading of the film makes it more serious. Aadhi has got a different appearance compared to his tough look in 'Mrigam'. All the artists have performed well, especially Sindhu Menon. The romantic scenes in the flashback are neatly done. By giving good visuals, Manoj Pramahamsa (former associate to cinematographer Saravanan) had done a good job behind the camera. Music director Thaman (he was one among the gang in the film 'Boys') had given background score matching the mood. There is a scene in the film, where the 'water' from a tap becoming a villain which is good enough to prove the talent of the new director.


'Eeram' is a murder investigation thriller told in a different style. Such a variety of subjects still happens in other languages and are accepted well by their audience.


Rating : 8 / 10

Tum Mile

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Imran Hashmi, Soha Ali Khan
Direction : Kunal Deshmukh
Music : Pritam


Started doing films in the 70's, director Mahesh Bhatt had given a variety of films ('Lahoo Ke Do Rang', 'Arth', 'Sadak', 'Aashique', 'Dil Hai Ke Mantha Nahin', 'Criminal' etc) throughout his career. Now he is a successive producer in the bollywood since last 10years, his different taste as a producer is evident in films like 'Murder', 'Raaz', Gangster' etc. Imraan Hashmi, who happened to be his relative also is introduced through Bhatt productions. Now, the new film 'Tum Mile' from the same banner had got Imran Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan (Saif Ali Khan's sister & Sharmila Tagore's daughter) in lead roles. She has done films like 'Mumbai Meri Jaan' and 'Range De Basanthi' before. 'Tum Mile' is directed by Kunal Deshmukh ('Jannat' fame).


The film starts with a flight journey from Cape Town to Mumbai, where the hero and the heroine meets after a period of 6years. The flashback is shown where he is an unsuccessful painting artist and she is an editor in a journal. Anyway they loved each other and began to live together. The problem in getting a stable job for the husband has created ego problems gradually. It ended up in a split. Now they meets after a long gap, reached the native. Now the current episode is told in the background of the floods that hit Mumbai, years before. The hero and the heroine got stuck up in the middle of water. Their reunion and how they get out of the hurdles is what the film tells in the later portions.


The first half mainly concentrates on the relationship between the hero and the heroine, which is done neatly. Maybe we have seen it many times before, but when it comes in the living together matter it differs. The second half has got the flood episode. The director had managed it by showing the television news. Since those visuals are familiar to us, sometimes it has got a documentary feeling also. The art director had got a tough job to do, by creating a street set with full of water. The water scenes inside the building is inspired from the hollywood hit, 'Titanic'. The flooded area should not have been restricted within a single location. Playing cards inside the bus in the middle of big chaos is not a good sight. Hero finding the girl again in the rainy atmosphere in the big city and he particularly saving the child from the accident, is a cliche.


'Tum Mile' is not a big bet. It is a love story which begins in Cape Town and ends in the flooded Mumbai.


Rating : 6.5 / 10

Kandein Kaathale

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Bharath, Thamanna, Santhanam
Direction : R.Kannan
Music : Vidyasagar


Yet another remake subject has been released. This time there is an U-turn, from hindi to tamil. Shahid Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor starrer super hit film 'Jab We Met, directed by Imtiaz Ali ('Love Aaj Kal' fame) has been remade as 'Kandein Kathale' with young actor Bharath and the current sensation Thamanna. It is produced by Moserbaer and distributed by Sun Pictures. The film is directed by
R Kannan.


The film tells the story of an young business man (Bhararth). After being frustrated with the official matters, he left the city. On the way he met the heroine (Thamanna). Though he doesn't like her smartness in the beginning, gradually he adjusted with her behaviors. He accompanies the girl to her native. Her marriage is fixed with her relative (Santhanam) whom she doesn't like. Anyway she ran from the house with the hero and he leaves her at the lover's residence. He is back in the city as a new man. Inspired by her attitude, he has got immense growth in career. After few months her relatives reaches his office in search of the girl. He agrees them to find her soon. Whether he is capable of meeting her this time is where the story of 'Kandein Kaathale' ends.


The attraction of the film is the performance of Thamanna. Bharath had also given good support to her. Vidyasagar had given some good songs and a neat background score. Cinematographer, Muthiah had given colorful frames. Different from the hindi atmosphere, there are some comedy sequences added at the heroine's house. R Kannan, the director who gave the hit film 'Jayam Kondaan' before, had not done anything bad here. But, as always the original version stands above the remake.


'Kandein Kaathale' is an entertainer. If you had missed 'Jab We Met', you can watch this remake version as a substitute.


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Innocent, Jayasurya, Anoop Menon, Meera Nandan
Direction : Joshy Mathew
Music : S.P.Venkitesh

Three directors, Dennis Joseph ('Manu Uncle', 'Adharvam' fame), Joshy Mathew ('Nakshatrakkoodaram', 'Oru Kadamkadha Pole' fame) and Jose Thomas ('Saadharam', 'Mattuppetti Machan' fame) join together for a new malayalam venture, named 'Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi'. Here they are having three different roles, Dennis Joseph had written the script, Jose Thomas is the producer and Joshy Mathew has directed the movie. Innocent comes in the main role. The rising young star, Jayasurya has also acted in it which belongs to the parallel film category.

'Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi' is the story of a railway gang man (Innocent) who has lost his job due to mental problems. He is undergoing treatment. His son (Jayasurya) is an engineering student. The different stages in the life of the father's character in hospital and his interaction with the son through the letters is mainly shown here. His loneliness and the tensions is highlighted here. In the middle, the doctor (Anoop Menon) gives him hope in recovering from the disease. Later the son gets married and as the mental tension caused to their family is happened for different generations, in the climax as expected the son reached the father's situation.

Though they had not shown in detail, the mental hospital which forms the background for majority of scenes is not a pleasing one. Communicating the matter through the letters is good, but sometimes it felt like an overdose. The reason for the doctor character escaping in the middle is not shown properly. He also comes in the climax to tell about the father and the cause of the disease in the climax. It can only be helpful for a normal person (including the viewers) to lose their mental balance. Thus the suspense of the father's character has not got the real effect it required. The graphics shots of the train was also not required in the end.

Innocent has performed well. Dennis Joseph, who wrote many action oriented subjects ('New Delhi', 'Rajavinte Makan', 'FIR' etc) in the past, had given a different work here. With his experience, he should have given an extra effort on the script here that can make the viewers sit without restless. Vinod Ilampally is the cinematographer.


'Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi' is a different attempt. But, there is nothing special here to promote it.


Rating : 5.5 / 10

2012

Medium : English
Starring: John Cusak, Danny Glover, Oliver Platt etc.
Direction : Roland Emmerich

scene 1,
14-07-2007,
New Theater, Trivandrum

I was watching the Rajnikanth film, 'Sivaji - The Boss' on the release date in a packed house. During the climax song "athiradee...", there is a shot in which the hero uses the machine gun to destroy the villains and there is also a shot in which the bullet from a gun stops in front of the hero. Seeing those scenes, there happened a loud howling noise from the viewers against it, disturbing the mood. I was upset with such an attitude from the crowd. May be such visuals are unbelievable, but since it is shown as a part of dream song sequence (songs doesn't part of the life and its reality), we should enjoy it in such a sense only.

cut

scene 2,
13-11-2009,
Sreekumar Theater, Trivandrum

Last week in a houseful atmosphere, I watched the new Hollywood film, '2012'. There, the presentation of the whole film is done in an unbelievable way. Even if we are ready to accept the theme (it deals with the end of the world and its after effects), here also you have got the hero and his family surviving the situation, which is shown in an extreme unnatural way. But the same crowd welcomed such scenes by giving claps.

cut


Still i don't understand the reason for such a discrimination. I have compared a commercial English film with an Indian film of the same kind that has got a star, who had reached such a position by doing stylish action scenes. Even then the negative reaction from the audience is what made me lose my temper. May be you (Hollywood supporters) can justify it by mentioning the good quality making of the foreign films. I can't agree with this, how can we accept such an unbelievable thing done in an English film even if they have done it in the best way (those who watch '2012' should think about this). Don't think that I am against English films; i always love to watch such neatly presented movies, but it is a fact that I have been witnessing for years...


Director of films like 'The Day After Tomorrow' and 'Independence Day' has come up with a more complicated topic. Here they discuss about the particular year in which the end of the world happens. A group of 5 - 10 members escapes from US. Since the whole world is affected, they flee from their native to reach China, which is affected in the last stage. How such a small groups from different parts of the world survives the major disaster is what shown here. The chaos begins with an earth quake, due to which mass destruction of buildings, vehicles etc happens, followed by Tsunami, rise of water, then volcanic eruption etc which all can make the surroundings more worse. In the middle you are having the US President's office who is watching the situation. The creators had also given good certificate to the President by showing him staying with the affected people, while his office people left the country. A usual the film ends with a kissing scene.

The film involving such a rare theme has got visual effects in its extreme. It has to be like that, because in reality no one is going to escape from the total demolition and the disaster; that too in a car, sometimes in a bus and the rest in an aircraft and a space ship. Those scenes in which the escape episodes are shown, resembles a video game only.


I am ready to accept all such unbelievable things, keeping in mind that there should be some one for every subject as a central character, whose view point in which the story should be told, in what ever way it is...


'2012' can be watched without keeping any logic in your mind. The presentation of the film with its ultimate visual effects won't keep you boring. Also in the end, you might feel, " this is too much..."


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Jagan Mohini

Medium : Tamil

Starring : Raja, Namitha, Nila, Kota Sreenivasa Rao, Vadivelu

Direction : N.K.Viswanathan

Music : Ilayaraja

Recently I have rasied my voice against a colleague; the issue was regarding the new tamil film 'Jagan Mohini'. When I told that I had watched this film, his immediate questioning about Namitha's glamour was the reason for my anger. I shouldn't have behaved like that. It is a fact that, in the last few years the north indian girl has emerged as a glamour queen in telugu and tamil . But those who get into an argument with me should also keep in mind about the fact that I won't left un watched, the majority of films coming infront of me.

'Jagan Mohini' is the remake of the film with the same name, that released more than 30years before. That time, the heroine was Jyothilakshmi, the glamour queen. Now since the creators want to exploit the maximum glamour of Namitha, they had tried to remade the difficult subject. The problem here is the theme of the film. It is a fantasy subject. So the art work and the computer graphics area will be a tedious job. Anyway, they have managed with out using many outdoor locations. Since the palace, house indoors, sea side and the forest covers the major portions with rest of the shots shown inside the set designs, it is not a hectic job as expected.

The story is based on a village girl (Namitha) who spends her life by collecting sea pearls. The prince (Raja) isin love with her. A villain priest (Kota Sreenivasa Rao) tries to collect the precious 'naaga manikyam'. He uses the help of another prince (Riaz Khan). The king doesn't like his son to be in love with a poor girl. As per his orders, she is killed. The fact is being hidden from the prince. The girl takes rebirth and preparing for the revenge on the persons who tried to destroy her.

In olden days, stories like this were common and were big hits also. I enjoyed the film in that sense only even if the new 'Jagan Mohini' is not the best. The comedy scenes by Vadivelu is not good. Even Ilayaraja's songs are not upto the mark.

Even in the middle of the technical era, 'Jagan Mohini' doesn't look like a professional work. The casting side and the making area should have been taken more seriously by the creators.

Rating : 5 / 10

Uthara Swayamvaram

Medium : Malayalam

Starring : Jayasurya, Roma, Balachandra Menon, Lalu Alex, Suraj Venjarammood

Direction : Ramakanth Sarju

Music : M.Jayachandran

The after effect of Seetha's marriage ('Seetha Kalyanam') provoked me to take a back foot from watching the marriage ceremony of Uthara ('Uthara Swayamvaram'). Anyway I break the pledge after hearing the repeated questioning from the companions.The problem usually happened in the delayed watching of a film will be the negative result of the film which can make you upset.

'Uthara Swayamvaram' is directed by debutant Ramakant Sarju (assisted Hariharan in 'Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja', story writer of the film 'Currency') and more over the script writer here is J.Pallasseri, who didn't have big hits for a long time; his latest films being 'Kancheepurathe Kalyanam' and 'Don'. After 'Shakespeare MA Malayalam', Jayasurya and Roma once again comes in the lead roles.

The film opens in Bangalooru where the hero (Jayasurya) works. The heroine (Roma) is saved from an accident. The flashback story is revealed. She belongs to a rich family. Though she doesn't likes the hero in the beginning, the situations and circumstances are created in such a way that the heroine likes the attitude of the hero. His friends (Suraj, Harisree Asokan, Indrans etc) helps him in winning the heart. His marriage is being fixed with as per his wish. Some of her relatives doesn't like this. Anyway the marriage doesn't happens. He lefts the place.His father went in search of him, finds him at last. Hero tries to solve the misunderstanding happened to the heroine, then leaves the place again. Now he finds her and once again they unites.

The opening song 'bangalooru...' and the visuals featuring Jayasurya and Sudheesh is not attractive. (Though Sudheesh came to the field in the late 80's, still he comes in the role of a bachelor). The accident scene being arranged in the compound of an apartment (as if it happens in a busy traffic) shows the non professionalism from the creators (the experienced cameraman Saloo George shouldn't have done such a thing). We don't know why the hero and his friends uses the harmonium for singing. (may be the intention was to generate a comedy atmosphere; but it is a foolishness). The scenes involving 'piles episode' is a horrible one. Also the different stills in which Suraj is shown wounded is another area where the director had made fool of himself. The problem happened in the party and the tough climax is adapted from films like 'Yathrakkarude Sradhakku' and 'Friends'. Also hero's father's role reminds us of the recent film by the same hero, 'Oru Black and White Kudumbam'. This is yet another story where misunderstanding between the hero and the heroine is a turning point. The happenings inside heroine's house is shown a 1000 times before.

Uthara doesn't gives you a good feast as you expects. So it is better to stay away from 'Uthara Swayamvaram'.

Rating : 5 / 10

Seetha Kalyanam

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Jayaram, Jyothika, Geethu Mohandas, Indrajith
Direction : TK Rajeev Kumar
Music : Srinivas, Sharath


Senior producer Suresh Kumar and director TK Rajeev Kumar have done a film with unusual pair Jayaram and Jyothika named 'Seetha Kalyanam'. Even such a big team behind can't resist the film from being rested in the box for 6-7years. Any way after a long gap, it is released expecting it to be a family hit. Actor Mammootty's distribution company, Play House has brought the movie to theaters after giving films like 'Rithu' and 'Kaana Kanmani'.


As the name suggests 'Seetha Kalyanam' is mainly based on the hero's marriage and its associated proceedings. Hero (Jayaram) belongs to brahmin family. His marriage is being fixed (Geethu Mohandas is the bride). The marriage function lasts for seven days. His colleague and close friend (Jyothika) reached there with the companions. In these days, she came to know that she is in love with the hero. She reveals this on the last day of the marriage function, in the mean time, the bride's lover is also waiting for a green signal. In the end, the function is disturbed and the real love of the bride and the bridegroom wins.


There is no stability in the story discussed here. The celebrations shown during the marriage function can make you restless. The comedy scenes involving Janardhan, Jagadhish, Bheeman Raghu, Bindu Paniker, Kalpana etc are not up to the mark. The dance sequence by Bindu Paniker is an area where you lose your temper. The comedy scenes where Jagadeesh swallowing the 'nadaswaram' instrument piece, is an old one. The area in which an old member narrating about the lose of his 6 daughters is the last way to generate laughs. The lengthy scene in which hero's lover begging him to deny her love in the end portion is dramatic. The unavailability of Jyothika in the climax song is evident.


The usage of big mirrors here and there inside the building is a challenge for the cameraman Rajiv Ravi (since this is his debutant project). It is good, but the question is about its necassity. The director's way of expressing the mentality of Jyothika's character regarding her love is different, but the trick done in the 'out of focus' camera work is easily visible.


Singer Srinivas became a music director through this film. A couple of songs are good. Sharath has given the background music. Arunkumar, who usually works for Priyadarshan's films is the editor. We can't expect such a film from a director who gave notable films like 'Chanakyan', 'Ottayal Pattalam', 'Pavithram', 'Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu' etc. Since this film happened many years back, no need to launch a complaint at this point.


You don't have many positives to highlight in 'Seetha Kalyanam'. It is shown in the backdrop of the marriage celebrations in a particular community in detail (unnecessarily), mixed with some songs and amateur comedy sequences.


Rating : 4.5 / 10

Aladin

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amitabh Bachan, Sanjay Dutt, Ritesh Deshmukh, Jacquelin Fernandez
Director : Sujoy Ghosh
Music : Vishal - Sekhar


Being born as the son of a well known political leader is a bonus for an under rated actor like Ritesh Deshmukh. He has always acted in multi star projects only. For the first time he is coming in a title role, supported by senior actors Amitabh Bachan and Sanjay Dutt,. She has got a new heroine here; these factors are not enough to catch extra attention. But, the unusual theme of the particular film can make you interesting. We have heard about the fairy tale story of "Aladin and the Magic Lamb". The new hindi film with the name 'Aladin' is having the same theme.


Here Aladin (Rithesh Deshmukh) is being teased by the friends even from the childhood days because of his peculiar name. He lost his parents when he was young. Even when grown up, being a soft character, his friends make fun of him. He was usually asked to rub the lamp. In the mean time the heroine (Jacqueline) reached the college. Hero's friends gave a new lamp as his birthday gift; while doing the same process, as a surprise the genie (jin) appears in the form of Amitabh Bachan. He is asking three wishes to Aladin. To convince him, the genie is showing some super human powers also. Anyway the first and the second wish was regarding winning of the heart of the heroine. At the same time the villain ring master (Sanjay Dutt) came in search of the jin and the lamp. The flashback story regarding the murder of hero's parents are revealed. The genie loses his power; anyway in the climax the villain is destroyed and Aladin walks with the heroine.


Ritesh has done his best here. No need for a comment on Amitabh Bachan; his presence is incredible as always. Sanjay Dutt as the baddie is also good. The imported Sri Lankan heroine, Jacqueline didn't have much to perform.


Director Sujoy Ghosh, who gave films like 'Jhankar Beats', 'Home Delivery' etc had given an unusual creativity here. The choosing of such a different location for telling the story is appreciatable. Cinematographer Sirsha Roy had given colorful frames. The art work by Sabu Syril is notable. Vishal-Sekhar gave the music. It goes well with the situation. A couple of them is sung by Bachan himself. The visual effects done for the film is also excellent.


'Aladin' is a non realistic movie presented in the best way it can. You can watch it like a fairy tale.

Rating : 7 / 10

This Is It

Medium ; English
Featuring : Michael Jackson
Direction : Kenny Ortega


One of the major shocking tragedies happened in the world history this year, is the death of pop king Michel Jackson. So different from the usual situation, the new review 'This Is It' is about a film having the live portrayal of the activities associated with the planning of the world tour by the late singer.

Hope you are aware of the fact that Michael Jackson had planned a world tour this year and his life came to an end just 10days before the tour has to be commenced. Now Columbia Pictures had released a film that included the particular show's dress rehearsal and the moments attached with it in a film format, directed by Kenny Ortega. It is neither a documentary telling the biography of the pop star nor a feature film in usual format in which somebody acted in the role of the singer. What all happened at the practice session during the last few months of his life and the shooting procedures of the videos along with some comments from the co-artists is also included in 'This Is it'.

I am not a big fan of English songs. But if any one wants to check my knowledge in the particular area, I will counter them by mentioning some of the hit album names like "bad", "smooth criminal", "thriller", "jam" etc. that haunted me from the younger days itself .I always loved the heavy beats of most popular hits like this by Michael Jackson mentioned above and the visuals of some of these album are also memorable. It is fact that he was an inspiration for the majority of Indian music directors also. Now in this film, you have got the dress rehearsal of these songs in the dts sound format, which will give you a live feeling.

May be you might not be interested even after I gave you an idea regarding 'This Is It'. But it is guaranteed that you won't get bored a single moment in the two hours here. Seeing the ultimate energy given by the star even at his 50's,we would surprise that how could it be possible for a full stop for his life. The creators did a great thing by not including the end moments of the pop personality who got a large number of fans all over the world. He still live through the great creativity he did in the past...


Those who like hit songs by Jackson and love to watch the great moments associated with his proposed world tour, should watch 'This Is It'. (keep in mind that this is not a feature film with "necessary" ingredients)


Rating : 8 / 10