KANTHASAMY

My Review : Kanthasamy





“Kandhasamy ” is not a typical tamil movie . Susi Ganeshan who has been giving us some sensible movies has turned atypical with this movie trying to ape Shankar who himself modeled his style on S.A.Chandrasekar’s “ Naan Sigappu Manithan “ and Kalaigner’s “Parasakthi” .Movie has scenes , dialogues , situations …what not which we have witnessed & battered from the days of “Parasakthi ” to “Shivaji ” . While working over-time on what to ctrl+v & what to ctrl+x , he seem to have got confused a great deal which we come to know from him swapping the “Making of Kandhasamy ” which would have ideally come in the end credits finding place in first half itself. Also his penchant for screen space ala Perarasu continues with this movie too.

Vikram is yet another person who baffles us with his atypicality . Post “Anniyan ” at which point of time he was right at the top behind the “Big Two ” of Tamil cinema , he has done some pathetic script selection & what more he has wasted precious time (very generously at that ) in those banal projects . He keeps plummeting down the rail with each of his movies ever since without any rethinking of his strategy. Sad that all his hard-work & time is getting wasted by such over-indulgent directors.


Shriya is atypical too but in the positive sense of the word . Though she continue with her routine show of skin , she has tried to “Act ” a bit in this movie & unlike heroines of such movies , here she has scope to perform which she has used well. Infact it is she who seems to attract more men to this movie than anyone associated with the movie.


One person on whom one cannot use the word atypical is Kalaipuli S.Thanu who keeps his track record intact with this movie too after that colossal “ HIT ” – “Sakkarakatti”. One wonders from where he garners resources for such big budgeted misadventures one after another –the dialogue “ivan evlo adichalum thangaranya…! ” echoing in my mind.One sincere advise to Thanu sir . Instead of adopting villages if you stop producing movies it would be a great service to mankind in general & movie buffs in particular.


DeviSriprasad’s music doesn’t have any scope for subtlety & re-recording has nothing novel .

One person who comes out with his reputation enhanced is N.Ekambaram , the cinematographer of the movie. He has done some excellent cinematography elevating the movie beyond the written material . If only he used some subtleness in the Mexican scenes as far as the colour scheme is concerned he would have sparred the viewer’s eyes from photo toxic effects of bright yellow.


After seeing this movie one is bound to get angered by the obscene amounts spend for the invitation , audio launch & the movie’s budget overall – in how ever modern , costly tetra pack you sell a gruel , none will bother to even sniff at it if it is stale & unhealthy which is what “Kanthasamy “ is ….

Bottomline: “Kanthasamy “ – Super Zero…..

2/5.

POKKISHAM

My Review: Pokkisham



One has to wait almost 8 months of the year to get to see a Tamil movie which can be proudly proclaimed to have come from Tamil film industry. And “Pokkkisham ” is worth the wait . Cheran , one of the most underrated director of the Tamil Industry has once again vindicated his talent .One wonders when will creator like him get his due when all and sundry makes it big after just a couple of commercial routines. It takes loads of guts on the part of the makers as well to come forward & produce such an experimental movie .

“Pokkisham ” is a special film that anyone with lyrical bent of mind will savor . The writer in Cheran has had a field day & he must have enjoyed himself writing for this movie. Dialouges sparkles while the letters that come interspersed are enjoyable & are of high quality Tamil. It’s been years since one has come across such a beautiful use of Tamil language onscreen.

Cheran , the director has been growing in stature ever since his debut both content wise as well as in the making too & “Pokkisham ” is a natural progression in that evolution. He has come back with a bang after that blip with “Maya Kannadi ” . The way he has scripted such an unusual screenplay & has directed that in such a coherent manner deserves couple of awards or two.

Another department that deserves high accolades includes the Production Design team headed by the Art director Vairabalan. They have recreated Kolkatta , Chennai & Nagore of the 70’s with such precise minute detailing .

Rajesh Yadav has captured the movie which is essentially an emotional reminiscence with élan & gaiety . He has worked meticulously on the 70’s look along with the Production Design team . Like the “Subramanyapuram” team last year they too come out with flying colours in thisn department.

Saravan-Ayyapan’s Editing is trendy but at the same time very relevant to the script.

Sabesh-Murali’s re-recording is excellent as does all the songs of the movie. “Nila ..Nee Vanam ” with beautiful verses from Yugabarathi & rendered mellifluously by Vijay Yesudas & Chinmayi haunts for long while “Anjal Petti ” , “Azhagu Mugam ” & “Mozhi Illamale ” are very good . “Nadira Nadira ” with Bengali folk is foot-tapping.

Coming to the performances Cheran has improved a great deal in acting . The manner in which he is able to portray even minute of expressions (though he overdoes those in couple of instances ) convey the progression.


Padmapriya too has done an excellent job with her natural portrayal . She scores over Cheran in almost all their combination scenes . She has effortlessly performed in each & every scene but the only blemish is her garish make-up in the end with looked very clumsy.

Each every other character stay in our mind for long like Vijayakumar , Ilavarasu , Bengali neighbour girl , that postman in Kolkatta , Nadira’s mother & father , her friend …..so on.

“Pokkisham ” is a must watch movie since movies of such high class & content comes very rarely in Tamil Cinema nowadays. Don’t miss it at any cost .

Bottomline : “Ilakiya vadivil oru eyalbana cinema …..!”

4.5/5

MALAI MALAI

My Review: Malai Malai




A.Venkatesh directed "Malai Malai " starring one of the most talented yet unlucky actor , Arun Vijay , is a decent commercial cocktail with all ingredients of the masala in almost correct proportions . Movie has a decent storyline , competent acting by all concerned , hilarious comedy tract with ample dose of sentiment towards the end . Barring few over the top “hilarious” action sequences (especially hero flying all over , buildings , buses …. While riding a bicycle ) the director has managed to keep the heroism at a reasonable level.

There is nothing new about story which is a clash of wits between a innocent , manly village ruffian and a powerful city dada . The credit must go to the director in presenting such a stale story in an engrossing & entertaining manner .

Arun Vijay may get a long awaiting break with this movie . He has worked hard & it shows on screen . He looks every inch a villager who is not only courageous but also courteous .He looks dashing in song sequences .

Vedhika plays a RJ who falls in love with the hero .Her’s is not a insignificant role that heroines in such masala entertainers usually have .She has scope to perform as well her character too have some degree of importance in the movie.

Prabhu seems to have enjoyed playing his role to the hilt which shows onscreen . He revels in both hilarious as well in sentimental scenes.

Prakash Raj is brilliant as usual though there is nothing novel in his role .

Kasthuri comes back after a long hiatus & the song “Anthiyile vanam ” when she meets Prabhu for the first time is a case of good timing by the director.

Shanthanam , Kanja Karupu , “Lollu Sabha ” Manohar & Aarthi combines to present on the hilarious comedy track in recent times .

Mani Sharma ‘s music is nothing new but couple of melodies which he has reused from his Telugu Albums are good to hear .

A.Venkatesh’s cinematography is adequate .

A.Venkatesh once again proves that he is a competent director when it comes to giving a commercial potboiler . Though one may feel that there is nothing new to watch , this one keeps you interested throughout its length . At the time when the top stars of Tamil Cinema are struggling to give a good commercial cinema to satisfy their fans , this movie comes as surprisingly entertaining .

On the whole , movie is a nice time pass if you don’t mind doses of illogical sequences .

Bottomline : Not Bad.



3/5