Neram

My review: Neram

Both Tamil and Malayalam cinema industry is seeing emergence of young talent with fresh ideas, new styles and daring attitude. Over the last couple of years in Malayalam cinema and a year in Tamil cinema there has been many small movies which are turning the heads of cinema lovers in both these states. With "Neram"  a wonderful confluence of talents from both the industries has resulted in yet another promising movie which is a fun-filled ride for about two hours with its rich and intelligent making.

Though the story is not that novel (the makers themselves admit the same in their promos ) but it is the making of the movie that makes it special. Following the neo-noir style of film making Alphonse Putharen has written and directed movie with confidence of a veteran. Attention to detail, judicious use of various colour shading and slow-motion shots, well written lines at appropriate places, wonderful casting who have delivered adequately makes "Neram" one of the better movies in recent times.

One should appreciate Alphonse for taking up such a challenging screenplay in his first movie itself and making it in a stylish manner. In a industry in which bluish shading, shooting in foreign locales and actors strolling around in designer blazers and coolers in slow-mos are recognized as stylish movie making, "Neram" is a refreshing attempt in which there is seamless confluence of stylish making as well as showcasing of people's livelihood deeply rooted in our very own neighborhood.

"Neram" has numerous enjoyable sequences which are well conceived and shot. In the initial reels only Alphonse's acumen comes to the forefront when he shows how the financial status of the protagonist declines with just shots of the tooth paste and his mode of transport. The  cute and very short love-story of the lead pair, characterization of Nasser, under-renovation police station, chase sequences with the "Pistah" song in the background are some of the many pointers towards the mastery over the medium with which Alphonse has made this movie. After a long time it feels like watching a "director's" movie.

Nivin Pauly is good as Vetri who is plagued by bad times in his life which is about to turn for the better. He is already an established actor in Malayalam confidence of which shows in this Tamil debut of his. Nazriya is cutey pie and she seems to have good grasp of acting too. Look out for this kid, she is going to be the next big thing in Tamil cinema by this year end. Shima gets a substantial role finally. Veteran of short-film circuit, Shima shows his potential this time. He is first-class having used the opportunity he deserved. Nasser's cameo is a scream. It is a well written role with each and every dialogues of his bringing the roof down with laughter. Movie boasts of stellar performances from its supporting cast which includes names like Thambi Ramaih, Charlie and John Vijay.

Rajesh Murugesan is the music composer. His "Pistah" song is already a huge hit in the youtube and the social networking sites. "Kaatru veesum" and "Kadhal ennule" are nice melodies. He shows his potential in the background score also. Especially various versions of the now famous "Titan" ad music towards the climax warrants special mention.

Anand C.Chandran's cinematography and Alphonse's editing makes the movie technically grand and stylish. Never seen Mandeveli area so beautiful on screen. Kudos to Anand.

On the whole, "Neram" is a routine story told in an unconventional manner, intelligently made and thoroughly enjoyable.

Bottomline: Pistah filimu....!

3.5/5

Udhayam NH4

My review: Udhayam NH4

 "Udhayam NH4" starts of promisingly evoking viewer's interest in the first half with it's fresh storyline, non-linear screenplay only to fizzle out in the second half with loads of easily guessable sequences marring the impact. Vetriman's script might have been fresh and racy when it was first conceived years back but  it does lack steam for the present times.

Things that are enjoyable in the movie are very casual dialogues and conversations, especially among the Tamil speaking students when they first come to Bangalore and their expectations and reactions to the lifestyle there. Any one who have gone through it would identify with it. The other interesting conversation is the one between Kay Kay Menon and his wife, very casual and down-to-earth, albiet interesting.

But on the other hand there are routine characterization like that of dumb heroine, power-hungry manipulative politician father of heroine - villain, trigger happy cop with predictable change of mind in the end, hero's friends whose only aim in life is to get high and stay high, etc. Such cardboardish characters makes it a tiring watch.

Sidharth is sincere, tried his level best to give life to his character and succeeds to an extent. Ashritha Shetty looks cute but is expressionless throughout. To make matters worse it is one of the most dumbest heroine character in recent times. Kay Kay Menon looks uncomfortable like a fish out of water, Avinash does his routine villainy stuff.

In G.V.Prakashkumar's music "Yaaro ivan"  is a nice melody. Rest of the songs fails to create any impact while his background score is poor, fails to enhance the thrills.

Velraj's cinematography is good as ever, movie is technically well made.

On the whole, "Udhayam NH4" does has its moments but the sum of the parts doesn't lead up to a satisfying whole.

Bottomline: Potential wasted.

2.5/5

Mynaa

My review: Mynaa

After his previous hit and critically acclaimed "Sanju weds Geetha", Nagasekhar is back with yet another tragic love story "Mynaa", only this time he misses the mark by far. Movie is plagued by poor writing, over-the-top acting, and mendacious execution. As a result what could have been a tragic love story which could have created everlasting impact in the mind of the viewers, ends up leaving a bad taste. 

Example for the poor writing is the climax which instead of creating tragic feel in the viewers only brings out unintended laughter due to the contrived happenings. Also the love story between the lead pair is not that well etched out. Blame it on poor writing or execution or over-the-top acting by Nithya Menon, Mynaa character doesn't get the sympathy it ought to have got. Nithya Menon's inappropriate laughter which borders in between sane and insane is irritating to the core. 

Dialogues of the movie is pretty ordinary though one must appreciate actors from other languages trying to dub themselves with utmost sincerity.  

Chetan needs crash course in acting. Except for his portfolio smile, he is not able to give adequate expressions in the other sequences. Nithya Menon irritates with her exaggerated cutesy portrayal. Sharathkumar is adequate while Suman Ranganath doesn't have much to do until she gets her due near the climax which is the only thing she seems to be capable of nowadays. Sadhu Kokila does manages to tickle the funny bones. Almost everyone in the cast ham resulting in aural torture with the one who comes as the forest guard leading the way.

Pillars of strength for this movie are songs and cinematography. Following the success of "Sanju weds Geetha" Jessie Gift has once again recreated the magic. "Modalla malayente", "Mynaa Mynaa" and "Baa illi beesu" are wonderful melodies from him. However Sadhu Kokila's bakcground score leaves a lot to be desired.

Satya Hegde's camera has had a field day in capturing the nature's bounty of the Konkan coast in general and Dudhsagar falls in particular. Spectacular aerial shots of the falls and the surrounding forests are a visual treat.

On the whole, Nagasekhar has missed out this time with a overtly dramatic, contrived and poorly written and executed "Mynaa".

Bottomline: Over the top melodrama

2/5

Soodhu Kavvum

My review: Soodhu Kavvum

Year back when I used to watch the latest Malayalam movies by the new age writers and directors, I used to wonder when would Tamil cinema would gets it share of the same. Starting last year with "Pizza", "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kanom", "Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Eppadi", to the latest "Soodhu Kavvum" by the youngsters who struck fame with their short films and the response these movies getting from the audience make me contend with joy that Tamil cinema is moving forward in right direction.

Nalan Kumarasamy is the latest to join the list with his "Soodhu Kavvum" which like most of the other movies quoted could not be slotted into a particular genre but all the same make up for two and odd hours of enjoyable movie watching experience. Though superficially the movie looks like a comedy, there is underlay of intelligent satire on the day to day happenings as well as movies of the yore. Nalan has tried to mix and match numerous ingredients into this already delicious meal which only make it more enjoyable than spoiling it.

Very well written and beautifully made, "Soodhu Kavvum" is one helluva joy ride that needs to be experienced rather than described. Dialogues are a treat. Numerous well written lines with humorous undertones come one after another that one may miss the train of awesome one-liners after a point.   

As the psychotic Das, the master-brain behind the whole gang, Vijay Sethupathy is once again brilliant. It is yet another facet from him though it is also a comedy character. If one take a closer look at it, he doesn't have more importance than the other three characters that make up the gang. His dialogue delivery is typical of a psychotic patient with irrelevancy here and there and sudden explosive prosody.

Simha is humorous with his beautiful body language along with his naive dialogue delivery. Ramesh Thilak is brilliant in many scenes while Ashok Selvan is adequate. Sanchitha Shetty provides not only the glamour quotient but also has ample scope to perform. Karuna Karan as Arumai Prakasam is yet another talent to watch out for. Yog Jaypee finally gets a substantial part to play which he has done with elan. 

Santosh Narayanan's background score is splendid which enhances the effect of the movie to a greater extent. However none of the songs are that captivating.

Dinesh Krishnan's cinematography is brilliant.

On the whole, "Soodhu Kavvum" made by talented youngsters will provide long-lasting name and fame for all those who are associated with it.

Bottomline: Brilliant.

3.5/5  

Moondru Per Moondru Kadal

My review: Moondru Per Moondru Kadal

After a long hiatus Vasanth is back with what he does best,  love story, not one but three. "Moondru Per Moondru Kadal" is Vasanth's ode to selfless love told through three different love stories that happen in three different landscapes. Each story is contrasting with one another with the central theme of how love is above selfish gratifications. 

Premise is an interesting one but where Vasanth could have done better is in the screenplay which at times tests one's patience. Though the movie runs only a little above two hours, the proceedings which are long drawn out makes for a tiring watch. All said and done, movie is not bad altogether . 

The Cheran-Muktha story is interestingly etched out. The aspects of NGO that Cheran is shown to run and their work which are based on real life incidents makes up for a riveting viewing. Also the love story in this episode is well conceived and made. Muktha is best among the three actresses and she has done her part well. Cheran though doesn't have much to do except to showcase his "close-up" smile in almost every frame he is in. The best song of the movie "Kadhal en kadhal " also finds it's place in this episode. All this make it the best among the three love stories. Though the reasons as to why Muktha doesn't propose her love towards Cheran is not well fleshed out.

  

Next better one is the Arjun- Surveen Chawla's story. Though the love story in this part is not that well written (actually there is not much romantic portions in this story) the dashing Arjun who looks the best among the three male leads and ravishing Surveen make it an interesting watch. Surveen though needs lesson in acting urgently. Somehow the impact that the directer might have intended to create in the audience never comes through in the end as the story concludes, blame it on shoddy writing.

The weakest of the three is Vimal-Lasini story. May be the love here itself is superficial which is why the episode also comes across as one. Wonder whether it is intended by the director to be in that way. Vimal is his usual chirpy self. Criticism that I came across in many reviews about Vimal's characterisation only makes me laugh. Wonder how many of our state's IT professional have better English pronunciation than shown here. Even otherwise what is wrong in director trying to depict a character of an IT professional from Tamil medium background. In that case Vimal's characterization is apt in my opinion. Lasini is pleasant looking but has to work hard on her acting skills.

It is one of the best albums in recent times from Yuvan Shankar Raja. All the songs are chartbusters with "Kadhal en kadhal" the best followed by "Aaha kadhal", "Mazhai mazhai" , "Unakagave uyir" and "Padapadakuthu maname". "Stop the paattu" is a foot-tapping number.

Cinematography is like any other Vasanth's movie is good. Bhojan K.Dinesh is the cinematographer. Here again Cheran-Muktha episode's cinematography is better than the other two.

Vasanth goes overboard with his cutesy dialogues especially in the Vimal-Lasini's as well as in the Cheran-Muktha's story.

On the whole, movie is okayish with its moments in between . Though the movie fails to live up to Vasanth's own standards "Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal" is a one time watch for songs, cinematography and couple of interesting sub-plots.

Bottomline: Unrequited love.

2.5/5

Ethir Neechal

My review: Ethir Neechal

"Ethir Neechal" is one of those movies that gives you a sense of satisfaction when you come out of theater after watching it. It is almost a perfect movie that entertains to a great extent with a very valid message incorporated in it as well. After struggling with his previous three movies Sivakarthikeyan has finally gotten a movie which is sure to take him places. This is a perfect movie for the vacation and would surely become one of the biggest hits of the year so far. 

Written and directed by debutant R.S.Durai Senthilkumar, "Ethir Neechal" doesn't have a complicated story or multi-layered non-linear screenplay but its forte is the simplicity of the story taken and lucidity of the screenplay which makes up for an engaging viewing. Layered with thread of humour throughout movie moves at flashing speed in the first half filled with fun, laughter and romance. At the intermission point itself one gets a feeling of having gotten his money's worth. 

Second half is more purposeful and tends to get serious though the lighter vein is also not abandoned. The subject that the movie alludes to in the second half is topical. It talks about the plight of sportspersons and how money, favoritism and corruption plays havoc in their professional as well as personal lives. 

Durai's dialogues are too good, especially his comedy oneliners are damn hilarious. There is no undue preaching and even the climax speech that alludes to the plights of the sportspersons is not overboard but reflects the views of a common man. Simplicity and the casual language of the dialogues further enhances the proceedings.

  

This movie would be a big break for both Sivakarthikeyan and Priya Anand. Both talented but unlucky so far. Siva is confident onscreen carrying whole movie on his shoulder and he has done it with elan. His casual oneliners and timing dialogue delivery which are his forte come to the fore this time too. He has done well in serious sequences too. His footwork in dance sequences have improved a lot, watch out for him trying to match the steps of Danush in "Sathiyama nee enaku" number.

Priya Anand is gorgeous and has come a long way from her "Vamanan" days as far as acting is concerned. Nanditha impresses in a serious role of the fallen athlete who coached Siva. Satish as Peter is a big revelation. He gets to mouth the best comical oneliners of the movie and brings down the roof. Watch out for him, he has a bright future ahead. Jayaprakash is dignified.

Songs of Anirudh are already a rage with the youngsters. Whole album is rocking and worthy follow-up to "3". "Velicha poove" and "Bhoomi enna suthuthe" are lovely melodies while "Sathiya nee enaku" is foot-tapping number."Unn parvayil" is one of the best bit number since "Nenjai poopol " from "Minnale". His background score is also good. Only thing is that why this enthusiasm in including a misogynistic love-failure songs without a strong reason. Though the song and dance sequence is good it looks forced in.

Velraj's camera work is good. Especially the "Velicha poove" song and the Marathon sequences are nicely shot.

Though the movie is not bereft of the regular cliches associated with sports related movie, on the whole, "Ethir Neechal" has too many better things in it that will ensure that it would become a huge hit.

Bottomline: Sure shot hit.

3.5/5