24

My review:

24 is what you get if a writer-director from the 1950's time travels and make a movie with a crew of 2016. To call it 'science fiction' is the worst disrespect you can give to that term. It is a movie for dummies.

Bottomline: Paatti sonna kathai.

2/5

Fan

My review: Fan

Maneesh Sharma's Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Fan" is a delightful cinema. It has been long since SRK is seen in a movie as an actor rather than a star, though in one of the roles in this movie he portrays a star. Movie has terrific writing diligently supported by stupendous acting by SRK. Though there are gaping logical loopholes in the narration, the screenplay and direction by Maneesh Sharma is such that it gets camouflaged by the proceedings that keeps you hooked to the screen. 

"Fan" is a one man show of Shah Rukh Khan. Both as the dangerously obsessive fan Gaurav Chanda as well as a headstrong star in decline Aryan Khanna, SRK is tremendous. This is one movie in which both the roles in the dual role has generous shades of grey. At one point you root for Gaurav and at others you sympathise for Aryan. But in the end you hate neither of them. Such is the beauty of the narration and performance by the star, SRK. 

We all knew that SRK is a terrific actor but the star in him has overshadowed him for a really long time we have almost forgotten how SRK, the actor is. We get more than glimpse of him here. It is almost a throwback to the days of "Darr" and "Baazigar" where the actor in gay abandon enthralled the audience. Here he has handled both the complex roles with elan and confidence of the veteran. 

"Fan" is a delight of those who are a fan of SRK, the actor and might disappoint those who are fan of SRK, the star, but on the whole it is a wonderful cinema with terrific acting.

Bottomline: One man show

4/5

Theri

My review: Theri

In my view Atlee's debut movie "Raja Rani" was overhyped. It didn't have anything new in it in terms of storyline but somehow managed to salvage it by his treatment. The same holds true for his latest venture "Theri", starring Vijay. If not for Vijay, this movie would have fallen flat. If "Raja Rani" was heavily inspired by various movies that dealt with love failure and marital problems, "Theri"is heavily inspired by many cop movies that have graced Tamil cinema. 

The storyline is banal, a routine revenge drama where both the protagonist and antagonist suffer collateral damages. Screenplay is tailored to the need to cater to the mass masala friendly audience. In spite of all this what makes this movie work is only one single person, Vijay. His awesome charisma, screen presence and acting masks all the inadequacies and keeps the audience going. He is terrific in whatever he does in this movie. Just the manner in which he carries himself be it as a timid father or a dynamic police officer or a charming lover/husband, Vijay is just outstanding and if the movie garners good reviews and success then it should be wholly due to him.

Since the movie is a one man show, almost rest of the acting crew just gets relegated to the background. Among them Rajendran and Nainika scores. G.V.Prakashkumar's music is good, both songs and background score. "Chella kutti" and "Jithu jilladi" are my picks. George's cienmatography is outstanding, giving the movie a very rich look.

On the whole, "Theri" is amalgamation of scenes already done by Rajnikanth, Vijaykanth, Ajithkumar, Surya, and many other actors but when Vijay does it, it is just 'theri'fic.

Bottomline:One man's "Theri"fic show

3.5/5

Kali

My review: Kali

Sameer Thahir's, Rajesh Gopinandan written, Dulquer Salman and Sai Pallavi starrer "Kali" is a well made thriller. It deals with how short temperedness can create havoc in the lives of most unassuming of people. Writing is neat, especially the first half of the movie up till the mid second half until the movie gets a cinematic push towards the end. 

The first half of the movie is relatable to anyone who has adult ADHD and knows someone who has it. It is a very educated portrayal of a person with a person with impulsivity and minimal frustration tolerance, both by the writer-director team as well as by the actor (Dulquer Salman) enacting it. The problems such a person has and the coping means of the partner are well crafted. Even the intermission part till the separation of the lead pair the movie moves very naturally that you does get taken aback by the sudden change in the movie's sensibilities thereon. The movie motors on in a full blown cinematic mode from that point which kind of waters down the overall impact of the movie. What could have been a very good naturalistic thriller becomes a mass masala thriller. 

Dulquer Salman is terrific in the role of short tempered Sidarth who gets seething with rage at the drop of a hat. The gamut of emotions he goes through in the second half is superlatively portrayed by him. It is a perfect follow up for Sai Pallavi after that ethereal "Malar". Movie gives equal scope for her as that of the male protagonist and she has lapped it up with elan. The support cast is okay with the antagonists being portrayed in a carboradish manner with cinematic idiosyncrasies. 

Gopi Sunder is just awesome with his musical score. Technically the movie is top notch. On the whole, "Kali" is a neat thriller that could have been a bit better if the screenplay of the late second half complemented the rest.

Bottomline: Good, could have been better. 

3/5

Aviyal

My review: Aviyal

The second installment of Bench Talkies christened as "Aviyal" is an anthology of four short films, all of the genre " black comedy".

1) "Shruthi Bedam"

This is the most likeable of the four short films. An unlikeliest of romantic comedy which could have been explored only in the realms of short film world is a story that has a niece swooning over his aunt (chithi). Movie is a standout for the casualness of the making  and the performances. All the actors in the movie have done terrific jobs. Though the premise gives scope for lots of controversy, the manner in which the maker of this movie Mohit Mehra has gone about things in a sensitive manner is applaud worthy.

2) "Kalam"

This is the second on of the anthology which is more of an extended action sequence than a short film. The twists and turns don't create the kind of impact it ought to have. Acting is above par but the screenplay could have been a better with a more rounded story. However, the background score and cinematography of this movie is top notch.

3) "Kanneer Anjali"

This is the weakest of all the four movies. It tries to do a lot of things in half and hour and in the end doesn't do justice for anything. The comedy is unfunny, the thriller aspect is not engaging enough, the horror element is funny and the overall impact goes for a toss. 

4) "Eli"

This is by far the best of the four movies. Made by now famous Alphonse Putheran eons ago, "Eli" still appears fresh. The narrative is typically neo noir with a teasing screenplay and a bang ending. It boasts of big names like Bobby Simha and Nivin Pauly and is the star attraction of "Aviyal". On the whole,  "Aviyal" starts with a superb "Shruthi Bedam" and ends with  a terrific "Eli" traversing the mediocrity of the other two.  

Thozha

My review: Thozha

"Thozha" is a feel good entertainer which is a remake of french movie "Intouchables". Directed by Vamshi Paidipally it stars Nagarjuna and Karthi in the lead roles. Movie deals with an unlikely bonding that develops between a kind hearted quadriplegic billionaire and an insensitive small time crook who is out on parole. The premise is in itself is very interesting one that is pretty well milked by the writers of the movie. 

Movie moves at a languid pace but that is perfectly fine for story. Though the story itself is inherent with lot of scopes for melodrama, Vamshi has kept it to bare minimum. The most refreshing part is that he has infused humour in almost all those situations where you get a feeling of pathos seeping in. But somehow you do tend to feel that the screenplay meanders laboriously in the second half and a crisper direction and screenplay would have done this movie a great service.

Nagarjuna is terrific in his portrayal of the disabled billionaire who is confident yet has shades of self-pity and anxious ruminations from the past. It is one of the best from Karthi in a really long time.  Effortless ease with which he transposes from melodrama and humour us just superb. Thamanna is there in most of the frames but relegated to the role of  a glorious extra.

Movie which is rich in its visual and cognitive content with terrific dialogues sadly gets a very poor music from Gopi Sunder. None of the songs are worth hearing even once while his background score is mixed bag. 

Vamshi could have done away with item number and the crude gay gags at least for the tamil version where audience lap up movies even without such paraphernalias. On the whole, what could have been a terrific film with a tighter screenplay and direction "Thozha"ends up just above average. 

Bottomline: a breezy bromance... 

3.5/5

Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum

My review: Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum

After his immensely impressive debut, Nalan Kumarasamy has strived hard to break away from the monotony and showcase his versatility with "Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum" aka "KaKaKaPo". Billed as a romcom, "KaKaKaPo" is neither romantic nor a comedy. It strives hard to be different but the impact that it ought to have created in the viewers is missing totally. 

Though the setting, actors and the landscapes seem rooted in nativity, somehow the movie's overall appeal remain outlandish. The proceedings seem too artificial or contrived that you hardly invest emotionally with it. The sluggish pace with incessant and mundane long shots makes it a real challenge to remain awake for its full course. Here and there there are good solid comical situations which are conceived and  performed superbly but couple of superlative scenarios don't make up a whole movie which is so mediocre and boring. 

It is sad to see talents like Vijay Sethupathy, who is yet again terrific as a dimwit dadha wannabe and Madonna Sebastian, a cute and talented actress to watch out for, getting wasted in such a preposterous movie. When it comes to acting, almost everyone including the benign extras have done good work. 

It is a difficult movie to give background score, agreed, yet Santosh Narayanan could have tried a bit more. The long stretches of uncomfortable silence punctuated with ear shattering score makes it one of the lackluster background scores from the young maestro in his filmography so far. Technically movie is good. 

On the whole, "KaKaKaPo" will too  pass out of theaters sooner than later.

Bottomline: Preposterous

2/5