SINDHANAI SEI

My Review : Sindhanai Sei



“Sindhanai Sei ” is not a regular Tamil Cinema is evident right from the start of the movie which traces the lives of “the middle benchers” in school .Here every one is grey with their selfish interests overwhelming everything else – love , friendship , trust ….et al. It is refreshing to see a movie devoid of hero & heroine being the epitome of kindness & righteousness & none getting away with their deeds unpaid .

After a long gap we are presented with a movie with a strong script supported by good technicians as well as good actors who make this movie viewing a wholesome experience .Not to forget the Music of the movie which is Superb .

R.Yuvan has written , directed as well as led the acting department with élan . Though it is touted to be inspired from “Jhonny Gaddar ” & some romantic scenes lifted from “My Sassy Girl ” , R.Yuvan has a good visual skills as well as ability to extract emotions from his cast . His dialogues are crisp as well casual . As far as his acting capability goes there is ample scope for improvement and it will be prudent if he reduces his body girth .

Rest of the 4 members who make up the gang have all performed credibly .

Madhu Sharma too has done justice in a different kind of a role that heroines of today rarely get .

Thaman,s songs are superb each of different genre but nonetheless catchy .His re-recording too deserves pat on the back .He elevates the movie with his superb re-recording.

K.Thanikachalam , (Super good films’ company editor) is a revelation in this movie . His cuts are trendy & enhances the technical luster .

Sri Pawan Sankar is yet another talented cinematographer whom we come across in Tamil Cinema. But the manner in which the colour scheme of the movie gets changing almost with every scene may get into the nerve of the viewers after a point of time.

One gets a doubt whether this movie is a bilingual especially with the scenes involving Yuvan & Madhu being shot in Andhra Pradesh , their dialogues seems to be dubbed , the buses & police sporting Andhra number plates & uniforms respectively It is the only glitch in otherwise carefully done movie . Though the songs are superb , they mar the flow of the proceedings which becomes irritating after a point.

On the whole , after a long gap here is movie to savour for those who were longing for a meaningful movie.

Bottomline: Sindhanai ethum seiyamal poi parkalam…..

3.5/5

AINTHAM PADAI

My Review: Aintham Padai.




“Aintham padai ” is one of the better Sunder.C movies in recent times but since the quality of his movies have gone abysmally low since his first two attempts at acting , this one too can’t salvage him at the box-office . Though they have tried to give a family entertainer ,too much of commercialism has left the movie high & dry (This is where a movie like “Mayandi Kudumbathar “ scored ).

Sunder.C is getting irritatingly type cast &it is not that these kind of roles is paying dividends for him at the Box-office . When does he going to realize it is anybody’s guess what with his next two movie have nothing suggestive of it.

Simran has a meaty role to play but as with most of Sunder.c’s movies it is too nothing novel . Devayani’s role is nothing short of paying tribute to bygone era of 80’s . Adithi plays Sunder.c’s lady love who seems think that acting is nothing but stare blankly at the camera & stare more .

Among a horde of actors who from the support cast , Naser’s is a dignified portrayal while Dottana’s is a routine village baddy type. Mukesh’s Malayalam accented tamil is offsetting his portrayal while SampathRaj is sadly type cast yet again .

Vivek’s comedy tickles at some points though he is a long way from his best .

D.Iman’s music has nothing special to talk about while Sankar’s cinematography is routine.

Badri who started his career with promising “Veerapu “ fails to keep up the good work here . The climax of the movie is one of all time comedy in Tamil Cinemas.

Though this movie may have some takers in the rural areas , it will find it difficult to pass a couple of weeks in the urban areas.

Bottomline : Sunder.C , it is Wake-up time .

2/5

MALAYAN

My Review: Malayan



“ Thiruvalarselvan “ Karan’s “ Malayan ” has a solid script , adequate acting & some suspense in the proceedings which keeps the viewers guessing .

M.P.Gopi joins the list of R.V.Udhayakumar & P.Vasu in giving good village based movie with a neat script .

Dhina’s music is nothing special but he too follows the flavour of the season with some native songs like recent hits “Mudhal Mariyadhai ” ,” Chinna Goundar ” …etc.

I.Sridhar’s cinematography is wonderful with some stunning CG work .

Karan is sure to become one of the leading hero in the near future especially in the rural areas among the women in particular .

Shammu is a native face & acts well while Udhayathara fills in the void after Shammu leaves the scene.

Sharathbabu is in form nowadays with varied roles like in “Annamalai “ & here too he has a solid role to do which he does with aplomb.

It is encouraging that these days movies have gone out of the confines of Madras & refreshing to see rural South Tamil Nadu for a change . Let this be a begging for we have a lot many areas there to show on screen .

On the whole , go & watch this well made movie in theatres & not in your VCRs.

……………………………………………………………

P.S: Don’t get confused by this review which dates back to 28th , July , 1989 .

Coming to the present time , this movie is good but the only thing that works against it’s favour is that it may have got a release some 20 years too late……

2/5

MODHI VILAYADU

My Review : Mothi Vilayadu



Saran’s latest offering “Modhi Vilayadu ” is racy , different & interesting in the first half & up to the point of a shocking revelation in the story after which the movie becomes clichéd , hackneyed & cinematic , a apology of a climax to top it all. It is as if the movie is written & directed by two different persons before & after that point .

What makes this movie watchable is the breezy first half with all its freshness & novel approach. Kajal Agarwal & Shanthanam take away all the plaudits here . This half is an ample example of the visionary in Saran .

Coming to second half , from the point the movie takes a U turn , it looses all its novelty ,utterly devoid of any shred of logic whatsoever . The manner in which the CEO of a multinational company can become penniless overnight is not only a shocking piece of pathetic writing but makes one not to take the movie as seriously as one was taking it up to that point . And lesser said about the climax the better.

Vinay has nothing much to do in this movie but shines in couple of scenes in the second half. Though his attempt at dubbing is not upto the mark , one must appreciate his try .Way to go Vinay.

Kajal Agarwal rocks the first half though inexplicably she disappears suddenly .After her return though her part too becomes as banal as it may get. On the contrary her lip sync is pathetic to mildly put it.

Shanthanam is in great form nowadays & he lives up to it. There are a lots of LOL scenes in the movie involving him .

Kalabavan Mani starts off subtly but the dramatic in him springs out now & then all to the irritation of the viewers .

Colonial Cousins’ music is routine but the song “Modhi Vilayadu ” stands out for both the picturization as well the music.

Karun’s Cinematography is trendy & sleek contributing to the grandeur of the movie.

Ramakrishnan’s story is novel though it got spoilt by the screenplay of Saran in the latter half while his dialogues adds to the fun in the first half .

This one may be better than Saran’s last couple of attempts but it is nothing any where near what his potential we saw in “Kadhal Mannan ” or “Amarkalam.”

Bottomline : Can watch it for the first half.

2.5/5

ACHAMUNDU ACHAMUNDU

My Review : Achamundu Achamundu




"Achamundu Achamundu " is not a regular movie that we come across in Tamil Cinema Industry . Yes it is the first one to be shot on Red One Digital camera ,shot wholly in U.S. ,it has an hollywood actor playing a important role . But what makes it unique is the subject matter - very bold , topical & relevant yet presented in a pleasant manner without any voyeuristic indulgence . Technically the movie is top notch with stunning cinematography & world class background score .All the actors have put in some natural , subtle acting .

Prasanna's is a neat portrayal of an young American-indian professional ,a loving husband & a caring father.Emotions come effortlessly for him whether it is love , anger or anguish . But one do get felling that he is getting type cast ("Anjathey " being an exception.)

Sneha is another natural performer & lives up to the expectations .

John Shea sends shivers down the spine with his cold blooded smile & by his characterisation.

Karthick Raja's musical score is world class. It is one of the best background score in recent times .It is a great shame that so much talented as he is , he is yet to fulfill his potential in the Tamil Cinema Industry.

Chris Frielich is the cinematographer & he is yet another reason why this movie is of international quality . The digital film making at it's best probably for the first time in Tamil cinema without any aberrations .

Arun Vaidyanathan is the brain behind this movie . He has taken a complex subject & presented it in a very simple manner . The screenplay is very lucid & direction adequate though there is some scope for improvement as there are couple of instances amateurishness here & there . Dialogues are natural without any scope for melodrama or theatrics .The very slow pace of the movie may offset some.

Bottomline : A good attempt .

3.5 / 5

VEDIGUNDU MURUGESAN

My Review : Vedigundu Murugesan




Moorthy's follow-up to his successfull debut "Karupasami Kuthagaitharar " ,Pasupathy starrer "Vedigundu Murugesan " is yet another disappointing outing , keeping in with the trend of last two years in Tamil cinema ,barring half a dozen movies ,mostly it has been a frustrating peroid for both the makers as well as the viewers. The big question is why Pasupathy , an actor with bundle of talents , is squandering with script selection . After the duds of "Kuselan " & " TN 07 AL4777" , this movie is yet another case of misjudgment on his part.

The question is whether the director was serious enough in writing & directing this movie. Pasupathy's character or Jyothirmayee's character or even those of the villans are all ambiguously written - every one is confronted with the question - whether these characters are serious or spoofs of such characters we see in tamil movies. The whole movie in fact has this vagueness - moments seriousness followed with sequences of utter ridicule. As the result one gets a feeling as to whether one has to take this movie serioulsy to spend money & time for.

Pasupathy is earnest in his role but can't repeat the comic magic that we saw in "Majaa " . His characterisation at best confusing - at one moment he gives thoughtful sermons in court , at the next moment he tries to sleep with a prostitute ! He is shown as a rowdy in one instance while throughtout the second half he runs from the villans for his life. Also Jyothirmayee falling in love only because he cares for that mentally deranged girl is also seems a tad simulated .

Same is the case with Jyothirmayee's character - she tells to her parents that she was brought up like a male yet in many instances she is shown breaking into tears for even slightest of provocations .


Less said about the Villans the better - their role is parody or what ...??

Vadivelu succeeds in keeping the audience lively at couple of places but he too disappoints on the whole.

Television news-reader Nirmala Periyasamy also stars in a significant role.

Dina's music is nothing to speak off while cinematography is routine.

Though dialogue writer Moorthy shines in some scenes , script-writer & director Moorthy is terribly off the radar.

After those movies with style sans substance that we saw in the last few weeks , this one is a movie sans style & substance.

Bottomline : Better get blasted by a " Vedigundu " than watching this.

1.5 / 5

VAMANAN

My Review: Vamanan




Though "Vamanan " is Jai first movie as solo hero ,the makers have gone overboard in presenting him as all prevailing mass action hero which seems a little preposterous on the part of them as well the person in question. Also it is not only quiet irritating but also outrageous on the part of some young heros to ridicule established senior actors in the name of comedy . Jai must see to it that he also don't go the same way of some others like him who vanished from the industry by making their tongue do all the talking without giving it a thought.

Coming to "Vamanan " it is all style without any substance .The script by I.Ahmed is totally illogical & frivolous ,unable to keep the viewers interested with innumerable holes in the plot & many loose ends untied. The basic plot is same as that of "Muthirai " another disappointment which released few weeks back & the treatment is nothing better.

Jai tries to ascend to the heights of some top heroes of Tamil cinema but ends up with eggs on his face .One advise to him .Sir, try to concentrate on the job at hand which is acting rather than unnecessarily indulging in over-zealous ,over-smart rumblings.

Priya Anand has nothing much to do & have a very limited screen space while Laxmi Rai not only flaunts her assets a great deal but also done a neat job emoting.

Santhanam is the only redeeming factor of the movie & it is he who keeps the first half going with some support from Urvashi but even he can't salvage the inane second half.

Rest in the cast Rahman , Sampath , "Thalaivasal" Vijay & the rest are cliched to the core.

Yuvan Sankar Raja's re-recording is disappointing (the number of movies he is currently doing is taking the toll )while couple of songs are worthy a listen.

Arvind Krishna's cinematography especially his lighting is excellent .

I.Ahmed's debut as director & writer is not the one he will remember .There are fleeting moments of amateurishness in between some pretty ordinary scenes .

Week after week we are subjected to some pretty poor scripts in Tamil cinema.This paucity of decent script writers in Tamil is quiet baffling tp say the least. One may wish to freak out loud "Tamil cinemava kapatha yarume illaya" after seeing such pathetic attempts week after week.

On the whole , those who have already watched "Muthirai" beware of another tryst with destiny if you dare to venture into this movie .Rest of you save your money & peace of mind.

Bottomline: "Muthirai " & "Thoranai" are classics when compared to this.

1.5/5

GNABAGANGAL

My Review :Gnabagangal



Touted to be a real life story & tribute of Pa.Vijay for his friend's love , movie ends up exasperating the viewers with it's snail paced & old fashioned presentation . Though the story may move the viewer in the end (especially considering it that it has atually happened in real life) one need extra bit of patience & time to sit through upto that point . "Gnabagangal" is not in sinc with the times & may not get the response it envisaged to .

Pa.Vijay's acting is totally inspired from Cheran's & though he has put in his best efforts possible that is not enough to save the day.He ends up making some unintended comedy in terms of dancing as well as in some romantic & emotional scenes also. Also the amke up plays traunt in almost all the sequences .

Sridevika looks glamourous in this movie & acts well & has a meaty role too. She aslo seems to have dubbed herself which is competent . But same cannot be said of her dressing sense & make-up.

Rest of the cast put up some amatuerish attempt .Director Jeevan comes up in a small role .

The makers may well have avoided the dig at one of the most famous lyricist though it reflects a personal anguish tinted in it .

James Vic's music is nothing to rave about.

Jevvan handles the camera as well as direction.

Pa.Vijay has written the story , screenplay , dialogues & songs as well as produced the movie. The "kavidhai"'s that appear in between the narration (ala Kadhir's movies) are good though they stick out odd .Dialogues are full of literary connotation which try to give the movie a lyrical quality but they look forced into the narration.

Screenplay is very slow & has nothing novel to offer .Since the end is known in the first reel itself , the suspence element is also not there. Also the screenplay is distorted with scenes appearing in & out without any link.

On the whole , wait for Kalinger T.V to telecast it on a friday night any sooner .

Bottomline : Gnabagangal - marakapada vendiyavai.....

2/5

VALMIKI

My Review: Valmiki




Some movie may look very good in writing but when it comes to execution it may lack a punch .Sadly "Valmiki" suffers exactly here . Direction of the movie is wavering & at many places lacks conviction which mars some excellent acting from most of the cast . First half moves without any purpose with some unwanted cinematic cliched dance numbers & sea-shore duet & like in many movie a well educated girl with almost angelic qualities falling for a pickpocket thug ....!

Some purpose does comes into the proceedings in the second half with some truly touchy moments here & there like the Kanaga's coversation with Pandi on her first night , Pandi's encounter with the prostitute as well the final moments of the movie involving the nabbed robber Tyson . They sure does moist one's eyes but they are few & far in between some ordinary moments .

A movie can't become a cult classic only by filming it in real locations with some real life characters in the cast .There must be a flawless script & lucid direction which is in lacking here. Also one can't understand why directors of today think that if the movie has to be realistic either hero or the heroine must die in the end. ....Yawn...!


The redeeming feature of the movie is only natural portrayal of the cast .Everyone from Akhil to Meera Nandan , Devika , Badava Gopi as well as numerous unknown faces have done an excellent job . The young girl who becomes a prostitute , brother of Kanaga , young boy adopted by Vandana are a few who stay in out mind long after the movie gets over .


N.Alagappan has worked very hard shooting in some real locations , often in a candid manner .His toils are vividly seen all over the movie .

Ilayaraja's songs are hummable but have an already heard feeling attached to them. Also re-recording is some what routine .

Anantha Narayanan , who makes his debut with this movie shows glimpses of mastery over the medium but sadly they stay only glimpses.

On the whole , a good message said in a very unconvincing manner.

Bottomline: Unconvincing.

2.5/5

NADODIGAL

My Review: Nadodigal





"Nadodigal " , Samuthirakani's third attempt at the helm & Sasikumar's second movie as an actor opens with a lots of expectations & lives up to it in the first half which is not only racy & entertaining but also realistic & simple in it's approach. But sadly movie peters out into an exaggerated cinema devoid of any natural flair in the second half with an insipid ending .The razor sharp dialogues of Samuthirakani being the saving grace in the climax scenes though they don't gel with the modern times .

Sasikumar has done a decent job as the lead hero for the first time & has tried hard to dance a bit also . But there seems to be "Subramanyapuram " hangover here & there .

Bharani is the real show stealer of the movie . He proves not only in the comical scenes but surprisingly has done exceedingly well in the emotional ones to. Needless to say he walks away with all the applause from the audience.

Vijay don't have much to do while Ananya & Abinaya , debutantes prove their mettle in the limited scope provided for them.

The one who comes as the mother of one of the lovers (M.P) over acts a lot & her acting as well as her characterisation are utterly cinematic .

Kanja Karupu once again proves that given the right person to guide him , he has a lot to offer .

The one who comes as "Chinnamani" steals the show whenever he is on screen with his ultra casual acting & mannerisms.
Sunder .C.Babu's songs travel along the story though the item number sticks out like sore thumb.

Kathir's cinematography aids the director's vision ably .

Samuthirakani has written & directed the movie. Kudos for him to think of a script like this in which there is no one as hero or a heroine , none completely good or totally bad , a racy movie with very little violence or blood shed . Also he keeps a lighter vein going throughout. If only he has taken a better care in the second half & thought of something novel for the climax , movie would have gone places.

On the whole , movie starts with a bang but ends with a whimper.

Bottomline : 1st half racy , 2nd half messy .


3/5