Retrospective twitterification :
Just imagine twitter was there in the 80's and 90's and I were to review movies released then on twitter.
Year 1991, March - December:
Just imagine twitter was there in the 80's and 90's and I were to review movies released then on twitter.
Year 1991, March - December:
Gopura vasalile:
It is one of those rare films in which all the departments of film-making confluence in harmony to come up with a thoroughly enjoyable movie. Priyadarshan who makes his tamil debut does so in a sparkling manner. Whether it is P.C.Sreeram's superlative camera work or Ilayaraja's stupendous musical score or perfect casting, Priyadarshan could not have dream of a better debut.
Bottomline: One of the best feel good movies in recent times
4/5
Uruvam:
Jaded Mohan's forgettable comback, "Uruvam" is way off target. It is neither scary nor thrilling. Hideous makeup of the haunted characters that try to spook only make you laugh.
Bottomline: An amateur attempt
1.5/5
Puthu Manithan:
Sathyaraj - Goundamani chemistry is way more sparkling than Sathyaraj - Banupriya's which is the prime reason why one can sit through this fairly mundane affair. The movie's comedy track is going to be one of the most sought after in years to come.
Bottomline: Watch once for the Sathyaraj-Goundamani banters.
2.5/5
Chinna Thambi:
I still can't fathom what is there in this movie other than outstanding Ilayaraja's songs that mandates such a huge response from the audience. Story is about two mentally retarded persons one of whom is a singer who seems to know about everything except what is "thaali"while another who knows only about "thaali" and nothing else and who among the two successfully get to use it. And to add the female lead's character threads dangerously between naivety and retardness. The climax is the most cringe-worthy sequence in the history of tamil cinema.
Bottomline: A simplistic reworking of "Meendum oru kadhal kadhai", :P
2/5
Captain Prabhakaran:
R.K.Selvmani, after his power-packed and immensely successful "Pulan Visaranai" that was inspired by "Auto" Sankar, is at it once again with equally powerful and interesting take on forest brigand Veerappan, in his second movie "Captain Prabhakaran". Vijaykanth (100th film)shines in the titular role while the movie's debut villain Mansoor Ali Khan sparkles. Liyakath Ali Khan's dialogues that are razor sharp does ruffle a feather or two through it's potent political undertones. Ilayaraja's background score elevates the movie a couple of notches as does Rajarajan's jaw dropping cinematography.
Bottomline: An all-round adrenaline pumping spectacle.
4/5
Cheran Pandiyan:
A well-written and engrossing family drama, "Cheran Pandiyan" makes an enjoyable viewing. The ensemble cast of solid actors and pleasing musical score of newbie Soundaryan with lots of female pleasing sequences along with awesome comedy track from now in form Goundamani - Senthil duo makes it an instant recipe for a pleasant viewing for the whole family.
Bottomline: Wholesome family entertainer.
3.5/5
Sendhoora Devi:
"Sendhoora Devi" is Rama Narayanan's crude uncredited remake of the yesteryear classic "Kulandhaiyum Deivamum" with the little "Sivaji Ganeshan" Shamili in the lead in a duel role along with an elephant, dog, monkey and horse. It is a perfect example of how can a classy script can be maimed into such a laughable caricature.
Bottomline: Only for the pea-headed
1.5/5
Maanagara Kaaval:
Vijaykanth's fine form continues with "Maanagara Kaaval" too. His confidence in the young film-making graduates from the film institute is paying off rich dividend. When most of his contemporaries are stuck in the masala universe, he is taking up unusual subjects which are getting well received. Vijaykanth and cop uniform seem to be a secret recipe for a sure-shot hit.
Bottomline: An engrossing action thriller
3.5/5
Veetla Ezhi Velila Puli:
A remake of kannada movie, "Veetla Ezhi Velila Puli" deals with an interesting concept of equality in the married couple but the execution goes haywire. There are quite a few hilarious sequences here and there, but overall it fails to sustain in entertaining the audience. S.V.Sekhar and Janagaraj are lively in their roles while the same can't be said of the female leads which is an important drawback that contributes towards the lackluster impact.
Bottomline: Good concept on paper but poor execution.
2.5/5
Azhagan:
K.Balachandar in his latest movie "Azhagan" has opted for a lighter story yet the terrific acting of the whole cast packs a punch. Mammooty, Banupriya, Geetha, Madhoo and all the four kids keep you enthralled with their superlative acting. Maragathamani's musical score is another shot in the arm for KB.
Bottomline: Enjoyable lighthearted drama
3.5/5
Jenma Natchathiram:
"Jenma Nathathiram" is a fair enough remake of the cult horror classic "The Omen". In spite of the insipid lead pair, the making of the movie keeps it engaging. Horror elements have worked out well. A relatively unknown cast and crew have done justice to the material in their hand.
Bottomline: Fairly well made remake of the cult movie.
3.5/5
Idhayam:
Tamil cinema seems to have unearthed a worthy successor for Mohan in Murali. He aces the "Oru thalai ragam" prototype effortlessly. Written and directed by debutant Kathir supported by a blockbuster musical album of Ilayaraja, "Idhayam" is technically sound and emotionally evocative. Newcomer Heera looks radiant and the movie has a contemporary urbane feel to it.
Bottomline: A poetic romantic drama, go for it
3.5/5
MGR Nagaril :
"MGR Nagaril" is a well written comical thriller, a typical malayalam remake. Though not in the same league as that of its original "In Hariharan Nagar", it is nonetheless a faithful remake that retains the essence of the original especially when one considers other malayalam scripts being butchered by tamil directors by addition of unnecessary commercial elements when they remake.
Bottomline: An engaging thriller with enjoyable comical portions
3/5
Nattuku Oru Nallavan:
It is one of the most irritating movie of the year. Filmmakers should realize that just by having a bankable star and a story that deals with a sensational issue with generous dose of patriotism would not succeed at the box office. A solid story and engaging screenplay is what that is important and this movie lags behind in both these crucial departments.
Bottomline: A total washout
1/5
Bramma :
"Bramma" is yet another interesting movie from the talented K.Subash. He seems to have mastered the art of making commercial cinema with loads of intelligence. An apt followup to last year's massively impressive "Sathriyan". Sathyaraj-Goundamani combo is in terrific form and regale the audience once again with their fireworks. Kushboo is ravishing while Banupriya is impressive.
Bottomline: An enjoyable cerebral masala entertainer.
3.5/5
Gunaa:
"Gunaa" is yet another vindication of the fact that Kamalhassan is one of the most versatile actors in the country today. A brilliantly written, beautifully made and awesomely enacted (perfect casting) movie, "Gunaa" is one of those movies that would keep making the tamil movie lovers proud for decades to come. Ilayaraja's haunting background score and divine songs keep intruding into your mind for days.
Bottomline: A soul-stirring classic, an ode to pure poignant cinema.
4.5/5
Rudhra:
The master of screenplay K.Bagyaraj is back with a bang with "Rudhra". Basically an investigative thriller, he spices it up with his trademark humour and intelligent twists and turns. The initial 20 minutes or so in which Bagyaraj successfully cracks a bank robbery single-handedly is one of the most enjoyable stretches in recent years.
Bottomline: An effortless entertainer that is cleverly written
3.5/5
Thalapathi:
Armed with an excellent powerful ensemble cast led by the leading superstars in two south indian film industry, out of the world musical score from the god of music Ilayaraja and world class cinematography by Santosh Sivan, Manirathnam hits the bulls eye once again with his modern day reworking of the Mahabaratha's Karna-Duryodana friendship.
Bottomline: Masterclass on screen.
4/5
Thalattu Ketkuthamma:
Debutant Raj Kapoor's "Thalattu Ketkuthamma" deals with the topical issue marital rape and maternal mortality,but the same is told in entertaining manner without any scope for complaints. Prabhu's purple patch continues.
Bottomline: A sweet lullaby
3.5/5
Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum:
After starting the year promisingly with "Naan Pudicha Mapillai" where he dealt with father-in-law and son-in-law dynamics, V Sekhar ends it with an equally compelling take on the father-in-law and daughter-in-law dynamics in "Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum". This time around the emphasis in on humour and it has worked out very well though at times it borders on crudeness and crassness. Goundmani is in fine form.
Bottomline: Fun-filled family entertainer with a message
3.5/5
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