Neethane En Ponvasantham - Story of its kind with No Compromise

Well, I need not pull in VTV unnecessarily but it will help me better explain what I feel about Neethane En Ponvasantham...

VTV had a brilliant story but I hated it to the core because of lot of cinematic stuffs added on top of it.. May be, Gautham Vasudev Menon realized that and wanted to take a movie with the same story base but no compromise.. That movie is NEPV...

If the complaint is "dialogues are long", yes we speak a lot.. If the complaint is that characters go back and forth, yes we all are confused people.. What GVM has shown in VTV or NEPV is a kind of love which is largely prevalent... It is only in NEPV where it was shown 'as it is' the big screen...I salute you GVM for the attempt..

Jeeva's contribution is key in bringing movie close to reality while Simbu failed big time for the same in VTV.. Samantha was brilliant.. Beautiful heroine who can act fantastically, yes she is on the top of heroine list!

Cinematography is another key aspect for we having been able to move along with Varun and Nithya...

Ilayaraaja need not prove any one about his songs or BGM.. He is beyond all those levels.. So no reviews about his music...The unique thing which GVM has done is not depending on Ilayaraaja's BGM but instead placed his masterpiece album spread across the movie.. There is no other director who has utilized Ilayaraaja's songs for proceeding throughout the movie... I can fall in your feet GVM for whatever you have done to both Ilayaraaja and his music as His devotee..

I wanted a failure of love in VTV climax and it was there... I was dying to see Varun and Nithya get together and it happened...

Brilliant movie Gautham.. Don't worry about the negative reviews..You can make many more movies to please audience but you will not get lot of chance to make movie which will please you and people with similar taste.. You did it brilliantly! Thank you!

3 - Why this story di?

Kolaveri hit created so much hype that whatever might have been the kind of movie, it would have been less than expectation (to those who flocked theatres with such expectation). Leaving Kolaveri hype, Dhanush-Aish-Shruthi combination hype and whatever hype that had surrounded this movie, it is a pretty decently presented movie from a good team.

Dhanush is brilliant as usual. Whoever might be the director, whatever might be the kind of movie, Dhanush always meets his standards. It is such a difficult state to obtain and not many actors have reached that level of stability. Dhanush has reached that level of consistency it at this young age. Great!

Shruthi Hassan continues to confuse me ;) I couldn't come to a conclusion whether she is  sleek & beautiful or dull, whether her dialogue delivery is unique or kochai thamizh, her hard expressions are good or all expressions are coming out hard... So I wish to reserve comments. In this movie, she is nice to be watched.

While Marina showcased a relatively different Sivakarthikeyan, we can see typical Sivakarthikeyan in 3. I don't know whether there was any call-sheet with him, why suddenly pack him to Singapore? May be director wanted to give importance in 1st half to Sivakarthikeyan and 2nd half to Sunder Ramu. Sunder Ramu has brilliantly done this role of a patient and caring friend. More promising support roles to come from him.

Prabhu is majestic. Bhanupriya and Rohini did justice to their short roles.

Cinematography is an important factor for this movie which involves stages of life and Velraj has brought them on screen perfectly.

Songs by Anirudh are very good. Kolaveri is the only song which was kind of out of synch, all other songs blended with the movie and all are hummable. BGMs were nicely supporting the movie without disturbing.

Finally about Director Aishwarya R. Dhanush. No first movie amateurishness. Given the story, overall flow of movie, great romance, drawing out contributions from each role..everything is perfect. But it is the story which kind of brought in negative reviews to this movie. Looks like tragic 2nd half is forced into script. Definitely looking forward to see better attempts from Aishwarya

Kazhugu - Only 'Story' is missing

"Wow Munnar again after Mynaa!" was the reaction after seeing first half. Those tea estates, misty mountains very interesting and new characters of those taking out dead bodies of people who have committed suicide by falling into the ghats......... in fact the start of this movie was far more promising than Mynaa. But unfortunately the most important requirement for a movie, i.e. story was not there resulting in boring 2nd half.

Hero Krishna Sekhar, I am seeing him for the first time (He has done few child and hero roles before). Looking like director Vishnuvardhan photocopy (of course he has to be :P) but in some angle he also looks like villain Daniel Balaji. So he has some scope for doing villain roles. Apart from appearance, he is a very promising actor; brilliant performance in this movie. He is going to get lot offers.

Bindhu Madhavi was not very promising like Amala Paul of Mynaa (sorry but I some how feel like drawing comparison with Mynaa). Thambi Ramaiah and Karunaas are strong pillars of this movie. Jayaprakash, for a change is a little more rougher villain in this movie. 

Cinematography by Sathya is the best part of this movie. One should watch this movie in theatre at least for his camera work. Of course tea estates and western ghats will appear beautiful. But the kind of 'close to natural' lighting which he has used gives a great feel. Good work boss!

No typical flashy or catchy Yuvan songs. Paathagathi and Aathadi Manasu dhaan are numbers which will slowly get into us. Aambalaikkum Pombalaikkum and Vaadi Vaadi are not forced kuthu numbers but much needed for the situation. Even BGMs were good. So overall 'Music for Movie' by Yuvan.

Director Sathyasiva is definitely a good technician and movie maker. If he had concentrated a little on the story and gave an interesting 2nd half, this movie would have gone into trend setters list. Now all the blood and violence without any story is unfortunately pushing it to 'headache movies' list

Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Eppadi - Kadhal Padam Eduppadhu 'Ippadi'

Movie industry usually follows a trend. Even though 'not following trend' is a formula in current Tamil film industry, we still feel a trend which is NOT taking 'out and out youthful enjoyable love story'. Of course most of the movies are weaved with love thread but no out and out love story. Director Balaji Mohan might not have consciously tried to fill the void. If he had, he might have taken a 'usual' love story and would have got criticism that it was nothing different from 80s or 90s love story. He might have thought of taking a cool movie presenting the current love life and he has hit the target perfectly. Even the advice part of the movie was within limits and catered in a light and digestible manner. Nothing was over-dose. I salute man, what a refreshing and sensible movie!

Cast....Before or after seeing the movie, I couldn't think of any one other than Siddarth and Amala Paul. Siddarth is already a proven actor for these kind of roles. But what has to be even more appreciated is his wise decision to coproduce this movie along with Nirav Shah.

Amala Paul have already made her presence felt through her earlier movies and this movie has made her also a proven actor. From now on, I am rest assured that there is no looking back for her at least for the next few years.

Arjun (role as Siva) is responsible for most of the laugh busters. Thank you man :)

Suresh...Panner pushpangal paiyan ipdi pannikutti aagittengale! sorry no offense meant. Welcome back Suresh! Hoping to see you more in big screen.

Nirav Shah is always good in cinematography and will he let down his own movie. Very fresh and colorful camera work!

Lastly few words about the most important contributor for this movie. It is music director Thaman. I would rate music of this movie as the best of Thaman. On initial hearing, songs were good but were not catchy as his songs used to me. But when we hear them with the movie, wow! The songs have lifted the movie to great level. Good job man.

Overall, don't miss this movie. I am going to see it at least one more time.

Dhoni - Prakashraj Not Out

Every family (especially middle class) has been facing lot of difficulties because of the current education system (fees, tuition, peer pressure) and the difficulties are just increasing day by day along with added burdens due to increase in prices of essential commodities. So this movie is a need of the hour.

Appreciations to the original Marathi movie Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho, thanks to Prakashraj as a producer and director for presenting this concept in a very realistic manner and SALUTE to actor Prakashraj for showcasing such a brilliant performance. Scene in which he cries and expresses his grievances in Neeya Naana show is enough to tell about his acting excellence!

Movie revolves around Akash Puri and he has contributed accordingly. Radhika Apte was a treat to watch. Very subtle acting. Others were typical duet movies cast. Nasser was perfect as usual!

There were lip synch issues in some scenes. In the scene where Prakashraj meets CM, the actions (happens in background, need special attention to spot) of surrounding cameraman were school drama kind of amateur. Hope Prakashraj would have noticed them on screen and rectify in his future directions.

Finally comes the anchor of the movie Ilayaraaja. Of course, Prakash Raj is the flashy not out batsman of this movie but it would have not happened without the support batting of Isaignani. Even without giving separate ears to BGM, you will strongly feel how Raaja has elevated some scenes to great levels. Vaangum Panathukkum was pictured so well and synching so much with the movie that it scores better than musically better (in my view) vilayaatta padagotti. Thaavi Thaavi in Raaja's voice is a soul touching number and the same song was even more effective at the end of the movie.

Marina - Collection of Humor, Emotional and few mundane "Scenes"

Marina beach has seen and is seeing so many visitors. There should be no Thamizh film maker who has not been to Marina, still it occurred only in director Pandiraj's mind to make a movie with Marina as base; good thought! May be it is Angadi Theru which gave him the inspiration to make a movie about life of people in a Chennai location. Feel wise, emotional scenes of Marina is somewhat similar to Angadi Theru.

When it comes to Humour, Pandiraj scores high like he scored for Pasanga; laugh busters spread across the movie. He is the best among all in showing the life of 'boys'. He can definitely take Pasanga Series. Sarcasm about modern girls is also shown in a realistic and fun-filled manner through Sivakarthikeyan-Friend of Sivakarthikeyan-Oviya.

Marina doesn't have a story line and that is what which makes it stay away from the league of Pasanga, Angadi Theru etc. Marina boys, beggar thaatha, singer uncle, Sivakarthikeyan-Oviya pair... all have their own stories and good scenes associated with those stories but they were not weaved together properly.

'Pakkada' Pandiyan is the protagonist and he has done a very good job. This guy has a big future in his film career. So are the performances of other boys.

Sivakarthikeyan is not the same as he appears in TV shows. He has done the role perfectly without personal influence. In one of the songs, he looks good in clean shave; some resemblance with Vaibhav Reddy. We  have to wait for '3' release to predict anything about his film career. So far so good! Oviya fits perfect for this 'light'a pasikkudhu' role :)

Cinematography by Vijay is commendable, especially in competition scenes. Few elevated shots of Marina beach would have been great.

Good debut by Music Director Girish. Vanakkam Vaazha vaikkum Chennai is a big hit, even the other songs are good and sink well with the movie. 'Life in Marina' and 'Marina Theme' used as BGMs definitely lifted those scenes.

Overall it is a very good entertainer by Pandiraj.

Vettai - Ottai Masala Tupperware

Let me first decipher what is that "Ottai Masala Tupperware". I called it as 'Tupperware' instead of satti/dabba because the concept of a timid person being police and his brave younger brother acting on his behalf is kind of new like a Tupperware. 'Masala' should be pretty clear. If you are a masala lover then this formula movie (heroes intro song, heroines intro song, 2 romantic songs in between, finally 1 kuthu song followed by climax and action scenes spread across the movie) might be a complete entertainer. Why is it 'ottai'? I am referring to the logical flaws, of course it is obvious in a masala movie.

Madhavan definitely makes us laugh (though not a laugh buster). He is very good as a timid police officer. But in the 2nd half when he turns into a real tough cop, he appears as a 'comedy piece' instead of 'terror piece' except for the "Enakke shutter'a?" dialogue. If the 'thoppai' he has developed is intentional, then it is fine!

This is an important movie for Aarya. He has touched his border of being an action hero without losing the lightness which is expected from him. He was interesting both in the lighter and action scenes. Hope he would have realised his limits and wil not try to be a mass hero from the next movie and ruin like many Thamizh heroes.

Sameera Reddy is in her fade-out phase. Slowly she will become heroe's elder sister, aunty and gone forever. On the other hand Amala Paul in her fade-in period. This movie has given her lot of scope as a full fledged heroine compared to her earlier movies like Mynaa, Deivathirumagal. She with Aarya form a good pair.

Villains in this movie were not irritating and at the same time not very different from usual.

It should have been a disappointment for Yuvan fans. Kattipidi was ok and Pappappa is a decent foot tapping number but none of the songs were "catchy" according to Yuvan standards.

It is director Linguswamy's "another" movie but definitely better than Paiya. If he satisfies his target audience, then we can definitely tell he is doing good. Is he satisfying? I don't know because I am definitely not his target :)

Nanban - A neat remake

Will Nanban be very different from 3 idiots? Did Shankar add any value to the original? Most importantly, did Vijay screw the character done by Aamir?

NO is the reply for all of them. Yes Nanban is a scene by scene repetition of 3 idiots, but that is why it is called a remake. 3 idiots is a movie which can be seen any number of times and it is definitely a good experience to see the same rendered different way in our language (instead of seeing 3 idiots with subtitle).

Vijay is PERFECT! (Mind you I am also a Vijay hater just like most of those reading this because of his many meaningless movies) I would say that even the so called soft role of him in 'Sachin' was over-acting. This is the best simple acting of Vijay after REALLY long time. He never appeared different from the movie as he used to be. He did nothing more than what the important character of 3 idiots script should do. Good man!

Srikanth is another actor in my hate list and that guy is also good in this movie; all in the hands of director. Jeeva was awesome and natural as usual!

I feel that Ileana belongs to "extreme slim" case ;). Elumbum tholumaa irukka but of course she has precisely replicated the cute role of Kareena.

Omi Vaidya (3 idiots) had set a high benchmark and it was actually tough task for Satyan but he did meet it brilliantly. In my opinion, he was the best of Nanban. I laughed more for 'Karpazhithaar' when compared to 'Balaatkaar'.

Satyaraj was appearing like a 'over acting headache' in trailer but I was completely wrong. He was fabulous. Experience speaks!

Manoj Paramahamsa's camera was aesthetic and pleasing. Those elevated views of Pamban bridge, tea estates were magnificent. Frames were fresh!

Harris Jayaraj has done exactly what is needed. He being known as a Copy (or to put it decent Inspire) King has given an almost original songs. Nalla Nanban is of course m favorite but I personally liked all the songs. BGMs were neither out-standing nor standing-out. There were enough silence which itself is a good sign.

Remaking 3 idiots was a risk (that too with a hyped hero like Vijay who is sunk in image) but director Shankar didn't appear to have taken that pressure. He was cool and clear. He should have definitely felt relaxed while taking this movie after a painstaking Endhiran. A well written and established script was in his hands and he just had to present it for a different set of audience. I can bet, not many can do that but Shankar didn't disappoint.

Overall, Nanban is a neat and best remake of 3 idiots!

Veppam - Tasty but non-crispy Chips

With the kind of expectation Joshua Sridhar had created with his songs (esp Mazhai Varum Ariguri) and Photon Kathas banner (we may mock at Gautham but his name is definitely a value add at least with respect to expectations) this movie had good basement for a hit.

But director Anjana didn't build an aesthetic building on that basement. She had just built something mundane. When it comes to Chennai gangster stories there are many benchmarks. After seeing movies like Aaranya Kaandam which was cool and at the same time high-class presentation of gangsters, Veppam was just looking ordinary.

Though there weren't any spectacular shots (which in my humble opinion is not mandatory. Camera shouldn't disturb the screenplay), it was the pleasing visuals which helped the movie get going. Good work by Cinematographer Om Prakash.

Naani has an inspiring look. He is young but at the same time doesn't have childish personality like Santhanu (S/O Bhagyaraj) or Adharva (S/O Murali). Nothing to tell about his acting skills since he didn't have scope to showcase that in this movie.

Karthik Kumar has done a decent support role again. But it is not his career-breaking role though his role had all the needed importance. His death in the movie doesn't create much impact.

Nithya Menon is another homely (and bubbly) arrival to Thamizh cinema. Her role in both 180 and this movie is quite good. If she don't take the wrong decision of doing glamor roles, she has opportunity to get good roles

Bindhu Madhavi was looking like a real call girl. Sorry to say that but that's how I felt. This itself might be an appreciation for her acting in this movie.

Amma ji role is supposed to be serious like Sorna akka (Dhool) but it didn't create any impact. Jothi character was good and so was the Bai character (though he appears in only couple of scenes). It would have not been a bad choice to have swapped Bai and Amma ji's characters.

Balaji (brother) character (done by Muthukumar) was given too much hype since the plot started but he had a low profile right from beginning to end. Gautham Menon's voice for him was not a good choice. Gautham has a unique voice and it didn't blend with actor Muthukumar's acting.

I think it was the brother character which the director didn't handle properly. If she has brought in intelligence through that character, the movie would have been another crispy gangster movie like AK. Just because she was convinced with some casual screenplay, even the taste she had added became non-significant. Even though tasty, who will prefer eating non-crispy chips?

Potta Potti - Cricket movie in a different ground

Well if we look for logic or extreme humor in this movie, then we will definitely won't like it. I am a person who expects either of those. So I didn't like the movie..[Theatre'la thoonginavangala pathi naan inga ezhudha poradhilla :)]

Lagaan's cricket had a strong purpose. Chennai 600028's cricket had complete fun. In this movie Director Yuvaraj has tried to have both but didn't succeed in both..

Reg fun... Humor wasn't that great... First half had probably 10% good humor and 90% mokkai.. But it was the same 'Kodaivannan' who bored in 1st half secures claps from us in climax..

The person who did the role of 'avatar'  has done a good work...

Reg purpose.. It looks like the message about hills being exploded was forced into the movie. It suddenly cropped up in 2nd half... Anyways, it was a nice message..

Sadagopan Ramesh has done a decent job. His natural nakkal way of speaking has helped.. Heroine Harini looks pretty ordinary in some scenes and good in other scenes.. Overall an 'OK OK' choice of heroine..Villains are 'as usual'...

I really appreciate the camera work esp the cricket match scenes.. While the other game related movies had some cinematic shots, here I felt it natural.. Those dusty grounds, typical running between the wickets.. Good work!

One more thing to be mentioned is that the music of the movie was not irritating though it wasn't great.. Thanks to the music director Arul Dev for not giving a disturbing music..

Kanchana (Muni-2): Exclusive for 'C' center

Scary night scene with ghost showing trailer .. Sun rise... Actors shouting in the name of comedy.... One Kuthu song with 'tough looking' dance steps...Again scary night.. Again Sun rise.... After this cycle goes on for few times, a flash-back behind ghost attack and final climax fight...Run of the mill horror masala movie..When all in the family were speaking Coimbatore slang Thamizh, how come only Devadarshini was speaking (fake) Brahmin slang? Where is the logic?

I can simply write few lines like above about a movie like Kanchana, tear the performances into pieces and throw it into bin rejecting it as a worst movie.. But all those are not going to impact this kind of movie's collection even by 1%.

This movie is not targeted for bloggers/readers/geeks/freakers blah blah blah..Whistle, laugh busters, maha kuthu dance...All from Gandhi class :) I was surprised when I saw the crowd in theatre (FYI, not in multiplex. I saw in a local theatre). People who saw Show X were not able to get out as there was animated crowd waiting near gate to see Show (X+1). I just couldn't believe.. Now tell me, will my review create a negative impact anyway?

So let me try to write about this movie by digging out the 'C' center spectator inside me. Raghavendra Lawrence knows the exact pulse of his target audience.. As an actor, dancer and director he has delivered a full meals.. Sema kattu katravanga kattalam :)

Lakshmi Rai was used as a glamor doll and she danced as much as she can in the kuthu song in which she appears. 100% bonus for the thozhilaali who turned up to theatre after working hard for the whole day :)

Kovai Sarala, Sriman and Devadarshini with their kudutha kaasukku mela nadikkara reactions and loud voice have made target audience laugh. Mission accomplished :)

Thaman is known for stylish music. All the songs in this movie are rhythm numbers (Marana Kuthu).. Some people were dancing and most others were just trying to be seated.. All wanted to dance, shout, clap and whistle...So if we look it optimistically, it is a new face for Thaman!

Surprise package for this movie is Sarath Kumar... He is the real mass behind this movie.. Good to see an actor like him who is very careful about his image act in this kind of role...

Something which has to be really appreciated is the responsibility of showing good side of Transsexual people. May be Lawrence would have thought that he has to create an awareness about trans-sexuality to 'not so educated' people (indirectly C center). I am not trying to say that educated people know well about this issue and they approach this as a natural happening... Most of the educated people will not change even when it reaches them through mass media whereas those uneducated people will at least consider it with their inherent innocence.. "amam pa.. avan soldradhula gnyaayam irukku la?"

I would like to end the review with only one question to Lawrence.. Why did you make it only for C center? If you had tried, this movie might have been catered to a broader spectrum. Yes this movie might give a quick ROI but what will happen to your long-term image? Please try to consider this in your proposed Muni-3

Deivathirumagal - Reaches deep inside our heart

Disclaimer: I have not seen 'I am Sam'

The last soft movie I remember which was appreciated by anyone and everyone was Mozhi. I would say that Deivathirumagal is at least 5 times better than Mozhi and that's the reason we have been seeing sky high praises from everyone who saw the movie.

Each thing we cross in our life will have a limit related to the depth it can reach within us. Music is something which can go to any depth. I never knew that a movie also can touch such depths. But this movie has given impulses sitting deep inside our heart.

Vikram and Baby Sarah.. Can I even write 1% about their performance in words? Definitely not. When they say "Krishna Vandhaachu" and "Nila Vandhaachu" in this movie, namma manasu engeyo poiduchu :). They stole our heart. To put it simple, National award is reserved for both of them. Anyways, we have already reserved a place in our heart for their performances in this movie.

Anushkha is not very beautiful and neither it is needed for her role in this movie. She has given a satisfactory performance. I felt that Amala Paul is looking better than Anushkha. Even swapping of their roles might have not been a bad idea.

Nassar's role was not extraordinary compared to his earlier roles. Actually it is the portion in which he comes most (between interval and final court scene) which was not so great and also lacking in logic. What to do? Vikram and that baby devil [:)] have given such a performance that all others just appear very ordinary.

Santhanam played a low profile, of course sticking to his own style. He was good. The entire cast was impressive. Not even a single bad performance.

Nirav Shah's camera was brilliant as usual. Avalanche was beautifully brought in screen.

GV Prakash has given a good album once again. "Pa Pa" and "Kadha Solla" are signs of his maturity. He has started giving what is exactly needed for the movie. Vizhigalil Oru Vaanavil in Saindhavi's chocolate voice is every one's hum now. Aarariro song, its violin version as BGM, Life is Beautiful theme... GVP is an important factor for this movie's success.

How can we forget the man behind this master-piece? Yes it is director Vijay. As I said for Vikram and Sarah, praising Vijay's work by words would not be a good idea. Every time we got goosebumps,every time we were about to cry..can those emotions be replaced by words? I salute you Vijay. It should not be a difficult task for Vijay to take Part II from where he left. What would be difficult is to give the same feel with audience expectations which would have gone himalayan high. I believe Vijay can do it again!

Avan Ivan - Not a Bala's cup of tea

Bala is a specialist in showing gray areas of our society. He showed such characters in such a realistic way and that is why is considered as one of the greatest film maker of Thamizh cinema. He is also good in having some short humor sequences in movie.

But when it comes to full-time comedy, Bala is way behind state of the art. Whatever he has projected as laugh buster was looking just normal. In that process, there were lot of un-realsitic scenes, especially the scenes were all policemen where shown as buffoons. Endha oorla irukkeenga Bala?

Bala had good scope to show more about stealing and selling cows for slaughtering. But he stopped at a very abstract level. Overall, this movie is a major let down by Bala. 

Vishal has put in lot of efforts. It was a different role and also had good amount of scope for action.  I won't wonder if he is awarded national award for this role. Aarya's role was his 'as usual' one. It was a decent job!

The boy who accompanies Arya throughout the movie did a promising work. I have observed that in good amount of recent movies, al these 'small boy' characters are adding lot of valueto movie.

So called heroines Janani Iyer and Madhu Shalini had nothing much to do. Janani's role was made something similar to Laila's role in Pithamagan. Good thing is Janani didn't shout like Laila ;)

Yuvan's songs were good though it was a disappointment that 'Oru Malaiyoram' was not part of the movie. BGMs were also decent.

G.M. Kumar is the real hero of movie. Bala has decided to have some softness in this movie and it is 'Highness' role of G.M. Kumar and his interaction with Aarya and Vishal which made Bala achieve the desired softness. Such a soft character's hard-to-accept end is where there was Bala's touch. I almost cried in his final scenes.

It is only some 20 mins of movie which met bala's standard. Rest all were below average compared to his other movies. Bala should either concetrate more on his humor presentation or leave the idea of taking full-time comedy movies. Let him take his usual 3 years and give us just classic movies!