'2012' - A glance at the Golden Age of Malayalam Film Industry

Highest  Box-Office  Grossers

'Mayamohini', 'Run Baby Run', 'Usthad Hotel', 'Ordinary', 'Thattathin Marayathu' and 'Mallusingh'  - respectively these Six Movies have reached the highest double profit in 2012.

'I Love Me' - Review

In 'I Love Me', the 'main characters' are self-centered but in the crux they have been changed that they struck up a friendship. Its story being complicated and umpteen twists, suspense is totally fall flat and lacking sense. It is directed by Unnikrishnan.B and Scripted by Sethu. Unni Mukundan, Asif Ali, Anoop Menon and Isha Talwar are handling the lead roles in 'I Love Me' which garnered negative opinions.

Story

Ram mohan (Anoop menon), a business tycoon requires a huge amount of money to solve his problems and he plot on plans to make the money by using two youths Savy (Unni Mukundan) and Prem (Asif Ali). In Ram Mohan's cards a girl named Samantha (Isha Talwar) includes and it turns out be a difficult game. 

'I Love Me' story neither striking nor keeps a suspense and sequences are not up to mark even at parts. The one and only thing is 'I Love Me' is a colorful experience in its' visuals of Bangkok.

The Main characters; Unni Mukundan is an imposing presence as his role 'Savy'. His looks & gestures make attention of yours. While Asif Ali nothing offers new in his role 'Prem' and Isha Talwar's character 'Samantha' has not appreciable because of her performance is incompetent. Anoop Menon's character 'Ram Mohan' leads the crux of the story to a mystic path but it doesn't create an impact and it makes u predictable. Biju pappan's role 'Maniappan' is his first funny role in his film career but it is near the average.

'I Love Me' has nothing specials in Unnikrishnan's direction and the Script of Sethu. Whether the title is tricky, its story let down the viewers by its crisp thrilling manners. Moreover, the story is folly. The only saving grace is Satheesh Kurup's cinematography. He taken the flamboyant visuals of Bangkok which chills your eyes. Manoj's Edit is could have been better and Deepak Dev's tracks is in his usual styles.

Totally, 'I Love Me' is visually colorful while it works as folly theme.

Grade:   A 'Silly' Thriller.     

Rating:  2/5

''HAPPY CHRISTMAS''

There are many gifts for me

in this Christmas

But the best one is the 

'Gift Of Your Friendship'

Thanks To All and Wishing You

''Merry Christmas''

Karmayodha - Review

Dear Friends,

'Karmayodha' is a well packed action film as well as its plot confronting the multiplicative antisocial harassment upon women. It is directed by Major Ravi and Mohanlal is acting the protagonist role 'Madhavamenon aka Maddy'. Karmayodha's opinions majorly mixed with good and it is produced by Red Rose productions along with MR Productions.

Story

Madhavamenon aka Maddy (Mohanlal), an encounter specialist who takes actions against criminals on the spot before considering the law & order. He takes an investigation against the Mafia which abducting the young girls and he trace them overcoming several hurdles.  

Karmayodha story has good theme and upwards of some sequences are entertaining and thrilling. It has, the film 'Taken'-esque plot, but a lot of changes by the reasons of when the starting the title shown 'Karmayodha' is inspired from real incident and films. Furthermore, its interval related scenes, climax and end are perfect. 

Mohanlal's character is impressive like a proxy who showed how to deal against antisocial elements with his role 'Maddy' styles. His gestures, styles and appearance are top-class which perfectly apt the role's attitude. Other characters of  Mukesh, Saikumar, Bineesh Kodiyeri, Badri, Janardhanan, Riyas Khan are good. The main villain role (i don't know the actor's name) is good with his appearance while he some overdoing. The drawback: some junior actors castings could have been better. Totally the film is completely pomp of Mohanlal

Director Major Ravi packed with social issues in a full-fledged mass entertainer and he brings forward the stardom of Mohanlal in prominent situations. And Ravi differently approached and treated the plot of 'Taken'. The drawback is some scenes, characters and dialogues dip into schmaltz. Pradeep Nair's cinematography, Edit of Donmax and Jeffrey Jonathan's Bg Scores are strong benefits and up to mark.

Totally, 'Karmayodha', a 'Mass Thriller-Social' Film.

Grade:  A Mad 'Maddy' Style

rating:  3/5

'Bavootiyude Naamathil' - Review

Dear Friends,

Owing to Mammootty's performance and characters' lively dialogues, 'Baavootiyude Namathil' is simply good film, written & produced by director Ranjith and directed by G.S.Vijayan. It is released on 21/12/2012 and received mostly good opinions. Kavya Madhavan, Sankar Ramakrishnan, Vineeth, Kaniha etc. are the leading artists along with Mammootty.

Story

Bavooty (Mammootty) an orphan who is a driver cum all in all of a businessman Sethu (Sankar Ramakrishnan) and his family. Vanaja (Kavya Madhavan) is Sethu's wife who had a love affair prior to her marriage. Bavooty helps her to overcome the tragedies of her pre-marital incidents. 

Although story of 'Baavootiyude Namathil' is just usual, in first half its more sequences are engaging with simple & genuine humours. Second half's situations creates the seriousness of story, but a little lagging in some. Totally the film is more simple with its starting, Interval related scenes & climax.  

The castings is efficacious and they delivers stunning performances. First of all Mammootty, his performance is top-notch by his title role Bavooty's pariance and gestures. Other actors Kaniha, Sankar Ramakrishnan, Kavya Madhavan, Vineeth, Harisree Asokan etc. give their brilliant performances. Mainly, Mammotty as 'Bavooty' is the showman.

Director G.S.Vijayan perfectly made and strictly followed the Script of Ranjith. About the story, it could make a little better (though vineeth's performance is superb, his role hasn't strong support in its story). Its characters and their dialogues much more absorbing. So First Half is its backbone. Technicalities are good & apt : Manoj Pilla captured the simple visuals, Editing of Sandeep Nandakumar is good and two songs included in this film, composed by Shahabas Aman.The song in the beginning is good but the other is up to par.

Totally, 'Baavootiyude Namathil', a simply good film.

Grade:   In the presence of 'Mammootty' and lively dialogues.

Rating:  3/5

Dear Friends,

'4 Cakes' presenting for u in this Xmas Films Treat  which starts tomorrow (21/12/2012)

'Karmayodha'

'Baavootiyude Naamathil'

'Da Thadiya'

'I Love Me'

'I Love Me' - Preview

Script writer turned Director Unnikrishnan.B's new film titled as 'I Love Me', starring Unni Mukundan, Asif Ali, Isha Talwar and Anoop Menon in the lead. Its script has penned by Sachi and Produced by Vysakh Rajan in his own banner 'Vyshak Cynymas'.

Specialities

Unnikrishnan who earlier worked in his screenplays with superstars in some Blockbusters and 'I Love Me' is his first venture with Young stars. Furthermore, he is directing this film with another screenplay writer Sachi, firstly. The director says that ''the film is special for him and it has been engaging factors in its Story and Characters''. Unnikrishnan's last film is 'Grandmaster', a Mohanlal starrer movie which is turned out as one of the Super hits in 2012. And also the film is joining together of actors Unni Mukundan and Isha Talwar, after their own films 'Mallusingh' and 'Thattathin Marayathu', are blockbusters in 2012. Actor Anoop Menon's character will be crucial one in this film and Biju Pappan who had done some villain roles in his earlier movies and firstly he performs a humorous role. 'I Love Me' shot majorly in Bangkok and Ernakulam.

Technicians
Production         Vyshak Cynyma
Director              Unnikrishnan.B
Writers               Sethu
D.O.P                 Sathish Kurup
Editor                 Manoj
Lyrics                 B.K.Harinarayanan
Music                 Deepak Dev
Art                       Joseph Nellikal
Makeup             Pradeep Rangan
Costumes        S.B.Satheesan
Stills                  Hasif Haqim
Designs            Papaya

'Da Thadiya' - Preview

'Da Thadiya': an Aashiq Abu film, pivoting a 'chubby' guy character handling by debut Sekhar Menon amongst other roles of Aan Augustine, Sreenath Bhasi, Nivin pauly, Manianpilla Raju, Idavella Babu, N.L.Balakrishnan etc. Its scripting by Dileesh Nair, Abhilash Kumar & Syam Pushkaran and Anto Joseph has producing this film under banner of him Anto Joseph Film Company.

Specialities

'Da Thadiya' is Ashiq's 4th film following after his continuous two blockbusters 'Salt'N Pepper' and '22 Female Kottayam'. The script team Dileesh Nair, Abhilash Kumar & Syam Pushkaran and the cinematographer Shyju Khalid again working with Aashiq after these two movies. Actress Aan Augatine has doing the heroine character of Sekhar Menon's role. The film's music composed by Bijipal who earlier had been done the tunes of Aashiq's films 'Daddycool' and 'Salt'N Pepper'. Its promotional song ''Enthaanu Bhai...'' gained several views on YouTube with good opinions.

'Da Thadiya' is set ready for release in this December 21 th 2012.

Technicians
Production         Anto Joseph Film Company
Director              Aashiq Abu
Writers               Dileesh Nair, 
                            Abhilash Kumar 
                            Syam Pushkaran
D.O.P                 Shyju Khalid
Editor                 V.Saajan
                            Bhavan Sreekumar
Lyrics                 Sarath Vayalar
                            R.Venugopal
Music                 Bijipal
Art                       Bawa
Makeup             Raheem Kodungaloor
                           Jijesh
Costumes        Sameera Saneesh
Stills                  Ramdas Mathoor
Promot.Stills    Ajay Menon
Designs            Papaya

'Nee Thane En Ponvasantham' - Review

'Nee Thane En Ponvasantham' keeping the trademarks of director Goutham Vasudevamenon's narrative style which indicated the same marks of his previous films. Majorly its style closely follows Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya and Vaaranam Aayiram' and the plot is a blending of other films 'Kushi' and 'Sivamanasula Shakthi'. Jeeva and Samantha did the leading roles of this movie and it is produced by RS infotainment and Photon Kathas (Goutham's own production). 'NTEP' is released worldwide today (14/12/2012) and it received mostly mixed opinions.

Story

'NTEP' told the love relationship between Varun (Jeeva) and Nithya (Samantha) in their childhood to teenage.During this period they face some mixed events like wrangles & love, now and then. 

'NTEP' story is just good and the sequences up to par. First Half have some piquant scenes and in Second half, the show goes in a slow pace and makes u tiresome at parts.

Jeeva's appearance and gestures are nice as a cute lover boy 'Varun'. Samantha is pretty in the role of 'Nithya' and she wonderfully did it. Their on-screen chemistry works good and 'Jeeva & Samantha' totally steal the show. Santhanam makes u laugh in his scenes and others are fair.

The Outlining of characters, their actions and dialogues have Gautham's effect but the plot and conceiving fell flat. The wrangles & affections between of 'Jeeva & Samantha's characters resembling the films 'Kushi', 'Sivamanasula Shakthi'. Specially in interval related scene and its climax. The advantage is Gautham's screenplay creates an uptight mood that 'the lovers will be joined together?'. In Major Technical sides - nothing offers specialities in Cinematography, Editing and Musics. Visuals are mediocre, taken by M.S.Prabhu and Omprakash and Anthony's Editing is only a saving grace. Maestro Illayaraja's tracks could have been little better.

Grade:   Watchable

Rating:  3/5

'Hitlist' - Review

'Hitlist' is just building up for acting career of Bala, but as a debut directorial of him the film is totally failure. It has the lack of perfect scripting and much more resemblance of certain scenes of blockbusters like Naan Mahan allai (its Starting scene), Vikramarkudu, Ghajini etc. We can realise that Bala inspired the making style from these movies. 'Hitlist' released today and unfortunately its responses are negative.

Story

Vikram Rathore (Bala), an impulsive & strict police officer who handling a case that a psychic person who kills polices and trace out the culprit.

Hitlist story breaks the twine and the sequences makes u predictable.

'Hitlist' has rounded out in multi-star castings along with Bala, Unni Mukundan, Riyaz Khan, Narain, Samudrakani, Thalaivasal Vijay, Suresh Krishna, Sandhya, Aiswarya Devan etc. But they have nothing to do in their roles except Bala and Kannada Actor Dhruv (done a villain role). Bala's protagonist role is in throughout scenes (from the start to end) and no-doubt to mention that its a 'Bala Show-off'. Dhruv's appearance and gestures are nice, but his lip movements are discorded to his dubbing artist.

Besides as a director, Bala takes up the charge of story & screenplay and also produced by his own banner Arunachalam pictures. The film has jam packed with a lot of actors, fights and inspirations from some other blockbusters' scenes but Bala is much more care about its shots (fairly created). Moreover, thrill scenes have canons like Tamil films. Madhu Neelakantan's visual angles is good and Samjith's editing is just pass. Alphonse Joseph's tunes are noisy.

Totally, 'Hitlist' has no more positives

Grade:  A 'Flop' list

Rating: 1.75/5

Three Malayalam Films starts tomorrow (07/12/2012)

'Madirasi'

Technicians

Production    Kichu Films & Impresario Motion Pictures

Director         Shaji Kailas

Writer             Rajesh Jayaraman

Camera         Shaji

Editor             Samjith MHD

Art                   Boban

Makeup         Ratheesh Ambady

Costumes    Sheeba

Stills              Shajil Obscura

Designs       Collins Leophil

'Hitlist'

Technicians

Production     Arunachalam Pictures

Director          Bala

Writer             U.Hareesh & Subodh Cherthala

Camera         Madhu Neelakandan

Editor             Samjith MHD

Music             Alphonse Joseph

Costumes    Sunil Rahman

Stills              Saleesh peringottukara

Designs        Deepanguran

'Hide N' Seek'

Technicians

Production     Kalidasa International Movie

Director          Anil

Writer              Vikram.S.Nair

Camera          Anandakuttan

Editor              P.C.Mohanan

Art                    Balu

Makeup          Pattanam Rasheed

Costumes     S.B.Satheeshan

Stills               Salish Peringottukara

'Talaash' - Review

Dear Friends, 

I was struck when the revealing of Talaash's suspense (though it's guessable), because the film makes out an unthought 'speciality' within it.  Hence, 'Talaash' is getting good responses from viewers. It is directed by Reema Kagti and starring Aamir Khan, Kareena kapoor, Rani Mukherji, Nawazudin sidiqui etc. in the lead. 

Story

The story starts with an accidental death of a famous film star and a cop 'Surjan Singh Sekhawat' (Aamir Khan) aka 'Suri' undertakes this case to reveal the actual reasons of the death. Meanwhile, a sex worker (Kareena Kapoor) supports him in his investigation. In this, the life story of Suri's family is also related. 

'Talaash' - Story line is an exceptional one and the screenplay, its backbone. Sequences goes perfectly and much creates and keeps a mystery behind it. specially in its climax! 

Aamir Khan stand out again his title 'Mr.Perfectionist' by his dutiful cop role 'Surjan Singh Sekhawat'. His physique & get-up (with Hulk Hogan-ic moustache) and gestures are classic. Rani Mukhergi's a 'bereft' mother performance is particular and Kareena's character will bear in the minds of viewers. Nawazudin sidiqui's acting for his role traits that set his apart.

Reema Kagti made good as a director with her fabulous and distinctive treatment and story & screenplay joined by the team Reema & Zoya Akthar, so that it fit together perfectly. As a crime mysterious film. Talaash didn't go with usual pattern by the reason of its rare suspense and off-the wall creativity. Farhan Akthar penned the clear-cut dialogues with a strong additional dialogues of Anurag kashyap. I loved the dialogue of Aamir Khan to a role of 'Harlot' (I don't know the actress name) in Brothel 'Mujhe bhi hasi aathi hey'. Talaash major technicalities are topping marks - Mohanan captured the apt visuals (Back-drops of Mumbai city) and brilliant underwater shots and Editing of Anand Subaiya, is well cut. Ram Sampath's tunes are graceful.

Totally, 'Talaash' gives a bizarre mood.

Grade:   A Ground-Breaking 'Search'

Rating:  4/5

'Face 2 Face' - Review

Dear Friends,

Director V.M.Vinu re-routed from his previous modus operandi and his new film 'Face 2 Face' outlining a crime thriller plot which handling well in first half, but in its Second Half he returns to his family films emotions, specially in Climax and End. What is more you doubt about that is it the climax and end part when the title shown 'directed V.M.Vinu', indeed. 'Face 2 Face', a 'Mammootty' starrer film which released 30/11/2012 and received mostly negative responses from the viewers. 

Story

Balachandran (Mammootty) is under suspension from police service because of his strict approach in law & order and he enters in real estate business. During this period a murder of a famous young politician cum businessman happens in the city and it becomes an issue amongst the media. Authorities appoint an investigation team for this murder, but Balachandran parallelly and secretly investigates this case. See what happens then?   

'Face 2 Face' is socially good story but it drawbacks are fully abounded in Second half - flashback scenes are lagging & exaggerating which totally fall flats the plot. 

This is totally a Mammooty film for showing his dress sense and magnetic personality in situations with aplomb. Other characters of Sidique, Kalabhavan Mani and Mammukoya did notably. Actresses Ragini Trivedi and Roma have nothing much to do in this film. The youngsters performed well in their dance steps, but their scenes aren't adequate.

V.M Vinu and the script writer Manoj totally break the Second half with stone-washed boring emotions, Climax and End are neither Crime nor Sentiment. First Half keeps a good pace as a crime thriller. Face 2 Face only in the good graces of Ajayan Vincent's visuals. Cuts of Samjith MHD is just follows the script and Alphonse Joseph's Music is fair.

Grade:  'Face 2 Face' cocks-up in Second Half's 'Frame 2 Frame'

Rating:  2/5