Aandavan Kattalai

AANDAVAN KATTALAI (2016) ....

            Being Witnessed many well- made Malayalam movies  with 'shoestring' budget in recent times and its expensive & horrible Tamil remakes, watching a Tamil film with similar intensity and cherishing nuances as like Malayalam movies was like a 'day-dream' until watching #Aandavan_kattalai_2016.

           

This 150 min  feel good entertainer has equal portions of hilarious comedy and fascinating drama within it. From its 80's style of retro title card, Manikandan (director) is very clear about narrating the whole story in the style of 'Koothu' (A diminishing village art form).

WHAT WORKED WELL ...

- A solid casting. Including leads, every one fits in their role perfectly. Yogi babu dominates the whole first half, Aravindan as Srilankan tamilian was perfect, Pooja could have been used better, Nazzar & Simgampuli's extended cameo was good. SS.Stanley as visa mediator was tailor made.

- Technically fine. Realistic camera angles, Shanmuga sundaram's (Cinematographer) shots were so pleasant. Flawless editing from Anucharan, You wont feel bored at any point. Dramatic shift in scenes are good. 

- Musically Rich. Trappable tunes from K, Bgm was peppy.  Sound design by Arun & Vishnu were too good.

- Good at details. Court room divorce scenes were well executed (Effort of Junior artists in those scenes were appreciable). Fake visa process, Airport vigilance scenes and srilankan tamil peoples current scenario were well explained.

- Well placed Dialogues. Yogi babu's one liners were ultimate, hidden social and political satire dialogues were brilliantly used like, 'போலீஸ் காரனுக்கு சில்லர தேவை படாதே'.

WHAT DOESNT WORK ...

- As the whole movie was dramatic, some portions are not effective. Especially the interval.

- Rithika singh's second half court scene was bit lengthy. Climax is very predictable and tiring ..

- Gandhi's seven lack loan story with his uncle was abruptly left.

           Character 'Gandhi' was just a cakewalk for vijay sethupathy. Rithika singh gets her major screen presence only after one hour, but she steals the show with her cute expressions specially in the climax. Until  post interval scenes, the whole movie was majorly filled with fun elements, but after Rithika's court scene the whole plot takes a serious turn. Director Manikandan had handled those portions brilliantly.

          This is his first movie which runs over 110 min and he completely engages the audience all through the runtime. A well executed flick from him, expecting something new in his next film too. All the best bro.       

Finally  #Andavan_kattalai says, 'Even a big problem may have a tiny solution attached to it, Beware of mediators'.

OVERALL : A well executed Feel-good drama with good humor, a neat and clean family entertainer.

RATING : 3.25 / 5 ......

DON"T BREATHE

DONT BREATHE  ... Until the end of the show ...

          Hollywood 'Horror' flicks in recent days  dominates regional 'Box office' much, recent examples goes like #Conjuring 2's two week collections are much higher than #Kabali's three weeks long run collection in many single screens. Now, #Dont_Breathe likely takes over its position.

ONELINE : Three thieves, Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan) and Money (Daniel) breaks and trapped into a private property owned by a 'Blind' army man, Later development will make you feel 'stuffy' even you are in a AC hall.

         Holding the brand name of #Evil dead (2013), this 89min flick starts to scare you from its 10th minute and will never leave you to relax until its end. With not much CGI, Fede Alvarez (Director) had given a neat horror flick using much famous 'Old school' method.

WHAT WORKS WELL...

        - Continues 'one shot' house interior scene in the beginning and lighting less 'IR' basement portions are the highlights of Pedro Luque's (Cinematographer) excellent camera work.

        - Roque Baños's BGM was subtle. Breathing sound was well used all through the flick, Effects and sound design was top notch.

        - Stephen lang as blind man was perfect. His make over and Luque's lighting for hiim was outstanding. Basement set was good.

        - No breathing space in the whole run time, Eric L. Beason, Louise Ford, & Gardner Gould's (Editors) sharp cuts helps much for Fede Alvarez & Rodo Sayagues's (Writers) visual narration.

WHAT DOESNT WORK...

       - Alex's death and Rocky's exit from the house towards the climax helps very much to elongate the runtime.

        Apart from minor flaws, Fede Alvarez (Director) gives us a freeze thriller  with water tight screenplay. Write from the money's gun shot, you will never take your eye out of the screen. Horror film lovers will enjoy every moment of it.

OVERALL : A worthy horrific watch of this season, Much horrific than Conjuring 2 and Lights-out.

RATING : 3.75 / 5 ...

                               ................. Santhosh.A.V.K........................

KUTRAME THANDANAI

#KUTRAME_THANDANAI ... Well tried!!...

'#Kaaka_muttai kind of 'Soft' phased crisp take on a 'whodunit' Mystery thriller, sums up 'Kutrame thandanai'. Lasting only 99 minutes, this flick is stuffed with enough thriller elements established in a raw and gentle manner.

Establishing every character elements through Hero's perspective eats away the primary 50 min, long side the clear explanation on 'Tunnel vision' is attached by. Though the murder scene was established within primary 20 minutes, its subsequences are planted for final 49 minutes which leads to a middling climax with 'plot turning' twists.

#WHAT_WORKED_WELL ...

- 'Tunnel vision' and its medical politics were well explained. Also a much detailed take on 'behind the court' activities are appreciable. 

- 'Vidharth' as a city man was refreshing and perfect, his 'tunnel vision' act was superb. Rahman, somasundharam, Pooja also did their level best. Nazar's extended cameo was good.

- Manikandan's cinematography was rich and perfect. Anucharan's (Editor) cuts were perfect. 

- Though first half was slow phased, second half was padded with some interesting sequences.

#WHAT_DOESNT_WORK ...

- Since the whole phase of the movie is soft and slow, none of the twist affects the audience immediately. (Cant say the phase of the movie is perfect for a murder mystery).

- Vidharth - Rahman combo scenes are well established, Vidharth - Aishwarya scenes in the climax goes off soon and doesn't registered well.

- Illayaraja's BGM was good in many places, but disturbing and noisy at some portions that over shades few dialogues. 

- Non-linear climax editing was nice and intelligent, but a normal audience will have no clue that, 'who murdered the girl?'. Could have simplified it little.

Since this movie was signed before 'Kakka muttai', 'Manikandan' succeeds 50% in his first attempt, his 'Soft' take on a murder mystery was applaud able. At the end of the show i was left with a major question,

Through Ravi's (Vidharth) character, did the director encourages ' violence against women'?

#OVERALL : An impressive attempt on a 'murder mystery' thriller, which leaves you with some impact. Don't expect any thing big.

#RATING : 2.5 / 5 ......

............. Santhosh.A.V.K............

KIDAARI

KIDAARI ...

A regular commercial 'Raise of a Local don' tale embedded in a 'whodunit' pattern of screenplay over 140 minutes of moderate run phase, comprises the attempt called 'Kidaari'.

WHAT WORKED WELL ...
- Using 360 degree camera in a car interior scene was worthy. S.R.Kadhir's (Cinematographer) experimental shots in chasing scenes are really good.
- Sasikumar's performance and few love scenes are energetic and good. Sasikumar's tiny reactions in love scenes had come out well.
- 'Kidaariye' song and following scenes are few good hopes after intermission. BGM and other songs are not up to mark.
- 'Kombaiyya pandiyan' and all other lead characters are well sketched. Rest of the cast did their job well.

On the flip side, Unwanted bunch of characters and too much flashbacks diverts audience from the main plot. Restrictions on those would have resulted a better product.

WHATS THE PURPOSE OF THE MOVIE 'KIDAARI'??...
Apart from review, i have few more question to Mr.Prasath murugesan (Director).

- The whole movie is narrated from the view of Komban's auditor (Kanakkupikkai). Until relieving his original shade, he never stopped praising the character 'Komban' and in final sequence all of the sudden, he reacts like 'Komban na periya komba' kind of mannerism. What kind of character he is? what is the purpose of the character?.

- if 'Kidaari' really loves his father, he should come out of all his gangster activities as his wish (Napoleon mentions that he needs to settle in Kerala by leaving all those activities). But why does he return to the same path in climax too??...

- All through the movie, director showcases the different types of 'Arivaal' and suddenly says 'there is no use of being violent' and in post-climax sequences, he again encourages gangsters. Why this plot should have so much of Contradictions with its own theme??...

Overall, a movie should have a beginning and an end with some purpose (Concept), which carries the movie all through the run time. But i cant find any of these elements in the whole story line. Specifically, there is no purpose for this flick, its better to drop these kind of movies in the discussion table itself.

RATING : 1.75/ 5...
..................... Santhosh.A.V.K..................

DHARMA DURAI

DHARMA DURAI ... A Dethatched sequence of a 'Tele serial' ...

           With elongated run time of 147 min, 'Dharmadurai' tried to portray the life of a 'rural doctor' with non-concentric 'Snail-phased' screen narration.

ONLINE : Dharmadurai (VJ Sethupathi), a drunken medical graduate, elopes from his home due to unfavorable surroundings and gets back to his college friends in search of a new beginning.

           As primary 45 minutes goes for elongated character intro's, later arrives a 80's style of tiring flashback portion leads to a forced interval block. Post interval scenes goes aimlessly, ends with a feel good final 20 minutes, terminates with 'abrupt' climax.

WHAT WORKED WELL (+ves)...

-   M.Sukumar's (Cinematographer) aerial shots were  beautiful.

-  Very matured performances from experienced star cast. Specially Radhika, Rajesh and Aruldass.

- Final 20 minutes 'Vj Sethupathi - Thamannah' scenes were impressive.

- Yuvan's intro song was good. His emotional BGM is average.

WHAT DOESNT WORK (- Ves)...

- What is the need of the character 'Stella'?.  Did she create any impact in the story?. 

- The whole phase of the movie was lethargic and gives you the feel of watching 'Mega serial'. 

- How come 'vijay sethupathy' doesn't notice the huge amount in his own bag until climax?. 

- without any proper period notification, 'Idhayam' style of 80's flashback  were testing  our patience.

- Second flashback with 'Anbu selvi' (Aishwarya) was totally a 'worn out' formula. 

- Why 'Anbu selvi' should commit suicide?, while she had so much confidence on 'Vijay sethupathy'? 

- Except last 20 min, none of the character uses any sort of electronic equipment. Then how come 'Vijay sethupathy' claims himself using 'Face book' and' Watsapp' in front of college watchman?.

- Why the medical college is not working in the present day?. in which college culturals, students were using MGR, Shivaji and Rajini's make over?.

           Despite all these, the only strong element which holds the whole content is 'Vijay sethupathy'. Usually he does his best his final scenes with 'Thamanna' tries to cover all other loop holes till there.

            Though provided with strong technical support and performances, 'Seenu ramasamy' (Director) had failed to utilize these resources in an effective  manner. All of his thoughts about 'Rural service' for doctors deserves a special applause. Misplacement of songs, slow narration, forced scenes and dialogue  were the main spoilers.

RATING : 2.25 / 5 ....

WRAPPING UP : An effective 'Feel good' attempt with more artificiality. Last 20 minutes will satisfy family audiences.

      .............Santhosh.A.V.K.................

Sultan -Review

SULTHAN ... An ordinary raise and fall champion's story ...
                 A rapid mix of Patriotism, child sentiment from 'bajrangi bhaijaan' and Wife sentiment from 'Dabangg' wrapped with regular pattern screenplay for a sports movie results, 'Sulthan'.

This 170 min Commercial sports drama, marks the making and fall of a wrestler 'Sulthan' (Salman) with some 'pulse less' and formality scenes till interval. Though Post interval scenes gives you some hope, Bad song placements and predictable climax pulls the expectation down to the 'Median line', results in an average product.

 WHAT DOESN'T WORK...

- Tough 'Sulthan' is a fictional character, learning wrestling within 6 weeks is little too dramatic.

- 'Baby ko bass' in first half and 'Jag ghoomeya' in second half tests our patience. Floor movement try by salman may be an exception :-) ..

- First half scenes looks very formal, Eg, Salman lifting a tractor in front of franchise owner, Hero becoming wrestler for heroin, Salman proposes  Anushka in the wrestling ring ect...

- Non-linier narration in fight scenes are good. but after semi finals collapse, even a child can predict the following sequences.

-Though songs are average, placement was totally bad. Technical analysis of each opponent fighter in second half could have added some more spice to the script.

                     Camera work in action sequences are too good. Phase of the movie is little dragging, editing could have been better. BGM was fine. Action sequences are brilliant, Wrestle trainer needs special mention. Anushka and salman did a splendid job, Casting is more effective. Ali Abbas Zafar could have made the first half little better and crispier, Second half is average.

OVERALL : An Usual template sports movie, Wrapped with commercial ingredients.

RATING : 2.5 / 5 ...
                            .................................Santhosh.A.V.K..................................

DHILLUKKU DHUDDU

DHILLUKU DHUDDU ... A ineffective scoop on a conventional 'Horror'.

Drafting a Conventional 'horror script', adapted and re-written the same for 'Lollu sabha' fans, Inserting some forced spoof elements for Santhanam's image and delivering it as a 'cat on the wall' product. This summarizes the whole development of 'Dhilluku Dhuddu'.

With quality 'camera work' and rich technical support within the budget, this 135 min movie averages at various department namely Casting, Editing, Screenplay loop holes, BGM and S.S.Thaman's Telugu tunes.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK :

- The whole content doesn't relay on 'Horror spoof' as trailer suggests.

- Love scenes in first half was totally unnecessary.

- Santhanam looks good at 'Fight scenes', but his attitude towards dance and romantic scenes are intolerable, his 'Stubborn dance movement trial' has crossed its validity..

- Trimming away the love portions in first half, extending and detailing out the second half could have been perfect.

- What is the movie of the guy who called the 'Monk' to that bulding.

- After the formal end of the climax, heroin part is just an extension, goodness 'Murugan' inclusion is just a sentimental patch.

"'First half'ல என்ன வேணும்னாலும் காமிச்சிக்கலாம்,Second half நல்லா எடுத்துட்டா மட்டும் போதும்", kind of approach from Rambala (Director).Though he got a good technical support, which even conventional horror movies were lacking behind, below average first half spoils the whole show. 'One liners' and 'Mottai' Rajendiran are the major strength. Few sentimental scenes have really worked well. but, not an impressive debut from him.

OVERALL : A Conventional 'Horror' Flick with forced spoof elements.

RATING : 2.25 / 5 ...