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Her Chapter 1 (2023)
Top Notch
Watched this movie on Prime drawn by the good ratings that it had on IMDB. And Oh Boy it was a surprise. Didn't expect the movie to be this good. It is a rarity in Telugu cinema that a movie is made sans all the commercial elements or just sticking to the basic plot. This movie does exactly that. Right from the first shot the movie sticks to its genre of a crime thriller. The best part of the movie is the writing. After establishing the premise, the entire first half is dedicated only to the investigation details which raises the curiosity until the interval block which will leave you with a Wow. The second half too maintains the momentum but only up until the climax. This movie also is similar to the HIT part one which left us a bit let down in the climax. What starts as a single case ends as two in the climax giving the perfect launch for the Chapter 2. The lead actress is spot on and her performance is top notch. The visuals, BGM and tight screenplay are the biggest strengths. Kudos to the director for such a splendid product. Shocked and surprised why this movie went unnoticed upon its release.
Master (2021)
Good Taking... Bad Writing
Master brought three big names of Tamil Cinema, two actors and one director. With Vijay Sethupathi in the antagonist role and pitted against Vijay, the star, expectations were sky high. But alas isn't it a great missed opportunity for the team. The film is high on style but very low on substance. The basic idea is good enough but is very poorly developed. The movie starts on the right note introduces a very different characterization of the antagonist but from then it only goes on the downslide. The director has taken a lot of interest in showcasing Vijay stylishly but what is the use of style when the proceedings are not attention worthy. It takes more than an hour for the clash to begin and it goes good till interval leaving the audience hopeful of a good second half but the tempo goes further down leaving the audience tired and bored. For hardcore Vijay fans this movie may just pass of as a good watch but for general fans it is just a one time watch thanks to visuals, BGM and both Vijay's screen presence.
Maaveeran (2023)
A Good Watch
The movie is about how a timid man turns a hero for his people. What sets this movie apart is its realistic setting and taking. The director could have easily gone overboard like the regular movies with a lot of hero elevation and hype scenes. The lead character rather than limiting to a single character reflects the common man's mindset today which is Why should we bother or What is it to us or that of being a spectator or one in the audience. The director instead of taking a superficial issue takes one which can resonate with the common audience which makes the film more connecting. The visuals and the BGM holds attention. The negative side is the length of the movie and a few over dramatic(loud) scenes especially that involving senior actress Sarita. The movie is too long and over a period of time the story looks dragged. A trim of a 30 min could have done wonders to the movie. But despite this the movie makes for a good watch.
Thiruchitrambalam (2022)
Subtle and Realistic
Watched the movie on Amazon Prime. It is a story that we have seen numerous times on the screen before in almost all languages but it still manages not only hold attention but also entertain is its realistic and simple execution. The story has multiple layers, friendship, love, family (father-son-grandfather) relationship and the brilliant screenplay manages to give ample space to all these which makes the film high on the emotional side which is the biggest strength. The beauty however is that all these emotions are handled sensibly and realistically than filmy. Full marks to the cast and crew. Standouts are the lead pair, visuals, screenplay, realistic treatment and music. Except for the predictable story (which is anybody's guess) and a lag in a few scenes especially towards the end, this film will be one of the best made in the genre in the Tamil film Industry. Kudos to the director.
Jailer (2023)
Rajni in Nelson's frame
Jailer is definitely Rajni's much better outing compared to his previous duds(Darbar and Annathe). Director Nelson doesn't get carried away by Rajni's usual style(over the mill introduction/scenes/dialogues/theatrics etc etc) but makes him fit into his frame or style and the result is that the Rajinism in this movie is more polished/stylised. The movie starts with the regular style of introduction of the villain. After the introduction of Rajni's character(a very low profile and apt indeed) the movie goes on a high and reaches a peak at the interval. But post interval after Rajni's stylised walk scene with Anirudh's thumping BG the pace and the direction goes haywire(Sunil and Tamanna's episode). It is here that Nelson/writers lost it. The movie comes back on track in the scene of Rajni staging the crown theft. The movie not only regains ground but then takes a twist which none/very few would have imagined. Nelson again shows his mark in the climax by not taking the usual route of overdose of emotion or action but keeps it apt and ends in the most unconventional way a normal Rajni movie would end. Kudos to him. Cameos by all actors are good, Shivanna's being the best. If only the director had taken care of the mid portion of the second half(a good 45 min) the movie would have been a must watch and a bigger blockbuster. Camerawork and the BG are the biggest plus along with Rajni's measured acting and Nelson's treatment of a oft repeated concept.
Gandhada Gudi (2022)
Marvelous, Magnificent and Magical
What an entertainer!!!! Yes I use the word entertainer for a docu drama which is considered as a bit boring concept that too from a superstar. But this movie once again shows that it is not cheap songs, provocative dance movements, dirty jokes, illogic tear jerkers and over-the-mill action sequences which has been long defined as entertainment. This movie shows how without all of the above a movie can not just entertain but also immerse you into it. Hats off to the director and the entire crew who have made this masterpiece. It is not just a journey into the woods but a spiritual journey that shows that Man-Nature-God are interconnected and that you are nothing but a part of nature and you gotta realize it soon and respect it. The movie makes you laugh, leaves you in awe and also teary eyed. Right from the word go, the director(who is also a wildlife explorer) takes you into his world. The title sequence takes you to a high and there is no looking back. The exceptional cinematography and music keeps you hooked to the screen. The movie just flows like a river uninterrupted. The last sequence where Puneeth fades away followed by the heart touching song to the end card- VishwaManava leaves you seated speechless and teary eyed. Words are short to write or speak about Puneeth Rajkumar. He just chose a perfect adieu to himself.
The Kerala Story (2023)
When Filmmaking is considered an Art!!!
Rarely do you see movies which will leave you in awe or shaken. The Kerala Story is a perfect example of one such. Similar to Kashmir files, the makers choose a story which has been lately reported and discussed in all forms of media. So you already know what to expect. So the thrill of seeing something different was not there. But this is where the makers have left their mark, They take you deep into the journey of the characters, making you feel for them. A brutal story told emotionally. The movie makes no attempt to take the middle line. It is just bold and blunt. The scene in which Geetha comes to visit her ailing father and the dig at communists are on the top of the list. The back and forth screenplay keeps you hooked, cinematography is natural, BGM is engrossing, actors are realistic. The songs could have been a bit better. Kashmir files was a bit preachy but this is pure story telling at its best. This is certainly by a crew who consider movie making as an art and have huge respect for their craft.
Iratta (2023)
A Terrifying Thriller.
What most movies in the thriller or horror genre try to achieve with loads of stunts, gimmicks, visual and sound effects, the movie achieves with a single glance of the antagonist in the climax.
The movie begins on a regular note and what looks like a normal suspicious death solving mystery takes a whole new turn at the end. The director practically gets everything right from the very word go. The mood and tone of the movie is what sets it apart. It might look a bit dull and slow in the initial and middle portions but it all adds up to the terror that is in store at the end. The movie touches a wide range of topics such as parenting, differences between couples, twins on the two opposite sides, domestic violence, ego clashes etc which leaves one guessing which of these could be the reason for the suspicious death but the twist at the end leaves you stunned and terrified to the core. One of the best thrillers ever made and a masterpiece in the genre.
18 Pages (2022)
Above Average Writing, Below Average Execution
When you see names like Sukumar and Allu Aravind associated with a film you expect atleast an above average product. I watched this movie on Netflix getting drawn by the ratings it had received. But it was a big let down right from the word go. The movie is just average in content but what lets it down is its hopeless execution. The overboard acting (especially by the hero's friend in her irritating dialect), silly and non-connecting characterizations are a big put off. The first half just goes on the preachy and filmsy mode. It gets a bit interesting post-interval but soon the director and writer spoil it by silly characterizations of the negative characters( at the end you get confused if they are negative or comedy characters). Apart from badly written/executed scenes, the average music, camerawork, sound, make up and technical aspects( voice dubbing is pathetic, sounds like a dubbing movie than a straight one) also fails to impress. It feels as if you are watching atleast a decade or two decade old movie. The film takes the love angle in the first half and kind of thriller in the second half but loses steam in the proceedings. The only saving grace in the film is a few scenes in the second half and the climax. Watch it if you have nothing better.
A One Time Watch.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
A Good Watch!!!
The concept is of teens turning superheroes hence the story is kept simple and basic, packaged with fun, great visuals and engaging special effects. The excellent camerawork and music keeps you hooked to the screen covering up for the predictable story and screenplay. There are no heavy moments (emotions, violence or mind bending twists and turns) deviating much from the story which is a huge relief. It has all the ingredients packed to strike a chord with its target audience. A neat one to watch with your children and family over the weekend and a good watch for the those looking for simple entertainment.