georgethomasp Reviews

Phoenix (IV) (2023)

Worth a watch but could have delivered more

[6/10 · 3 January 2024]

The horror genre is probably the most difficult genre especially when you are trying to stay away from physical horror and want it to be more psychological and implied.

This movie also has its good bits but somewhere there are glaring holes and bits which are thrown at you without any context leaving you confused in places.

The central theme is clearly defined but somehow seems to be logically flawed. But in all fairness once the movie moves on, that can be forgiven. The kids are the stars but have been criminally under utilised and several moments promise more but then they are abruptly ended especially the blind child who could have been given more meat in her role.

Overall worth a watch.

Falimy (2023)

Well delivered in spite of limitations

[7/10 · 3 January 2024]

Falimy represents the typical content that can come only from the Malayalam industry. A movie with a plot that can be summarised in 2 lines but the execution and narration takes you through a complete journey.

Every thing about this movie is simple and plain but when you blend it all together there is nothing simple about the finished product.

While there are flaws especially on the acting front with the exception of Jagadish and Manju Pillai, the movie is so multi faceted that this is never even a factor. The story flows seamlessly and you can feel the animosity at the beginning, hurt during the second quarter, sorrow of the third and the final reconciliation at the end all meshing organically.

The characters are well defined and are flawed with reason and their faults are what connect them to the audience. The grandfather was my favourite character who is someone caught in the middle of this dysfunctional family and is actively trying to get away with little success.

All in all a definite watch if you love a movie for the plot and not so much for the star value.

A Ranjith Cinema (2023)

Promises a lot but delivers little

[3/10 · 3 January 2024]

This movie is a prime example of having all the right and finest ingredients available but a poor chef and their team failing to execute the recipe properly and delivering a poor meal.

The plot and premise is intriguing and all the right elements are in place but poor execution and acting talent that is severely sub par delivers a product that is lacking in so many fronts.

In the right hands the movie could have been an intriguing thriller that could have justified the source material. A classic example is Falimy which had so strong a storyline that in spite of some poor acting from some central characters the movie hits all the right notes.

Watch this movie with lowered expectations and you will walk away entertained so leave it at that.

Mark Antony (2023)

The movie feels slapstick and not in a good way

[2/10 · 6 November 2023]

I struggled to watch this movie and there were multiple culprits responsible.

1. The acting : The acting is over the top and overdone in the way a burnt puri is overdone. Not one character feels genuine and while over the top is sometimes the need, it has been done so poorly here that it feels grating more than anything.

2. The Genre : Indian movies have always struggled to handle the science fiction genre and this movie is another failed attempt here. No effort has been made to properly explain the concepts involved with some degree of intelligence.

3. Direction and Story : Unfortunately these are completely missing and did not even seem to be in the agenda.

4. Music: Maybe given how bad the rest of it is, this maybe not too bad in comparison.

Janaki Jaane (2023)

Promising but eventually failing to deliver

[6/10 · 19 July 2023]

The movie was a strong vehicle for so many things that could have been. A strong foundation, great character development, good cast, powerful plot, real life relevance and so much more that had this movie going for it, but somewhere the direction was lost.

My personal view was that the movie spent so much time building it's premise, it's character development and setting up the finale that eventually they ran out of time or even worse, the plot for the finale.

The casting is spot on and I'm always just amazed by the talent that abounds in character actors all across the Southern industries especially Tamil and Malayalam.

I only wish that the movie had closed stronger and more time spent on the core of her transition rather than the extensive time spent in the premise.

The Trial (2023– )

A Half Baked Drama and I'm still trying to find the trial

[4/10 · 19 July 2023]

The titular Trial is practically non existent and while one would assume this is a legal thriller, one would be sorely mistaken. The struggle that they desperately try to showcase is non existent, almost as if Kajol had given clear instructions that her time on the show should be as comfortable as possible and her struggle resembles that of a Bollywood star kid.

The trial is also poorly captured, depicted and executed and almost seems to be the background artist of the show unlike what the title seems to convey unless maybe there is a personal and social trial also happening but maybe that episode seems missing.

Poor casting, terrible acting and misguided direction seem to be the only consistent parts of the show. It's almost like Ajay Devgn was planning a holiday for his better half with some mild work thrown in, and here she has done enough to challenge the better part of the better half title.

Characters are all over the place. Even stalwarts have been reduced to one dimensional, almost caricaturish representations of what they could have been.

Heaven (I) (2022)

A Good watch but the plot twist seems a little overused

[7/10 · 22 August 2022]

As usual, Heaven is another gem from this industry which seems to deliver one success after the other. In case you have watched Venjaramoodu's earlier work, his new Avatar is almost unrecognizable. Unfortunately, some of his work in Heaven seems too close to Jana Gana Mana and at times, you feel the scenes are switchable between both movies. Again more a perspective issue rather than a criticism.

The main motive of the antagonist seems to confuse me and basically I am not able to understand how that situation was created which is a major plot hole for me. The frozen body fooling an experienced pathologist is another plot hole, but I guess you can subvert some amount of logic there.

Otherwise, the movie is riveting, the crimes justified to an extent for both parties (plot hole apart). There is a coldness in the role expected of Deepak Parambol which he just couldn't deliver and a slightly better performer would have killed it.

The major cast is impressive but I wish Sudev Nair had more to do and his presence almost seems like a editing goof up.

Watch it and you won't regret it.

Vaashi (2022)

Mediocre at Best....

[4/10 · 8 August 2022]

A story and context which is very relevant in today's times. Pre-marital sex, casual relationships, career vs family, ego clashes between couples and so on and so forth. Every ingredient to make a perfect movie which would resonate with so many of the current generation and also keep the family box checked.

But, unfortunately poor direction, weak dialogues and a lack of any chemistry between the leading pair made for a mediocre tale with so many moments that make you go "If only....".

The movie needed a pair with a little more acting range and a lot of the moments lack any naturality and feel forced and very over done. The wry smiles, the angry grimace, shocked expressions all feel completely off. Tovino is a mass performer and unfortunately this movie needed a performer of a higher caliber. The same goes for Keerthy but honestly I believe she did a better job than her male counterpart.

My favorite performer was actually Anagha who played the victim. Her portrayal and the range of emotions especially when she confesses what she did to Tovino were some of the best moments. Baiju also felt under utilized and some of the moments actually felt like they were introduced with no real reason only to create opportunities for increased tension.

Jana Gana Mana (2022)

Well executed but loud and overdone at times.......

[7/10 · 6 June 2022]

When you've looked at the beginning of Suraj Venjaramoodu's early days, mostly in over the top comedic roles which were mostly meant to provide some side dishes along the main movie which is a commonly employed formula in Indian movies, you tend to ignore him as one of the many side artiste's purely meant to give you a break from the main action. Then came movies like Android Kunjappan, Vikruthi, Driving License and suddenly we were seeing a side of him which was least expected. This clown like character was now playing characters rivaling the main leads and sometimes, playing the main lead itself.

Prithviraj has been promising and his recent performances have been strong and powerful both artistically and commercially.

Now coming to Jana Gana Mana, the collaboration of the two of them is quite exceptional and does not disappoint. The twists and turns will keep you guessing and second guessing and then you still end up wrong. The story and screenplay are generally well thought through and keep you in your seat.

While it is a good movie, without doubt, I still believe there were a few plot fails and some casting goofs. Some of the characters especially Mamta and Shammi were let downs to me and did not bring in the energy which was required and they seemed a little tired. Some of the plot points don't make sense when you look at it and some of the messages which the movie tries to convey though apt, feel a little forced. Prithviraj sometimes overdoes his emotion and passion and the attempt to show his personal motivations as his zeal feel artificial and over the top. Suraj was basically flawless and his silence coupled with his eyes and body language speaks volumes.

But on the whole, do catch this movie without fail. What few negatives do exist do not take anything away from the movie and you will walk away entertained, thrilled and questioning your views since we will all have made up our minds when you start the movie and see our prejudices demolished by the end. Can't wait for the second installment.

Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020)

Driving License - Taken to another level

[8/10 · 16 March 2020]

In the most basic of terms, Driving License and Ayyapanum Koshiyum share the same fundamental premise. But, the fundamental premise has been taken into two separate and diverse paths each brilliantly executed. While Driving License was more of about the brittle egos of its main characters and their unwillingness to let go, AyyKos is more about morality. How one man working within the confines of the law errs on one account resulting in his life being thrown into chaos by the arrogant and entitled Koshy. There is a complex interaction of characters especially the driver, the tribal wife and the father. How, inspite of wanting to end it all, circumstances still collude to add fuel to the fire. Friends who do more good than harm, a hero worshiping cop who is trying to help his idol are just further cogs in this finely tuned engine which delivers a powerful performance with the leads stealing the show.